Pepsi Carolina Classic: Day One Happenings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops takes a look at some of its coverage from Day One at the Pepsi Carolina Classic in Florence. The 36th Annual Pepsi Carolina Classic took place this season at Wilson HS in Florence. What were some of the Day One Happenings? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2024 Top Performers:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1156890' first='Jamarie' last='Brown']</strong> did everything he could do to keep his squad in the game today vs Quality Education Academy (NC). Brown was able to get to his spots at times today and knockdown shots. Jamarie has a quick shot release and a willingness to hit pull-up jumpers off the bounce. He was able to connect on several free throws today for the Bruins. Brown scored 19 points in an opening round loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1721890,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/9725916C-4292-4AFA-B3F3-F5D7087F8E54.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/9725916C-4292-4AFA-B3F3-F5D7087F8E54.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1721890" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1078979' first='Bobby' last='Cannon Jr']</strong> and his teammate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='975134' first='Jermaurhiyun' last='Anderson']</strong> both led the Quality Education Academy today. Cannon Jr a slender-sleek forward came out firing from the perimeter. Bobby finished with 22 points while making 5 three-pointers from downtown. He really can stretch the defense with his ability to play inside-out on the perimeter. He was able to contest and challenge shots on the defensive end of the floor. Cannon Jr is a quick leaper off the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1721894,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/74E0A761-4106-44D2-89AC-7D4B0C41EE85.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/74E0A761-4106-44D2-89AC-7D4B0C41EE85.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1721894" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anderson a Greenville, SC native is in his second season at QEA. Jermaurhiyn is a left-handed guard who was able to score 13 points today in the win. He really played at a nice pace all day long setting up his teammates for success along the way. Anderson is a pass-first point guard, and he was able to show off some crisp passing skills here today. He finished with 13 points in the opening round win for the Pharaohs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1721891,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/9B18EC8B-88D6-4BCB-A15F-88B23918AF8F.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/9B18EC8B-88D6-4BCB-A15F-88B23918AF8F.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1721891" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1509895' first='Gabriel' last='Cusack']</strong> was once again doing his thing for the Marion Swamp Foxes. Cusack ran into old rival it seems West Florence HS - already playing for the 3rd time this season. Cusack finished with 13 points in an opening round loss. Gabriel was able to connect on some jumpers while showing good body control to the basket at times today. Cusack is a Quarterback in the fall for the Swamp Foxes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1721893,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/93D2EA73-985F-4A73-B616-1077E63644D3.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/93D2EA73-985F-4A73-B616-1077E63644D3.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1721893" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1721736' first='Bryan' last='Boston']</strong> was a nice surprise today here for the Wilson HS Tigers. Boston has good body control to the basket and a willingness to slash to the cup. He dropped a few floaters in the lane today while holding down both backcourt positions for the Tigers. Boston finished with 9 points in an opening round win. Bryan really understands his role on this very talented Tigers squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Remember the Name: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1721892,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/3655F8A9-E014-4936-A1BC-1A83CB8DFB6C.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/3655F8A9-E014-4936-A1BC-1A83CB8DFB6C.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1721892" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1486211' first='Josh' last='Leonard'] </strong>(2027) will be a name to follow for sure down the road in the Pee Dee. Prep Hoops first saw him play this spring with a local Grassroots team in the Florence area. Leonard starts for the Tigers, and he plays the game very mature and aggressive for his young age. Leonard finished with 17 points today in opening round victory. Josh likes to chat it up at times while on the floor and surely doesn't show any lack of confidence moving forward. He can defend out on the perimeter, handle the rock up the floor in transition and finish with a nice jump-hook from time to time. Leonard just an 8th grader at Williams M.S. is only going to get better in the years to come that's for sure. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops will look at the 2023 Top Performers in a different article coming out shortly from the Pepsi Carolina Classic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->