Run 4 Roses Classic Day Three: Palmetto State Standouts

For a few days out of the year in July, Derby City becomes Hoop City as it welcomes travel teams from around the world to the much-revered Run 4 Roses.    Arguably the most anticipated live period event of live period events, over 80 courts are set up at the Kentucky Exposition Center and over a thousand teams converge on Louisville for the basketball get-together. A few games from Roses even get mainstream coverage via ESPN.    We at Prep Girls Hoops once again had a strong contingent – both virtually and physically – in the commonwealth. The same applied to the many travel teams representing South Carolina. We spotlighted top performers from the first couple of days of Roses play and now shine a lens on standouts from Saturday's action.     The junior standout from 2A Philip Simmons plays on a FBC Reign Rise 2027 that is comprised mostly of talent from Tennessee. Her team matched up against A Game Brianna Breedy 2027 in the early portions of the Roses Saturday schedule. Cohen displayed that she can find ways to put the ball in the basket, but her game goes beyond a number on a scoreboard. She plays the game with a high basketball IQ and remains active even when she does not have the ball in her hands. She keeps her hands outstretched on the defensive side of the floor and is a smart passer on top of being a three-level point-getter. Her team went 4-1 en route to the Bronze Bracket championship.     As a 2027, Hemingway plays up in class on [program_tooltip program_id='713574' first='Confidence' last='Cougars'] 2026. The early part of the afternoon schedule for Saturday would see her team share a court with Lady Blue Devils 2026 Platinum assembling out of Texas. Hemingway particularly excels on defense as a consistent threat to come away with steals. A 3-point shot is also part of Hemingway's offensive repertoire. The veteran standout from 3A Loris has played a variety of sports throughout her athletic career – including golf and track alongside her basketball achievements. Hemingway also displayed a fearlessness that includes a willingness to go at defenders and draw contact to place herself at the free throw line.     The final time through the grassroots circuit is always an eye-opening – and reflective – time for any basketball player. That is the case for the backcourt standout from 5A Division 2 Conway. She has played at the varsity level since she was an eighth grader and averaged 10.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.3 steals last season in the 21 games she played for the Tigers. Combining veteran instincts with a wealth of talent, she can give a team worthwhile minutes as either a one or a two. Opposing teams have to game plan for her on either end of the floor as she is a playmaker on both defense and offense.     Parks greatly helped her FBC Next Up SC Lady Wolves team to a 56-45 victory over LA Hoops Basketball Club 2026 NE2K in the early going of Roses Saturday. Following the win over the Louisiana team, Parks was rewarded with an offer, fittingly, from Parkland College in Illinois. Parks is a skilled ball handler who can get herself and her team out of precarious spots. She can collect a large amount of rebounds by guard standards and can give her team additional offensive possessions with her defense. When one averages 22.5 points, 6.3 steals and 5.7 boards as Parks did in her junior campaign at 1A North, collegiate coaches and scouts will take notice.     As is the case with Parks, the same applies to Oliver that she is experiencing her final AAU season. She also played a massive role in that 56-45 victory that FBC Next Up SC Lady Wolves managed over LA Hoops Basketball Club 2026 NE2K that day. Oliver is an efficient floor runner and plays more at the one than two but can display the shooting ability of a two guard. Her athletic career has also included soccer and she has played at the varsity level since she was an eighth grader. Oliver averaged 9.2 points, 4.6 assists and 3.5 steals last season for Greenwood en route to the 5A Division 2 state championship game.        The lone game for SC Future 17U on Saturday was a matchup in the middle portions of the afternoon against Ohio Crossover Athletics 2026. The assembling from the Buckeye State came away with the win, but Draughn ensured it would have to earn every single bit of it. Opposing teams always have to keep their eye on her because of her immense playmaking abilities. They also have to keep an eye on her because of how accurate she can be from 3-point range. Defense and making plays in transition are other positives to her overall game. Draughn played in 28 games last season with 4A A.C. Flora and averaged 14.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals for the Falcons.     [program_tooltip program_id='715414' first='SC' last='Lady Sixers'] National 2026 was a tough team to defeat – as SGB Veal E40 2026 found out during Saturday's Roses play. Christian was a key reason why her team finished 3-1 through its first three days. The veteran combo guard from 5A Division 2 T.L. Hanna places plenty of emphasis on ball handing. She is an efficient floor runner who displays a great deal of court vision as evidenced by her ball distribution capabilities. Christian knows when to pass and when to score and can nail 3-pointers from collegiate range. She is a three-level scorer who can also turn offense into defense.

For a few days out of the year in July, Derby City becomes Hoop City as it welcomes travel teams from around the world to the much-revered Run 4 Roses.