Poinsettia Classic: Palmetto Bracket Saturday Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 Poinsettia Classic took place this week at Greenville High School in Greenville, South Carolina. I was in attendance on Saturday, December 28th evaluating Day 2 of the Palmetto Bracket which featured Powdersville, Sumter, Boiling Springs, Travelers Rest, Gray Collegiate, Westside, Goose Creek, and Greenville. Check out the six prospects who stood out from Saturday at the Poinsettia Classic:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1172573"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2710278,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677424ed59555"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leading off Saturday's Palmetto Bracket standouts is Goose Creek's [player_tooltip player_id='1172573' first='Ja'Quell' last='Brown']. He was crucial in their second-round matchup with Greenville, putting up a game-high 19 Points in the win. Brown has a very balanced offensive game that features a special change of pace that helps him beat defenders off the dribble and get to the paint. Ja'Quell is also strong through contact and a smart player when the defense collapses around him. The perimeter shooting is also an attribute that stood out as Brown hit a key three in each half to help push the Gators into the Championship Game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1892485"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2710277,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677424ed595fd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cooley had a strong showing for the hosts at the 2024 Poinsettia Classic. He was efficient in scoring and rebounding in the paint while also using his strong frame to earn trips to the free-throw line. Roman is a good finisher with both hands and he is a solid mid-range jump shot. On the defensive end, Cooley is versatile in his ability to guard multiple positions because he moves his feet well and has long arms to contest shots. Roman finished with 12 Points and 5 Rebounds in Greenville's Round 2 loss to Goose Creek.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2712628,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Braylin Gilliam","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Boiling Springs","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677424ed596dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Bulldogs' Point Guard was a standout in their big win over Travelers Rest in Greenville. Gilliam was instrumental in a 23-5 first-quarter run as he was great in ball pressure, causing havoc for opposing ball handlers and helping his team get out in transition for easy buckets. He also drew multiple charges in help defense. Braylin is strong with his left hand, has a tight handle, and is a crafty finisher in the lane. Gilliam racked up 12 Points, 3 Assists, and 4 Steals in the Day 2 victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1486213"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2673883,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677424ed5975a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">BJ had another great game for the Gamecocks on Saturday. He is a top 10 player in SC's Junior class and a high-volume scorer at all three levels. He came out hot in their matchup with Powdersville, putting up 11 Points in the first quarter. He was effective in using his body to create space on drives and using his size to shoot or finish above defenders. Brown did have to work through foul trouble in the game, picking up his fourth with 6:15 left in the third quarter. However, he played through it for the final minutes of the third quarter and the whole fourth quarter, putting up 29 Points and 11 Rebounds in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560921"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677424ed597bf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Poinsettia Classic was my first time getting to see [player_tooltip player_id='1560921' first='Levi' last='Ball'] in person after he moved to South Carolina from Texas, and he did not disappoint. Ball was the best player on the floor in Gray Collegiate's win over Westside and went on to win Tournament MVP on Sunday. Levi is a defensive weapon and was used at the top of a 1-3-1 Zone and in the middle of a 2-3 Zone so that his length and mobility could affect ball handlers and protect the rim. He is also very comfortable with the rock in his hands on offense, displaying skill in shooting, handling, and passing. Levi tallied 15 Points, 10 Rebounds, 5 Assists, and 3 Blocks in the Semifinal win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2550966"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2569758,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677424ed59835"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Webb was a bright spot for the Rams in their first loss of the season on Saturday. He had 11 Points in the game with 3 3PM, 2 of them coming in the third quarter to help keep Westside in range. Jonovan's other bucket was an impressive finisher with his off hand over a shot blocker in the paint. He is capable of making plays for himself and his teammates off the dribble and is a good shooter when spotting up. Although undersized, Webb stays engaged defensively and will put his body on the line to draw charges and collect rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->