Runnin’ Rebel Summer Shootout: Opening Day Observations

<!-- 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>June is here, and that means summer team camps and shootouts are officially underway across South Carolina. I made my annual stop at Byrnes High School for the Runnin' Rebel Summer Shootout, which featured 11 South Carolina programs and 35 ranked prospects in the Prep Hoops database. While many of the state's established names delivered strong performances, several emerging prospects also took advantage of the opportunity to elevate their stock. Here are my Opening Day Observations from the Byrnes Runnin' Rebel Summer Shootout:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Local 2027 Guards Shine</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1982890"],"_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-6a219f39ea00c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">To the surprise of no one, [player_tooltip player_id='1982890' first='Colt' last='Fowler'] was the star of the show at the Runnin' Rebel Summer Shootout. The #1 Point Guard in South Carolina's 2027 Class hit the ground running with his high school teammates after an AAU season where he saw an uptick in his recruitment. In game one, Colt racked up 21 points, 10 points, and 4 steals, while doing a good job of getting the newer faces around him involved. In game two, a high-paced encounter against another top-tier contender, he again proved why he is one of the best players in the state with 24 points and 10 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1490037"],"_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-6a219f39ea093"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the elite scoring displays of the day came from Ray. He went for 20 points in his first game of the month, showcasing a very deep bag of moves to get to the rim and his spots in the mid-range. Brandon did a good job of making sure his teammates were involved early with a pair of assists, before taking over with his scoring to grow a lead. Even though most of his highlight-reel buckets came from the first two levels, he also knocked down a pair of threes to show off his complete array of scoring. If this is the type of play we are going to get from Ray, keep an eye on him as a potential All-State Guard. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top 10 2029s Duel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2948735"],"_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-6a219f39ea0ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2948735' first='Kellen' last='Leverett'] is another member of the hosts who caught my eye on Wednesday. Although he put together solid showings in both games, he was certainly on a mission in game one against T.L. Hanna. He went for 13 points and 5 assists in that win, showcasing an ability to play as a secondary playmaker or as the primary facilitator. Leverett knocked down 5 threes on the day, so he's a guy you can't leave open on the perimeter, but if you overplay him, he plays off two feet with an excellent floater and the patience to find the open man. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2948744"],"_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-6a219f39ea16d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On the flip side of that opening-window matchup, Cothran showed a glimpse into why he is so highly rated in his class. I got to see Charlie in the final weekend of the AAU season with [program_tooltip program_id='2076394' first='Carolina' last='Premier'], and one thing that I noticed in both settings was his confidence on the perimeter. He has added that element to his game over the last 12 months, turning him into a true inside-out threat. If Cothran can get stronger to hold up defensively and on the glass, he has a chance to rise even higher than #8. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meet this Lake Wylie Duo</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2957616"],"_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-6a219f39ea1cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">From the early indications, [player_tooltip player_id='2957616' first='Jacob' last='Gibson'] will be the vocal leader and Point Guard for this Lake Wylie team. Gibson was a key piece as a freshman at Clover last season, and now joins the first-year program led by Jonah Corn. This young lefty has a good feel for running an offense despite his age, and his ability to penetrate the defense and find shooters was on display all day Wednesday. If he can continue to grow physically and get acclimated with his new team, Jacob could be a really nice player in the near future with some intrigue down the line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3443938"],"_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-6a219f39ea237"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Like Gibson, Forbes comes from Clover to join the Chargers in 2026. Listed at 6'1", Keith has a strong frame plus good athleticism to give him an advantage on the floor. He also plays with a good motor, and he simply outworked the opponent on multiple occasions in the first half to earn offensive rebounds. There were also flashes of his scoring ability, as he knocked down a three and a mid-range jumper off the dribble. If those flashes become more consistent and he continues to contribute in the hustle category, Forbes will certainly be a key piece for Lake Wylie. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->