Coach Varner Tip-Off: Top Six Performances

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coaches and players always remark about approaching a season one game at a time. That applies regardless of what point in a season a team could be at.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It includes the first few games of a season which can set the tone for what happens the rest of the way. Several teams were looking to set a positive tone for their 2025-26 campaigns by being part of the annual Varner Tip-Off at Woodruff HS.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year's Varner Tip-Off also has added significance given the new $100 million Woodruff HS that has been constructed down Cross Anchor Road a few minutes from the current facility. It is set to open for the 2025-26 school year and Woodruff anticipates basketball games taking place at the new building as soon as January.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We at Prep Girls Hoops also made our trip once again to the early season invite. Among the numerous noteworthy outings that stood out to us at this year's Varner Classic, here are the six that caught our attention the most.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["297889"],"_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":1415974,"_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-69227c6e72370"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This year's Coach Varner Tip-Off Classic commenced with matchup pitting 4A team vs. 4A team. Allen's Laurens assembling got the better of its adversaries from Greer by virtue of a 44-18 victory. Allen placed 17 points on the scoreboard to begin her senior campaign in Raiders green and gold. Laurens built a 24-10 edge over Greer at halftime – Allen outscored the Yellow Jackets by herself with 13 at the break. She not only gave the Yellow Jackets problems with her scoring and playmaking ability in the interior, but the 5-foot-7 veteran was difficult to score on in close proximity to the basket as well. The good looks at the basket she was getting throughout the contest also caused problems for Greer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1068009"],"_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":1415975,"_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-69227c6e723d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more entertaining matchups of the day ensued between Kinard's 5A Division 1 Boiling Springs team and 2A Landrum. Thanks to a 16-point effort courtesy of Kinard, the Bulldogs outlasted the Cardinals with the final score being 45-44. Kinard may be an eighth grader but she displays court instincts that are more indicative of veterans. She is a fearless attacker of the rim and knows how to find driving lanes to finish strong at the cup. Kinard also is unafraid of contact that can place her at the free throw line. With a year of varsity experience already under her belt, it should foretell improved fortunes for Boiling Springs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1131791"],"_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":1415977,"_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-69227c6e72433"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Caldwell's 2A Landrum team may not have achieved the result it was in search of on Saturday against a tough 5A Division 1 Boiling Springs team. She still made her presence known in her debut with the Cardinals. Caldwell tallied 23 points to ensure Landrum stayed in the matchup with the Bulldogs from start to finish. The sophomore who transferred from Spartanburg Christian overcame early struggles to score 16 of her 23 in the second half. Caldwell stands nearly at six feet but has the ball handling and rim attacking skills of many guards. She uses not only her height but her length to finish strong at the rim and convert on tough shots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1317857"],"_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":1415978,"_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-69227c6e7248b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Defending 3A state champion Walhalla looks to be among the teams to beat in its classification once again. A major reason for that is the interior presence that White presents. The Razorbacks defeated Mid-Carolina in a 71-17 rout and White's 17 points aided in that offensive onslaught. White is one of five seniors on this season's Razorbacks version – and one of three team captains. She leads by example with her playmaking and decision-making in the interior. That includes converting on high-percentage shots, corralling rebounds and efficient running of the floor. White has also played volleyball throughout her athletic career alongside her basketball achievements. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["925569"],"_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":1415979,"_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-69227c6e724e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cannon is set up perfectly to be the featured point guard for 3A Walhalla for this season and the ensuing two. The defending 3A champion Razorbacks were matched up against 2A Mid-Carolina and the 17 points placed on the scoreboard by Cannon ensured Saturday's contest would be all Walhalla all the time. The final score was 71-17 in the Razorbacks' favor. One element of the game where she excels is in transition – either as a distributor or as a scorer. Cannon is particularly difficult to game plan for as opponents have to consider if she will pass or if she will attack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["496240"],"_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":1415983,"_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-69227c6e72536"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One would expect on the first day of an early-season tournament hosted by a school that said school's team will defend its home court. Turner ensured her Wolverines did so as 3A Woodruff closed out Saturday with a dominant victory over 2A Brashier Middle College. She concluded the contest with 20 points in the victory. Turner displayed her speed, quickness and fearlessness when attacking the rim and did not shy away from contact that could place her at the free throw line. Defensively, she keeps her hands outstretched as well as above her head to negatively affect the trajectory of an opponent's shot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->