2024 Impact Sports Invitational Day One Recap + Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024-25 High School Basketball continues with Feast Week. My first stop of Feast Week on Monday was the 2024 Impact Sports Invitational, an event I have attended for the past seven years dating back to my High School days. It is always a fun and competitive event held at Spartanburg Christian Academy featuring some of the top teams in the state. This year, the field was narrowed to six teams: Spartanburg, Broome, Laurens, Irmo, Mauldin, and Spartanburg Christian. <strong>Check out some notable performances, game recaps, and the eight standout prospects from Monday Night's action:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Scores: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spartanburg 70, Broome 48</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Laurens 60, Irmo 57</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mauldin 92, Spartanburg Christian 33</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Performers: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2394115' first='Johnston' last='Abrams'] (Spartanburg) - 18 Points, 12 Rebounds + 7 Assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2381714' first='Damarius' last='Jeter']</strong> (Broome) - 21 Points</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1419742' first='DJ' last='Martin'] (Laurens) - 6 Points + 13 Assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1986982' first='Jeremy' last='Anderson'] (Irmo) - 10 Points, 11 Rebounds + 4 Assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1259499' first='Nathan' last='Wilbourne'] (Mauldin) - 18 Points + 4 3PM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fourth Quarter Run Propels Spartanburg to Round 1 Victory</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first game of the 2024 Impact Sports Invitational featured two Spartanburg County teams, Spartanburg High School and Broome High School. The game opened at a furious pace, with both teams reaching double figures before the midway point of the quarter. The Vikings opened up a small lead in the second half after getting back-to-back threes from [player_tooltip player_id='2381715' first='Kyler' last='Jaggers']. Incoming Transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2549826' first='Kellen' last='Martin'] also was an important factor on the perimeter while [player_tooltip player_id='2394115' first='Johnston' last='Abrams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2469372' first='Logan' last='Norton'] frequently got penetration through the Centurion defense. The two teams swapped big runs in the second half - a 17-6 Broome run led by key buckets from [player_tooltip player_id='2027732' first='Lance' last='Henderson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2381714' first='Damarius' last='Jeter'] was answered in the fourth quarter by a 14-2 run by Spartanburg. The Vikings' defense was clutch down the stretch, holding Broome to just four second-half points while getting major rim protection from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2668741' first='Aiden' last='Olley']</strong> and important rebounding from Jaggers and Abrams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Raiders Impressive in Scrappy Win Over Irmo</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Irmo versus Laurens appeared to be the best matchup on paper coming into the day and it lived up to the hype. Each team had a shooter get hot and make multiple threes in the first half. For the Yellow Jackets, it was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2908504' first='Christian' last='Brown']</strong> who made three in the first quarter and finished with four on the game while it was <strong>RJ Brewster-Snow</strong> for the Raiders with four in the second quarter and a fifth early in the third. Brewster-Snow's flurry of triples came in the midst of a 17-0 run with most of them being crafted by the Point Guard play of [player_tooltip player_id='1419742' first='DJ' last='Martin'] who finished with 13 Assists. [player_tooltip player_id='2024465' first='Zakarion' last='Simpson'] was also a crucial piece for Laurens through rim protection and interior scoring. [player_tooltip player_id='1986982' first='Jeremy' last='Anderson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1578648' first='Matthew' last='Hopkins III'] were aggressive in the paint for Irmo and helped keep the Yellow Jackets in the game, but Laurens's late game execution was up to the task and they pulled out a tight, one-possession victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mauldin Dominates Spartanburg Christian in Final Game of the Day</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final game of the Impact Sports Invitational Round 1 featured the hosts and the Mauldin Mavericks. The Crusaders looked outmatched early, as the Mvas got a three from <strong>Jackson Ambruster</strong> in the opening seconds of the game and scored baskets on their first six possessions. The off-ball defensive engagement from Mauldin's guards, particularly [player_tooltip player_id='2564154' first='Jace' last='Shaw'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2356428' first='Alvarez' last='Smith'] (Injured Q1), was impressive early and helped force lots of confusion for SCA. Mauldin hit four threes in the first quarter and had 8 team assists in a 33-4 period. [player_tooltip player_id='1259499' first='Nathan' last='Wilbourne'] was a standout early in the second half, using his size and skill to get to the rim and hit shots from the outside. <strong>Lake Wagner</strong> was a bright spot for the Crusaders, putting up 10 Points in the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Biggest Standouts:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2672408,"width":"424px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/Image-11-26-24-at-3.13-PM-4.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/Image-11-26-24-at-3.13-PM-4.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2672408" style="width:424px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2394115' first='Johnston' last='Abrams'] (Spartanburg) - Leading off the biggest standouts from Day One of the 2024 Impact Sports Invitational is [player_tooltip player_id='2394115' first='Johnston' last='Abrams']. He is a Guard who has been playing great basketball dating back to the Spring and continued it in the first game of his Junior Season. Abrams had a balanced performance between scoring, facilitating, and battling on the defensive end. Johnston was successful in getting the ball into the paint with some very crafty finishes and nice finds to the perimeter. He is fast with the ball in his hands and is unselfish in making the extra pass in transition. Abrams was also crucial on the glass down the stretch, making key rebounds to help end any Centurion hopes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2672410,"width":"428px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/Image-11-26-24-at-3.13-PM-3.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/Image-11-26-24-at-3.13-PM-3.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2672410" style="width:428px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2668741' first='Aiden' last='Olley']</strong> (Spartanburg) - Olley left a great first impression on me after a stellar defensive performance on Monday. He is a Junior Forward listed at 6'7" with natural instincts in protecting the rim. Aiden had limited production in 2023-24 because of a knee injury, but looks to be fully healthy and ready for a breakout season. Olley blocked 5 shots in the Vikings' win over Broome, owning his own paint and anchoring the Spartanburg defense. Aiden will also work hard to control loose balls, run the floor in transition, and find positioning in the paint. He has good touch around the basket and had 8 Points to go with his strong defensive showing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2381714' first='Damarius' last='Jeter'] (Broome) - Damarius was a major bright spot for the Centurions in their Round 1 loss. He opened up the game on a fast start, scoring 6 quick points as the offense ran through him. Jeter is a twitchy athlete who can get downhill in a hurry and finish at the rim or separate with stepbacks and crossovers for a jump shot. His quickness is also a factor on the defensive end, as he moved his feet well and forced turnovers from his matchups. Damarius was forced to take and make many tough shots - which he often did - because of the Centurions' lack of a third self-creator. He finished with a game-high 21 Points in the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2672411,"width":"425px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/Image-11-26-24-at-3.13-PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/Image-11-26-24-at-3.13-PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2672411" style="width:425px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1419742' first='DJ' last='Martin'] (Laurens) - Monday was my first chance to see [player_tooltip player_id='1419742' first='DJ' last='Martin'] in a Laurens jersey after making the switch from Fountain Inn this offseason. Martin was crucial in running the show for the Raiders, leading them with 13 Assists paired with 6 Points and 2 Steals. He had good moments in collapsing the defense off dribble drives and kicking the ball out to open shooters. DJ also ran baseline-out-of-bounds sets well and had multiple assists off of those. When running the offense in the halfcourt, Martin displayed a great change of pace and a tight handle, almost making it seem like he had the ball on a string in tight spaces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2672413,"width":"424px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/Image-11-26-24-at-3.13-PM-1.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/Image-11-26-24-at-3.13-PM-1.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2672413" style="width:424px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2024465' first='Zakarion' last='Simpson'] (Laurens) - Simpson is another top performer from the Raiders on Day One. He is a talented young forward who was productive in his Freshman Season but is looking for more this year. Zakarion has a long frame but is still on the skinny side and can be outmatched at times in the post. However, he has a high motor and is athletic around the paint. He is a good shot blocker and had 3 of them in the game including one impressive one on a three-pointer. Simpson's length was also used as the focal point in full-court pressure looks, forcing Irmo into difficult spots in the backcourt. Zakarion was productive on the offensive end putting up 17 Points in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2672414,"width":"426px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/Image-11-26-24-at-3.13-PM-2.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/Image-11-26-24-at-3.13-PM-2.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2672414" style="width:426px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1986982' first='Jeremy' last='Anderson'] (Irmo) - [player_tooltip player_id='1986982' first='Jeremy' last='Anderson'], a Top 15 Player in South Carolina's 2027 Class, was also a standout from the Laurens-Irmo game. His physicals jump out at you when watching him play. Jeremy is a big and athletic wing, listed at 6'4" with a strong frame. He reads the game very well and can see over most defenses. Anderson often operated at the elbows, trying to find the cracks in the Raiders Zone and make key passes to create scoring chances. Although his perimeter and mid-range shots weren't falling like normal, he stayed aggressive with the ball in his hands. Anderson's strength and athleticism were also key on the defensive end, as he could frustrate multiple matchups and control the glass for the Yellow Jackets. He finished with 10 Points, 11 Rebounds, and 4 Assists in the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2672416,"width":"424px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/Image-11-26-24-at-3.12-PM-1.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/Image-11-26-24-at-3.12-PM-1.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2672416" style="width:424px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1259499' first='Nathan' last='Wilbourne'] (Mauldin) - Although there weren't a ton of minutes or volume for Wilbourne because of the score, Nathan was still the most productive Maverick in his limited action. He put up 18 Points knocking down 4 3s. In the first quarter, he was successful in setting up teammates tallying 2 Assists in his team's early run. This created more room for him on the perimeter and even more space for some of his big men to work. In the second half, Wilbourne picked up some of the on-ball defensive intensity, forcing turnovers and getting out in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lake Wagner</strong> (Spartanburg Christian) - Lake was strong last season for the hosts at the Impact Sports Invitational but looked even better yesterday in Spartanburg. Despite some of the stagnant offense for the Crusaders, Wagner hit a few very tough shots, stretched the floor from the perimeter, got to the free-throw line, and set up teammates for buckets. He put up 10 Points and 3 Assists, and often had to create his own opportunities once the initial play broke down. He is confident in handling the ball, understands his team's offense, and competes on the defensive end of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Day Two Matchups:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5:00 - Irmo vs Spartanburg Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6:30 - Mauldin vs Broome</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8:00 - Spartanburg vs Laurens</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->