Lady Red Raider Thanksgiving Invitational: 2024s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The middle to latter portions of November means the high school sports landscape will soon shift away from football mode and fully into basketball mode. That is where many early season hoops tournaments come into focus.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of those was the Lady Red Raider Thanksgiving Invitational. As its namesake suggests, it was hosted by Greenville HS and it utilized nearby 3A Carolina HS as well as the 4A home of the Red Raiders.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Girls Hoops made the trip up to the Upstate for the weekend's get-together. Without further adieu, here are a few from this year's junior class who caught our attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["175308"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":552321,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"In the 3A Hurricanes' contest against 4A Riverside to determine a South Bracket champion for the weekend's invite at Greenville HS, The Warriors managed to keep McGowens off the scoreboard for much of the first half. Then the second half happened and McGowens did more McGowens things as she finished the game with 20 points. McGowens is gifted as someone who will absorb contact and add to a team's point output at the free throw line. She also has impressive dribbling capabilities and can attack the basket fearlessly. Out of her 20 points, 17 of them occurred in the second half. Appalachian State, Presbyterian and UNC Asheville are among the schools that have extended offers.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637b0f9a08bac"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["173132"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":551017,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eBennon is a newcomer to the now 1A Cavaliers from Legacy Early College. Her nickname may be “Quiet Storm,” but her play is sure to have Christ Church aficionados screaming at the top of their lungs in cheers. Bennon understands how to organize an offense in a halfcourt set and can impress with her footwork and ball handling skills. A midrange jumper is part of Bennon's overall offensive repertoire and she is unafraid to play the game on contact and take her chances at the free throw line. In her team's matchup against 4A Pickens, Bennon finished with seven points.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637b0f9a08c7e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["252636"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":551009,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eAs the Tigers were one of the teams to beat in last season's 3A competition, a greater spotlight will be put on Blue Ridge's star 5-foot-5 guard. Zi was anything but shy about shooting the 3-pointer in her team's matchup with Hillcrest and impressed with her lockdown defense that led to additional Blue Ridge possessions. Henderson also managed to get out in transition and had no issues with absorbing contact that enabled her to get to the free throw line. She also excelled as a rebounder in addition to her ball handling and distribution skills. She tallied 19 points in the Tigers victory over the 5A Rams. Henderson's Tigers were crowned champions of the tournament's North Bracket.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637b0f9a08d29"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["268139"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":552403,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eThe name [player_tooltip player_id='268139' first='Deyana' last='Hayes'] is familiar to us at Prep Girls Hoops given she was one of the standouts that shined the brightest at the SCBCA Elite camp in North Charleston. It was in the eighth grade when Hayes first sported the blue and gold colors of the Hurricanes. The hard-nosed defense she plays can lead to steals and extra possessions for her team. Hayes will also set up shop near the rim in hopes of converting on high-percentage shots and scoring on her is difficult as she will reject plenty a shot attempt. Hayes concluded the game against 5A Riverside having tallied 14 points.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637b0f9a08dc5"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["280575"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":551021,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eAbercrombie did plenty of Abercrombie things when the 4A Generals took on Berea in the final game of Friday's slate at Carolina HS. Because the score was so lopsided, she managed to garner plenty of rest in the second half of the matchup, but in the first half she displayed her assertiveness on both sides of the floor. Defensively, she made things difficult for who she was guarding and seemed to be one step of opposing offenses. Abercrombie scored often and had no issues absorbing contact to get to the free throw line. She also knew when the right times were to score and to distribute. She finished with 14 points in what was an emphatic Generals win over the Bulldogs. Abercrombie's Generals finished as runners-up in the North Bracket.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637b0f9a08e1f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["251759"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":552404,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The Cavaliers defeated the host Red Raiders on Sunday afternoon at Bill Johnson Court primarily because of the contributions they got in the low post from their star veteran. Kelly led all scorers with 12 points en route to the win for the 5A school. She set up shop on many occasions near the rim and helped Dorman's scoring and rebounding efforts. Kelly managed to get in position to box out and crash the boards in case of a missed Greenville free throw attempt. The Cavaliers were thankful the week prior to Thanksgiving for every bit of the 5-foot-11 frame she possesses.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637b0f9a08eb5"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":551019,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Maggie Chambers","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Pickens HS","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eWhere Owens proved herself to be an anchor of the Blue Flame's backcourt, Chambers did the same for the team in the frontcourt. While a great deal of what she did occurred near the rim, Chambers also managed to try her hand at the 3-point shot. She will have occasions on defense where she keeps her hands outstretched and delivers hustle with her willingness to dive after loose balls. Chambers can also be effective as a midrange jump shooter. She concluded her evening with a double-digit point output as the Blue Flame ousted the Cavaliers by a final score of 56-35.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637b0f9a08f9a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":551006,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='781435' first='Kayla' last='Gaston']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hillcrest HS","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Gaston's foot was constantly on the gas for the Rams on Friday night and the result was a Hillcrest squad that managed to stay in the game from start to finish against a 3A power from last season. She stood ready to box out in case of an opposing team's missed free throw. Gaston also bolstered the Rams' rebounding efforts with the stellar work she did on the boards. She managed to not only make high-percentage attempts but displayed her offensive versatility with her ability to knock down shots from 3-point land. Gaston finished her team's contest with nine points to lead all Rams point-getters.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637b0f9a0900a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":551010,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Claire Skinner","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12122","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Blue Ridge HS","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eThe juniors came to play in the first contest of the Lady Red Raider Thanksgiving Invitational at Carolina HS. Skinner stands at an even six feet and she used every bit of that towering stature to her advantage. She managed to make plenty of plays near the rim and also managed to box out in case of an opposing team's missed free throw. Skinner particularly shined in the transition game and plays with a high basketball IQ. Skinner also is part of the Blue Ridge volleyball team as an outside hitter and a middle hitter. She finished her team's game with six points in her team's win over Hillcrest.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637b0f9a0906f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":551013,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jaden Hill","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Greenwood HS","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eHill managed to fit the bill on Friday night for the Eagles. She managed to make plays all game long on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. Among her defensive strong suits was her ability to poke the rock away from an opposing ball carrier. Hill was also unafraid of contact which can place her at the free throw line. She managed to add depth to the Eagles scoring attack given she came into the game off the bench. In what was a matchup with the Trojans that can be described as “all Greenville, all the time,” Hill helped her squad out with five points.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637b0f9a090bf"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":551012,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Aliah Williams","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Greenwood HS","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eThe Eagles had a longer trek than many of the teams that began their seasons at the Lady Red Raider Thanksgiving Invite, but the travel clearly did not faze 4A Greenwood as they began said event against co-host 3A Carolina. Williams managed to add a 3-point shooting dimension to the Eagles offensive attack and was every bit as effective as a passer as she was a scorer. Williams also helped out on double teams which put opposing ball carriers for Carolina in uncomfortable situations. She aided her team's cause on Friday night as she added seven points to the Greenwood offensive output in a win over the Trojans.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637b0f9a0911a"} /-->