Which Underclassmen Stood Out at the Prep Hoops SC Showcase?

<!-- 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 2026 Prep Hoops South Carolina Showcase took place on Saturday, January 3rd, at Greenville High School. This year's event featured eight Palmetto State teams across five matchups, along with two elite programs from outside the state. Next up in my coverage is "Which Underclassmen Stood Out at the Prep Hoops SC Showcase?" Find out who are they are what they did to stand out:</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":["2194590"],"_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-695d3cd26136c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2194590' first='Wyatt' last='Dugger'] leads off the underclassmen standouts from the 2026 Prep Hoops SC Showcase. Wyatt came out on fire in game two, exploding for 15 first-quarter points. He got in a rhythm early after getting fouled on a three and knocking down all of the free throws, then he started turning defense into offense with a couple of steals that led to transition points and helped Eastside build a big lead. A good amount of Dugger's production came in the mid-range, including a nasty ankle-breaker that led to an open jumper off the dribble. Wyatt finished with 17 points despite playing just 14 minutes in the 20-point win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2722116"],"_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-695d3cd261407"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ruggerio is another Eastside Eagle who makes this list after a great shooting performance in Greenville. He made a real push for Game MVP, putting up 21 points on 5-8 3FG. Roman is one of the best perimeter weapons in South Carolina's 2028 Class, and he's more than capable of hitting shots in transition, off designed actions, and from deep range. He also showed some intriguing things on the defensive end of the floor, guarding Easley's 6'5" star player for several possessions. If this is the type of play that Eagles will get from Ruggiero and Dugger, they will surprise some people in region play and into the postseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2554841"],"_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-695d3cd261489"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2554841' first='Huck' last='Flinn'] has been one of the best young Point Guards in the state so far this season. He stepped up again on Saturday with the Warriors down multiple starters to illness, going for 7 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists in a win over Greer. Flinn can make all the passes needed to run an offense, but is particularly comfortable driving and kicking to shooters. However, he can also knock down shots for himself, both in the mid-range and behind the arc. If Huck can stay consistent down the stretch, look for Riverside to make a deep run in the 5A D1 playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3302152"],"_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-695d3cd261507"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fowler was on the other side of Flinn in Saturday's fourth game. He is a solid sophomore starter who also plays QB for the Yellow Jackets. When on the hardwood, he plays really hard, working the glass, staying active without the ball, and even getting on the floor for loose balls. Dawson is also a capable player with the ball in his hands because he is tough through contact and has good touch at the rim. He tallied 5 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block in the loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2523844"],"_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":3311790,"_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-695d3cd2615bb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rounding out the underclassmen standouts from the Prep Hoops SC Showcase is Franklin County (GA)'s [player_tooltip player_id='2523844' first='Hudson' last='Huff']. Huff had to battle through foul trouble in the opening game of the day, but luckily for the Lions, he did, because he had the go-ahead shot in the final seconds of their 51-49 win. Hudson also hit a clutch three with 1:40 left in the fourth quarter - one of his three made threes on the day. There weren't many tougher guards in the building on Saturday than Huff, and it will be fun to see how far he can lead Franklin County the rest of the way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->