A1 Battle for the Ring: Seasoned Veterans
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On many occasions throughout the travel basketball season, a team’s schedule usually brings them back to one of the many high school courts that they became more accustomed to during the winter months. This past weekend was one of those…
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Continue ReadingOn many occasions throughout the travel basketball season, a team’s schedule usually brings them back to one of the many high school courts that they became more accustomed to during the winter months.
This past weekend was one of those months. A1 Hoops Report staged its Battle for the Ring event with many games taking place at the large 5A campus that is Lexington HS. The home of the Wildcats was able to utilize its two courts located adjacent to each other.
We at Prep Girls Hoops made the trek to Lexington HS for this past weekend’s festivities. While there were many impressive performances from youngsters, veterans also made sure their presences were felt.
Misick-Rivas paid her dues to get to varsity status after spending a bit of time as an eighth grader in the junior varsity ranks. Even though her Lexington Hoopsters team gave Palmetto 76ers/A’ja Wilson Elite 15U everything it can handle, Misick-Rivas’ team still was on the receiving end of a 44-35 defeat. She put together an impressive performance by leading her team with nine points. Not only did she showcase what she can do on offense and with the ball in her hands, but also on the defensive end as well as a shot blocker. Rebounding has shown itself to be another strong point of her game.
When a team as stacked as Palmetto 76ers/A’ja Wilson Elite takes to the court, one never knows who will be the star among stars. All that is guaranteed is that there will be several. In the case of its 16U team, its second-to-last contest of Sunday’s play was with One Team One Dream on the other bench. Johnson finished with 11 points to lead what was a dominant – albeit balanced – scoring barrage for her team. Complimenting what she does as a point-getter is what she can get accomplished as a rebounder. Johnson completed another stellar season for a Ridge View team that advanced to the 4A Lower State final and one can expect more superb play from Johnson as the Blazers return to the 5A ranks.
Highlights
One Team One Dream was no match for Palmetto 76ers/A’ja Wilson Elite 16U on Sunday morning at Lexington HS. Williams, a standout from another 5A school in Blythewood, was a key factor in the team’s dominant victory on the final day of the Battle for the Ring as she added eight points to her AAU team’s total. Williams is a backcourt stalwart whose ability to score is complimented by her skill for making the right passes at the right times. One must also watch out for her on defense. Williams already had the skills, but with a pair of years completing at the varsity level under her belt, she will now add experience which will make her all the more dangerous.
That old adage is true that height is an attribute of the game that simply cannot be coached. Either one has it or one does not. Some have the height but not the skill or vice versa. McLean has both. The rising star for 5A Carolina Forest contributed eight points in what was a balanced but effective barrage to dispatch of One Team One Dream on Sunday at Lexington HS. That 6-foot-2 frame that McLean brings comes in very useful not only as a scorer but also in terms of rebounding. One also has to display a high degree of athleticism to not only compete in basketball but in track and field as well. College coaches who will be in search of a talented big in a couple of years may want to pay a visit to the Grand Strand to see this stock riser in action.
All three of 5A Blythewood’s big three are part of this year’s Palmetto 76ers/A’ja Wilson Elite 2026 roster. Thomas ensured that her team’s time at this year’s Battle for the Ring would conclude in auspicious fashion as she tallied nine points to help in what was another lopsided win for Palmetto 76ers/A’ja Wilson Elite 16U. This time, the victory was over Amp Elite. She throws defenses off balance as they have to keep up with if she will score or distribute and has the ability to reject an opponent’s shot as a defender. A 3-point shot is also a key part of her overall skillset.
Between Davis and her Carolina Forest teammate Miracle McLean, the 5A Panthers possess plenty of representation within the Palmetto 76ers/A’ja Wilson Elite organization. Davis saved much of her best for last at this past weekend’s Battle for the Ring. A nine-point effort was one of the elements necessary in her team’s rout of Amp Elite on Sunday. Davis is an efficient floor runner which is an important skill to have particularly when looking to make plays in transition. A 3-point shot is also part of her overall offensive arsenal and she can collect a sizable number of steals as a defender.
Highlights
Coach Cedrick Simpson’s 3A Orangeburg-Wilkinson team had a resurgent 2023-24. Williams will be a key element of a Bruins team surely to be among the top teams in what will be a drastically different 3A landscape come 2024-25. Williams finished with 10 points as One Team One Dream concluded this year’s Battle for the Ring with a close 48-47 victory over Lady Carolina Hoopz. Among the many things Williams brings to a team is the ability to fearlessly attack the rim and a knack for making plays in transition. Williams’ athletic plate is full between not only excelling at basketball but also on the varsity soccer team at Orangeburg-Wilkinson.