She Got Next MLK Showcase – Into the Evening

January is typically the month where in-region games get the lion's share of team schedules. The midpoint of January is usually an exception as several events commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day take place during that weekend.    One of those events occurred at the court of 5A J.L. Mann HS as A1 Hoops Report hosted the She Got Next MLK Showcase. A1 Hoops Report also hosted an event at the Patriots' home court during the holidays.    We at Prep Girls Hoops made the trip up to J.L. Mann for what was a full-day's worth of basketball. Here is our recap of the final three games that took place.    Northwestern vs. T.L. Hanna   Up at No. 5 on the seven-game schedule was a 4A team squaring off against a 5A team.    That 4A team was Northwestern and that 5A team was T.L. Hanna. The Trojans have had a rough go of things in 2022-23 as they lost their first region game. As for the Yellow Jackets, they are much improved from last season when they did not win a game on the road and have split its first two region contests.    This one went the way of the Yellow Jackets as their final score of the win over the Trojans turned out to be a rather lopsided 71-43.   How Things Progressed   The strides forward that T.L. Hanna has shown were once again on display on Saturday at J.L. Mann as they ran an efficient offense that caused problems for Northwestern. A late 3-pointer at the conclusion of the first half kept the Trojans within striking distance, but the Yellow Jackets went into halftime with a 36-24 advantage.    Northwestern got out to a promising start in the beginning of the second half as they managed to trim its deficit down to single-digits. It was followed by what could be considered an offensive clinic on the part of T.L. Hanna. What appeared as if it would be a close contest became a very one-sided one.   Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/IMG_8155-crop-3185x2092-1673808147.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-582877" width="339" height="222" /></figure>   With [player_tooltip player_id='195514' first='Monasia' last='Clinkscales'] leading the way, the Yellow Jackets' path to another victory was very clear. She finished with 15 points and among those included a made 3-pointer and a few free throws.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/IMG_8158-crop-3430x2252-1673808302.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-582879" width="346" height="226" /></figure>   Also finishing in double-digits for T.L. Hanna was [player_tooltip player_id='417824' first='Harmoni' last='Earl']. She stands at 5-foot-10 and is versatile in the sense that she can operate either in the frontcourt as either a small or power forward or at the two. Did we mention she is an eighth grader?    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/IMG_8156-crop-3226x2118-1673808457.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-582881" width="355" height="232" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='481652' first='Taylor' last='Wessel'] not only brings talent but a veteran presence to a Yellow Jackets team that has made plenty of noise this season. Wessel also had a double-digit point effort which included burying two of the team's seven 3-pointers.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/IMG_8161-crop-3593x2359-1673808636.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-582884" width="369" height="241" /></figure>   The future for the 4A Trojans is bright as long as their star eighth grade big is the the face of it. That 2027 is [player_tooltip player_id='324542' first='JaNyia' last='Cunningham'], who finished her Saturday evening with a 16-point effort which included draining a 3-pointer.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/IMG_8132-crop-2141x1406-1673808868.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-582886" width="382" height="250" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='244090' first='Darby' last='Grigg'] is the current centerpiece of the Northwestern girls basketball program. She too finished with a 16-point outing. Grigg not only is a proficient 3-point shooter but can come from out of nowhere to make defensive plays and get out in transition.    Up Next…   Both teams resume their region play on Tuesday. The Yellow Jackets will host Hillcrest and the Trojans will await York.   South Pointe vs. Westside   When looking at the seven-game card for the day's games, this one had a real chance to be the game of the day - at least on paper.    A pair of 4A powers in the Stallions and Rams took to the court during the early part of Saturday evening. South Pointe has been one of the stories in Palmetto State girls hoops this season with their undefeated record while Westside is a team to beat given that they are winners of the last pair of 4A championships.    On paper, one would think it would be competitive from start to finish. In fact, it was a wire to wire show of domination by the still undefeated Stallions. South Pointe managed to prove triumphant in the next-to-last contest of Saturday's action at J.L. Mann with the final score being 70-36. The Stallions remain undefeated while the Rams remain at 10 wins.    What Happened Last Time?    The two teams met last season in the 4A tournament with the Rams prevailing over the Stallions by a final tally of 64-50.    Random Thought About Game   South Pointe brought one of the larger crowds of any team participating in Saturday's She Got Next MLK Showcase.   How Things Progressed   Given the excellence we have seen out of the Rams the past couple of seasons, it is unusual to watch Westside and see them trailing by double digits. That is what the undefeated South Pointe assembling managed to do in the first half as said stanza concluded with the Stallions ahead by 15 – 36-20 to be exact.   That lead only continued to grow and grow and grow until what was a dominant performance by Southside. It was a 34-point margin of victory for the Stallions in what was another matchup that Saturday at J.L. Mann decided by double digits.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/IMG_8251-crop-3560x2338-1673809129.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-582890" width="391" height="256" /></figure>   The stars were indeed aligned for “Starr” on Saturday night. [player_tooltip player_id='199696' first='Victoria' last='Morris'], the team's standout forward, finished with 17 points. Rebounding, collecting steals, ball distribution and defense are among her long list of basketball talents.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/IMG_8254.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-582891" width="391" height="293" /></figure>   Jatiyah Shannon, listed at 5-foot-7, had herself another impressive performance as she put 15 on the board for South Pointe. Shannon adds to the team's frontcourt depth and this was proven with how many teams she managed to score in the paint.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/IMG_8257-crop-3826x2512-1673809467.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-582893" width="395" height="259" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='567029' first='Morgan' last='Young'], a freshman 5-foot-6 two guard did stellar work in the frontcourt for the Stallions. She finished with 11 points. Young managed to bolster the Stallions' offensive attack from behind the 3-point perimeter.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/IMG_8227-crop-1833x1204-1673809615.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-582896" width="400" height="263" /></figure>   Trinity Bowman, who is a junior center and forward for Westside, was a bright spot for the team on Saturday night. She finished with 10 points to lead Rams scorers and particularly proved to be effective near the basket.   Up Next…   Both teams return to region play on Tuesday. The Stallions will be at home to host Indian Land while the Rams will take to the road to take on Berea.    High Point Academy vs. J.L. Mann   The final contest of the day was the only matchup of the day's play that did not involve a team from the 4A ranks.    It did involve 1A power High Point Academy as well as the host school in J.L. Mann. The Grizzlies have once again resembled a team that looks like one of the premier 1A squads – including a victory in its first region contest of the season. As for the Patriots, they recently dropped their first region contest of the season to Woodmont.    The final winner of the day proved to be the homestanding Patriots as they defeated the Grizzlies in come-from-behind by a final score of 63-57 in overtime. The J.L. Mann record improves to 6-10 and that of High Point Academy became 13-5.    Random Thought About Game   It was the only game of the seven that occurred on Saturday that needed four additional minutes of free basketball.   How Things Progressed   If the early portions of the first half was any indication, it appeared the Grizzlies would run away with this one, but J.L. Mann ensured that would not happen on their home court. The Patriots cut their deficit to single digits, but High Point Academy still went into halftime leading by a score of 28-23.   The second half appeared to be almost a mere image of the first – one that began auspiciously for auspiciously for the Grizzlies then where the Patriots' fortunes improved. High Point Academy had a 53-50 lead late in the fourth quarter before a 3-pointer tied it up and sent it to an extra frame.   The longer the overtime period went, it became clearer that a J.L. Mann victory was in reach and the Patriots ensured that the final team that won on Saturday was the team whose home court served as the host gym for the day's festivities.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/IMG_8347-crop-2982x1958-1673809839.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-582899" width="382" height="251" /></figure>   Imari Richardson, a freshman, ended up with 19 points. The Patriots' offense managed to consistently find the rising star forward near the rim and she came through with clutch basket after clutch basket.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/IMG_8350-crop-3701x2430-1673809960.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-582903" width="393" height="258" /></figure>   It was an 18-point effort for [player_tooltip player_id='303245' first='Caitlin' last='Bowling']. She was responsible for sending the contest into overtime with her successful 3-pointer. Bowling is also a gifted defender in addition to being a ball distributor.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/IMG_8348-crop-3554x2334-1673810166.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-582909" width="400" height="263" /></figure>   Another freshman in J.L. Mann's starting five, Olivia McKinney, finished her evening with a 12-point outing. She too is coming into her own as an integral element to Patriots success as her skillset also includes ball distribution and defense.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/IMG_8296-crop-1893x1243-1673810408.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-582911" width="403" height="264" /></figure>   Another Olivia, [player_tooltip player_id='174559' first='Olivia' last='Martin'], was the leading point-getter for the Grizzlies. Martin finished with 18 points and was once again the anchor of what High Point Academy wanted to get accomplished in the interior.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/IMG_8261-crop-3226x2118-1673810520.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-582913" width="415" height="272" /></figure>   The Grizzlies were the recipients of a 15-point showing courtesy of [player_tooltip player_id='171794' first='KaDerrah' last='Beason']. With her ability to make important plays in the open floor as well as near the rim, she gives a team the best of both worlds. This is enhanced with her ball handling capabilities.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/IMG_8309-crop-1833x1204-1673816397.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-582980" width="421" height="276" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='171793' first='Vivian' last='Bracebridge'] added 11 points to High Point Academy's efforts. As many a Palmetto State hoops onlooker knows, her calling card is what she can do from distance. Out of the four made triples the Grizzlies had in this game, three left Bracebridge's hands.   Up Next…   High Point Academy returns home for a big region matchup against another 1A power in Southside Christian on Tuesday. J.L. Mann's next matchup will be that same day in region at Mauldin.

January is typically the month where in-region games get the lion's share of team schedules. The midpoint of January is usually an exception as several events commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day take place during that weekend.