Nike Peach Jam: South Carolina's Friday Standouts

USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION   On Friday, Prep Hoops SC was in North Augusta, South Carolina, for the annual Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Peach Jam. I got to watch four of the six EYBL teams that are based in the Palmetto State and came away with evaluations on two standouts from each team. Check them out:   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />    Leading off my list of Peach Jam Friday Standouts is [player_tooltip player_id='2553637' first='TJ' last='Holmes']. I am a big fan of his long-term potential, especially if he can develop physically. Holmes is a lefty with good length and instincts for the ball, but his calling card will be shot-making. After missing his first attempt from three, TJ got going with a right-elbow pull-up, before knocking down a spot-up right-corner three and a tough step-back three. Holmes has a solid handle and can get to the free-throw line at times. He finished with 12 points on 2-5 3FG in the overtime win.     Treivan had a monster game off the bench for MHE in the hard-fought win over Meanstreets, racking up 26 points. He is very confident and a knockdown jumper shooter who made seven threes. Wright proved that he can shoot off the catch, with one or two dribbles, and even pulling up. Treivan has a strong, compact frame that allows him to handle and finish through contact. On defense, he was active at the top of a 2-3 zone, deflecting passes and back-tapping ball-handlers.     Everett Jr was a key piece off the bench in [program_tooltip program_id='2413030' first='Middleton' last='Hoops Elite'] 17U's hard-fought win over Iso Joe Elite. He had 10 second-half points, including multiple and-ones, which helped build momentum for his team. Clayton's game is built around his length and athleticism, but he is a very smart player who knows how to move without the ball in his hands. He displayed this with several intelligent cuts to the rim, which either led to buckets for him or created space for teammates.     Matthew might not be the guy who gets all the accolades or offers, but his versatility and ability to do the dirty work are crucial to winning for MHE 17U. Gladden plays extremely hard on both ends to win the glass, set good screens, control loose balls, and force havoc in the post. He has good hands to rebound the ball and tip passes, as well as a strong frame to keep bigger bodies away from the rim.     [player_tooltip player_id='2861502' first='Jack' last='Webb'] is first up of the [program_tooltip program_id='2134373' first='Team' last='USC Unleashed EYBL'] eye-catchers in Augusta. It wasn't his most efficient shooting game (2-9 3FG), but Webb has the green light from three at all times. He can also positively affect the game even when shots aren't falling, and he displayed that with activity on the glass and movement without the ball. Jack will relocate along the perimeter to create space or cut to the rim when his defender falls asleep. He can also finish in the paint, and did so on a nice drive in the last two minutes of the win over Pluto Prospects.     McKinley flashed his high upside with a monster first half on Friday. He dominated with his length, which allowed him to protect the rim, deflect passes, and finish some offensive putbacks. However, what was most intriguing from Jamel was what he did with the ball in his hands on offense. He converted on four of his five attempts from three, and they all looked mechanically sound when he set his hands and feet. McKinley also impressed as a playmaker with a nice pass to the opposite corner and an assist on a big-to-big pick-and-roll.     Caden had a strong showing for his squad despite the loss to top-ranked Alabama Fusion. He scored at all three levels without forcing shots. Caden spotted up on the left side for both of his made threes, converted in the mid-range by getting to his spots off the dribble or working from the post, and used his strength and athleticism to finish at the rim. That athleticism also translated to the defensive end, where he blocked shots and hauled in some rebounds. Coleman also caught a body on a back-cut for the second straight day.     Rounding out the list of Friday Peach Jam Standouts is [player_tooltip player_id='2537666' first='Jaden' last='Rivers']. He was a nice presence in the paint for Unleashed, particularly as a rim runner and on the offensive glass. Jaden took up good positions on the baseline, floating from corner to dunker spot to find the open space. He displayed a good feel around rim-protectors using pump fakes and reverse layups to score at the rim. Rivers also showed that he is a capable jumper shooter with a short-corner two, but improvement with his free-throw shooting and perimeter shooting would boost his stock.

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