Big Performers on Big Stages: Part One
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You can find out a prospect in win-or-go-home scenarios. Regardless of result, these eight prospects stood out during the first week of playoff basketball in the state of South Carolina. Check them out below: Hayden Assemian SC #2 PF #1…
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Continue ReadingYou can find out a prospect in win-or-go-home scenarios. Regardless of result, these eight prospects stood out during the first week of playoff basketball in the state of South Carolina. Check them out below:
Our #2 Overall Sophomore Hayden Assemian Hayden Assemian 6’8″ | PF Powdersville | 2025 State #186 Nation SC begins our list of Big Performers on Big Stages after his double-double in Powdersville’s Round 2 Win over Daniel. Hayden took over the second half where he scored 16 of his 18 points, showing touch on his jump shot, cleaning up the glass, and protecting the rim. His athleticism is a major part of his game, and that’s something that is a matchup nightmare for the rest of the teams in the 3A Playoffs.
If you were just watching Mauldin for the first time, you wouldn’t be able to tell Nate is a Sophomore. The offense truly runs through him with few hiccups throughout the course of the game. He also displays his knowledge of when to facilitate and when to score, another rare quality for a young guard. In the Mavericks’ Second Round Playoff Win over River Bluff on Saturday, Wilbourne facilitated in the first half and scored in the second half, finishing with 16 points and 6 assists.
Tristyn’s Lions may not have come out on the winning side of Friday Night’s Second Round matchup with Powdersville, but Carrington’s two-way ability was still on full display. He showed a knack for getting to the basket and frequently made plays out of broken possessions on the offensive end. Trisytn also has good instincts and quick feet on the defensive end and had a couple of steals to go with his 15 points.
Chapman impressed with his ability to take and make tough shots. River Bluff had some early struggles on the offensive end, but Luke fought through a difficult matchup to get his jump shot going. He has a great stroke and was very consistent from behind the arc. Unfortunately, the Gators didn’t get the result they wanted in the Second Round. However, Luke did have a solid overall game, scoring 22 points and hitting 3 3s.
Jaleel has made a huge jump in his first season since transferring to Powdersville and is a massive reason why the Patriots are still alive in the 3A State Playoffs. He had 20 points including the game-sealing free throws down the stretch of their win over Daniel. One of McGee’s most impressive plays came on a back-tap steal leading to an And-1 layup, while he was cramping! He had lots of success using his speed and handle to get past Lion defenders, and when he gets to the paint, he has the IQ to know when to find shooters, dump off to his big man, or finish at the rack.
Chaz is a Freshman who has been steadily improving and seeing an increase in production over the course of the season, and one of his biggest games yet came in the first round against Broome. He opened his scoring with a catch-and-shoot three but made a living with his play in the paint after that. He converted several looks from close range, had some strong rebounds, and rejected several Centurion shots at the rim.
Highlights
Jalen Craig
Jalen Craig
Craig was recently selected to the SCBCA 3A All-State Team and backed it up with a strong performance against Broome in Seneca’s opening-round victory. His strength is a handful for guards to keep out of the paint and he is a great finisher once he gets there. Jalen also has a good combination of dribble moves and can hit a perimeter shot, so his overall offensive array makes him a very difficult matchup.
Alvarez Smith Alvarez Smith 6’2″ | SF Mauldin | 2026 SC is the other half of the Mavericks’ dynamic duo. He is an aggressive young wing that defends at finishes at a high level. Alvarez is capable of defending multiple positions and was forced into doing so in Mauldin’s second-round matchup with River Bluff on Saturday. He also rebounds very well for his size, something that was even true as a Freshman last season. Several of his 16 points came off offensive rebounds as the Mavericks picked up the home playoff win.