Copperhead Classic: Top Five Performers From Day Three
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We have bid adieu to, not only the calendar year 2023, but also the midseason tournament portion of the high school girls basketball schedule across the Carolinas. One of those final tournaments emanated from 4A Catawba Ridge HS. The Copperhead…
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Continue ReadingWe have bid adieu to, not only the calendar year 2023, but also the midseason tournament portion of the high school girls basketball schedule across the Carolinas.
One of those final tournaments emanated from 4A Catawba Ridge HS. The Copperhead Classic welcomed 16 teams (eight girls teams and eight boys teams) for three days of hoops played in a traditional bracket tournament format.
We at Prep Girls Hoops were on hand for the final day of matchups on the girls end of the ledger. As we have done for much of this year’s tournaments, we recognize our top five performers.
Prep Girls Hoops has had the privilege of seeing Chepul at least twice during this holiday hoop season. Chepul followed up her stellar performance at the Y.C. Winborn Classic at Rock Hill HS with another strong showing at the Copperhead Classic. Chepul led all scorers with an 18-point effort in the third place game against host Catawba Ridge to once again get Marvin Ridge into the win column. While she is known throughout Hoop State basketball circles for what she can do from downtown, Chepul can also play in the interior with her back to the basket. Any college coaches out there need a talented standout who can light up a scoreboard – especially from deep? Waxhaw, North Carolina – Union County, specifically.
When playing in a seventh place consolation game in a midseason tournament, the goal is to conclude what was an otherwise rough time on a high note. Graham did just that for her Red Raiders as they earned a 62-41 victory to prevail over York Prep. Graham finished with 24 points to pave South Point’s path to victory. It appeared as is whenever one of her Red Raiders teammates found her close to the basket, she was an automatic bucket as the Patriots defense had no answers for the star frontcourt player. Even though she is listed as a four on South Point’s roster, she played much of the game more like a traditional five. The next time we see the phrase “walking double-double” in a physical or online dictionary, Graham’s face should appear.
Highlights
Payton Munsey Payton Munsey 6'0" | C York Prep | 2024 State SC
Payton Munsey Payton Munsey 6'0" | C York Prep | 2024 State SC
Speaking of star frontcourt standouts. Munsey was money all day for 2A York Prep. Even though her Patriots were on the receiving end of decisions to host Catawba Ridge, Broome and South Point, Munsey concluded her time at the Copperhead Classic on a high note. She tallied 23 points to lead York Prep’s efforts. As a 2024, one can see she possesses veteran instincts. Munsey understands how to get in position to make plays near the rim – including in terms of scoring and rebounding. There is nothing overtly flashy about her game – it is simply fundamentally sound which, in lots of cases, goes further at the next level to help a team win.
Fairwell and her 5A Dutch Fork squad would win all three of its contests at the Copperhead Classic by double-digits. This included when the Silver Foxes thrashed Palisades by a final of 72-21. Fairwell led all scorers with 19 points. Among the many attributes to her game that make Fairwell so valuable to Dutch Fork is how she can give her team productive minutes either in the backcourt as a two or in the frontcourt as a three. Fairwell also plays very effective defense – steals she collects on the defensive end can lead to transition buckets on the other side of the floor.
We at Prep Girls Hoops remember Chambliss’ name from when she was recognized for her stellar work for 5A Fort Mill at the Y.C. Winborn Classic at Rock Hill HS. Chambliss has been deserving of recognition all season given she has been a primary catalyst in the Yellow Jackets’ ascent up the 5A ranks. She came off the bench in Fort Mill’s emphatic victory over 3A Broome and still led all point-getters with 13. Long range shotmaking is part of her skillset and she displays a great deal of speed. One must game plan for Chambliss as a defender as she will come in from almost nowhere and collect steals to give her team additional possessions.