Panther Classic: First Day Happenings

Prep Hoops stayed on the Grand Strand and attended the Panther Classic at Carolina Forest HS yesterday. The event features 8 teams from around the southeast. Let’s dive into the sction right here on your source for basketball coverage in the Palmetto State.

Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach 45 Wando HS (Mount Pleasant) 40

Conway HS 61 Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS 51

Keenan HS 80 Martinsburg HS (WV) 67

Carolina Forest HS 83 Franklin County (GA) 52

Top Performers:

Brayden Hendrix Brayden Hendrix 5'11" | CG Christian Academy Of Myrtle Beach | 2025 State SC – Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach

Hendrix shoots the rock with a lot of confidence for the Saints. Brayden finished with 18 points on 6 three pointers today for the Saints in the win over Class 5A Wando HS. Brayden was able to create scoring opportunities with his ability to create his own shot and a having a quick shooting release.

Devin Grainger Devin Grainger 6'1" | CG Conway | 2024 State SC – Conway HS

Grainger played today with a bit of a chip on his shoulder it seemed for the Tigers (9-0). Devin got the ball downhill to the basket on a regular basis and was able to finish at the cup through contact. Grainger sees the floor very well from out top and plays the game the right right way at all times. Devin finished with 19 points today.

Chrisean Oree Chrisean Oree 6'3" | CG Keenan | 2023 State SC – Keenan HS

Oree put up a quiet 31 points today in the Raiders victory. Chrisean and the Raiders held just a 58-54 lead heading into the 4th quarter vs the feisty group from West Virginia. Oree scored the ball from 3 levels on the floor today while creating a few assists for his teammates. Oree has been on a terror lately for the Raiders can he keep it going into the semifinal’s vs the host Carolina Forest HS Panthers?

Jaylen Golston Jaylen Golston 6'4" | SF Keenan | 2023 State SC – Keenan HS

Golston is the ultimate Junk-Yard Dog down around the basket. Jaylen does his best work close to the basket and around the paint. He stays active on both ends of the floor with his ability to finish over bigger players and run the floor in transition. Jaylen grabbed a ton of rebounds it seemed today on his way to scoring 21 points according to my unofficial stats.

Darius Carr Darius Carr 6'7" | PF Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC – Carolina Forest HS

Carr is just a junior and didn’t even play on the varsity last year. Darius really has started to make some progress and inroads with his game. He has seemed to fill out some and really plays aggressive around the basket. Darius was able to alter and challenge shots today with both of his hands. He did a nice job of carving out space down low. Carr looks to be a future Stock-Riser down the road for the Panthers. He finished with 19 points in a route over Franklin County HS last night.

Lequae Clark – Martinsburg HS (WV)

Clark is just a sophomore for the Bulldogs. Martinsburg HS playing in just its 2nd game of the season held close to the Raiders before losing. Clark finished 16 points for the Bulldogs. Lequae plays with a great deal of confidence and seemed to have the green light to shoot when he got the ball. He was always around the ball to make a play and really showed to have a quick trigger from the perimeter.

Tigers Get Solid Contributions:

The Conway HS Tigers remain unbeaten on the season after winning over Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS yesterday. The Tigers got solid contributions from Aiden Brantley Aiden Brantley 6'2" | SF Conway | 2023 State SC , Khalil Campbell Khalil Campbell 6'4" | PF Conway | 2023 State SC and Cameron Alston Cameron Alston 6'2" | CG Conway | 2023 SC in the win. Brantley was able to drop 17 points in the win while scoring inside-out on the floor. Aiden brings a good demeanor and a very competitive edge to the floor.

Campbell plays very rugged down in the paint and has no problems throwing his body around. Khalil will look to overpower players for position in the post. Alston another football player on this Tigers roster has nice frame and the ability to knockdown perimeter jumpers from behind the three-point line.

This Conway HS Tigers team can rely on anyone of these players on a given night to step up and take charge. How far can the Tigers go this coming season?

Bruins play STRONG:

Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS plays EXTREMELY HARD and PHYSICAL at all times. The Bruins led by Head Coach Willie Thomas will be right back in the thick of things come February in the playoffs in Class 3A. Horaces Jacques Horaces Jacques 6'2" | PG Orangeburg-Wilkinson | 2023 State SC led the way yesterday with 16 points while sophomore Keith Smith Keith Smith 6'1" | CG Orangeburg-Wilkinson | 2025 State SC added 12 points. Jacques is shifty with the ball in his hands and really keeps it on a string. Horaces will look to chat it up at times and never seems to backdown from a challenge while on the floor. Smith was able to drop a few mid-range jumpers today while finishing at the rack at times. He played every possession like it was his last one on the floor HARD.

Warriors Fall:

The Wando HS need to find some scoring punch to join Kai Murdock Kai Murdock 6'5" | SF Wando | 2024 State SC in the lineup. Murdock a small forward finished with 21 points for the Warriors in an opening round yesterday. Murdock a transfer from Cathedral Academy is strictly on the perimeter now and showing really good progress with his skill set.