Carolinas Freshman Showcase: Hoop State Primetime Performers

The Rock Hill Sports & Events Center first opened in 2019. It is one of the region's newest sports facilities and has already hosted a multitude of get-togethers putting it on the national stage.    One of the latest events to fill the venue's already packed schedule? The Prep Girls Hoops Carolinas Showcase. This past Saturday, top 2028s from both North and South Carolina converged on Rock Hill and York County for what can be seen as a major tune-up prior to the start of the upcoming season.    The 2028s from North Carolina ensured the Hoop State was well-represented on the other side of the NC-SC state line. Without further ado, here are a few of those 2028s.     When one has been on the big stage of state championship games as has been the case with Cherokee's Lossiah, a showcase event such as the Prep Girls Hoops Freshman Showcase is another ordinary day at the office. She stands at 5-foot-6 and competes in volleyball and track and field alongside basketball. Lossiah also displayed how effective she can be in the passing game. She excelled in the 3v3 portion of Saturday's showcase which is all about half court offense and defense. Both of her first names may begin with the letter L, but two Ls will surely lead to plenty more Ws this season for the defending 1A champion Braves.     Wallace was a name that was a late addition to this year's Prep Girls Hoops Freshman Showcase, but she was a shining example of better late than never. One area that Wallace really impressed was with her 3-point shooting. Defensively, she maintains a high level of activity and has no issues changing her defensive assignments. Even if she is relatively far away from an open ball handler, she will hustle to where said ball carrier is in an attempt to affect the trajectory of her shot. Wallace is a newcomer that should be a worthwhile addition to South Meck's roster.     When Bell's sneakers make contact with the hardwood, she only knows one way to play – all out. The standout from Rocky River impressed all event long from the 3v3 portion of the Prep Girls Hoops Freshman Showcase to when the day transitioned to the more traditional 5v5. Bell is one opposing teams have to game plan for on both sides of the ball. Defensively, she uses her hands to her full advantage to disrupt an opposing team's passing lanes. Offensively, she attacks the rim with plenty of speed, quickness and toughness. She can get creative with how she finishes at the rim from time and time and has no issues getting to the line.     There was a reason why we included Robinson in our preview of this year's Prep Girls Hoops Freshman Showcase. In the 3v3 portion that Saturday, Robinson particularly shined when shooting the ball from long range. She displayed a bit more of that accuracy from range when the event transitioned to the 5v5 part of the day. Robinson also understands the art of changing speeds when she has the ball in her hands. Awareness of where she is on the court is another one of her strong points and how she approaches the game is an indication she is ready to assume a leadership role even with her being relatively young in her career.     As we mentioned in our preview article, she was one of the standouts that impressed at an earlier offseason event in North Carolina that Prep Girls Hoops was on hand to cover. When she feels she can make a play, she will not hesitate to call for the ball – and she can make plenty of plays. Al-arif also displayed what she can get accomplished as a ball handler. She particularly puts emphasis on the impact she can make on a game as a defender. The 5-foot-8 guard from Uwharrie Charter Academy who is also a product of the FBC Drive program will be one Hoop State fans will want to have on their radars when pondering who could have a breakout freshman season.     To say that last season was a forgettable one for 4A Holly Springs was an understatement. The Golden Hawks only won four games last season and were not victorious in a single contest on the road. With Mogbo joining the team this season that is sure to change. She is listed at 5-foot-10 and ran on the grassroots circuit with [program_tooltip program_id='713480' first='Carolina' last='Lynx']. That is a height advantage that will surely come in handy when being in tough rebounding battles. Combine that with the strength she brings in attacking the basket and she will have the Golden Hawks in position to increase that win total well past four this coming season.

The Rock Hill Sports & Events Center first opened in 2019. It is one of the region's newest sports facilities and has already hosted a multitude of get-togethers putting it on the national stage.