A Day in Chuck Town

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops spent the day running around Chuck Town AKA Charleston to cover some Palmetto State teams. In total we were able to see 5 games total here today. The day started off at Stratford HS in Goose Creek for the Carolina Invitational and then we went over to the [program_tooltip program_id='2078736' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2078736' first='Lowcountry' last='']' last=''] Roundball Classic for 4 games. Let's dive in the action right here on your source for basketball coverage in the Palmetto State. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Carolina Invitational: Westminster Catawba vs Stratford HS </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1725620,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/B8330C33-D998-4CC6-8DA0-34142610D61B.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/B8330C33-D998-4CC6-8DA0-34142610D61B.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1725620" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Indians from Rock Hill came out on top over the host Knights 59-40 here today. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='638847' first='Tim' last='Hall'] </strong>was great all day long with his play around the cup. Hall finished with 22 points and several rebounds in the victory. Tim plays so much bigger than his size with his athleticism around the basket and his ability to finish strong. Hall is a bit of a TWEENER on the floor which could be a big wing or a undersized post = tough matchup at times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1327620' first='Derek' last='Bradley']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103310' first='Nick' last='Hamrick']</strong> see plenty of action for this Indians squad. Bradley a guard really knows how to use ball-screens and finish at the cup with good body control. Derek fights off defenders and really makes plays off the dribble. Hamrick is a very slender-sleek forward who likes to play on the perimeter while having the rock in his hands as much as possible. He has a long wingspan to cause some problems in the passing lanes at times. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>* The Indians play in the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association (NCISAA). Prep Hoops from Day 1 when launched decided kids would be ranked on where the school address is located - just like with Augusta Christian. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[program_tooltip program_id='2078736' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2078736' first='Lowcountry' last='']' last=''] Roundball Classic: Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach vs Stall HS</em></strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game was crazy from beginning to end. The Saints from the Grand Strand jumped out to a 20-point lead at one time. The feisty Warriors from North Charleston battled back and took the lead 70-69. Stall HS was assessed with a technical foul with 5.6 seconds left in the game and the Saints would make (3-6) free throws down the stretch to secure the road win 72-70.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1725629,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/C5BE7AD0-304F-4792-A7F6-6AFE5D269222.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/C5BE7AD0-304F-4792-A7F6-6AFE5D269222.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1725629" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1497450' first='Christian' last='MacDonald'] </strong>led the Saints with 23 points, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1295782' first='Jaden' last='Simmons']</strong> 12 points, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1183946' first='Jack' last='Green']</strong> and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='865343' first='Keshaun' last='Wright'] </strong>both added 10 points in the win. The Saints were playing without the services of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1032754' first='Brayden' last='Hendrix']</strong> who was out sick. MacDonald made some tough shots down the stretch and seemed quite confident caring the load at times. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors were led in scoring by freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1725596' first='Terrance' last='Johnson'] </strong>with 19 points,<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1766180' first='Kevin' last='Dukes'] Jr</strong> added 17 points and <strong>Cameron Gathers </strong>chipped in with 13 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Epic South (NY) vs Fort Dorchester HS</em></strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Epic South HS needed overtime to defeat the Patriots in this one 59-54. The Patriots played in the Class 5A State Championship Game last season vs Ridge View HS. This year's Patriots team is in rebuilding mode. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1041183' first='Cazz' last='Williams']</strong> didn't play in the game for the Patriots. The Patriots will rely on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1725597' first='Darius' last='Bailem']</strong>,<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1714852' first='Jaquan' last='Walker']</strong> and <strong>Jordan Wright </strong>moving forward. This team has a new an identity for sure and will really have to find someone to take over the leadership role for Head Coach Thomas McElveen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Carmel Christian (NC) vs First Baptist </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars moved to (17-2) on the season after defeating the Hurricanes 77-50. The Cougars cruised to a 35-22 lead and really never looked back today after hitting on 17 three-pointers.<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2344567' first='Jackson' last='Burnham']</strong> came off the bench and scored 21 points with many of those coming late in the 4th quarter. Ultra-athletic guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1127312' first='Jaeden' last='Mustaf']</strong> finished with 16 points. Mustaf is the son of former NBA player Jerrod Mustaf. Jaeden is an explosive guard who can overpower defenders to the rack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1725624,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/3AD67B23-8256-44E6-BD84-1C59183BFC93.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/3AD67B23-8256-44E6-BD84-1C59183BFC93.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1725624" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1278827' first='Khamani' last='Wertz'] </strong>a left-handed shooting guard was able to set up shop behind three -point line today. Wertz scored 11 points according to my unofficial stats while collecting a handful of three-pointers on the way. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854884' first='Bryce' last='Cash']</strong> does a little bit of everything to help your team win games as the ultimate stat-sheet stuffer. Cash takes charges on command it seems at times, runs the floor, leads the break while filling the lane and finishes everything around the paint. He has great hands to collect anything thrown in his direction. Cash finished with 11 points today. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hurricanes from downtown Charleston move to (7-3) on the season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1486221' first='Taye' last='Robinson']</strong> really came to play and finished with 23 points while collecting 6 three-pointers along the way. Robinson has a sweet stroke and a soft set of hands. Taye has an effortless stroke from downtown and always seems to be ready to receive the ball in the pocket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1725622,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/FB924C45-621C-46CB-AD2B-B85A18F0497F.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/FB924C45-621C-46CB-AD2B-B85A18F0497F.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1725622" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='865305' first='Matty' last='Foor']</strong> an UNSIGNED SENIOR guard finished with 9 points. Matty is a very deceptive athlete and really likes to turn the corner at times and explode to the cup. He does a good job of rebounding the ball from his guard position and he sure doesn't play the game with any lack of confidence at all. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1220062' first='Cooper' last='Kowalski']</strong> a junior looked to have maybe grown a bit from the grassroots season. Cooper is a slender-sleek froward who shows to have some decent bounce. He tends to glide over the floor at times. Kowalski played last season at Stratford HS in Goose Creek. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Goose Creek HS vs Lucy Beckham HS </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Gators moved to (14-1) in this win over the Bengals today 63-53. The Gators have yet to have the services of UNSIGNED SENIOR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1133746' first='Justin' last='Britt']</strong> this season. Britt has been out with an injury and looks to be back maybe sometime in the near future. UNSIGNED SENIOR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172567' first='Elijah' last='Dates']</strong> has picked up the slack at times leading the way for the Gators with 15 points. Dates is a rangy guard who can knockdown shots on the perimeter. Elijah brings good court awareness and a willingness to defend on the floor mindset. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1725625,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/635C234D-D531-4CB3-B392-B09A2B8D232C.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/635C234D-D531-4CB3-B392-B09A2B8D232C.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1725625" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1336825' first='Shane' last='Potts']</strong> finished with 13 points while undersized shooting guard <strong>Brandon Burgess</strong> scored 12 points off the bench. Burgess a left-handed guard provided a big spark for the Gators right before the halftime break when he collected 3 straight 3-pointers. Freshman guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172573' first='Ja'Quell' last='Brown']</strong> finished with 10 points for the Gators. Brown sees plenty of minutes in this lineup for Head Coach Blake Hall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bengals fall to (6-6) on the season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172566' first='Noah' last='Bailes']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='865330' first='Thomas' last='Oppold'],</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1370358' first='Rowan' last='Irelan']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1164755' first='Malin' last='Allard']</strong> will provide senior leadership for this group from Mount Pleasant going into region play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->