She Got Next MLK Showcase: Top 15 Performers (11-15)

The time surrounding Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the middle of January is the one time on the high school sports calendar outside of November and December where showcases and tournaments are the main focus.    Among those focal points of the South Carolina high school sports fan this past weekend was 3A Carolina Academy as it was the host site of this year's She Got Next MLK Showcase. A grand total of 20 teams were part of the day-long event at the home court of the Trojans.    We at Prep Girls Hoops were on hand that Saturday at Carolina Academy for the day's schedule of games. In earlier articles, we unveiled parts one and two of our top 15 performers list from the day. Last, but certainly not least, here is part three.     In 1A Lee Central's hard-fought get-together with 3A Powdersville, it appeared at halftime that the Patriots would win going away. Because of the heroics of the Stallions' star senior, Lee Central managed to scratch and claw its way back into the game – and nearly pull off a miraculous comeback. Powdersville may have won by a final of 58-51 but the 22 points Reames scored were a microcosm of why Lee Central is one of the state's premier 1A squads. A two-sport athlete who also thrives on the softball field, 3-point shooting and rebounding are among the many noteworthy aspects of Reames' plentiful skillset.     On Saturday, in a clash of 4A powers, there was simply too much Fountain Inn offense for Aiken to withstand. Jamison managed to hold her own and put together a stellar 21-point performance to spearhead the Green Hornets. Jamison is listed at 5-foot-11. While one may expect her to play as more of a four or a five, Jamison will showcase attributes more commonly seen in guards. These include the ability to handle the ball to prevent turnovers as well as shoot the ball with accuracy from long range. Jamison's tall stature is also complimented by her length which proves useful on both ends of the floor.     While Williams' 4A Crestwood group may not have got the result it was looking for against a tough 5A Woodmont bunch, Williams still managed a winning effort as she compiled 20 points to lead her Knights. Early on, much of Williams' production was happening at the free throw line as she was consistently drawing contact. As the contest wore on, Williams began finding more success from the field and a key reason for this was what Williams managed to get accomplished in the transition game. As a senior, Williams fuses together talent with veteran instincts and displays her versatility as she can play at multiple spots on the floor.     Drawing a team like Legacy Early College is not an easy task. While McKinney's 5A J.L. Mann assembling may have had a rough evening overall, McKinney did prove to be a bright spot for the Patriots as she led her team with 20 points. In addition to her ability to score from all three levels, McKinney was calling for the ball – a sign of her confidence to make plays even against a tough team such as the Lions. She also understands the art of utilizing her defense to translate into offense. McKinney stands at 5-foot-4 and is one of seven juniors on what is a very veteran-centric Patriots roster.     The senior 5-foot-7 star for Carolina did all she could to ensure her Trojans would defend its home court. Unfortunately for her team, it was on the receiving end of a 42-41 overtime defeat to 3A Belton-Honea Path. She did score 19 points to lead her team. Taylor can find plenty of time playing as a wing given she already plays at both the shooting guard and small forward spots. She will also find time playing at point and is a consistent scorer from all three levels for her team. Taylor is a two-sport athlete who thrives on the softball field every bit as much as she does on the basketball hardwood.

The time surrounding Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the middle of January is the one time on the high school sports calendar outside of November and December where showcases and tournaments are the main focus.