Y.C. Winborn Showcase: Friday’s Results

Late December means we are inching closer and closer to a new calendar year. It also means that the midseason tournament schedule is preparing to pick up with the academic year taking a break for the holidays.    One of the main tournaments that is a fixture on the schedule is the Y.C. Winborn Showcase at Rock Hill HS. Teams that are from both sides of the North Carolina-South Carolina state line converge on the home court of the Bearcats for the three-day gathering.    We at Prep Girls Hoops once again made the trip up to Rock Hill HS for Friday's games. Here is a look at how those contests from Rock Hill's main gym unfolded.    Airport vs. Westminster Catawba   One of the teams participating in the first contest of Friday's Winborn play is no stranger to this showcase.    The Eagles of 4A Airport are a mainstay at this event. In fact, at last season's Winborn Showcase, Airport managed to win all three of its contests on the court at Rock Hill. The Eagles began its time at the Bearcats home court with a win over York, then followed that up with a victory over Indian Land. Airport then closed out its schedule at last season's Winborn with a victory over Hunter Huss.    Thursday of this year would see Westminster Catawba drop its opening matchup of this season's Winborn Showcase to River Bluff while Airport prevailed over Bethune-Bowman in its first Winborn contest this season.    Would the Eagles keep its Winborn winning ways intact? The answer was yes as Airport began Friday's play with a 52-45 win over Westminster Catawba.    Quarter-By-Quarter   The Eagles came out of the gate strong with an 8-1 run to start play. Westminster Catawba managed to respond to trim the deficit and make it a game. With one frame in the books, Airport led by a score of 12-9.   There was plenty that went the way of Westminster Catawba's way in the second quarter – including a lead change. As halftime arrived, it had established a 23-20 advantage over the Eagles.    Airport managed to turn things back in their favor in the third quarter as it outscored Westminster Catawba by a margin of 18-8. The Eagles had an advantage of 38-31 with eight minutes left to play.    Westminster Catawba did have a highlight towards the end of the game with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer but Airport still managed to run its 2024 Winborn Showcase record to 2-0 (and its overall record to 7-4) by virtue of its 52-45 result.   Primetime Performers   A 14-point performance courtesy of [player_tooltip player_id='585001' first='Angel' last='Mayes'] paved the (run)way to victory for Airport. She first played at the junior varsity level before ascending to varsity status. Mayes can give a team productive minutes either at the two in the backcourt or as a four in the frontcourt.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_1854-crop-2111x1387-1734793759.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1116949" style="width:469px;height:auto" /></figure>   Adding 11 points to the Eagles' total was another senior in [player_tooltip player_id='239025' first='Ja'sia' last='Booth']. Doing most of her damage in the second half, Booth tallied 11 points. Westminster Catawba's defense had little answers for her ferocious rim attacking capabilities.   The Eagles also got a lift from the 10 points that were placed on the scoreboard courtesy of Niya Gore – another senior. Airport connected on three 3-pointers for the game – two of them departed from Gore's hands.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_1858.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1116950" style="width:470px;height:auto" /></figure>   Who knows where Westminster Catawba would have been without the heroics of its resident junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='761894' first='Myana' last='Fore']. She finished what was a valiant effort with 26 points. Fore had 15 of those 26 in the second half.    Up Next   The Eagles closed out this year's Winborn Showcase with a matchup against 1A Hunter-Kinard-Tyler. Westminster Catawba is slated to return to the court on Jan. 3 as it hosts 2A York Prep.   White Knoll vs. Indian Land   One thing that distinguished Friday's play from that of Thursday's or Saturday's was that all teams taking the court were from South Carolina.    Several of those teams were from the 5A ranks – including White Knoll. The Timberwolves did not participate in last season's Winborn Showcase but have been one of the early positive surprises of the 2024-25 season. White Knoll entered Winborn play with seven victories – more than the Timberwolves had all of last season – and earned a No. 4 ranking in the most recent 5A Division 2 coaches poll.    Indian Land is a regular at the Winborn Showcase. At last year's rendition, the Warriors – competing in the 4A ranks – went 2-1 with wins over Gilbert and Great Falls but a narrow defeat to Airport.    Both Timberwolves and Warriors were playing in their opening contest of this year's Winborn Showcase – and White Knoll's first of two contests at Rock Hill HS resulted in a 55-24 win over Indian Land.    Remember What Happened Last Time?    White Knoll and Indian Land's get-together at this year's Winborn Showcase was the first meeting between the Timberwolves and Warriors since December of the 2010 season. That contest resulted in a 42-31 victory for the Warriors.    Quarter-By-Quarter   In similar fashion to how Airport began its matchup with Westminster Catawba, White Knoll scored early and often against Indian Land. The Timberwolves began the matchup with a 9-0 run and led 20-8 at the end of the first quarter.    White Knoll did not encounter the same success in the second quarter as the first given it was more defensive-minded. When halftime arrived, it saw a 26-14 advantage in favor of the Timberwolves.    With the offensive clinic that the Timberwolves put together in the third quarter, it became apparent as to how this one would go. Twenty-four minutes had elapsed and the Timberwolves had built a 43-20 lead over the Warriors.    As the fourth quarter arrived, it was no longer a matter of who would win – but what the final margin of victory for White Knoll would be. That final margin of victory would be 31 as the Timberwolves earned its eighth victory of the season.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/IMG_0185.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1060375" style="width:532px;height:auto" /></figure>   What was a consistent scoring barrage from the Timberwolves was keyed by the 17 points placed on the scoreboard courtesy of [player_tooltip player_id='1047754' first='Emory' last='Waters-Inman']. Injury prevented her from playing in the fourth quarter.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_1866-crop-2111x1387-1734794306.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1116975" style="width:548px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1047757' first='Jaliyah' last='Daniel'] added to those efforts with 12 points. One of four sophomores on this year's team, she typically plays as either a one or a two. All of her scoring production was of the two-point variety.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_7036.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-828645" style="width:518px;height:auto" /></figure>   White Knoll also benefitted from the 10 points that [player_tooltip player_id='558730' first='Shaelyn' last='Hayes'] added to its output. Hayes is one of four seniors on this year's team and play at several spots on the court – including as a shooting guard and as a wing.   Up Next   White Knoll concluded this year's Winborn Showcase with a matchup with 3A Hunter Huss out of North Carolina. Indian Land finished Winborn play by taking on fellow 5A in-state foe Spartanburg.   Riverside vs. A.C. Flora   There are not too many ways to add even more spice to such a marquee mid-season showcase like the Winborn than for one of the matchups to be a rematch of last season's 4A state championship game.    Riverside was not part of last season's Winborn festivities but has began the 2024-25 season with a 6-1 record. The one loss came against fellow 5A team Blythewood at the She Got Next Thanksgiving Tournament at White Knoll.    As for 4A A.C. Flora – another mainstay at the Winborn - the Falcons went 3-0 at last season's event. A.C. Flora's three wins came against Ivanhoe from Australia as well as against Spartanburg and Butler out of North Carolina. Those Falcons have had a rough start to this season, going 3-6 to begin the 2024-25 campaign.    Riverside got the better of A.C. Flora last year in Florence – and they did so again this time at Rock Hill with a 47-39 win over the Falcons.    Quarter-By-Quarter   The first quarter pitted the interior presence of Riverside against the 3-point shooting of A.C. Flora. It was advantage Falcons early by a slim margin as they led the Warriors by a score of 11-8.   On paper, one would look at Riverside vs. A.C. Flora as one of the more competitive contests between the two teams. It was playing out that way on the court at Rock Hill. At the half, the Falcons led by five (24-19) over the Warriors.   Things tilted more in the favor of the Warriors in the third quarter. Riverside outscored A.C. Flora by a margin of 12-4 that frame. With one quarter remaining, it was a 31-28 advantage for the Warriors.    The Falcons were within striking distance of the Warriors, but Riverside managed to hold off A.C. Flora. The 47-39 result saw Riverside pick up its seventh win of the season along with dealing the Falcons its seventh loss of the season.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_1922-crop-2111x1387-1734794522.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1116977" style="width:441px;height:auto" /></figure>   The bulk of Riverside's offensive production came courtesy of two players. One of those was [player_tooltip player_id='682871' first='Madison' last='Garrido'] who once again provided stellar guard play for the Warriors. She led all scorers with 18 points.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_1919-crop-2111x1387-1734794754.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1116981" style="width:447px;height:auto" /></figure>   Riverside's interior efforts were once again as every bit as effective as its guard play. And as is the case with Warriors contests, [player_tooltip player_id='414178' first='Elly' last='Trickett'] spearheaded those efforts. She added 17 points to the Warriors cause.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_1870-crop-3451x2266-1734794958.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1116983" style="width:447px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='257992' first='Teonna' last='Draughn'] did all she could for A.C. Flora. She led all point-getters for the Falcons with 15. Draughn is a leading rebounder for her team in addition to her ability to put points on the board from all three levels.    Up Next   Riverside would close this year's Winborn Showcase competition with a matchup against Marvin Ridge in a contest of one of the Hoop State's best against one of the Palmetto State's best. A.C. Flora would look ahead to a rematch later that day against Butler.    Rock Hill vs. Greenville   Of course, what is the Y.C. Winborn Showcase without an appearance from the host team?   Rock Hill took part in two contests at last season's Winborn Showcase – both of which resulted in wins. The Bearcats prevailed against Ivanhoe Australia in a rout and were tested heavily by Charlotte Country Day. Day one of the 2024 Winborn saw Rock Hill deliver a 56-14 drubbing of 4A Independence out of North Carolina.    Greenville added 5A status plus a pair of key transfers over the offseason. The Red Raiders last participated in the Winborn two seasons ago and went 2-1 with wins over White Knoll and Hunter Huss but a loss to Marvin Ridge.   Rock Hill recently earned a No. 7 ranking in the most recent 5A Division 1 coaches poll. The Bearcats once again looked like such a team. It was a 70-44 commanding win for Rock Hill over Greenville to close out the second day of Winborn play.    Remember What Happened Last Time?    It was in November of 2018 when the Red Raiders and Bearcats last shared the same court. The outlook for both programs was very different back then than what it is today for both Greenville and Rock Hill. That contest saw a 42-25 win for the Red Raiders.    Quarter-By-Quarter   Early on, Greenville had the upper hand as it scored five of the game's first six points. Much of what Rock Hill was doing early was at the free throw line, but the Bearcats had more success from the field as the frame elapsed. With one complete, Rock Hill had a 16-13 lead over the Red Raiders.   Rock Hill got into more a rhythm in the second quarter – and a key element of that was what the Bearcats did from behind the arc. The four triples Rock Hill drained in the frame were instrumental in the 33-25 lead they had at the half over Greenville.    The Bearcats increased their lead to double-digits in the third quarter and saw its seventh win of the season (and second of this year's Winborn) in sight. With three in the books, it was Rock Hill 53 and Greenville 37.   The view to victory really became clear as the Rock Hill advantage became 20 with just under six minutes to play. And with zero minutes to play, that advantage for the Bearcats was a grand total of 26 points.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_1984.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1116984" style="width:478px;height:auto" /></figure>   It was fitting that Rock Hill, in many ways had a tone-setter, a momentum-builder and a closer. Emine Hollis was that tone-setter for the Bearcats. She concluded Friday evening with a 21-point showing.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_1933-crop-3057x2008-1734795155.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1116986" style="width:484px;height:auto" /></figure>   The momentum-builder for Rock Hill was junior [player_tooltip player_id='452369' first='Chloe' last='Hudson']. The team's resident sharpshooter also finished with 21 that evening. After overcoming some early struggles, she had five made 3-pointers.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_1938-crop-3226x2118-1734795252.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1116988" style="width:479px;height:auto" /></figure>   Closing the deal for the Bearcats was another senior in [player_tooltip player_id='253658' first='Aubrey' last='Stevenson']. It was a 15-point evening for the College of Charleston commit and displayed her speed, rim attacking abilities and willingness to get to the free throw line.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_1957-crop-2111x1387-1734795447.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1116993" style="width:482px;height:auto" /></figure>   Pacing the Greenville attack was [player_tooltip player_id='258130' first='Ava' last='Owens'] and the 13 points she scored. They were, however, more of an unconventional 13. Owens typically plays at the one or two, but she did the bulk of her work close to the rim.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_1928-crop-2157x1417-1734795353.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1116991" style="width:478px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Red Raiders also benefitted from the 12 points that were put on the scoreboard courtesy of [player_tooltip player_id='567024' first='Miracle' last='Cheeks']. When Greenville was matching Rock Hill nearly bucket for bucket early, it was in large part due to Cheeks' play.   Up Next   Rock Hill began this season's Winborn Showcase with a matchup against a North Carolina team -and it bookended it with another get-together with a Hoop State team. The team in question was Chambers. Greenville would travel to another mid-season event the following day – the She Got Next Christmas Classic – where its first matchup would be a contest with 4A Seneca at J.L. Mann HS.

Late December means we are inching closer and closer to a new calendar year. It also means that the midseason tournament schedule is preparing to pick up with the academic year taking a break for the holidays.