PGH Carolinas Expo: Akiem’s Primetime Performers (Part 3)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With roughly two months remaining prior to the start of the high school girls basketball season, it certainly does not hurt to get in as many tune-ups as one possibly can prior to the start of said season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of those tune-ups occurred this past weekend when Prep Girls Hoops hosted its annual Freshman Showcase and Expo. This year's gathering was held at the Rock Hill Sports &amp; Events Center and welcomed some of the brightest names in the high school game from both Carolinas.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We profiled a few of those who turned in stellar performances this past weekend. Here are a few more of them.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["357553"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":990195,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66de0e0c0a5b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When South Carolina high school sports pundits discuss 5A teams that are on the rise, those conversations ought to include Berkeley or they may not be legitimate discussions. Moses is part of the core that is sure to catapult the Stags to the upper echelon of the 5A ranks. She is filled with speed and quickness and uses both to her advantage to deliver strong finishes at the basket. Her passing ability is also a reason why she has played at the varsity level since she was in the eighth grade. Goose Creek will miss her but exciting times appear to be ahead at Berkeley. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["257992"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":990197,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66de0e0c0a63e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Draughn is a talent that has had one of the more interesting journeys through high school girls basketball. That trek has now brought her to contender status with 4A A.C. Flora. Draughn can put points on the board in a hurry, but may not be relied on to do as much this coming season given the supporting cast she will have around her with the Falcons. A product of the SC Future program in the Midlands, her speed and agility allow her to create her own shots. She knows when to score and when to distribute. As a defender, she can make things difficult as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["239025"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":990198,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66de0e0c0a697"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A stellar career at 4A Airport that first saw her enter the varsity ranks as an eighth grader will come to a close following this coming season. Booth's Eagles finished at 15-10 and made the 4A state tournament, so she and her team certainly has the ability to close out her high school career with an exclamation point. Booth is an efficient runner of the floor and her offensive arsenal includes the ability to connect on 3-point tries. Even though she plays more at the one or two, she knows how to corral rebounds. Airport will have to navigate through a larger and tougher region this year, but the Eagles can hold their own as long as Booth is on the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["772574"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":990199,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66de0e0c0a6eb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The play of Joyner has aficionados of 4A McDowell feeling extremely joyous. Joyner not only gets the job done on the basketball court but also on the volleyball hardwood as well. It is often said that height cannot be coached. That is especially the case when that height advantage is fused together with a knack for converting on high-percentage shots. Joyner averaged big numbers last season as a freshman – 9.3 points per game to be exact and saw playing time in 29 contests last season. She was a huge reason why the 2023-24 rendition of the Titans concluded the season with a 23-6 record. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->