Grand Strand Roundup

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops has been on the move all long and it seems nice at times to stay fairly local to home. Let's take a look at some games here locally down on the Grand Strand we were able to attend this past week. <strong><em>#RecruitThePalmettoState</em></strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Sumter HS 55 Carolina Forest HS 45 </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1751407,"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/F7AB2BF2-F21B-4076-9795-7F075BB2BB3B.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/F7AB2BF2-F21B-4076-9795-7F075BB2BB3B.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1751407" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Gamecocks made the trip down to the Grand Strand and came away with a big region victory. The Gamecocks moved to (12-6) on the season behind the strong play of freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1486213' first='BJ' last='Brown']</strong> who scored 22 points. Brown was able to knockdown the 3-ball when he wasn't hitting some short mid-range jumpers. BJ plays the game very mature for his age and tends to show a good awareness at all times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1751408,"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/ABA49311-CDF1-4E41-B072-7E01EA04B634.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/ABA49311-CDF1-4E41-B072-7E01EA04B634.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1751408" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> UNSIGNED Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1295805' first='Khalil' last='Bledsoe']</strong> finished with 12 points while Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1751352' first='Antoine' last='Bracey']</strong> added 10 points in the win. Bledsoe a long and rangy shooting guard made some late free throws down the stretch to secure the victory. Bracey is a strong power guard with a nice set of shoulders. Antoine plays bigger than his size at times and does a good job of rebounding the ball outside of his area. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1751412,"width":400,"height":263,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/3C31522F-24F0-44E3-9487-80EE78762D9C-crop-3123x2051-1673973102.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/3C31522F-24F0-44E3-9487-80EE78762D9C-crop-3123x2051-1673973102.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1751412" width="400" height="263" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers (14-5) fell to (0-2) in region play with losses to Sumter HS here and Conway HS. UNSIGNED <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1334941' first='Jake' last='Wight']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1751361' first='Ty' last='Bennett']</strong> and Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1295784' first='Darius' last='Carr']</strong> all scored 10 points apiece here today. Wight is very deceptive who really likes to get downhill to the basket at times. Jake needs to tighten up his handle at times but in return never looks to take a playoff while on the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bennett came to play today and always seemed to be around the ball. Ty came into the contest averaging 10.2 ppg and 7.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists this year. Carr struggled with some foul trouble here today. Darius really looks to work inside the paint and does a nice job of switching to his left-hand to finish around the cup at times. He really keeps on making good strides forward with his play this season. The Panthers will look to regroup with a big game with county rival Socastee HS this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Conway HS 59 Ashley Ridge HS 30 </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers (18-1) were not very nice host yesterday on MLK Day to the Swamp Foxes. Ashley Ridge HS dropped to (14-5) were without the services of Head Coach Brad Dobbels (Sick). The Tigers jumped out quickly in this one and never looked back. Conway HS took a 34-18 lead into the halftime break. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1173492' first='Khalil' last='Campbell']</strong> went to work early and really made the Swamp Foxes pay down low in the paint. Campbell a UNSIGNED Senior finished with 15 points and 8 rebounds according to my unofficial stats. Khalil dos his best work inside the paint and close to the basket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1751409,"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/2/2023/01/3044F215-B5C5-430C-8B3A-69B58AFE3180.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/3044F215-B5C5-430C-8B3A-69B58AFE3180.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1751409" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>UNSIGNED Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1032749' first='Aiden' last='Brantley']</strong> finished with 13 points in the route today. Brantley was highly effective around the basket finishing on the break and at the rim. Brantley and Campbell were just too much at times for the Swamp Foxes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1016448' first='Devin' last='Grainger']</strong> only scored 8 points today but was able to facilitate some good looks for teammates with his slashing to the cup. Sophomore post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1032756' first='Javion' last='Crawford']</strong> finished with 6 points off the bench. Crawford played with some good confidence here today and looked really engaged today with his play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1751410,"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/2/2023/01/805AECDA-4CAB-4617-94BA-5D58294E3D62.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/805AECDA-4CAB-4617-94BA-5D58294E3D62.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1751410" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Swamp Foxes were ready to fire up the bus here early today. Junior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1751351' first='Jayden' last='Coffey']</strong> led the way with 10 points. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1343999' first='Jahlil' last='Hope']</strong> was only able to manage 5 points in the loss. Coffey continued to battle and scrap for everything possible today while logging a lot of minutes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->