Day 2 is underway! A total of eight games will take place today, featuring some of the same teams from last night and several new ones. Here’s my recap of the first half of the day:

 

Final Scores

 

Game 1:

Lower Richland – 74

York Prep Academy – 39

 

Game 2:

Oak Hill Academy Red – 58

Byrnes High School – 44

 

Game 3:

Miller School – 54

Irmo HS – 50

 

Game 4:

Northwood Temple – 86

Northwestern HS – 84

 

 

A Couple of Team Notes

  • Lower Richland had a REALLY impressive control in Game 1 on Saturday. They pass the ‘eye test’ with a group of athletic and strong players who play with intelligence and confidence. As a whole, the Diamond Hornets put on a passing clinic, especially in the half-court. Fifteen team assists resulted. On the rebounding end, they gave a strong effort on the offensive glass, finishing with 21 offensive rebounds. Their opponent, York Prep, only had eight.
  • Man, did I like Irmo High School’s toughness. They don’t step in the gym as the tallest team by any means but played with a lot of heart to pester Miller School’s taller players. A focus on defense led a good portion of their offense and the Yellow Jackets’ energy never showed any signs of slowing down. Definitely a team that knows how to make audiences want to root for them.
  • Miller School has more size on their roster this year which proved as an advantage in several instances during Game 3. However, their bigs need to rid the habit of bringing the ball down once getting a rebound. The defensive versatility of Miller’s wings/forwards played a big role in taking away open lanes for Irmo’s opposing guards/wings; notably down the stretch of the second half, when it mattered most.
  • It seemed like everybody on the Northwestern High School roster had a nose for the ball. The Trojans showed great focus and intensity to along with their advanced pace of play. They play at such a fast pace that should leave most other teams breathless in trying to contain.

 

Standouts in the First Half of Saturday

  • Jordan Rivers ’19 – Lower Richland: I always like guys who go all out for second-chance points… and Rivers exemplified that to the fullest. The 6’5″ forward had a monster impact on the offensive glass, as he grabbed a game-high of seven. His strength allowed him to complete finishes whenever he secured the rock and he earned a few trips to the FT line due to his patience. Defensively, Rivers caused some disruption with his size at the top of a 3-2 zone. A very efficient performance with a team-high 13 points (5-7 from the floor) and eight total rebounds.
  • Trevez Caldwell ’19 – Irmo HS: Caldwell played with a big chip on his shoulder to keep it a close one in Game 3. He especially took over in the first half, scoring 15 of his game-high 26. A guy who can make plays at all three levels, he especially did the most damage in creating space on the three-point line. He knocked down six triples on a 50% clip. Game 3 resulted in a tightly-played contest and Caldwell provided a majority of the excitement. Worth buying a ticket to go watch on the hardwood.
  • Dessie Canty ’21 – Byrnes HS: The sophomore guard played a major role for his team as a main option for the Rebels’ offense. I like Canty’s demeanor; he doesn’t say much or ever complain but showed a willingness to do whatever it took to help his squad win. He contributed in several ways with his three-point shooting, rebounding, and hustle plays in the paint. Earned Co-MVP honors in Game 2 with 13 points and six rebounds. I see all the makings of a future ‘3&D’ player who has a chance to compete at the next level. College coaches, keep him in mind.
  • Quenton Flood ’21 – Lower Richland:'Another young face, the strong guard had a calmness about him all throughout Game 1 in how he took care of his business. The biggest takeaway I had of Flood pertains to him showing how he’s capable of many different skills. He can make flashy passes, knock down shots from the wing, score around the rim, and spin off defenders in the paint area. His versatility only as a sophomore can make him soon develop into a highly-recruited college prospect soon. Composure and talent combine nicely quite often. He recorded 10 points, eight rebounds, and two assists in Game 1.
  • Zay Martin ’19 – Northwestern HS: Standing at 6’3,” the Trojans’ senior captain played as both a scoring guard and wing to put up points. Martin gave Northwood Temple defenders trouble in being able to attack the rim and shoot from the outside. He moves well without the ball for easy layups and runs the lane really well in transition. His offensive efficiency wasn’t excellent in the first half but took a step up in the fourth quarter as he led his team with 28 points and six rebounds.

 

 

The second portion of the day’s about to get going soon!