Battle at the Border – Top 5 Performances
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With this year’s version of the Battle at the Border being new and improved, it was definitely on our list of tournaments we had to make sure to get to. Eight girls teams competed in four games throughout the event’s…
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Continue ReadingWith this year’s version of the Battle at the Border being new and improved, it was definitely on our list of tournaments we had to make sure to get to.
Eight girls teams competed in four games throughout the event’s first day. But there is also a new, fresh court at the home of the 2A Landrum Cardinals. In addition, it featured a 35-second shot clock.
There were lots of noteworthy performances that occurred at this year’s Battle at the Border making it difficult to narrow down our list to the top five that stood out to us. But, without further adieu, here are those five.
Lydia may not necessarily one who Indians fans think of (yet) when thinking of its solid core. That will quickly change as she has already put together an impressive showing in her freshman campaign. Lydia was the leading scorer in the 5A Indians’ rout of Woodruff as she put 15 points on the board. Game planning for Lydia means looking out for what the 5-foot-6 up-and-comer can do as a passer as well as what she gets accomplished on the defensive end of the floor. She can also be very accurate from 3-point land as she splashed home a trio of treys to help Gaffney’s offensive onslaught.
Henderson is familiar with playing at the varsity level given her first season there was in the eighth grade. She has been a very valuable piece for the 3A Tigers and it proved itself again as Henderson scored 14 points in what was a hard-fought victory over an improved Boiling Springs team. She fuses together ball handling capabilities with fearlessness to attack the rim and deliver strong finishes at the cup. Henderson also gets herself in position to corral rebounds, makes efficient passes to her teammates and creates extra possessions with her defense.
Hatten has worn many colors throughout her high school career and is looking to conclude said career with a 3A state championship with Southside. She had a 14-point performance in a matchup where the Tigers defeated Chapman by a score of 48-31 – a closer margin than what some may have predicted. Hatten made many a move towards the rim that was hard to contain for the Panthers’ defense. She bolsters the Tigers’ rebounding capabilities and can create additional Southside possessions with her ability to corral steals. She has been a key factor in why coach Milton Parks’ Tigers have started the 2022-23 season undefeated as of the conclusion of Wednesday’s play.
The homestanding Cardinals may not have got the result they were in search of against Carolina Forest, but Brown did her home court proud with a 21-point performance to spearhead Landrum’s efforts on Wednesday evening. Brown may be listed as a big, but possesses a skillset indicative of many guards. Brown has ball handling abilities, can handle the ball in traffic and will take her opportunities from behind the 3-point line. Brown is effective as a rebounder and can win plenty of battles on the boards. With the contact that she can absorb, she will also have plenty of opportunities at the free throw line.
Highlights
The Panthers claimed one of its most impressive victories of the season with a 58-49 victory against Landrum on the Cardinals’ own home court. Instrumental in the victory were the 19 points that she scored en route to said win. Carolina Forest has a young nucleus and appears to have a bright future. Landrum had little answers for what Davis was able to get accomplished in the painted area. Davis can sufficiently operate at either one of the forward position as part of the Panthers’ potent backcourt. This is her first season on the team and she has already proven herself as a rebounder and scorer.