She Got Next Christmas Classic: Akiem’s Top 10 (6-10)
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Tournament season across the Palmetto State is really in full swing with the winter academic break also taking place. One of those latest tournaments happened in the Upstate as the second of three She Got Next events slated to take…
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Continue ReadingTournament season across the Palmetto State is really in full swing with the winter academic break also taking place.
One of those latest tournaments happened in the Upstate as the second of three She Got Next events slated to take place this season emanated from two 5A schools in J.L. Mann and Mauldin. Hosted by A1 Hoops Report, the event sorted 28 teams into seven brackets.
We at Prep Girls Hoops were on hand for Friday’s festivities at the home of the Patriots. We spotlighted the first five of our top 10 performers from this year’s She Got Next Christmas Classic. Now, we recognize Nos. 6-10.
Greenwood was the first team to get into the win column as the Eagles earned a 45-33 victory over 5A Gaffney to remain undefeated for the 2023-24 campaign. Johnson finished with 17 points. Gaffney’s defense had very few answers for the star sophomore for 4A Greenwood. While she is listed as a small forward, she displays her versatility with her ball handling capabilities and willingness to attack the rim. Johnson also managed to cut through Gaffney’s defense on a number of occasions to bolster the output of the Eagles offense. Johnson will also maintain a high level of activity even if the ball is not in her hands.
One of the more entertaining contests that took place the Friday at J.L. Mann HS was a 4A vs. 4A battle between Bluffton and Greer. From the opening tip to the final buzzer, Heyward put the Bobcats in position to get in the win column as she put 15 points on the scoreboard. The 5-foot-9 senior also assumes team captaincy duties for Bluffton. At her height, one may consider her taller than the average guard and that comes in useful when looking to bolster a team’s rebounding efforts. Heyward also has knack for knowing when to score and when to pass and also is plays tough defense as well.
While a rough afternoon at the office for Boiling Springs as a whole, it was a productive contest individually for Ezell facing defending three-time 1A champions Military Magnet. Ezell concluded her day with a 23 point-showing which actually led all scorers. Ezell possesses the height many coaches are looking for in threes, fours or fives. She has the ball handling capabilities coaches are looking for in ones and twos. Complimenting the scoring prowess Ezell has is the rebounding work she does along with all around leadership qualities and veteran instincts. Oh…did we mention she is an unsigned senior? Hint hint, college coaches.
Highlights
Following its perch at the top of SCISA’s 3A mountain – and reclassification into 4A – last season was a rebuilding one for Cardinal Newman. Landing a top-tier transfer from 1A Hemingway is one way to fast-track that rebuild. Draughn’s Cardinals may not have achieved the result they were looking for against a tough opponent in 5A Berkeley, but she tallied 20 points to lead Cardinal Newman’s efforts. Draughn displayed her ability to not only place points on the board from all three levels, but also display impressive ball handling skills. Grabbing rebounds, ball distribution and corralling steals are three other strong points to Draughn’s overall game.
Even though Clark-Lamelle’s 4A Greer team finished on the receiving end of a 48-46 decision to another tough 4A out in Bluffton, her Yellow Jackets displayed why any conversation of top 4A teams should include her team. Clark-Lamelle finished with 18 points. Her play was key in getting Greer back in the game during occasions when it appeared the contest would tilt in the Bobcats’ favor. Ball handling, ball distribution and the ability to score at all three levels are all strong points to her game that made Clark-Lamelle someone that Limestone – the school she committed to – had on its radar.