Battle at the Border: Peak Performers in the Foothills

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every year that the Battle at the Border has taken place, it has not disappointed. The 24^th&nbsp;annual rendition of the Upstate South Carolina midseason tournament was no exception.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Landrum HS once again put together the event that fused together scintillating basketball with picturesque views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A grand total of 16 teams were on hand with eight girls teams and eight boys teams having their turns on a Landrum court that got a fresh coat of paint last season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We at Prep Hoops were proud to be on hand once again for the festivities. Without further adieu, here are our top 5 performers from the Thursday at Landrum. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":2308568,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kory Scott","_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":"5'9u0022","_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":"Woodruff HS","_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: 400u0022u003eScott had a lot he threw at 3A Blue Ridge to stave off what was a valiant effort by the Tigers. The successful Woodruff come-from-behind effort occurred in large part because of Scott – and the 18 points he put on the board. Scott also showcased what coaches look for in their main players – the ability to come through in the clutch. His willingness to draw contact and take his chances at the free throw line. Toughness and efficiency are two other elements to what Scott does – one has to be tough to play football which is the second sport on Scott's athletic plate. He thrives as a free safety and wide receiver on the gridiron for the 3A Wolverines.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-658edccf63ce8"} /--> <!-- 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":2308571,"_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":"null","_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 HS","_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: 400u0022u003eBlue Ridge – a team who is a fixture of the Battle at the Border – was real close to clinching a berth in the boys' Gold Bracket. The 3A Tigers may have been on the receiving end of a 57-52 decision thanks to another 3A foe in Woodruff, but Somero's 23 points ensured Blue Ridge had a pulse from start to finish. He particularly displayed what he could get accomplished from behind the 3-point arc as he drained five from downtown to bolster the Blue Ridge attack. In addition, Somero showcased his ball handling capabilities, understood when it was time to score and when to pass and overall veteran instincts.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-658edccf63da1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2305386"],"_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":2308588,"_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: 400u0022u003eThe boys basketball schedule up to that point at Battle at the Border did not disappoint. This included a highly competitive contest between St. Joseph's Catholic and Chapman. The winning effort for the Knights included 13 points that were put on the board from St. Joseph Catholic's talented senior. The team got a great deal of consistent and timely play from the upperclassman who does much of what he does at the three in the frontcourt. Among the many things that Mazza does with excellence on the court is place points on the scoreboard from all three levels. He is a huge reason why – as of the Battle at the Border – the Knights remained unbeaten in 2023-24.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-658edccf63e3d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2027732"],"_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":2308609,"_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: 400u0022u003eLance did a lot in his team's blowout victory over Shannon Forest. Henderson made sure that the team with gold as one of its school colors would be in this year's Battle at the Border Gold Bracket. Henderson scored 25 points which led all point-getters for this contest. Henderson typically plays as a guard in the Centurions' backcourt. He especially made life difficult for the Crusaders with his range from deep. Out of the seven 3-pointers that Broome was true on for this game, four of those triples departed from Henderson's hands. The standout junior stands at six feet per the Centurions roster.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-658edccf63eb1"} /--> <!-- 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":2308624,"_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: 400u0022u003eThe boys portion of the schedule at the first day of the Battle at the Border ended with a pair of teams that had emphatic victories over their opponents. The Cardinals dominated against Spartanburg Christian and Edwards was one main element of that dominant performance as he led the team with 15 points. Edwards stands at over six feet and possesses a great deal of hops to compliment his height and his length. He has plenty of ability to play above the rim along with attacking the basket and drawing contact to find his way to the free throw line.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-658edccf63f16"} /-->