United Bank Invitational: Final Roundup

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 25th Annual United Bank Invitational is in the books for 2023. What did we learn this year? What did we see? We saw plenty that's for sure. Let's take a look back right here on your #1 source for basketball coverage in the Palmetto State all year long. Make sure to <strong><em>SUBSCRIBE</em></strong> today for all the latest action right here. <strong><em>#RecruitThePalmettoState</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Will the Highlanders Make it Back to Back? </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":827651,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_26-12-2023_01-42-47-1280PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-827651" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Girls Hoops saw Heathwood Hall play here this week. Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='185040' first='Lauren' last='Jacobs']</strong> and the Highlanders has what it takes to win it again in SCISA Class 4A. Despite that the Highlanders went (1-2) in the John Rhodes Division here this past week. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='185041' first='Camillea' last='Gore'],</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='216959' first='Sabreya' last='Monsanto']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='452092' first='Shamarie' last='Hayes']</strong> will all have to step up this season. The Highlanders really lack depth coming off the bench. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827542' first='Dakota' last='Jenkins'] </strong>is a young player for the future of the program down the road. Jenkins just a 7h grader is not allowed to play during the season vs SCISA competition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heathwood Hall suffered setbacks to eventual champion Catholic (Virginia Beach, VA) 60-51 and High Point Christian (NC) 62-61. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Lady Titans Win Division with Small Roster:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":827646,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_26-12-2023_01-43-02-3960PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-827646" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trinity Collegiate completed the week at a perfect (3-0) record playing in the Kate Yow Division. The Lady Titans defeated Loris HS, Socastee HS and Wilson HS (Florence) to take the championship. The Lady Titans rarely subbed over the 3 days here on the Grand Strand. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='258135' first=<strong>'Makayla' last='Legette</strong>'] was on her game from behind the arc. [player_tooltip player_id='369800' first=<strong>'Autumn' last='Kind</strong>'] and [player_tooltip player_id='355927' first=<strong>'Saleese' last='Kind'</strong>] were providing a good inside-out game between the two of them. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":825768,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_22-12-2023_07-52-25-0510AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-825768" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='496272' first='Natalie' last='Pitts']</strong> was holding down the middle for the Lady Titans with her play on glass on both ends of the court. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='380996' first='Kaliya' last='Herman']</strong> a left-handed guard made the move over from nearby Latta HS this past season with Legette. Can the Lady Titans be a contender in SCISA Class 4A this season? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Camden Finishes in 3rd Place: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":827648,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_26-12-2023_01-42-00-3360PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-827648" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lady Bulldogs finished off the last day of the United Bank Invitational with a win over Paul VI (VA) 61-30. The Lady Bulldogs (11-1) were led by the #1 player in the 2024 Palmetto State Class and University of South Carolina signee <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='171798' first='Joyce' last='Edwards']</strong> with 33 points and 12 rebounds. Freshman guard<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='324555' first='Braylin' last='Mungo'] </strong>finished with 21 points and was perfect 9-9 from the floor. The Lady Bulldogs were without the services of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='175325' first='Morgan' last='Champion']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='376018' first='Harmony' last='Jefferson']</strong> who were both out sick for the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Lady Cavaliers Finish in 2nd Place:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":827647,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_22-12-2023_06-07-05-5190AM-1.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-827647" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dorman HS Lady Cavaliers lost to Westview HS (Martin, TN) in the Championship Game of the Sylvia Hatchell Bracket 52-44. The Lady Cavaliers have plenty of pieces in play to make some noise in the Upstate this season. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='251759' first='Nakiyah' last='Kelly']</strong> brings a presence down low with Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='405529' first='Morgan' last='White']</strong>. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='305511' first='Rihanna' last='Wallace']</strong>, Senior shooting guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='251760' first='Jenna' last='Cothran'] </strong>and freshman point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='633407' first='Kimora' last='Evans']</strong> anchor the backcourt for the Lady Cavaliers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>The Lady Chiefs Fall Twice: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":825741,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_22-12-2023_06-08-08-9340AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-825741" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The North Myrtle Beach HS Lady Chiefs lost the last 2 games at the United Bank Invitational. The Lady Chiefs lost to Dorman HS 48-44 and King's Fork (VA) 49-35. Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='210157' first='Faith' last='Farmer']</strong> provided a spark this week with her play. She erupted on Day 1 with 28 points vs Lemon Bay HS (FL). Farmer was able to drop floaters and knockdown shots out on the perimeter for the Lady Chiefs. Faith got to the basket on occasion and was able to finish at the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":825739,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_22-12-2023_06-07-52-4220AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-825739" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='825729' first='Nevaeh' last='Washington']</strong> really embraces playing down low on the block. Washington crashes the glass very well and always keeps the ball up high after claiming it off the glass. Freshman guard<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='567022' first='Madison' last='Vereen']</strong> is a very athletic and has no problems getting the ball to the cup when needed. Look for this trio to help the Lady Chiefs win a few games over the next few years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Lady Volunteers Finish 2-1 Lady Wave 1-2:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":825721,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_22-12-2023_05-30-02-5530AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-825721" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the final day of the United Bank Invitational John Rhodes Division featured Andrew Jackson vs Summerville HS. The Lady Volunteers defeated the Class 5A program 64-61 to finish the event at 2-1. The Lady Volunteers got strong play from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='496215' first='Ayona' last='Alexander'] </strong>and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='175322' first='Tamia' last='Watkins']</strong> this week. Alexander the #2 player in the 2026 Palmetto State Class while Watkins holds down the #4 slot in the 2025 class. Alexander and Watkins both scored 22 points apiece in the win over Summerville HS. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Could the Lady Volunteers be standing at the end in Class 2A come this March? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>3 Juniors to Put on Your Radar: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":825763,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_22-12-2023_07-52-09-0720AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-825763" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='342513' first='Janiya' last='Richburg'] - Loris HS </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Richburg a left-handed forward has to do a little bit of everything for the Lady Lions on the hardwood. She does her best work around the paint and just playing every possession like it's her last one. Janiya won't hesitate at all to jump on the deck for a loose ball, take a charge, rebound in traffic or simply look to score a bucket. Richburg loves to play physical and absorb contact all game long. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":825765,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_22-12-2023_07-51-17-5720AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-825765" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='628578' first='Chloe' last='Briggs'] - Greenville HS </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Briggs plays all over the floor at times for the Lady Red Raiders. She seems to be most effective around the paint but, she can step-out and knockdown the short corner jumper. Chloe plays with a bit of a mean streak at times while on the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='576594' first='Leanissa' last='Swinton'] - Wilson HS (Florence) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swinton does her best work down on the block for the Lady Tigers. She's not flashy at all with her play. Leanissa brings a blue-collar attitude to the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Down the Road: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":825760,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_22-12-2023_07-51-32-4360AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-825760" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are 3 names to follow moving forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569795' first='Joliyah' last='Robinson']</strong> - Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569805' first='Ayami' last='Prior']</strong> - Waccamaw HS and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='637593' first='Taelor' last='Lee-Sutton']</strong> - Keenan HS. Robinson and Prior both are in the 2027 class while Lee-Sutton hails from the 2028 Palmetto State Class. Times look very good in the Palmetto State moving forward in girls' basketball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->