Skyhawk Holiday Classic: Day Two Recaps

The onset of the new year, of course, means the 2023-24 high school basketball schedule is on the verge of transitioning from the midseason tournament portion to the whirlwind that is January region play.    Prior to that, many teams are looking for one more tune-up prior to when region foes take up the lion's share of their slate. The Skyhawk Holiday Classic, hosted by LBI Carolina, was once again the focal point for many basketball fans at this point in the year.    We at Prep Hoops were on hand for all of the festivities. There were only two boys games that took place amongst the three girls games that also emanated at the SCISA 4A school in the Midlands. Here is our recap of those matchups.    Heathwood Hall vs. Gilbert   All four of the boys assemblings that were on hand at the Skyhawks' nest hail from the Midlands. One of those was from a fellow Midlands SCISA 4A team.    On paper, a contest between the Highlanders of Heathwood Hall and the Indians of 3A Gilbert would be evenly matched. After all, Heathwood Hall entered Friday's play with a 4-6 record – only two wins shy of their six-win total from last season. As for Gilbert, the five wins the Indians amassed entering Friday's play already surpassed what they got accomplished last season.    Boys action for this year's Skyhawk Holiday Classic began with the Highlanders earning a 20-8 victory over the Indians.   Remember What Happened Last Time?   Heathwood Hall and Gilbert have only met on one other occasion in recent memory. That was also during a Skyhawk Holiday Classic where the Indians earned a close 55-50 win over the Highlanders.    Quarter-By-Quarter   While the first girls game of the day was lopsided, it appeared the first boys contest of Friday's play would feature a tight contest between the two teams. After one, Heathwood Hall had an 11-10 lead over Gilbert.    That advantage was only slightly larger at the conclusion of the second quarter with the Highlanders and Indians continuously locked in a close contest. It was 23-20 in Heathwood Hall's favor at the half.   A game like this may come down to if a team does or does not have an extended run in them. There may not have been an extended run, but the Highlanders did have a five-point, 42-37 lead after three.    That Heathwood Hall lead would grow to eight (45-37) early in the fourth. For much of the closing frame, both teams seemingly went cold from the field and defense was the order of the period. Ultimately, more shots began falling for Heathwood Hall than Gilbert late to seal a 55-41 victory.   Primetime Performers   [player_tooltip player_id='1692417' first='Kamauri' last='Hunter'] paved the path to the Highlanders victory with 15 points. He is one of two team captains that is listed on the Heathwood Hall roster. Hunter got those 15 after going scoreless in the first quarter.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/IMG_7422-crop-2236x1469-1703912863.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/IMG_7422-crop-2236x1469-1703912863.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2309450" style="width:389px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   The other team captain for the Highlanders is [player_tooltip player_id='2292909' first='Nic' last='Nichols'] and he added 13 points to the Heathwood Hall total. Nichols is also one of the five juniors that is listed on the Highlanders' roster.   With 12 points, [player_tooltip player_id='2267854' first='Deuce' last='Claxton'] was also an integral element to the victory for the Highlanders. Claxton clearly understands the concept of big time players stepping up in big time moments as 11 of his 12 came in the second half – including eight in the fourth quarter.     <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/IMG_7425-crop-3610x2370-1703913278.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/IMG_7425-crop-3610x2370-1703913278.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2309452" style="width:398px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   A pair of eight-point scorers led the offensive charge for the Indians. One was Aiden Barefoot – an upperclassman. The Indians senior can play worthwhile minutes either in the frontcourt as a three or in the backcourt as a two.   The other was [player_tooltip player_id='2248665' first='Tyzai' last='Smith'] – a freshman. He is listed at 5-foot-11 on Gilbert's roster and plays primarily in the backcourt. Out of the eight points he placed on the scoreboard, seven of those occurred in the third quarter.   What's Next?   Gilbert would finish this year's Skyhawk Holiday Classic against host Hammond – meaning Heathwood Hall's second and last game of the event would be against Lower Richland.    Lower Richland vs. Hammond   Speaking of the Skyhawks and Diamond Hornets…   Lower Richland's time at last year's Skyhawk Holiday Showcase commenced in inauspicious fashion because of losses to Blythewood and the host Skyhawks. The Diamond Hornets closed out last year's event on a high note by virtue of a victory over 1A Wagener-Salley.    As for the Skyhawks, they also defeated Wagener-Salley at last year's event. They also defeated Lower Richland before running into a loss to Blythewood.    Day two of this year's Skyhawk Holiday Classic would conclude with the Diamond Hornets prevailing in a 43-38 decision over the Skyhawks in the rematch from last year.    Quarter-By-Quarter   While much of the first quarter was to Lower Richland's liking, it was not a one-sided stanza by any stretch of the imagination. It appeared the Diamond Hornets would exit the first eight minutes with an eight-point lead before a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Hammond. With one complete, it was Diamond Hornets 13, Skyhawks 8.   These two teams appeared to be evenly matched – and it was reflected on what was the status of the contest at the half. As both teams went into their respective locker rooms to discuss second half strategy, Lower Richland's lead over Hammond was at the slimmest of margins – 20-19.   When the third quarter had concluded, it was the first time where the finish of one of the four frames would feature the Skyhawks ahead of instead of the Diamond Hornets. But given the close nature of this contest, that could easily change. It was Hammond 32 and Lower Richland 30 with three in the books.   As is always the case is these sorts of games, the team that made more plays in the most crucial of moments gets in the win column. The Diamond Hornets were ahead 41-38 before a pair of big free throws late made it a two-possession game, allowing for Lower Richland to earn a victory on the Skyhawks' home court.   Key Catalysts   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/IMG_7500-crop-2443x1604-1703913415.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/IMG_7500-crop-2443x1604-1703913415.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2309454" style="width:410px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1466165' first='Alex' last='Atkinson'] paced the Diamond Hornets' efforts with a 13-point performance. Atkinson brings together plenty of height along with length and skill. Atkinson is one of four from the 2024 class on the Lower Richland roster.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/IMG_7513-crop-1879x1234-1703913613.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/IMG_7513-crop-1879x1234-1703913613.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2309456" style="width:415px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With 17 points, Charles Johnson spearheaded the efforts for Hammond that game. The Skyhawks only mad two of their 3-point attempts on Friday night. One of those departed from Johnson's hands.   What's Next?   Hammond would close out its portion of the Skyhawk Holiday Showcase against Lugoff-Elgin while Lower Richland looked forward to a matchup with Heathwood Hall.

The onset of the new year, of course, means the 2023-24 high school basketball schedule is on the verge of transitioning from the midseason tournament portion to the whirlwind that is January region play.