10th Annual MLK Bash: Observations

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops made the trip up to Columbia and Eau Claire HS to take in a handful of games from the 10th Annual MLK Bash. What teams did we see while we were in attendance here today? <strong><em>SUBSCRIBE today and jump on board for all the latest basketball coverage from the Palmetto State right here. Use the passcode "Swanny30" at checkout to save 30% off your first billing cycle. #RecruitThePalmettoState</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Blazers Blitz Bearcats</em></strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2742719,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/eZy-Watermark_21-01-2025_01-15-09-5890PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/eZy-Watermark_21-01-2025_01-15-09-5890PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2742719" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ridge View HS Blazers jumped out to a 17-8 at the 6:00 mark of the 2nd quarter over the Brookland Cayce Bearcats here today. The Blazers went into the locker room with a 30-17 lead. Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679970' first='Yale' last='Davis'] </strong>had 19 points at the halftime break. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blazers went on a 7-0 run to start the 2nd half on a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1982894' first='RJ' last='Davis']</strong> bucket and 5 quick points from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1692243' first='Korie' last='Corbett']</strong>. The Blazers led 57-32 after the 3rd quarter and finished the night with a 78-49 victory over the Bearcats. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2742713,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/eZy-Watermark_21-01-2025_01-16-02-6640PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/eZy-Watermark_21-01-2025_01-16-02-6640PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2742713" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior left-handed guard [player_tooltip player_id='1679970' first='<strong>Yale' last='Davis</strong>'] finished with 23 points on the night. Davis was able to knockdown jumpers and get to the basket quite easily tonight. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1692243' first='Korie' last='Corbett'] the #1 player in the 2026 Palmetto State Class finished with 11 points. Corbett was able to land some tough shots tonight. Korie does a great job of scoring the ball at the rim and elevating up on his jumper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2742714,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/eZy-Watermark_21-01-2025_01-15-44-9160PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/eZy-Watermark_21-01-2025_01-15-44-9160PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2742714" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The freshman duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1982894' first='RJ' last='Davis']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2373165' first='CJ' last='Moore']</strong> both put out a solid showing. Davis was able to contest shots on the defensive end of the floor. RJ finished the game with 9 points. Moore plays his best basketball around the cup also while converting on few turnaround jumpers here today. CJ ended the game with 8 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2742835,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/eZy-Watermark_21-01-2025_01-17-37-6060PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/eZy-Watermark_21-01-2025_01-17-37-6060PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2742835" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bearcats could never really find a groove here tonight vs the very deep and talented Blazers. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2469374' first='AJ' last='Edwards']</strong> led the way with 11 points while junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2469371' first='Isaiah' last='Oree'] </strong>chipped in with 10 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Hornets Run by Shamrocks</em></strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2742733,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/eZy-Watermark_21-01-2025_01-13-13-2870PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/eZy-Watermark_21-01-2025_01-13-13-2870PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2742733" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The C.A. Johnson HS Hornets had everything clicking here today in a win over host Eau Claire HS. The Hornets were led in scoring by the sharp shooting of sophomore guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2149135' first='Milton' last='McCray']</strong>. McCray finished the night with 20 points. Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1848632' first='Tony' last='Odom']</strong> joined in on the action and finished with 17 points. Senior wing player <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2673795' first='Aiassiac' last='Germany']</strong> added 14 points while senior guard <strong>Zion Lakin</strong> chipped in with 12 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hornets really could be a player in Class 1A moving down the stretch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eau Claire HS Shamrocks were missing their Head Coach Junior Laurie today as he was out sick. Freshman guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2541186' first='Gregory' last='Williams Jr']</strong> led the charge for the Shamrocks with 18 points today. The Shamrocks really couldn't muster much offense all day long. Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2638762' first='Manny' last='Davis']</strong> finished with just 4 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>War Eagles Pull Away and defeat Skyhawks</em></strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game was a battle to the end when the War Eagles pulled the way. The Skyhawks led 37-30 at the halftime break. Gray Collegiate really out played the Skyhawks in the 2nd half to secure the win 61-48. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2742762,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/eZy-Watermark_21-01-2025_01-11-16-3490PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/eZy-Watermark_21-01-2025_01-11-16-3490PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2742762" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1025879' first='LJ' last='Britt']</strong> the highest ranked player in the 2025 Palmetto State Class that remains uncommitted led the way with 15 points today. Britt was able to overpower defenders at times while connecting on some short jumpers along the way in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2742724,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/eZy-Watermark_21-01-2025_01-14-52-6950PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/eZy-Watermark_21-01-2025_01-14-52-6950PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2742724" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1032755' first='TyQuan' last='McDuffie']</strong> and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1560921' first='Levi' last='Ball']</strong> both added 13 points apiece respectively in the win. McDuffie led the game off with an alley-oop and was able to knockdown a few three-pointers along the way today. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2742727,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/eZy-Watermark_21-01-2025_01-14-36-4480PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/eZy-Watermark_21-01-2025_01-14-36-4480PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2742727" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ball was able to go to work down around the paint and really did a good job of crashing the glass. Levi was able to challenge shots at times on the defensive end of the floor. He looked to seal off defenders down on the block while posting up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2742753,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/eZy-Watermark_21-01-2025_01-11-36-5880PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/eZy-Watermark_21-01-2025_01-11-36-5880PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2742753" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Skyhawks got strong play from Senior undersized guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2729803' first='Mekhi' last='Smith-Brown']</strong>. He finished with 20 points in the loss while dialing in from downtown 4 times tonight. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2742744,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/eZy-Watermark_21-01-2025_01-11-56-2660PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/eZy-Watermark_21-01-2025_01-11-56-2660PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2742744" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1811633' first='Jackson' last='Ross']</strong> really brings toughness to the floor for the Skyhawks. Jackson was able to finish some drives through contact when he wasn't hitting mid-range jumpers. Ross really plays the game with a physical mindset and has no problems taking a charge on command at times. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops stayed in the building for just the first 3 games of the day. We decided to head back to the Pee Dee and take in the last 2 games at the King's Klassic at Marion HS. Stick around and see how those games went right here on your #1 source for basketball coverage in the Palmetto State all year long. <strong><em>SUBSCRIBE</em></strong> today and <strong><em>#RecruitThePalmettoState</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->