Nike National News - From South Carolina - Part 2

(Courtesy of @starsforthefut1) Pool E   Philly Rise The Rise have hit the EYBL running in their first year on the circuit. They are a real threat to make the quarterfinals and make a run at the championship. They are led by <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/justine-pissott/">Justine Pissott</a> who is a (Tennessee commit.) 6x4 frame and sweet shooting stroke from deep makes her tough to guard. 2023 PG <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/hannah-hidalgo/">Hannah Hidalgo</a> has done a great job leading this group.   Essence Led by ESPN #2 ranked 2022 <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/janiah-barker/">Janiah Barker</a>, Essence plays and tough physical style that can upset the best of teams. Barker’s size and willingness to impose her will on opponents makes her hard to stop. This will be a tough matchup for Philly Rise for the pool E championship.   Pool F   Indiana Lady Gym Rats The Gym Rats come in with the youngest team on the circuit. 8 of their 10 players will return for next season. Even with their youth, they have been impressive this season reaching the platinum bracket at Boo Williams and finishing well in their July Events. They lost to Cal Sparks by one point in Chicago which is the only reason they did not qualify for the platinum bracket. They could be the sleeper of this event.   Fairfax Stars The Stars are peaking at the right time. They have finished in the final four the last two events including the TOC in Chicago and Battle in the Boro. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kiki-rice/">Kiki Rice</a> and <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/isabella-tanedo/">Isabella Tanedo</a> lead the back court and look to make it three Final Fours in a row. Thursday’s 9:30am game will most likely determine who advances to platinum.   Pool G   CyFair Elite CyFair is ranked as the best club in Texas regardless of brand by Premier basketball. 7 out of the 11 players are 2023s. Chloe Cardy, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/rylee-grays/">Rylee Grays</a>, and Giselle Maul are ranked in the Top 51 of their class by ESPN. This is another young team that has a chance to make a big splash.   TN Flight Silver The trio of <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kennedy-claybrooks/">Kennedy Claybrooks</a>, Cori Allen, and <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jordyn-griggs/">Jordy Griggs</a> headline TN Flight. They finished in the final four in run 4 the roses and then finished first in the Battle of the Boro. The competition in Augusta will be much tougher, but becoming accustomed to winning creates the right mindset to carry over into this event.   Team Elite Flauje is one of the most dominant guards in the EYBL. Does she have what it takes to lead Team Elite into the Platinum Bracket?   Pool H   North Tartan North Tartan is a very fundamental team that is very dangerous when their shots are falling. Their scouting of other teams makes it difficult to execute on the offensive end. They do an incredible job of taking away your first option and forcing you to rely on counters.. Point guard <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kiani-lockett/">Kiani Lockett </a>(Creighton Commit) and is a long, pesky defender who finishes well. ESPN #84 <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/mara-braun/">Mara Braun</a> (Minnesota Commit) who gets this team going. She plays with a ton of confidence and can attack the rim and knock down the three pointer.   Michigan Crossover Crossover plays an athletic style of basketball. If you don’t take care of the ball you will be in trouble. With wins against Cal Storm and Colorado Premier in the last two tournaments, they are looking to avenge a loss to North Tartan in Iowa which cost them a shot at the Championship game against Iowa.   Cal Swish This team has had a makeover since Boo Williams. #1 ranked player in the 2023 class on every ranking service, [player_tooltip player_id="54106" first="Judea" last="Watkins"] is a do everything guard who plays a style so physical she could star in college right now. ESPN #16 in the 2023 class, Jada Williams came over mid year and gave them a ball handler and shooter to support Juju’s ability to control the game. [player_tooltip player_id="305462" first="Nalani" last="White"] rounds out the trio that makes this team go. This year might be a bit early for a championship run, but they are fun to watch!   The tournament gets really interesting in the quarterfinals where we could have great matchups. Cal Stars faces North Tartan where The Tartans gave Cal Stars one of their only losses two weeks ago in Iowa. Team Takeover has a potential rematch with Philly Rise. The last game ended on a buzzer beater layup after Rise took the lead with a layup with 5 seconds left. This is going to be a great event. More coverage to come as the week moves on.