Bethune-Bowman MLK Showcase: Top 5 Performers
In this article:
The story of much of the middle portions of January has been games being either cancelled or rescheduled due to weather concerns. While that weather washed out many games this past week, there was at least one showcase that still…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe story of much of the middle portions of January has been games being either cancelled or rescheduled due to weather concerns. While that weather washed out many games this past week, there was at least one showcase that still went off without a hitch.
That was the Bethune-Bowman MLK Showcase which emanated from several schools in and around the Orangeburg area. In addition to the home of the 1A Mohawks, North HS, Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS, and Lake Marion HS also were in use.
We at Prep Girls Hoops made the trip for the games that took place at Bethune-Bowman HS – including the four girls games that took place. Here is our top five performers from the day’s play.
When looking at the girls’ card for this year’s Bethune-Bowman MLK Showcase, one would have figured that Denmark-Olar vs. Rock Hill would have been the game of the day. Crawford put 23 points on the board to ensure Saturday evening’s matchup was not close. She is very confident in her ability to drain 3-pointers – and it showed as she was true on five occasions from downtown. Complimenting what Crawford can get accomplished from 3-point range is how she is a gifted attacker of the rim and displays all around veteran instincts. Crawford’s versatility in the spots she can play on the court is another attribute that will serve her well at the next level as it does currently.
The rise of Moses’ 5A Goose Creek assembling continues to be one of the stories of the 2023-24 season. The Gators had a tough draw on Saturday evening against one of the premier 2A squads in Oceanside Collegiate. Moses’ 16 points ensured the Gators would pass the test with flying colors against the Landsharks. She displays an ability to score at all three levels and that is complimented with the steals she can collect. Moses played junior varsity as a seventh grader before working her way up to varsity status in her eighth grade campaign. During the spring and summer months of AAU, she wears the uniform of Palmetto Stampede .
Chisholm’s Eau Claire assembling was locked in a tough contest with another 2A team in Ridgeland-Hardeeville. The Shamrocks pulled off a 55-46 win, but the Jaguars made Eau Claire earn every bit of it. Chisholm’s 15 points were critical in getting the victory for the Shamrocks. She may possess the build of a power forward, but can showcase her offensive versatility by playing at a variety of spots on the floor. This includes launching successful 3-pointers (as she did twice during the game) or playing as a five where she will turn offensive rebounds into two-point putbacks. Chisholm also places emphasis on ball handling and getting out into the open floor to make plays in transition.
Pelzer is a quintessential freshman who plays as if she was an upperclassman. Her host Mohawks were locked in a tight contest with fellow 1A foe Hunter-Kinard-Tyler to begin Saturday’s MLK Showcase. With 13 points, she paved the way to Bethune-Bowman’s ninth victory of the season. Included in those 13 was displaying pinpoint accuracy from behind the arc. Her confidence in her long range shooting ability led to her draining three from downtown. Pelzer also places plenty of emphasis on taking care of the ball to limit turnovers and can keep opposing defenses guessing with her ferocious rim attacking abilities.
Bonaparte did her part – and then some – for her Hunter-Kinard-Tyler team against host team Bethune-Bowman. While her Trojans may not have received the result it was looking for – a 40-33 decision at the hands of the Mohawks, Bonaparte kept her team in the contest from start to finish. She scored 21 points which actually led all point-getters for either team. Bonaparte also did the bulk of her production when big time players step up – in the second half of contests. Twelve of her 21 came in the second half. Bonaparte is a tough task for opposing teams to deal with on offense or defense as she can collect steals to create additional offensive possessions.