CGHR Carolina Clash Barefoot Classic: Top 6 Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The arrival of the midpoint of December means that the high school girls basketball schedule is preparing to get very busy with holiday academic breaks on the horizon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past Saturday, eight teams converged on the Pee Dee for the Carolina Clash Barefoot Classic. Hosted by Carolina Girls Hoops Report, it featured four teams from North Carolina (Albemarle, Scotland, The Burlington School and Victory Christian) and four from South Carolina (Wilson, Atlantic Collegiate, South Florence and Cheraw).&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We at Prep Girls Hoops made the trip to Wilson HS for the day's matchups. Here are our top six performers from the day's play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1058488"],"_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":1109238,"_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-675ed917f052f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Numero diez (10) was numero uno on Saturday afternoon at Wilson HS. The Braves of 2A Cheraw were no match for Victory Christian as Ponce led the way with 19 points to earn her team an emphatic 78-21 win over said Braves. Ponce tallied 14 of those 19 in the first half of play. She played effectively at the four and that included getting herself in position to convert on high-percentage bucket opportunities. Ponce is also an effective rebounder and the length she possesses compliments her six foot frame. She is one of four seniors on this season's Victory Christian rendition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["617121"],"_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":1109244,"_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-675ed917f059b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Baldwin's 1A Albemarle rendition began the season with a four-game winning streak. On Saturday, The Burlington School had no answers for the Bulldogs' star senior guard as she dropped 30 points in a 76-27 drubbing of the Spartans. Baldwin delivered 17 of those 30 in the second half of play. A center point of her play is her speed and how she ferociously attacks the basket. Baldwin also knows how to turn her defense into offense. A good number of the plays she made were in transition. The ability to split defenses when attacking the cup is another strong point to her overall game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":1109247,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Alaiyah Mitchell","_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":"5'8u0022","_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":"The Burlington School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_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-675ed917f063e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The return of girls basketball to The Burlington School has been a massive plus in the career of this talented sophomore on the rise. When Mitchell looks at the final score of her team's matchup with 1A Albemarle, it will likely put a frown on her face. That frown ought to get turned upside down when she sees that she put her team on her back that day. Mitchell had 19 of her team's 27 points. One of her game's many solid points is her willingness to draw contact and find her way to the free throw line. Mitchell is listed at 5-foot-8. Rebounding, passing and collecting steals are other areas of the game she excels at. Mitchell is a two-sport athlete whose sports plate also includes a healthy helping of varsity volleyball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":1109249,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1318806' first='Allyson' last='Watson']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"South Florence","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_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-675ed917f06c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Watson's 4A South Florence assembling was a late addition to this year's Carolina Clash Barefoot Classic as Arborbrook Academy out of North Carolina was originally on the bill. It was worth it for the Watson and the Bruins, playing at the arena of a region rival. Watson tallied 19 points to earn what turned out to be a one-sided, 50-24 victory over 2A Atlantic Collegiate. Watson displayed an ability to score from all three levels that had the Armada's defense confused from start to finish. Watson is very quick – which is a worthwhile attribute one wants to possess when getting out in transition. She is a challenge to game plan against – on both offense and defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["302290"],"_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":1109258,"_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-675ed917f071d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Scotland may not have obtained the result it was seeking against host school 4A Wilson, but Thompson's 23 points ensured the Scots matched the Tigers nearly point for point on Saturday evening. Thompson had 12 of her 23 in the first half. She was able to successfully navigate her way through Wilson defensive sets and finish strong at the rim. A large number of those occasions where she attacked the basket resulted in her drawing contact to get to the free throw line. Thirteen of her 23 points happened at the free throw line. Thompson will get herself in position to find rebounding opportunities, she knows how to get her teammates involved and is a skilled defender. The senior guard shares team captaincy duties for the Scots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["444370"],"_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":1109257,"_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-675ed917f076d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tigers teammates, coaches and fans have Murray to thank as a huge reason why Wilson (fifth-ranked in most recent 4A coaches poll) maintained its undefeated record after a tough contest against 3A Scotland. Murray concluded her evening with 23 points to lift her Tigers to a tough 45-41 victory over the Scots. The win is the second-smallest margin of victory for Wilson so far this season (44-41 on Nov. 30 vs. Powdersville). Murray typically plays at the three but her 5-foot-11 stature ensures she will come up big for her team as a scorer and as a rebounder. She is also a gifted defender with an ability to get from one end of the floor to the other with the ball in her hands. Murray is also willing to draw contact to get to the free throw line. The sophomore is a two-sport athlete who also competes in varsity volleyball at Wilson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->