Panther Classic: Top Performers and Tidbits

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panther Classic is in the books for 2023. Who won the Panther Classic? Prep Hoops was in attendance on the final day of action here from Carolina Forest HS. Let's take a look at the Top Performers and some Tidbits from the event. Remember to<strong><em> SUBSCRIBE</em></strong> to the site and always <strong><em>#RecruitThePalmettoState </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Cougars Win on Final Day:</em></strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2304664,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_22-12-2023_09-38-01-0740PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_22-12-2023_09-38-01-0740PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2304664" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The North Charleston HS Cougars finished the weekend (1-2) after defeating Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach on the last day. The Cougars connected on 12 three-pointers from downtown. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578646' first='Marco' last='Simpson'] </strong>led the way 26 points while Junior <strong>Richard Hazel </strong>dropped in 16 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simpson is a big-time athlete who seems to still be picking up the game at times. Marco plays one-way and that is FAST and hard at all times on the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Grainger Out - Jenkins Steps Up: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2304658,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_22-12-2023_09-37-29-0570PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_22-12-2023_09-37-29-0570PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2304658" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1016448' first='Devin' last='Grainger']</strong> DNP for the Tigers here today. Grainger a left-handed guard and Quarterback has missed some time this season for the Tigers. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824185' first='Jordan' last='Jenkins'] r</strong>eally stepped up and finished with 17 points here today. Jenkins already looks the part of his young age. He really looks to excel in the transition game and stalk the baseline at times. Jordan plays quick off the floor and plays active around the rim. The Tigers lost last season in the Class 5A Lower State Championship Game to Goose Creek HS. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>The Saints Lose All 3 Games: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2304660,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_22-12-2023_09-37-45-4020PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_22-12-2023_09-37-45-4020PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2304660" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach plays in SCISA Class 3A. The Saints went (0-3) here at the Panther Classic but that will surely prepare them for the road ahead this season. Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1032754' first='Brayden' last='Hendrix']</strong> led the Classic in scoring and dropped 23 points on the final day. Hendrix really likes to play the game with some swagger and really looks to attack the cup whenever possible. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Saints will be just fine moving forward with the likes of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1183946' first='Jack' last='Green']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2012646' first='Aubrey' last='Hall']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1998734' first='Ayden' last='Leith']</strong> and new big man <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2356568' first='Sabion' last='Sessions']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Host Panthers Finish in 3rd Place:</em></strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2304661,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_22-12-2023_09-36-58-2140PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_22-12-2023_09-36-58-2140PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2304661" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The host Carolina Forest HS Panthers finished in 3rd place with a win over Hoggard HS (Wilmington, NC) 51-49. Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578597' first='Daniel' last='Allen']</strong> had the hot hand all night long for the Panthers on his way to scoring 19 points. Allen a very strong student in the classroom also connected on 4 three-pointers in the win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Tigers are Led by Thompson and Leonard: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2304657,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_22-12-2023_09-36-12-4700PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_22-12-2023_09-36-12-4700PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2304657" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teams will need to get used to hearing these names for the Wilson HS Tigers over the next few years. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149789' first='Tristan' last='Thompson']</strong> and Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1486211' first='Josh' last='Leonard']</strong>. This duo scored 44 points of the Tigers 59 points in the Championship Game. Thompson keeps up getting better every time he touches the floor for the Purple and Gold. Tristan finished with 25 points while sinking 5 three-pointers tonight. Thompson a Top 10 player in the 2025 Palmetto State Class brings versatility, willingness to sacrifice his body on the defensive end of the floor and a nice mid-range game. Tristan can score the ball from all 3 levels. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leonard is just a freshman which is scary at times. Josh does a little bit of everything for the Tigers. He's extremely skilled from his position which could be anywhere on the floor at times. Leonard plays relentless on the glass on both ends of the court. He plays very mature for his young age. Leonard would be ranked the #1 player in the 2027 Palmetto State Class if rankings came out today without a doubt. (2027 Rankings will debut in Mid-March 2024 after the high school season). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>How did the Hoop State do at the Panther Classic?</em></strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2304662,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_22-12-2023_09-36-27-3990PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_22-12-2023_09-36-27-3990PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2304662" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High Point Christian defeated Wilson HS in the Championship to take home the Panther Classic. The Cougars were led by senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1864069' first='Isaiah' last='Sanders'] </strong>with 16 points. Sanders was able to showcase a nice mid-range game and some crafty passing skills all night long. Isaiah connected on a few timely floaters down the stretch in the win for the Cougars.<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1931127' first='Jaiquan' last='Clay']</strong> is a high motor kid who really can get off the floor in a hurry. Clay plays around the basket and at times tonight was able to finish some drives through contact. Clay finished with 12 points in the win over Wilson HS in the Championship Game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hoggard finished the Panther Classic at (1-2). The Vikings seem to be back at full strength after retaining several football players who played in the State Championship Football Game just a week before. Freshman <strong>Hunter McGrath</strong> is certainly a name to watch here moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->