Magic City Classic: First Impressions

<p>Prep Hoops made the trip over to Florence this past weekend for the final day of action at the Magic City Classic hosted by [program_tooltip program_id='2078752' first='Upward' last='Stars']. </p> <p>Every year Prep Hoops comes across a player or two we come across we have never seen play before. This year seems to be no exception to the rule. <strong>Alonso Easterling</strong> was that player this weekend. Easterling (2024) 6'9 plays at Fayetteville Academy (NC). Alonso is a rangy forward who looks to play like a guard at times. Easterling brought the ball up in transition and really looked to play face-up to the basket all day long. Alonso has the ability to alter and block shots on the defensive end of the floor. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/97EC19E2-626A-453F-8094-15D5C4B83B39.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1445360" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/97EC19E2-626A-453F-8094-15D5C4B83B39-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1444151" first="Daniel" last="Burton"]</strong> showed some glimpses for the [program_tooltip program_id='2078752' first='Upward' last='Stars'] Pee Dee 16U team. Burton a slender-sleek forward attends Wilson Hall (Sumter). Daniel will play next season for New Barons Head Coach Rip Ripley. Daniel runs the floor well and looks to stay inside the paint. Daniel just needs to continue playing the game and getting his body bigger and stronger for down the road. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/773F4D94-B8BB-4C90-BBA1-1D3706566302.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1445365" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/773F4D94-B8BB-4C90-BBA1-1D3706566302-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1049118" first="Andrew" last="Butler"]</strong> and <strong>Malachi Cooper</strong> both are UNSIGNED members of the 2022 Class. Butler attends South Effingham HS in Guyton, GA. Butler averaged 16.4 ppg this past season while going over 1,000 career points for the Mustangs. Butler really does a good job of using his body while attacking the basket and getting to the rim. He has a nice shooting stroke from behind the arc. Andrew exploded on a few occasions to the rim with his quick bounce.  </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/AB8E94FA-6BBE-49A8-ABF4-C4D960C4CC60.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1445359" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/AB8E94FA-6BBE-49A8-ABF4-C4D960C4CC60-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Cooper played at Gray Collegiate for a very talented War Eagles program. Malachi has a quick shot release and deep range as a shooter at times. Malachi was able to direct traffic very nicely on the floor today and guide his teammates in the right direction. </p> <p>Butler and Cooper were playing with NLPB SC this past weekend in the Magic City Classic. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/DA7F73E1-A5F9-4E77-B08E-D6E05E7EB461.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1445366" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/DA7F73E1-A5F9-4E77-B08E-D6E05E7EB461-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>Nathan Garstang</strong> played down in the post for the [program_tooltip program_id='2078752' first='Upward' last='Stars'] CSRA 15U program. Garstang 6'6 attends Greenbrier HS (Evans, GA). Nathan moved well around the block and stayed active on the floor. He did a good job of keeping the ball up high after rebounding it. Garstang played aggressive and really looked to work for position in the paint. </p>