USC Team Camp: Observations

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops spent a good amount of time at the USC Team Camp this past weekend in Columbia. What were some of the Observations we were able to pick up. Let's dive into the action right here on your #1 source for basketball coverage in the Palmetto State all year long. <strong><em>SUBSCRIBE today by using the passcode "Swanny30" at checkout to save 30% on your first billing cycle. #RecruitThePalmettoState</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2458462,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-34-29-0110PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-34-29-0110PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2458462" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The day started off with Newberry HS vs North HS. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1848082' first='Kenton' last='Caldwell']</strong> went to work early and often here today for the Bulldogs. Caldwell was able to explode to the cup and finish at the rim here today. Kenton really brings a great energy and competitive edge to the floor every time out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2458463,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-34-15-5750PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-34-15-5750PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2458463" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2175554' first='Payton' last='Miles']</strong> will be a new name at a new program this coming season. Miles is suiting up for American Leadership Academy in Lexington. The Patriots will play Class 2A this coming season. Miles can play inside-out on the floor for the Patriots. He was able to stick some jumpers here today in the Patriots win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dreher HS Blue Devils will play in Class 4A this coming season. The Blue Devils could be a fun team to watch this season with the likes <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2253482' first='Jordan' last='Brown']</strong>, forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2443450' first='Jamere' last='Singleton']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2420213' first='Austin' last='Glasscho']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1851158' first='Emmanuel' last='McCullough']</strong> and <strong>Josh Merrill.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2458471,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-34-02-0520PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-34-02-0520PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2458471" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown was showing good body control all day and finishing through contact on the way to the bucket. Jordan can create his own shot and really does a nice job of seeing the floor with some crafty passing skills along the way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Singleton brings a blue-collar mindset to the table for Head Coach AJ Caldwell. Jamere likes to play physical and surely doesn't mind making room down low.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2458458,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-36-06-5690PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-36-06-5690PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2458458" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Glasscho has seemed to grow a bit this spring in height and his play. Austin was stalking the cup and bringing the ball up the floor at times today. He handled the rock in transition and really started to show some good progress in his game since the spring. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2458477,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-33-23-6230PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-33-23-6230PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2458477" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCullough made the move over this off season from nearby Keenan HS. Emmanuel is a point guard who is quick to the basket and really plays the game with a good understanding. Merrill was able to work the corners from right to left with his ability to knockdown jumpers for the Blue Devils.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2458465,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-33-49-4340PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-33-49-4340PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2458465" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Denmark-Olar HS was missing point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1951732' first='Terrance' last='Hinton']</strong> here today. Senior to be <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1225770' first='Joshua' last='Goodman'] </strong>has made the move from nearby Hampton County HS to play for the Viking this season. Goodman brings versatility to the perimeter and a viable scoring option. <strong>William Ross</strong> is a young talent for the Viking down in the paint. Ross is a RAW talent who is long and rangy for his young age.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2458469,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-32-41-5480PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-32-41-5480PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2458469" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1811633' first='Jackson' last='Ross'], [player_tooltip player_id='1578619' first='Jaiden' last='Haltiwanger']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1303625' first='Daylin' last='Haltiwanger']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2729803' first='Mekhi' last='Smith-Brown']</strong> all helped the Hammond Skyhawks to a narrow victory today. Ross brings a physical mindset to the floor for whatever position he needs to play. Jackson got to the foul line constantly here today it seemed </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2458470,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-34-43-1900PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-34-43-1900PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2458470" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1303625' first='Daylin' last='Haltiwanger']</strong> is a left-handed athletic slasher deluxe for the Skyhawks. Haltiwanger brings good athleticism to the floor. Smith-Brown brought some timely shooting to the perimeter all day long for the Skyhawks. He missed action last season due to an injury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2458484,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_09-02-06-1690PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_09-02-06-1690PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2458484" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cardinal Newman had the tall task of playing JL Chambers HS (NC). The Cardinals added <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1183968' first='Nigel' last='Chivers']</strong> to the mix this season. Chivers guard brings senior leadership to the floor and a toughness you can't teach. Nigel previously played at nearby Lugoff-Elgin HS. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2458466,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-33-36-5140PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-33-36-5140PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2458466" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1220039' first='Amarii' last='King'] </strong>was dropping shots from behind the arc here today with his play. King a football player in the fall recently picked up some offers. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1383660' first='Elton' last='Smith Jr']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1487225' first='Desmond' last='Harrington']</strong> both patrol the paint area for the Cardinals. The duo of Smith and Harrington will both run this July on the EYBL Circuit with Jet Academy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2458461,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-35-24-3340PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-35-24-3340PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2458461" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1766186' first='Yasir' last='Cromer'] </strong>was dropping dimes and making shots here today for the River Bluff HS Gators. Cromer has had a good spring with his play on the Grassroots scene. He continued his play here today making crisp passes and really showing a good floor game at times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2458476,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-33-10-3070PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-33-10-3070PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2458476" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Marion HS Swamp Foxes (20-7) a season ago have some solid pieces in place this season to make some noise in Class 2A. The Swamp Foxes will rely on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157437' first='Tahj' last='Lathon']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1295811' first='Isaiah' last='Vereen']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2406367' first='Jameir' last='Legette']</strong> and transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1645097' first='Jaden' last='Gerald']</strong>. Lathon a rangy forward has uncanny timing at times when it comes to swatting away shots. Vereen brings good presence down low for the Class 2A level. Legette is starting to figure thigs out with his play after starting on the baseball diamond. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2458474,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-34-55-8600PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-34-55-8600PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2458474" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gerald came in from Gray Collegiate after starting his career as a freshman at nearby Trinity Collegiate. The Swamp Foxes will play in a region with new SCHSL member Atlantic Collegiate Academy and county rival Mullins HS this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2458486,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_09-01-30-4220PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_09-01-30-4220PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2458486" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Fort Mill Yellow Jackets have a very good duo in<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1487226' first='A.J.' last='Washington']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1330680' first='Nas' last='Berry'].</strong> Washington was wearing some new custom-made shoes here today while scoring everything around the cup. AJ showed good body control to the basket and a willingness to finish. Berry can really pile up some points in a hurry at times with his play. Nas can create his own shot and score the ball the ball from all 3 levels on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2458472,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-32-56-3960PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-32-56-3960PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2458472" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The West Ashley Wildcats will have a new leader in former Wildcat Tre McLean this season. The Wildcats finished (18-10) a season ago. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1714849' first='Damani' last='White']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2458425' first='Kendall' last='Mack']</strong> both will be back to provide punch from the backcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These were some of the morning teams we saw here today from the University of South Carolina Team Camp. Who else did we see later in the day? Well, stay tune because we are certainly not done with the coverage from Columbia on your leader here in the Palmetto State Prep Hoops. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->