PGH Carolinas Expo: Akiem’s Primetime Performers (Part 4)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From Watauga to Hilton Head Island and from Aiken to Grace Christian, it will not be long before the many basketball courts of the Carolinas once again become focal points for sports fans in both states.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024-25 season lurking, of course, is also on the minds of the players themselves and they were looking to get another much-needed tune-up prior to the start of the season in two months.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That was the Prep Girls Hoops Carolinas Freshman Showcase and Expo which took place this year at one of the region's newest and more modern venues – the Rock Hill Sports &amp; Events Center.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We looked at a few of those who were on hand who turned in superb outings. We put a lens on a few more here.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":990210,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='637608' first='Amelia' last='Williams']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Legion Collegiate","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Legends","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66de111fe6840"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We spotlight a pair of Williams' next. The first being a 2027 who did not have far to travel to arrive at this year's Expo given she plays for Legion Collegiate. When she goes at the rim, it does not matter if the whole opposing team is looking to prevent her shot from connecting – she will be in attack mode. Williams finds a way to get the job done on either end of the floor. Her scoring efficiency was apparent throughout the day as she displayed her ability to score at all three levels. Game in and game out, her rebounding prowess will also be very apparent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["259994"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-66de111fe68ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The other Williams we highlight is a standout from a Blythewood team whose big three looks to bring the Bengals to the next level in 5A play. Another [program_tooltip program_id='783909' first='Palmetto' last='76ers/A'ja Wilson Elite'] product, she approaches the game with a high basketball IQ as it seems she constantly knows where the ball is. The attributes that she gains from being a track and field competitor can certainly translate well to basketball. Much of what she got done on Saturday scoring-wise was of the two-point variety, but she has displayed an ability to connect on her opportunities from 3-point range as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["376018"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-66de111fe68f0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Few teams are undergoing more intriguing transitions that Jefferson's Camden team. After winning back-to-back 3A state championships, Camden is in search of similar fortunes as a 4A Upper State combatant. The reach of [program_tooltip program_id='713558' first='Lady' last='Attack Elite'] has apparently made its way into the South Carolina Midlands. Jefferson stands at 5-foot-9 and thrives as a backcourt stalwart being a combo guard. She gives a team a formidable threat from deep but she keeps defenses guessing with her willingness to attack the basket and draw contact if needed to get to the free throw line. She played 30 games last season as an eighth grader with Camden and her play on Saturday at the Rock Hill Sports &amp; Events Center is a surefire sign that she is poised for what will be an elevated role under first-year head coach Lewis Mungo.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["691830"],"_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":990213,"_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-66de111fe693f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Speaking of bigs that can match the guards step for step – Joseph also fits that description. She is listed at an even six feet and also has the speed of many a one or a two. Offensive, she can also play the more traditional center role of playing with her back to the basket and her six foot stature will enable Joseph to come out on the winning end of plenty of battles on the boards. There is a reason as to why Prep Girls Hoops has the rising 4A North Meck big as second overall in its 2027 North Carolina rankings – only behind [player_tooltip player_id='772526' first='Jordan' last='Speller'] of 2A North Pitt who won a state championship last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->