Stars and Stripes Showcase: 3 Stars + 3 Guys Who Earned Stripes

<!-- 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 2025 Stars &amp; Stripes Showcase, presented by Upward Stars SE, was held on Saturday, December 6th, in Sumter, South Carolina. Prep Hoops SC was in attendance for the event, checking out all nine of the Palmetto State teams and 50+ ranked prospects. There were six prospects that stood out above the rest - 3 of them who would be considered "stars" on their teams, and 3 who might not be as well-known, but were just as important to their team's success on Saturday. Check them out: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3 Stars - Highly-Ranked Prospects Who Played Up to Their Ranking</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2078979"],"_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-69370287dd228"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2078979' first='D'Marcus' last='Thomas'] may not have had the flashy scoring performance as some of the other guys on this list, but he had a huge role for the Redhawks in Sumter. He filled up the stat sheet, putting up 6 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists in a nice win over Lancaster. Thomas does a good job of producing out of set plays, both dead-ball and half-court. He is always looking to get a teammate involved in those, but when a play breaks down, he is just as capable of hitting his own tough shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2458425"],"_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-69370287dd29a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mack and the Wildcats had a point to prove after a disappointing start this season. He came out on fire in the matchup with Wilson, going for 14 points in the first half. However, in the second half, he continued scoring to finish with 24, but also began to turn the tide with countless defensive stops. Kendell just frequently made winning plays when on the court in this one, whether it was hitting big threes, turning defense into offense in transition, or simply winning loose balls by wanting it more than the opponent. Mack had 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 steals to go with the monster scoring day in a huge West Ashley win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1982894"],"_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-69370287dd2ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">From a prospect standpoint, [player_tooltip player_id='1982894' first='RJ' last='Davis'] had the most impressive showing at the Stars &amp; Stripes Showcase. He went head-to-head with one of the best prospects in Georgia and dominated him on both ends of the floor. It felt like RJ was everywhere on the floor, using his size and athleticism to finish at the rim, control the glass, and protect the rim. Davis also stepped out with a smooth right-wing three and had a few highlight-reel dunks in transition. He posted an 18-point, 14-rebound double-double to boost Ridge View for a big win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3 Guys Who Earned Their Stripes - Lesser-Known Players who Proved a Point With Their Performance</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1692417"],"_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-69370287dd334"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1692417' first='Kamauri' last='Hunter'] was the biggest difference-maker off the bench at the Stars &amp; Stripes Showcase. It felt like the game swung in favor of the Raiders when Hunter was inserted into the game, and they gradually pulled away to a 56-42 win. Kamauri is the type of Guard who never gives up on a play, whether it's a long offensive rebound, a late scratch at the ball when beaten off the dribble, or a loose pass on the defensive end. He applies tons of ball-pressure that forces chaos for opposing offenses, while also having a good feel for passing and scoring around bigger defenders at the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2197894"],"_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-69370287dd37b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Howard earned his stripes with some knockdown shooting for Lexington. He connected on four of his 10 attempts from three, coming from all over the floor and both off the catch and the dribble. The Wildcats will run sets for Jeremiah to get him open looks, and his shooting is crucial to the spacing of their offense. He is also a guy who will chip in on the glass, tallying 7 rebounds to go with his 14 points in Saturday's win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2791479"],"_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-69370287dd3bf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rounding out the standouts from the Stars &amp; Stripes Showcase is [player_tooltip player_id='2791479' first='Rodrick' last='Dickerson']. Dickerson faced off with Howard in the first game of the day and was a real bright spot for the Swamp Foxes despite the loss. He felt like the only Marion player who consistently brought intensity on both ends of the floor, no matter the time and score. Rodrick plays bigger than his size because of how strong and persistent he is around the rim, but he's also got some soft touch on mid-range jumpers and push shots. Dickerson finished with 13 points and 5 rebounds in the loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->