Queen’s Court Invitational: Top 6 Performers

Two weeks prior to when we will know what this season's state tournament fields will resemble is not exactly the time when many fans are thinking about showcase events. That did not stop South Point coach Stephanie Butler-Graham from bucking tradition.    The Queen's Court Invitational emanated from the home of the Stallions, a team that is arguably the squad to beat in the 4A ranks. A total of four games took place with eight teams converging on South Pointe's court. One of those teams even came from the other side of the North Carolina-South Carolina state line.    We at Prep Girls Hoops made the trip to the Stallions' stable for the day's festivities. Here are our top six performers from the first day of February.     Lucas and her undefeated 4A South Pointe juggernaut matched up against 5A River Bluff in the nightcap of the Queen's Court Invitational. Thanks in large part to the 22 points Lucas tallied in a dominant 70-19 victory, the Gators were no match for the Stallions. A massive reason for why Lucas had the performance she did is because of her accuracy from behind the 3-point arc. Out of the five triples that were drained by South Pointe, four departed from Lucas' hands. She possesses superb ball handling skills, fuses those together with speed and quickness and is a proficient passer. Lucas is a major reason why South Pointe has aspirations on being in Florence next month.     Nelson's 5A Spartanburg team got the day at South Pointe started in dominant fashion when her Vikings defeated West Mecklenburg by a final score of 64-22. Nelson spearheaded Spartanburg's offensive output with 18 points to earn the Vikings their 11th win on the season. Nelson can give a team productive minutes playing either at the three or the four. Listed at 5-foot-7, Spartanburg had a game plan to establish her near the rim and the sophomore delivered in a big way. Nelson also bolsters the Vikings' rebounding efforts and has no issues drawing contact to get to the free throw line.      When one gets a glimpse of Hartwell, the first thing that automatically comes to mind is her height. She stands at a towering 6-foot-5, but what has been every bit as impressive as that stature is her development as a presence in the post. Hartwell would lead her 4A Westside group with 17 points to score an impressive 73-55 win over top-ranked Military Magnet. Because of Hartwell's presence, she is able to limit an opponent's second-chance point opportunities with the rebounds she collects. Her length also makes her effective as a shot blocker. Hartwell is a major reason why the Rams are among the 4A classification's elite teams – and a real threat to return to Florence next month.      How a team wins the tough games against tough opponents can determine if a team really is ready for tournament time. Clover had one of those hard-fought contests against another tough 5A out in Greenwood. Thanks to the 14 points placed on the scoreboard by the Blue Eagles' veteran big, Clover pulled off a 45-42 victory over Greenwood. Lucas provided an early boost for Clover as nine of her 14 were scored in the first quarter. In addition to being able to convert on high-percentage baskets close to the rim, Lucas also can display how effective she is in the midrange game. Rebounding and defense are two other strong points to her well-developed skillset. Clover will be a team to watch very closely throughout state play and Lucas would love to finish her high school career with a trip to Florence in early March.     It is not often that Military Magnet has forgettable days at the office, but that is a hallmark of coach Nathaniel Taylor's team – testing its mettle against hard-to-beat assemblings from higher classifications. The Eagles may have been on the receiving end of a 73-55 decision to 4A Westside, but Watson gave a winning effort with 22 points. In addition to Watson's efficiency as a scorer, she also displayed her fearlessness and confidence with her willingness to shoot the ball over taller defenders. Watson is also an effective rebounder, delivers accurate passes to teammates and comes through with defensive plays that can give Military Magnet additional possessions – either in transition or in the halfcourt. There were several teams on hand that we could see in Florence next month – the Eagles are one of them.      While Oliver's 5A Greenwood team may not have picked up the win against another tough 5A group in Clover, Oliver did her part in ensuring what looked to be a comfortable Clover win at first would be a dogfight. Oliver led all scorers for Saturday's game with 20 points in what was a 45-42 decision. While her scoring efficiency is one thing, another key element to her game is the speed and quickness she possesses. Oliver has placed plenty of emphasis on handling the rock as she has developed and she can give a team plenty of additional offensive possessions with the steals she collects.

Two weeks prior to when we will know what this season's state tournament fields will resemble is not exactly the time when many fans are thinking about showcase events. That did not stop South Point coach Stephanie Butler-Graham from bucking tradition.