Prep Hoops Carolinas Expo: Team 18 Evaluations

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 Prep Hoops Carolinas Expo took place on Sunday, September 8th in Rock Hill, South Carolina featuring some of the best 2025s, 2026s, and 2027s in North and South Carolina. After warming up with some 3v3 action, the players were divided into twenty teams for two 5v5 games. Check out my evaluations of the five South Carolina prospects from Team 18 at the 2024 Prep Hoops Carolinas Expo: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#264 [player_tooltip player_id='1916763' first='Vashahd' last='Schofield'] (Andrew Jackson Academy)</strong> - Andrew Jackson's [player_tooltip player_id='1916763' first='Vashahd' last='Schofield'] held down the paint for Team 18. Despite being listed at 6'2", Schofield plays much bigger than his size because he works so hard on both ends of the floor. He was relentless on the offensive glass and controlled the defensive side too, earning extra possessions for his team and limiting them for the opponent. Vashahd was active as a screener and rolled hard to the open space for better looks around the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#335 [player_tooltip player_id='2549826' first='Kellen' last='Martin'] (Spartanburg)</strong> - Kellen is a new addition to Spartanburg High School after moving to the Palmetto State from Iowa. He was one of the top shooters on the floor in all the 3v3 and 5v5 games. Martin has a quick release to get his shot up before defenders can close out and also moves extremely well off the ball to free up space for himself or his teammates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#354 [player_tooltip player_id='1703401' first='Owen' last='Elkins'] (Lucy Beckham)</strong> - Elkins didn't have a lot of opportunity with the ball in his hands, but when he did he was quick and decisive with his decision making. Owen knocked down several catch-and-shoot threes but also got to a mid-range pull-up with 1 or two dribbles, kept his head up to find other shooters, and dumped the ball off to his bigs when the defense helped toward him. Elkins also was committed to team defense and made some nice plays on that end of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#442 [player_tooltip player_id='1025879' first='LJ' last='Britt'] (Gray Collegiate Academy)</strong> - At #8 in the PH SC 2025 Rankings, [player_tooltip player_id='1025879' first='LJ' last='Britt'] was one of the top-ranked players in attendance and the only Top 10 Senior at this year's event. LJ had a few really good games with his shot-making, an attribute that can sometimes be inconsistent for him. He looked confident spotting up for open threes and pulling up above defenders in the mid-range. Britt was also effective as a playmaker, hunting switches in the pick-and-roll or kicking to open teammates off dribble drives. Overall, LJ was terrific for Team 18 and I was as impressed with him as I have been when watching him live. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#609 [player_tooltip player_id='1578653' first='Nathaniel' last='Hughes IV'] (Brookland Cayce)</strong> - Nate is another wing who opened some eyes with his performances in Rock Hill. He is a knockdown shooter from behind the arc and in the mid-range with a high release to shoot over contests. Hughes will also do many of the little things a team needs to win such as crash the glass on both ends, deflect passes, and look for open teammates. He was particularly effective on the offensive glass and got a fair portion of his offensive production on second-chance points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->