Southeast Elite Showcase Session II: Juniors Taking The Next Step

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our calendars being set to September means plenty of things. One of them? Next month will be the final full month sans high school girls basketball throughout the Palmetto State and beyond.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Until then, there are plenty of showcase events that will take place over the next several weeks that will fill that hoops void. One of those was the second session of the Southeast Elite Showcase which took place at Ben Lippen School in the Midlands.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We at Prep Girls Hoops were on site at the home of the SCISA 4A Falcons for the full Saturday of basketball. After beginning our recap coverage with a look at standout seniors, we move to this year's junior class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["754999"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1315053,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68c64db0c1d8e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blythewood needs depth beyond its big three to compete in a realm as daunting as the 5A Division 1 field is. Spain provides that depth. Spain is entering her junior season and provides versatility along with depth for the defending champion Bengals. Standing at 5-foot-9, she is more of a three or a four but she can also give a team productive minutes as a shooting guard. Spain also has no problem with physicality in the interior as she knows she can draw a foul and give her team chances at the free throw line. Expect Spain to take that next step for Blythewood this upcoming season as the Bengals defend its 5A Division 1 crown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["759610"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1315055,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68c64db0c1e1c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On a team whose roster is defined by youth, Whalen stands out as the veteran of this season's version of SCISA 4A Ben Lippen. Whalen primarily operates at the three and has no problems setting up at the wing for a possible 3-point try. Opposing defenses also have to watch out for her when she attacks the rim as she delivers strong finishes at the cup and can get crafty and creative with how she does so as well. Whalen can reject plenty of shots on the defensive side of the floor and that translates to what she gets accomplished as an offensive threat. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["637609"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1315056,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68c64db0c1e7a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When the 2025-26 season tips off, Rush will be advancing to junior status with 4A Camden. A power forward that gives coach Lewis Mungo's Bulldogs a noteworthy height advantage at the four, Rush can establish herself early and often in part because of how efficient a floor runner she is. She will deliver strong finishes at the rim and consistently finds herself in the right places at the right times to make the right plays. Rush competed in Camden's black and Vegas gold hues last season on 24 occasions and averaged 10.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.8 steals. Expect Rush's Camden assembling to once again be among the class of the 4A ranks in 2025-26.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1315057,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jada Van Sickle","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Gray Collegiate","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68c64db0c1f34"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When the showcase portion of the basketball schedule concludes, Van Sickle will look forward to wearing the colors of 4A Gray Collegiate for her junior season. She can throw defenses for a loop with her ability to not only attack the basket but with her accuracy from behind the 3-point line. One of her favorite places to attempt long-range jumpers is from the wing. Efficient running of the floor as well as making plays in transition are also positives to her skillset. Van Sickle is a multi-sport athlete who also plays lacrosse alongside her basketball pursuits. Prior to arriving at the War Eagles' nest, Van Sickle previously wore the blue and gold of 5A Division 1 Lexington. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->