Battle at the Border: Top 6 Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For a basketball player, there are few better ways to ring in a new (calendar) year than with a wave of momentum as region play lurks in January.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One way to collect that momentum is to put forth a great showing at a tournament such as the Battle at the Border. Landrum HS hosts the event at the end of December every season and welcomes eight girls teams and eight boys teams.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Battle at the Border is not only unique because of the picturesque scenery around Landrum in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is also unique because it features a shot clock.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We at Prep Girls Hoops were on hand for the opening day of games. Who put forth peak performances in those foothills? These six definitely did so.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1098652"],"_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":1121429,"_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-677059ba23d64"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On paper, a matchup between 3A Woodruff and 4A Blue Ridge would be a matchup that would come down to the final minutes. At The Cage, it was one that the Tigers ran away and hid with in the fourth quarter. Sullivan, a sophomore, tallied 18 points to lead Blue Ridge to a 54-24 win over Woodruff. Between her ball-handling capabilities and her ability to organize a half court offensive set, Sullivan plays the point guard role very effectively. Sullivan gave Woodruff problems all game long with how she would attack the rim and also know when to score and when to distribute.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["490794"],"_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":1121434,"_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-677059ba23de4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Any college coaches out there looking for a versatile forward that can connect from range? There is one in the South Carolina Upstate that proudly sports the navy and orange of 3A Chapman. Twitty led an offensive clinic for the Panthers as her 13 points propelled her team to an emphatic victory over 2A High Point Academy. At 5-foot-11, Twitty displays consistently how efficient she can be as a scorer and rebounder. Her tall frame is complimented by the length she also possesses. Twitty also managed to connect on a couple of 3-pointers in a display of her offensive versatility.</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":1121441,"_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-677059ba23e40"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Part of building something is going through the growing pains of losing games that one feels could have been wins. Kinard once again experienced that on Friday as her 5A Boiling Springs team matched up against 3A Broome. The Centurions defeated the Bulldogs by only five (43-38) but Kinard finished with 11 points which led all scorers for Boiling Springs. Kinard showcases that despite her youth, she is fearless. She has no problems attacking the rim even against several defenders and will find a way to put the ball through the hoop. Collecting steals, rebounding and getting to the line are strong points of her game that will continue to only improve as she gains more experience playing against – and amongst – high schoolers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["847519"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-677059ba23e8b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more entertaining girls games of the day's play at The Cage was between 3A Broome and 5A Boiling Springs. Wofford willed her team to a win by dropping 22 points. She had 13 of those 22 in the first half. When Wofford attacks the rim, she does so with ferocity to ensure she will either deliver a strong finish or will head to the free throw line. Wofford is also an effective point player with how she can set up her team's offense in the halfcourt. The star Centurions sophomore also participates in varsity volleyball alongside what she does on the basketball court.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["587300"],"_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":829219,"_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-677059ba23ed3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Land was successfully defended against Spartanburg Christian in large part thanks to the heroics of the 2A Cardinals' star combo guard. Fortner put smiles on the faces of her home fans as she put 31 points on the board to power Landrum to soar to victory. Fortner connected on five of her 3-point attempts. She particularly had the hot hand in the third quarter as she tallied 16 of her 31 in that third frame. Fortner understands when to score and when to distribute. When she has the ball in her hands, she is not only possessing leather but a great deal of quickness as well. Fortner as a defender also make things difficult for opposing ball carriers and can trap to force a turnover.&nbsp;</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":1121447,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Delaney Campbell","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_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":"12123","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Spartanburg Christian","_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-677059ba23f6f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">SCISA 3A Spartanburg Christian encountered all sorts of problems in its matchup with host 2A Landrum. But the Cardinals had a bit of a problem as well in the form of the Warriors' rising star freshman guard. Campbell put forth a winning effort on a losing day with a 16-point outing. She maintains a high level of activity away from the ball and understands the art of taking care of the rock to limit turnovers. Those impressive handles can get Campbell out of tough situations when she is clamped down on by an opposing defense. Rebounding, defending and ball distribution are also strong points of her skillset that will only get better as she grows more into the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->