Carolina Classic Tournament: Backcourt Beasts

The early season and midseason tournament schedule can change from year to year with new multi-team get-togethers being added to said schedule. One invite out in the Pee Dee has been a staple of South Carolina high school basketball for nearly four decades.    This past weekend saw the 39th annual Carolina Classic emanate from 5A Division 2 West Florence. It is a combination girls' and boys' event that took place over the span of three days. Also, a 35-second shot clock was in use for this tournament – a sight for the sore eyes of many a coach.   We at Prep Girls Hoops made the trip out the home court of the Knights for the final day of play. From the four girls teams that were on hand (The host Knights plus 4A schools South Florence, Wilson and A.C. Flora), much of their efforts were spearheaded by their guard play.     Ross was one of the more high-profile transfers across the state this past offseason and she put together one of her signature performances since she began sporting the gold and purple hues of the Tigers. With 21 points, Ross willed her 4A Wilson team to a hard-fought 56-54 victory over region rival South Florence. Showing up in crunch time of big games is what coaches look for from their primary players and Ross did just that to the tune of 16 of her 21 occurring in the second half. Ross also departed from this year's Carolina Classic having added tournament MVP honors to her already extensive resume.     The Falcons of 4A A.C. Flora present one of the most lethal backcourts in the Palmetto State – and those guards had their balling sneakers on in the final day of this year's Carolina Classic. Draughn helped what was an overwhelming Falcons effort against 5A Division 2 host West Florence with a game-high 18 points en route to a 66-27 result. One of the many areas Draughn thrives is as a transition playmaker. Defensively, Draughn maintains a high level of activity and is more than willing to change her defensive assignment on the fly. The veteran two guard and team co-captain also understands the art of creating offense with her defense. A.C. Flora did not have any All-Tournament honorees, but a strong case could be made for Draughn.     One of the premier eighth-grade talents in South Carolina, Gray brought plenty of magic with her to the Magic City of Florence. Monday's matchup between 4A A.C. Flora and 5A Division 2 host West Florence was all Falcons, all the time – in part because of the 13 points put on the board by Gray. Even though Gray is listed on A.C. Flora's roster as a point guard, Gray can display how accurate she can be from distance. The Falcons connected on six 3-pointers in the 66-27 blowout of the Knights – three were Gray's. She also understands how to create offense with her defense and does not shy away from contact that can place her at the free throw line.     One of two All-Tournament recipients from 4A South Florence, Watson had a strong finish to her Carolina Classic even in a hard-fought defeat to region rival Wilson. Watson boosted her Bruins greatly with her 13-point effort. She is another multi-sport athlete who also plays volleyball as a defensive specialist. Watson primarily operates in the backcourt as a two guard. While South Florence's style of play is predicated on interior dominance, Watson did have one of only two 3-pointers the Bruins made in the game with the Tigers. Watson also displays her toughness by welcoming contact that can give her chances at the free throw line. One of Watson's signature moments of the game was a clutch 4-point play in the fourth quarter that shifted the momentum greatly in South Florence's favor.     McCray has played at the varsity level since she was an eighth grader and is one of three team captains for this year's 4A A.C. Flora assembling. She was recently offered by Columbia College and the 11 points she placed on the scoreboard for the Falcons in a 66-27 rout of 5A Division 2 host West Florence displayed exactly why coach Toccara Toland is hoping McCray will be in the Koalas' signature purple hue when she embarks on her collegiate journey. All 11 of McCray's points occurred in the first half of play. McCray can display a high level of comfortability and confidence in her ability to sink corner 3-pointers and can get creative with how she attacks the basket and finishes at the rim.     Hannah is one of three seniors on this year's South Florence team. Her Bruins benefitted greatly from the nine points she placed on the scoreboard in what was a hard-fought matchup against region rival Wilson that had the feel of a region championship or state playoff contest. Out of those nine she scored, five occurred in the first half – which included a successful 3-pointer and a pair of successful foul shot attempts. Defensively, Hannah is tough to game plan for given her ability to collect steals and she is also one of South Florence's leaders in assists – a testament to her abilities as a ball distributor.

The early season and midseason tournament schedule can change from year to year with new multi-team get-togethers being added to said schedule. One invite out in the Pee Dee has been a staple of South Carolina high school basketball for nearly four decades.