Ashton Arnold Memorial Opening Day: 2027-2028 Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ashton Arnold Memorial Opening Day Tourney is in the books once again this season. Prep Girls Hoops made a trip up to Easley to cover one the event once again this year. The annual trip usually brings out some good talent from the Palmetto State to start the Grassroots season. This year surely did just talent. The future of basketball in South Carolina looks very good. Maybe now would be a good time to jump on board and <strong><em>SUBSCRIBE to the site. Use the passcode "Swanny30" at checkout to save 30% off your first billing cycle. #RecruitThePalmettoState</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2028 Top Performers</em></strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1230517,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/eZy-Watermark_09-04-2025_11-18-03-1610AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1230517" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='925568' first='Nathaya' last='Phoenix']</strong> - Burke HS (Charleston) - [program_tooltip program_id='715018' first='Lowcountry' last='Premier NXT Pro16']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Phoenix was all over the glass today with her play around the bucket. She dropped 15 points and 10 rebounds in a game we took in game here today. Nathaya keeps the ball up high after claiming it off the glass. She can play inside-out at times and look to drive the ball to the rack. Nathaya is extremely efficient around the paint with her play. She dropped a short floater down the lane at times today. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1230525,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/eZy-Watermark_09-04-2025_11-16-50-3790AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1230525" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='831267' first='Evie' last='Adams']</strong> - St Joseph's Catholic - [program_tooltip program_id='715412' first='SC' last='Eagles'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evie plays up a few age groups for the [program_tooltip program_id='715412' first='SC' last='Eagles']. Adams a left-handed guard has good court awareness on the floor. Evie showcases a very high arching shot from the perimeter. She will look to get downhill with the ball in her hands and look to penetrate-kick at times. She felt comfortable being the primary ball-handler today on the floor for the [program_tooltip program_id='715412' first='SC' last='Eagles']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1230521,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/eZy-Watermark_09-04-2025_11-17-04-7300AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1230521" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1094089' first='D'Zyur' last='Legare']</strong> - Burke HS - [program_tooltip program_id='715018' first='Lowcountry' last='Premier NXT Pro16']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Legare was able to showcase some perimeter shooting from behind the arc. D'Zyur did a nice job of setting up in the corners and knocking down shots. She has a nice stroke and good shot release when letting it go. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>SC Future UA Rise 16U Claim Title</em></strong>: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The SC Future UA Rise 16U started off the Ashton Arnold Memorial Opening Day with a victory over Red Alert. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='567022' first='Madison' last='Vereen']</strong> led the way for the SC Future with 17 points. Madison constantly all day long taking the ball to the rack and scoring. When she wasn't doing that, she was getting to the foul line. Madison does a great job of playing her going to the bucket. She really looks to excel in the transition game and playing active in the passing lanes on defense. Madison can post up smaller defenders at times and pretty much can play all over the perimeter. Vereen attends North Myrtle Beach HS. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1230530,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/eZy-Watermark_09-04-2025_11-16-00-4490AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1230530" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='668305' first='Jurnee' last='Blye']</strong> plays her best basketball inside the paint being active and showing toughness. Jurnee at times missed a few bunnies but that can be worked on moving forward. She finished with 10 points in the win over Red Alert. Jurnee plays the game with a great attitude and mindset at all times on and off the court. She attends Carvers Bay HS in Georgetown County. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Who were 2027 Palmetto State That Stood out Today?</em></strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1230532,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/eZy-Watermark_09-04-2025_11-15-48-2940AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1230532" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324560' first='Maliyah' last='Birch']</strong> - Northwood Academy - [program_tooltip program_id='713840' first='Charleston' last='Raptors'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Birch a crafty point guard went over 1,000 career points (1,009 points to be exact) this past season. Maliyah is really crafty at times with the ball in her hands. She makes her teammates happy with her unselfish play from out top. She can the score the ball at the bucket from both sides of the rim. Maliyah keeps the ball low to the deck and rarely turns it over. The [program_tooltip program_id='713840' first='Charleston' last='Raptors'] were (2-0) on the first day of action here at the Ashton Arnold Memorial Opening Day. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1230520,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/eZy-Watermark_09-04-2025_11-17-18-1770AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1230520" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='919884' first='Jordan' last='Espinal']</strong> - Summerville HS - [program_tooltip program_id='715018' first='Lowcountry' last='Premier NXT Pro16']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Espinal plays the game with a blue-collar approach at times down in the paint. Jordan was able to connect on a short turnaround jumper here today. She really likes playing the game on contact down low. Jordan jumped on the deck at times today for loose 50/50 balls. Look for her minutes to really go up next season at Summerville HS. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1230527,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/eZy-Watermark_09-04-2025_11-16-30-2190AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1230527" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='637610' first='Tianah' last='Hopper']</strong> - Gaffney HS - [program_tooltip program_id='715412' first='SC' last='Eagles'] 17U </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hopper is playing up an age group. Tianah nicknamed "TT" is so smooth with her production on the court at times. She plays the game with it seems like no emotions or face expressions. She has her lets go to work face on every time she touches the floor. TT is extremely effective around the paint finishing plays at the bucket from both sides of the rim. She fills the lane in transition nicely and really rebounds the ball well on both ends of the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1230519,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/eZy-Watermark_09-04-2025_11-17-31-5720AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1230519" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1213549' first='Celeste' last='Wilder']</strong> - Mountain View Prep - [program_tooltip program_id='715412' first='SC' last='Eagles'] 16U </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Celeste was able to knockdown some shots here today for the short-handed [program_tooltip program_id='715412' first='SC' last='Eagles']. Wilder an off guard was able to set her feet and connect on some three-pointers. Celeste was able to receive the ball in the pocket for clean looks on several occasions today. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stay tune right here to Prep Girls Hoops with more coverage from the event.<em><strong> SUBSCRIBE TODAY!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->