Lady Red Raider Thanksgiving Invitational: 2023s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the first early-season tournaments of the year, a number of teams, mostly from the Upstate converged on a pair of locations in Greenville in hopes of getting great starts to their seasons.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 Lady Red Raider Thanksgiving Invitational took place and was hosted, as its namesake suggests, by Greenville HS. The 4A school as well as Carolina HS, who competes as a 3A school were both utilized for the weekend's festivities.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Girls Hoops made the trip up to the Upstate to take in all of the exciting basketball that occurred. Here is a look at a few seniors that got their swan song seasons started off on the right pair of sneakers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["124113"],"_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":552415,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Whenever seeing the past few Hurricanes assemblies, one cannot help but notice the tall stature of their 6-foot-4 Coastal Carolina commit. Stack continues to display why coach Doug Pederson wanted to make her a Chanticleer. She won the opening tip for Wren in the contest with Riverside. She managed to connect on many a shot opportunity near the basket and her height presented an interior mismatch in terms of rebounding battles. Screen setting is another element to her game and her scoring prowess has led to teams double- and triple-teaming her at times. Stack helped out the Hurricanes' cause by adding 12 points to their total against Riverside.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637b128eb9bbd"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["171796"],"_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_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003ePrep Girls Hoops recently saw Clark a couple of days prior to the start of the tournament as she attended SCBCA Media Day. Given her talents and her veteran experience, opposing teams know exactly what they will get when the Cavaliers' frontcourt star is in a uniform and sneakers. They know she can put plenty of points on the board from near the rim. Clark also managed to display her offensive versatility as a 3-point shooter. Those teams also know that she will grab plenty of rebounds and will win plenty of tough battles on the boards. Clark has no problems getting physical and will also deflect an opponent's passes in the open floor.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637b128eb9bf9"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["403919"],"_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":552421,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eIn the Cavaliers' matchup with Greenville on Sunday afternoon, Ferguson actually entered the contest off the bench and eventually finished with nine points. She is one of the players to watch in the 5A class for a multitude of reasons and one of those is how active she keeps her hands on defense. That can lead to steals and additional possessions for her team. Ferguson can quickly get from one end of the court to the other and this especially shows itself to be true in the transition game. She also maintains a high level of activity even when the ball is not in her hands.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637b128eb9c56"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["280576"],"_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":551020,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eGiordano is a tough assignment for any opponent to draw – whether that is on either offense or defense. She will attempt her fair share of 3-pointers and showcases the camaraderie she has with her teammates by engaging in efficient ball movement. Giordano also makes things difficult for opposing teams as a defender with her ability to intercept passes. She will also get out into the transition game and make plenty of plays. On what was an ice cold night in the Upstate, Giordano was one of the Generals that had a hot hand, finishing with 10 points in a one-sided victory.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637b128eb9cb1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["235396"],"_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_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eWhen competing against the Eagles, an opposing team and coaching staff's top priority has to be keeping the 4A team's star guard (who was offered by Averett University) in check. Host school Carolina did not have too many answers on Friday night. Along with showcasing how effective she is as a ball handler, Wardlaw showcased that she has a brings a pass-first mentality to her game and will get her teammates involved in a flow of a game. Defensively, she will also keep her hands outstretched and is a vocal leader. A midrange jump shot as well as transition play proved to be two other strong suits to her game. She finished with 16 points in what was a dominant Eagles victory over the host Trojans.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637b128eb9cdd"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["371889"],"_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":551016,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eOne of the unofficial grand marshals for the weekend's festivities, the older of the two Taylor sisters (the other being Janaria, a 2025) managed to pace the Trojans through what was a tough contest with 4A Greenwood. She managed to try her hand at the 3-point shot and also helped her team's rebounding efforts. Taylor was not afraid to play the game on contact and take her opportunities at the free throw line. She managed to get crafty with her ball handling and footwork and was aggressive from start to finish. Taylor tallied 11 points in the matchup against the Eagles on Friday evening.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637b128eb9d04"} /--> <!-- 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":552427,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Zaniyah Willingham ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'4u0022","_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":"Wren HS","_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_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eZaniyah was an X-factor for the Hurricanes in its matchup with Riverside to claim the South Bracket championship. Willingham was more than willing to make plays and it resulted in a 12-point outing for the veteran guard. A good bit of what Willingham got accomplished was near the basket and she played unafraid of contact with a willingness to take her opportunities at the free throw line. Out of the 12 points Willingham placed on the scoreboard, 10 of them occurred in the second half of action. She is also willing to give a 3-point shooting element to a team's offensive attack.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637b128eb9d96"} /--> <!-- 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":551011,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Makiah Ligons","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12124","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Greenwood HS","_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_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eMakiah is a key to the success of Greenwood's girls basketball program and, as a senior, she brings experience in addition to plenty of talent to the 4A team. Ligons manages to make the most of the minutes she does receive – and she received plenty of them in her team's matchup with Carolina (particularly in the first half given the score) given she was in the starting five. Among her many talents includes the ability to make plays near the rim. Ligons primarily plays the three. Ligons finished with eight points as Greenwood began the early season tournament with a lopsided victory over the co-host Trojans.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637b128eb9ddb"} /--> <!-- 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":551008,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Emily Horton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Blue Ridge HS","_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_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eIf Friday night's matchup against Hillcrest was what we can expect more of in Horton's senior campaign, then the rest of the 3A landscape across South Carolina may want to take notice. Horton stands at 5-foot-9 and plays primarily as a guard. She may have the height of a three or a four, but possesses the shooting ability of a one or a two as she displayed late in the third quarter when she managed to sink a couple of triples. Horton concluded her evening with a 12-point effort as the Tigers managed to pull away in the second half en route to an emphatic victory over the Rams.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637b128eb9e15"} /-->