King’s Klassic: Monday’s Frontcourt Forces

The weekend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day typically represents a break in the academic schedule. It also represents a break in the basketball schedule from the region competition that typically defines the month of January.    This year's MLK Day slate included the third annual King's Klassic hosted at 2A Marion HS in the Pee Dee. Among the girls teams that took part in this year's event included Aynor, Virtus Academy, Latta, Atlantic Collegiate, Trinity Collegiate, Conway, North Myrtle Beach, Mullins, Wilson and the host Swamp Foxes.    Also among the features of the King's Klassic – a 35-second shot clock.    We at Prep Girls Hoops made the trek out to Marion for the Monday lineup of contests that only featured a pair of girls matchups. We acknowledge a few standout forwards and centers from Monday's play here.     In 5A Division 2 North Myrtle Beach's matchup against 2A Mullins, Blye encountered early foul trouble with two personals. Blye responded by finishing her afternoon at the 2A Marion office with a 15-point effort to ensure another victory for the Chiefs. If Blye has the rock in the painted area, it is almost a guaranteed two points. Blye is one of four juniors on this season's North Myrtle Beach team and one can see how she blends together talent with veteran instincts. Blye also gives a boost to the team's rebounding capabilities as well and understands that playing in the paint means fighting through physicality. She had eight boards putting her two shy of a double-double.     Powell was one of two high-profile transfers to join 5A Division 2 North Myrtle Beach prior to the start of the season – said addition to the Chiefs has paid dividends. She ensured the Chiefs would preserve its unbeaten record by adding 14 points to North Myrtle Beach's 63-22 victory over 2A Mullins. Powell is an efficient floor-runner who is also an effective cutter to the rim. Making plays in the transition game is another one of Powell's strong areas. Even though Powell is listed as either a three or a four, she can handle the ball as if she was a point guard.     Murray's 4A Wilson team entered Monday's matchup with 2A Marion shorthanded, meaning it was on others to step their games up. The Swamp Foxes' defense made Murray work for everything she got and finished with 24 points in what was a low-scoring contest with Marion. Murray displayed her ability to handle the ball with either her right or left hand and can get downhill in a short amount of time – not always a common trait for a forward or a center. Look for Murray to also grab a large number of rebounds as well. Murray had seven of her team's 12 points at the break.     The draw for the homestanding Swamp Foxes of 2A Marion was a tough one – one of the state's premier 4A teams in Wilson. Williams ensured that her Swamp Foxes would be able to hold its own against the Tigers as she paced her team's efforts with 14 points. Williams is listed as a wing given her ability to play as a small forward or as a shooting guard. She can also assume the role of a point guard considering her ability to organize an offense in a halfcourt set. A good portion of Williams' offense is a byproduct of her defense and she does not shy away from contact that can place her at the free throw line.

The weekend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day typically represents a break in the academic schedule. It also represents a break in the basketball schedule from the region competition that typically defines the month of January.