Baron Classic: Top Performers and Tidbits
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Who came to play on the opening night here at the Baron Classic? Well let’s take a look at some of the Top Performers and some other tidbits from the Baron Classic right here. Prep Hoops is your #1 source…
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Continue ReadingWho came to play on the opening night here at the Baron Classic? Well let’s take a look at some of the Top Performers and some other tidbits from the Baron Classic right here. Prep Hoops is your #1 source for basketball coverage in the Palmetto State all year long. SUBSCRIBE today to the site to stay on top of all the action. #RecruitThePalmettoState
Eagles Make trip North:
The Hilton Head Christian made the trip north 134 miles to Wilson Hall to play in the Baron Classic. The Eagles could be a major factor in SCISA Class 3A this season. The Eagles have a very solid starting 5 in seniors Qayden Turner Qayden Turner 6'6" | SF Hilton Head Christian | 2024 State SC , Elijah White Elijah White 6'4" | CG Hilton Head Christian Academy | 2024 State SC , Dylan Sampson Dylan Sampson 6'2" | SG Hilton Head Christian Academy | 2024 State SC , Isaiah Anderson Isaiah Anderson 6'5" | PF Hilton Head Christian | 2024 State SC and sophomore guard Harrison Skinner Harrison Skinner 5'10" | CG Hilton Head Christian | 2026 State SC .
Turner brings a very good skill set to the table with his ability to see the floor from the wing position. Qayden will knockdown shots and cause some chaos in between the passing lanes with his defense.
White was great today absorbing contact on the way to the rack. Elijah was able to finish drives on both sides of the basket and score the ball in transition. White has a nice frame and body control to get to the basket on a regular basis. Elijah played aggressive all day long and really looked to use the glass while converting some short mid-range jumpers along the way for the Eagles.
Sampson played last season at St Andrew’s in Savannah, GA. Dylan was able to score off the dribble here today when he wasn’t jumping on the deck for a loose ball. Sampson is the glue guy to this Eagles roster this season. Dylan brings constant hustle and determination to the floor.
Anderson a football player in the fall does his best work around the paint area. Isaiah will post up and play with his back to the basket. Anderson works down low and really looks to play on contact and carve out space.
Skinner just a sophomore brings some craftiness and savvy to the table for the Eagles. Harrison will shake and bake by defenders at times and put it into another gear. He really makes the simple plays while converting on open jumpers. Skinner was able to convert some floaters here today along with some three-pointers for the Eagles.
The Barons in SCISA Class 4A:
SCISA Class 4A could really be wide open this season. Augusta Christian has been the reigning champion the past few seasons. The Wilson Hall Barons might step up to the table this season with Head Coach Rip Ripley. The Barons (7-1) have received strong play from Senior post player Daniel Burton Daniel Burton 6'8" | PF Wilson Hall | 2024 State SC . Burton is really starting to figure things out on his end with his play. Daniel came into the contest averaging 15.8 ppg, 10.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks this season. Burton runs the floor very well and can at times stretch the floor with his ability to knockdown jumpers from the perimeter. Daniel is quick off the floor and really does a nice job of altering and challenging shots on the defensive end.
Shawn Michael Matthews Shawn Michael Matthews 6'3" | CG Wilson Hall | 2025 State SC really came to play today and finished with 20 points in the win. Teammate Jones Deschamps Jones Deschamps 5'7" | PG Wilson Hall | 2024 State SC a senior guard finished with 17 points while connecting on 5 three-pointers from downtown. Michael Matthews brings the ability to play multiple positions on the floor and good size to the backcourt.
The Barons were without the services of junior forward Hugh Humphries Hugh Humphries 6'7" | SF Wilson Hall | 2025 State SC here today who was out sick. Sophomore Ford Wilder Ford Wilder 6'3" | SG Wilson Hall | 2026 State SC is another piece to this puzzle for the Barons. Where will the Barons be standing when February comes around in the SCISA ranks?
New Coaches, Veterans Coach and Coach Pulling Double Duty:
New Coaches – Brian Benator at Heathwood Hall and Mike Colella at Hilton Head Christian. Legendary Pat Eidson in his 34th season has 919 career wins at Pinewood Prep. Will Epps coaching both boys and girl’s teams at Laurence Manning Academy this season.
Heart Over Size:
Prep Hoops is always on the lookout to add a few names to the database. Sophomore Avery Ravenell Avery Ravenell 5'9" | PG Orangeburg Prep | 2026 State SC surely showed out yesterday for the Orangeburg Prep Indians. Ravenell finished with 28 points in a win over Florence Christian. Avery played vocal on the floor all day along and really looked to score the ball from 3 levels on the floor for the Indians.
Hughes Elvington Hughes Elvington 5'7" | PG Pee Dee Academy | 2024 State SC is a senior guard at Pee Dee Academy. Elvington finished with 16 points and 4 three-pointers in a loss to Wilson Hall. Hughes is certainly not flashy at all with his play, but he does keep the ball close to the vest. Elvington was able to convert on open jumpers here today for the Golden Eagles.
Kamauri Hunter Kamauri Hunter 5'5" | PG Heathwood Hall | 2026 State SC didn’t score much at all today for the Heathwood Hall Highlanders. Hunter a point guard logs plenty of minutes from out top for running the show for the Highlanders. Kamauri really likes to push the tempo and play quick end to end. He plays a bit old school at times dropping the bounce pass and keeping the ball low to the deck.
SHOOTERS Alert:
The Florence Christian Eagles will surely rely on the tandem of sophomore guard Taylor Greene Taylor Greene 5'9" | PG Florence Christian | 2026 State SC and senior Dylan Greene Dylan Greene 5'10" | SG Florence Christian | 2024 State SC this season. This brother duo converted on 7 three-pointers and 48 points here today. Taylor finished with 28 points while at times shooting the ball effortlessly and with a good percentage to boot.
Can the Panthers Make a Push in SCISA Class 4A? :
Pinewood Prep has plenty of basketball tradition that is for sure. This year’s roster for the Panthers consists of senior leadership from Michael Vince Michael Vince 6'5" | SG Pinewood Prep | 2024 State SC and Za’Qari Heath. Vince who’s well-traveled comes from a military family. Michael is a slender-sleek athlete with some deceptive athleticism. Vince can drop an occasional floater to the cup or set up shop out on the perimeter.
Heath is a rugged thicker post player for the Panthers. He tends to do his best work closer to the cup.
Jonathan Slawson Jonathan Slawson 5'11" | PG Pinewood Prep | 2026 State SC finished with 12 points here today from out top. Slawson a point guard really looks to direct traffic and play solid on the defense while on the floor. Youngster Kais Parris Kais Parris 6'5" | SF Pinewood Prep | 2027 State SC and Tripp Eidson Tripp Eidson 6'6" | PF Pinewood Prep | 2027 State SC are both just freshmen for the Panthers.
Highlanders Will Keep Teams on Their Toes This Season:
Heathwood Hall might be (1-4) but don’t let that record fool you. The Highlanders will be just fine down the road. Henry Morris Henry Morris 6'4" | SF Heathwood Hall | 2026 State SC and Nic Nichols Nic Nichols 6'1" | CG Heathwood Hall | 2025 State SC show some very good promise here today for the future of this program. Morris a long and rangy forward showed a nice mid-range game at times and ability to handle the rock. Nichols is a very athletic guard with a nice quick first step to the bucket. Nic seems to play his best basketball in attack mode. Let’s not forget point guard Kamauri Hunter Kamauri Hunter 5'5" | PG Heathwood Hall | 2026 State SC on this roster. Sophomore post player Xander Pertile Xander Pertile 6'5" | PF Heathwood Hall | 2026 State SC plays down inside the paint and has no problems stirring up contact. First Year Head coach Brian Benator has to be happy because he has plenty of tools in the shed here for the Highlanders to make some noise in SCISA Class 4A this season. The Highlanders have just one senior on the roster this season.
8th Grader Making Noise:
Shane Goines Shane Goines 5'9" | CG Laurence Manning | 2028 SC is a member of the 2028 Palmetto State Class. Goines starts for the Swamp Cats and sees plenty of action for the Orange and Blue. Shane has no problems taking tough shots and being called on when needed.