Bennie Bennett Memorial Showcase: Seasoned Veterans

For any basketball player, what better way to bring in the new calendar year than by putting forth a primetime performance that helps your team get in the win column.    That is what many a hooper was looking to do at this year's Bennie Bennett Memorial Showcase. The event is co-hosted by 3A Newberry and 5A Division 1 Clover and features eight teams in a bracket-style format on the boys' side and a showcase format with six teams on the girls' end of the ledger.    Clover is set to drop to 4A beginning with the 2026-27 season as Lake Wylie - in Clover's district - is set to open its doors next season also as a 4A school.   We at Prep Girls Hoops made the trip up to Clover for the three games that took place on the final day of this year's showcase. Here we recognize seniors and juniors that finished their 2025 calendar years with an exclamation point.     Much of what 5A Division 2 Chapin gets accomplished on offense is predicated on its interior presence. That is where Stephenson comes in. She placed 18 points on the scoreboard against a tough 3A out in St. Joseph's Catholic that resulted in a 52-39 win for the Eagles. While Stephenson is effective in converting on high-percentage baskets, a midrange jump shot is also part of her offensive repertoire. Stephenson is also an effective rebounder and the 5-foot-10 stature she presents enables her to win plenty of battles on the boards. Playing with her back to the basket in the post is another element to Stephenson's game. She is a multi-sport athlete who also plays volleyball and softball.      Helmer is one of the more difficult players to guard across the Palmetto State. She proved that once again against 5A Division 2 Chapin when her 10 points were a key contributor to the Knights' effort against the Eagles. A multi-sport standout who committed to Furman for volleyball, opposing defenses have to watch out for Helmer when she has the rock behind the 3-point arc. Toughness is another element to Helmer's game as she has no problems drawing contact and making things happen from the free throw line. Helmer will handle the ball with either hand and her ability to change direction with the ball in her hand can throw many opposing defenders for a loop.      Love was a many splendored thing for 5A Division 2 Chapin on Tuesday afternoon against a stout 3A combatant in St. Joseph's Catholic. She proved to be a reliable sixth woman for the Eagles, providing nine points off the bench to make a difference for Chapin against the Knights. While Love is a frontcourt force that plays the three or the four, a highlight of hers occurred at the end of the first half when she drained a 3-pointer from the right wing to give the Eagles a 23-17 lead at halftime. Love is one of three juniors on this year's Chapin team.      In a matchup where points where at a premium, every basket was an important one. That included the 13 points that were put on the scoreboard courtesy of SCISA 4A Heathwood Hall's star senior. Rhooms is a multi-sport athlete who has also exceled in the track realm in addition to her basketball achievements. Those track skills certainly come into play when Rhooms attacks the basket as she does so with a high degree of speed and quickness. Rhooms effectively plays point with an ability to set up an offense in a half court set and can handle the ball with either hand.      Following a 24-point win over 4A Lancaster, Williams concluded this year's Bennie Bennett Memorial Showcase – and the 2025 calendar year – with a 16-point showing that led defending 5A Division 1 state champion Blythewood to a 51-42 result over a fellow 5A Division 1 team in Clover. Skilled veteran guards that can take advantage of the attention they receive from defenses by dishing the rock to teammates will always be a favorite of coaches and this is only one element of Williams' well-developed skillset. Williams is also a defensive stalwart in addition to a primary offensive force for the Bengals. These attributes make her poised to succeed at the collegiate level.      When taking on the defending 5A Division 1 champions, one must come up with a method of containing the Bengals' star veteran who can play at either the two or the three. Thomas concluded her Tuesday evening – and her 2025 calendar year – with 12 points against 5A Division 1 host Clover en route to the 51-42 victory. It does not matter where she is on the floor – when Thomas has the ball in her hands, she is a threat to place crooked numbers on the scoreboard. Thomas also leads Blythewood's rebounding efforts and can make things happen with her defense and passing abilities as well.      In the matchup that featured 5A Division 1 showcase host Clover and the defending champions from the same classification – Blythewood – the Blue Eagles struggled for much of the first quarter. A spark provided by Clover's veteran star guard provided a lift to the Blue Eagles against the tough out that is the Bengals. Offensively, she possesses plenty of speed and quickness when she has the ball. Chambliss will get downhill in a short amount of time and can finish strong at the rim. Defensively, the Mars Hill commit has no problems accepting tough defensive assignments and can leave even the best of opposing ball carriers turnover-prone.      The Blue Eagles of 5A Division 1 host Clover also benefitted from solid minutes by one of Chambliss' teammates. Richards, who will call Converse home following this season, contributed 12 points in a valiant Blue Eagles effort against a tough out in Blythewood – defending champions from the same classification. Richards possesses plenty of speed and quickness when she2 has the ball in her hands and can find lanes to attack the rim. She has only improved as a rebounder with the experience she has gained and she can give a team worthwhile minutes from the wing given she can operate as a shooting guard or small forward.      Smith's 5A Division 1 Clover team may have been on the wrong end of a 51-42 defeat to 5A Division 1 defending champion Blythewood, but Smith was a major catalyst behing a late Blue Eagles comeback effort. Smith tallied 10 points off the bench as Clover outscored the Bengals by a margin of 19-12 in the fourth quarter. She is one of the Blue Eagles' leaders in terms of steals and assists – testaments to her defensive and passing skills. Smith maintains a busy athletic schedule between playing basketball and soccer. As a senior, her AAU career has come to a close and she wore the EA Lady Stars/Team KB uniform for her final travel campaign.

For any basketball player, what better way to bring in the new calendar year than by putting forth a primetime performance that helps your team get in the win column.