Battle at the Border – Top 5 Performances

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We vividly remember last year's Battle at the Border up at Landrum HS that we had the chance to attend. With it being one of the more memorable midseason tournaments that Prep Girls Hoops was at, a return trip was definitely in order.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A return trip was also in order given the improvements that were made. Along with the addition of a 35-second shot clock, there has also been a new court installed at the home venue of the Cardinals.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With so many premier performances occurring among the boys teams that took part in this year's Battle at the Border, it was difficult to narrow down the list to a mere five. Without further adieu, here are the top five performances from this year's event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1439787"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1725689,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Green was very mean at Landrum HS on Wednesday afternoon as Paladugu's Crusaders cruised to a 73-47 victory over the Wolverines of 3A Woodruff. Paladugu was a primary driving force behind Shannon Forest getting into the win column as he led his team with a 22-point performance. Paladugu impressed as one who can put the ball through the hoop from virtually anywhere on the floor – including from deep. He is also ferocious as a rim attacker and is one that many a defense has to game plan how to contain. Rebounding and making accurate passes are two other strong areas for 6-foot-3 guard.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ad70dd806a5"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1725745,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2313587' first='Nash' last='Somero']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Blue Ridge","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eSomero once wore the blue of Byrnes before transferring to 3A Blue Ridge. He had himself a stellar outing on Wednesday afternoon at The Cage as he tallied 18 points en route to a hard-fought victory over St. Joseph's Christian. Somero impresses as a ball handler who can find himself in iso situations. As a point guard, he can organize an offense in a halfcourt set. If Somero has the ball from behind the 3-point arc, he is likely to take and make his attempt from distance. He is also a threat on defense to steal the ball and create extra possessions for his team.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ad70dd80755"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["986185"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe Centurions may have been on the receiving end of a less-than-desirable result against Spartanburg Christian Academy, but Poole was a bright spot on what was otherwise a rough evening at the office against the Warriors. He finished with 20 points and managed to put the ball through the hoop in a variety of ways. One way he did this was via accuracy from behind the 3-point line. Poole also managed to draw contact and find his way to the free throw line. He is one of eight juniors listed on a Centurions roster that is veteran-heavy between its 2024s and 2023s.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ad70dd807ca"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1725676"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1725714,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eOne of the more competitive contests of the day for either girls or boys occurred when the Panthers' boys team matched up against host Landrum. Cunningham was instrumental in Chapman's comeback efforts in the third quarter and he finished his evening overall with a 25-point effort. Cunningham managed to find his way to the free throw line all game long and also displayed his offensive versatility with several made 3-pointers. In addition to what he gets accomplished on the basketball court, Cunningham has also played football throughout his athletic career. Defensively, Cunningham can come away with steals and helps the Panthers' rebounding efforts.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ad70dd80879"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1360539"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1725718,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The sophomore standout for the Cardinals ensured that Landrum would defend its home court as his 18 points were crucial in his team's hard-fought victory over Chapman. His ability to put points on the board is complimented by the fact that Edwards is a skilled rebounder. Edwards is listed at 6-foot-2 and has also showcased how proficient of a passer he is. Defensively, he gives opposing teams problems with his ability to come away with steals. He proved in his freshman season that he would be a worthwhile piece to a winning puzzle with the Cardinals and that is ringing true again as a sophomore.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ad714db47b9"} /-->