LBI Spring Invitational Day 2: Sunday Standouts

After what was a scintillating first day of grassroots hoops at the LBI Spring Invitational, one had to wonder how would the event top its first day with an encore on the second? Day two was perhaps even more exciting than the first day, particularly given that the travel teams that participated were competing for championships in their respective groups. As was the case with the first day, games took place at the Easley Recreation Center as well as the Potential Academy in Greenville. Prep Girls Hoops was on hand for the second day of basketball in the South Carolina upstate. Here is a look at who caught our eye as this year’s Spring Invitational reached its conclusion. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/05/ABB7F312-44B0-4644-A06C-615228E3A849-scaled-crop-1908x1253-1620210285.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-281146" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/05/ABB7F312-44B0-4644-A06C-615228E3A849-scaled-crop-1908x1253-1620210285-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="251764" first="Eliza" last="Phillips"] – 2024 – NC Gems - Spartanburg HS</strong> – She put her point guard attributes to good use in the playing time she received. Phillips is not afraid to take shots from long range and is very active even when she does not have the ball in her hand. She is also a potent defender and will also put herself in position to grab rebounds. Elements of her defensive game include the ability to steal the ball and block shots. This past season with the Vikings, she averaged over four points and just under a steal per contest. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/05/F494D392-352E-4052-BCB0-5B015DF6276A-scaled-crop-1695x1113-1620210331.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-281147" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/05/F494D392-352E-4052-BCB0-5B015DF6276A-scaled-crop-1695x1113-1620210331-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="190150" first="Rickell" last="Brown"] – 2024 – Sumter Elite – Sumter HS</strong> – If one watched Brown during her career at Chestnut Oaks Middle School, one could tell she is a potent scorer. She was a Sumter Middle School All-Conference recipient in her final season at Chestnut Oaks and has taken her skills to the Sumter Gamecocks. Brown, in a tough contest with Charlotte Dream Elite, did a bit of everything for her team. For much of the first half when her team (that had only one bench player) was struggling, she kept her team in it by scoring 11 of Sumter Elite’s 19 first half points en route to a 19-16 lead. Brown will get teams to commit turnovers and will collect the ball afterwards. She also knows when to pass up a shot to give teammates chances to put up points. She gets ready on defense early in an opposing team’s possession and has a good read on where a pass could go. Brown can drain shots from anywhere on the floor as she scored 14 in the game against Charlotte Dream Elite. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="195517" first="Keziyah" last="Sanders"] – 2024 – Sumter Elite – Sumter HS - </strong> It is only fitting that Gamecocks connection has made its way to the travel circuit. Her ability to handle the ball makes her a tough out for anyone defending her. Sanders will bring in rebounds and will help on defense to put opposing ball carriers in precarious double team situations. Offensively, she will get plenty of attention and contact which enables her to make shots at the free throw line. She will also sink 3-point jumpers as well. Sanders finished the game against Charlotte Dream Elite with 10 points. <strong>Liliana Ignacio – 2024 – Sumter Elite – Crestwood HS</strong> – Sometimes, certain players will make plays early on which can be signals that someone is about to have herself a productive outing. Ignacio brought in the first rebound of Sumter Elite’s Sunday contest against Charlotte Dream Elite and that proved to be a sign that more was to come from the Knights’ freshman rising star. This was particularly the case as the first half wore on as, at one point, she was the only player for Sumter Elite not named Brown to muster a field goal for her team. And the shot she made the field was a tough shot where she ended up on the floor. Ignacio also knows how to rebound and draw contact to put her to the free throw line. Several of the free throws made were clutch shots in what was an entertaining contest with Charlotte Dream Elite. Ignacio scored 13 points – including nine in the second half and going four for four from the stripe. &nbsp;