Big Performers on Big Stages: Part Two
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You can find out a prospect in win-or-go-home scenarios. Regardless of result, these seven prospects stood out during the first week of playoff basketball in the state of South Carolina. Check them out below: Julen Iturbe 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 seven prospects stood out during the first week of playoff basketball in the state of South Carolina. Check them out below:
Iturbe had a very efficient game in what was his final home game as a Riverside Warrior. He put up a 25-point double-double on 8-13 FG. Julen started the game floating around the perimeter and hit three of his four threes in the opening quarter. But as the Catawba Ridge defense adjusted to that shooting, Julen responded by going middle in the 2-3 Zone and putting pressure closer to the basket, including a massive and-1 with 31.4 seconds left in the first overtime to give the Warriors a one-point lead.
Highlights
Simply put: Abijah Franklin Abijah Franklin 6’4″ | SG Wren | 2025 State SC was in “the zone” in Wednesday’s Round 3 Win over Blue Ridge. The 3A State Player of Year has had quite a few of those games over the course of the season, but this was his best playoff performance yet. He burst out of the gate with 17 first-quarter points only missing two of his 9 shots. There are very few, if any, defenders in the state that can keep Franklin from getting to the basket. But he also had a great game shooting the ball, leaving the Tiger defenders in a nightmare situation. The Hurricanes large lead meant Abijah got to have a bit of an early rest and he finished with 33 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 steals, hitting 5 of his 9 attempts from behind the arc.
Zyan had one of the most prestigious careers in program history during his time as a Copperhead, being named All-Region three times and All-State two times. He had yet another terrific shooting night in the Third Round against Riverside on Thursday. Hager had 23 points on 6-10 3FG, several being heavily contested or from deep range. Coach Childers frequently ran elevator actions for Hager and it worked almost every time. There was one play in particular where Riverside even defended it perfectly, but Zyan took a side-step and drained the three anyway.
Brock had a strong game for the Hurricanes on Wednesday Night. He was the offense’s main facilitator but also did a great job of turning defense into offense. One thing that is unique about Brock’s game is his body fakes, which he uses with the ball in his hands to get past his matchup or find passing lanes through the opposing defense. Cherry is also pretty versatile, scoring from multiple levels and defending multiple positions.
Highlights
Jack Sauer
Jack Sauer
Jack’s game was the definition of a big performance on a big stage. 6 of his 11 points were game-tying shots in clutch time, one coming within the final 15 seconds of regulation and the other coming from 35 feet at the buzzer of the first overtime. Mix in a block after the shot in regulation to keep the game tied to send it to overtime, and you have a true legendary postseason performance from Sauer.
Mikkel Skinner
Mikkel Skinner
Mikkel was dominant on the glass for Riverside, and had a couple of key offensive rebounds off missed free throws in the second overtime to allow the Warriors to kill more time. It seemed like every missed shot down the stretch was either caught or tipped out by Skinner. He finished with a 10-point 12-rebound double-double, showing a solid stroke from the free throw line as well. Mikkel is an all-around athlete with size, quickness, and a high vertical and caused lots of problems on the interior for Catawba Ridge.
Paul Bishop
Paul Bishop
Paul was one of the lone bright spots for Blue Ridge in a season-ending loss to Wren. He was very active on both ends of the floor and consistently knocked down shots from the outside, finishing with 17 points and 8 rebounds.