Carolinas Freshman Showcase: Previewing Hoop State Standouts

This weekend, a number of states will be hosting Prep Girls Hoops Freshman Showcases. These include Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Oklahoma and…the Carolinas.    Given that the Carolinas are such a talent-rich area, the Rock Hill Sports & Events Center is sure to be a hotbed of activity as a number of the region's premier freshman ballers showcase their skills as they look ahead to their upcoming high school seasons. Following this weekend, only two more remain for this year – ones in Missouri as well as in New England.   Without further ado, here are five names to be on the lookout for this weekend in Rock Hill.     Cherokee will be entering the 2024-25 season as defending 1A state champions – and the Braves are looking to Lossiah as a key component in continuing the team's winning ways. Lossiah has also excelled in other sports throughout her athletic career. These have included volleyball, track and field and cross country. Lossiah is listed at 5-foot-6 and primarily operates in the backcourt as either a one or a two guard. She may play her high school ball in the Hoop State, but spent her spring and summer running on the grassroots realm with a Tennessee-based organization – Tennessee Flight Trotters 2028 Crowe.     Speaking of young up-and-comers with experiencing playing for high-profile AAU teams, Smith also certainly fits that description. She was on the grassroots circuit with [program_tooltip program_id='713558' first='Lady' last='Attack Elite'] this past spring and summer and is looking to translate that success into a successful freshman campaign with [program_tooltip program_id='713552' first='1' last='of 1'] Prep. Smith is listed at 5-foot-9 and can give a team plenty of productive minutes from the wing position. The team she is going to has had a knack for developing talent so Smith should continue to blossom into an even better overall player as she continues to get more experience under her belt.     Robinson's 4A Southeast Guilford team went from nine wins in coach Hannah Revis' first season at the helm to 17 wins last season. One can expect for Robinson for continue to upward trajectory that the Falcons have been on as of late. At 5-foot-5, she will be a formidable force in Southeast Guilford's backcourt. Robinson approaches the game with a high basketball IQ and this can be seen with her shot selection. If she is open and has the ball in her hand, expect her to take – and make – her attempt from long range. One would also want a point guard to display superb ball handling capabilities and Robinson does that effectively as well.     This name certainly is a familiar one. Prep Girls Hoops got a glimpse of Al-arif in the early portions of the travel season when she was on hand in Florence at the Palmetto Skillz Showcase hosted by Carolina Girls Hoops Report. She is listed at 5-foot-8 and will call Uwharrie Charter Academy her hoops home. Al-arif showcased what she can get accomplished as a rim attacker and displayed how versatile she can be on offense by converting on floaters. She displays exceptional handles as well. Al-arif is transitioning into the high school ranks after a strong career at the middle school level at Trinity MS – not to mention participating with FBC Drive in the club realm.     For the most part, we have looked at guards to be on the lookout for tomorrow in Rock Hill. Now, let us turn our attention to the frontcourt. Mack stands at a towering 5-foot-11 and will be part of a North Meck team whose run in last year's 4A state tournament only came to a halt at the hands of the behemoth known as Watauga. Mack is a transfer to the Vikings after playing last season at Concord Academy. As effective a scorer as she is, she is every bit as effective with corralling offensive rebounds and can convert those boards into points. With her height, expect her to win plenty of battles on the glass.     Bell is fresh off a successful club campaign where she played up in class as part of Team Loaded NC 16U. She was one of two from the class of 2028 to earn roster spots on the 16U team this past spring and summer. Her heads-up attitude particularly is an asset on defense as she can match an opposing ball carrier step by step and can almost instantly take advantage in case said defender makes a mistake. Offensively, her handles enable her to get herself out of tough situations, can display her ability to change directions with the ball in her hand and has no problems drawing contact to get to the free throw line.

This weekend, a number of states will be hosting Prep Girls Hoops Freshman Showcases. These include Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Oklahoma and…the Carolinas.