SC Primetime Performers at Palmetto Skillz Showcase (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>See what we did there with the double alliteration in the headline?&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The month of September is one where many high school girls basketball players likely get their next-to-last tune ups prior to the start of the season. Many of them from both Carolinas had the opportunity to do just that this past weekend in Pee Dee.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Palmetto Skillz Showcase emanated from the Pearl Moore Basketball Center in Florence. Hosted by Carolina Girls Hoops Report, it was a showcase event that emphasized the robust youth movement across the area.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We at Prep Girls Hoops made the drive out there as well. Here are a few of the standout performers from Sunday's festivities from the Palmetto State. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["553681"],"_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":1006153,"_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-66f2728e56678"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ross may have been, arguably, the standout of standouts this past weekend in Florence. The young freshman standout from defending 5A champion Sumter displayed that the Gamecocks future is bright in spite of the hit they took over the offseason with seniors graduating. At 5-foot-7, Ross can be placed in a team's lineup either at the two in the backcourt or as a three. She made plays throughout the day – including in the transition game and with attacking the basket with the fearlessness of an upperclassman. Ross also excelled in 3-point shooting drills. She averaged 13.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 steals in 24 games last season – not bad for one's eighth grade campaign.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["672385"],"_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-66f2728e566d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Riles Files are already chock full of superb plays – and many of them occurred this past spring and summer when she ran with Twelve Time – Ja Morant's AAU organization. A few more of them came this past weekend in the Pee Dee. Riles stood out in halfcourt drills and also displayed that she can connect from either midrange or long range. She will also give opposing ball carriers plenty of problems with her defense. Following a 2023-24 seventh grade season where she averaged 11.7 points and 1.1 steals per contest, Riles will take to the court for a Lake City squad that will move from 3A to 2A this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["324559"],"_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":1006157,"_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-66f2728e56722"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It feels as if McMillan has been playing basketball longer than what she actually has. Her skillset catches the attention of many an onlooker and it did so once again at this year's Florence camp. McMillan impressed with her ball handling skills – including getting a bit creative with how she does so. Anyone who watches McMillan also understands that she is very versatile and can play at either one of the two guard positions in the backcourt or as a three forward. She is an all-around playmaker who can do so at any time from anywhere on the floor. McMillan has been playing at the varsity level since she was a seventh grader and averaged 16 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists last season at 2A Fairfield Central.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["821381"],"_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-66f2728e5675d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With 2A Atlantic Collegiate becoming a full-fledged member of the South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) beginning this season, expect more eyes – both locally in the Myrtle Beach-Horry County area and statewide – to be on Blackmon. A hallmark of what she does is her 3-point shooting capabilities. Rebounding is another element to her skillset and she also makes things difficult for opposing teams with hard defense. All in all, a stellar showing in Florence for the [program_tooltip program_id='713574' first='Confidence' last='Cougars'] AAU product and former 5A Socastee standout. The return of Blackmon should ensure the Armada make improvement from last season where the team only notched one win over a South Carolina opponent (Lake City).&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->