Coach Varner Tip-Off Classic: Interior Presences
This is typically the point in the season where schools are hosting early-season tournaments that give teams and coaches a first-hand glimpse at where their teams may be. One of those early season get-togethers occurred at Woodruff HS in Spartanburg…
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Continue ReadingThis is typically the point in the season where schools are hosting early-season tournaments that give teams and coaches a first-hand glimpse at where their teams may be. One of those early season get-togethers occurred at Woodruff HS in Spartanburg County.
The first day of the second annual Coach Varner Tip-Off Classic occurred on Saturday Nov. 19. It is in reference to Willie Varner who was a longtime legendary football coach at Woodruff.
We at Prep Girls Hoops made the trip up to the home of the Wolverines for the four games that emanated from the school. These interior presences made things difficult for opponents in the painted area.
Kylie Hitchcock
Kylie Hitchcock
One may be, for now, less familiar with Hitchcock than one may be with either Turner or the Burnette sisters, but has the potential to change. She brings a noteworthy element of height to the 3A Wolverines and can convert on plenty of high-percentage shot opportunities. That also comes into play in terms of her rebounding. Hitchcock is another that plays multiple sports as she has lettered in basketball, volleyball and softball. She also proved that scoring on her as a defender is difficult as well given her shot blocking capabilities and can create additional possessions with her team via defense.
Sarah Snow
Sarah Snow
As sports tell us time and time again, it is not how a player or team starts, it is how that player or team finishes. Snow was a key element to the Patriots’ offensive attack late in their game with Broome that enabled the team to pull away in its contest with Broome. Snow managed to come up with steals that enabled the Patriots to have additional possessions. She knows how to make tough shots, will get fouled and can take her chances at the free throw line and can bolster a team’s efforts on the glass. Defensively, she asserted herself plenty late in the game to seal a victory for Powdersville. Her 12 points – eight in the fourth quarter – helped too.
Tamya Suber
Tamya Suber
Suber proved to be a bright spot for Belton-Honea Path in what was a tough draw for the 3A Bears to match up against 5A Chapin on Saturday. She plays primarily at the five and also plays volleyball in addition to her basketball accomplishments. Suber will play the game on contact and get to the free throw line. She also will attract plenty of attention from defenses given her scoring capabilities. She understands as well how to beat those defenses when necessarily and still contribute to her team’s offensive output. She led all Belton-Honea Path scorers in the game with the Eagles with an eight-point effort.
In the 19 matchups that Young played in last season for the 4A Raiders, she nearly averaged a double-double and she proved through her play on Saturday afternoon that she is just getting started. Young presents an imposing frontcourt presence as someone who stands at an even six feet – and listed as a four. She probably wins many opening tips – and she definitely wins plenty of battles on the boards. Her height advantage enables her to put plenty of high-percentage points on the board and she is willing to play the game on contact to find her way to the free throw line. Young led the Raiders with 11 points in what was a hard-fought matchup against Landrum.
The primary focal point of the Cardinals’ roster – and who opposing teams hope to keep in check if they are to have a chance at victory over Landrum. Offensively versatile is how one may describe Brown. Even though her primary position is in the frontcourt, Brown can also display the shooting ability, ball distribution and ball handling of many ones or twos. Brown also has no issues playing the game on contact and taking her chances at the free throw line. Rebounding is another one of her strong points. Brown finished her team’s matchup with 4A Laurens with 12 points in a win over the Raiders.
Le’Andra Lawson
Le’Andra Lawson
Powdersville had a powerful beginning to their tournament at Woodruff HS in large part because of the star play coming from this veteran. Lawson added to the team’s overall depth that would prove to be a key reason why the Patriots earned victory over fellow 3A school Broome on Saturday afternoon. Her presence particularly shines through near the basket and her willingness to play the game in a physical manner will earn her plenty of chances to sink free throws. She also comes up big as a rebounder. Lawson scored eight points in the victory including a really big first half.
Maura Kindel
Maura Kindel
The Patriots put themselves in the win column on Saturday afternoon against fellow 3A combatants in large part because of contributions from talented veterans. Kindel will set herself up perfectly to make plays near the rim and she will absorb a good amount of contact that can send her to the free throw line. She is versatile in the sense where she can log minutes either at the two or as a three. Kindel is listed at 5-foot-11 and also plays volleyball alongside what she gets done in a hoops uniform. She finished with 17 points as the Patriots began the tournament – and their season – in impressive fashion.