Lexington Elite Showcase: Court Vision
One of the latest events on the 2021 travel schedule occurred in the suburbs of Columbia as many teams and players from around the state converged on the Midlands for the Lexington Elite Showcase. Hosted by Carolina Pistons, kids from…
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Continue ReadingOne of the latest events on the 2021 travel schedule occurred in the suburbs of Columbia as many teams and players from around the state converged on the Midlands for the Lexington Elite Showcase.
Hosted by Carolina Pistons, kids from a wide variety of age groups were represented as third graders all the way up to the varsity level were all in attendance for what was an exciting day of basketball.
We at Prep Girls Hoops were in attendance as well to take in the festivities and observe many of the Palmetto State’s rising talents. Here is a look at who showed tremendous vision and always made the extra pass.
Emery Jones – 2027 – LMR – A Jones that many opponents have a hard time keeping up with and a Jones that one may, at first glance, underestimate before they actually see her perform on the court. Jones still knows how to lock ball handlers in with tough defense. She is also very skilled herself with the rock and knows how to score – either from the field or the free throw line which she knows how to get to. Where her court awareness really shines through is when defenses have her in less-than-ideal situations where it appears she is on the verge of turning it over. She will make timely passes that will throw off those defenses.
Izzy Saville – 2025 – Lexington Hoopsters – For Saville, Lexington Elite Showcase was virtually a travel home game not only because of the travel team she plays on – but the high school she plays for. She is coming off an eighth grade campaign with Lexington High School where the Wildcats were a win against Wando shy of the Class 5A semifinals. Saville will find pathways to get to the basket and if those pathways are not available, she does not mind draining a jump shot to up her team’s point output. Saville has also flourished as a proficient passer.
Nicole Zuebert – 2025 – Lexington Hoopsters – Zuebert was actually listed on the rosters for two Lexington Hoopsters teams – its seventh and eighth grade group and its ninth grade squad. Of course, she wears the same number for both (No. 20) and brings a similar game to both. She is not afraid to draw contact and get to the free throw line and can take care of the basketball even in traffic with defenders nearby. She will also know when to attempt shots from mid or long range or make the extra pass – a byproduct of how much team chemistry has been forged.
Destinee Tiller – 2025 – Palmetto Pressure – Outside of the eighth graders that already are playing for high school teams, an element of being part of that particular class this year is taking that step from the middle school into the high school ranks. Tiller is one of those. She will get you a good bit of high percentage shots and is a problem for offenses on defense. Along with those opportunities near the rim, she will also give a team opportunities from long range. Tiller came off the bench in Palmetto Pressure’s Saturday afternoon game with LMR – en route to a 34-17 victory.
Krissa Lavassar – 2026 – Palmetto Stampede – Game plan and watch out for Krissa – or you might just miss her. A point guard who is already on the junior varsity team at Berkeley High School, our guess is it will not be long before she has a roster spot on the varsity squad. Lavassar is a tough defender and will get opposing ball handlers to cough up said ball. That has the potential to turn into a Fastbreak layup out in the open floor. Lavassar also will get defenders to inadvertently commit fouls to put her at the line for free throws.
Araina Ross – 2028 – Palmetto Pressure – If it is one thing that Palmetto Pressure has a good compliment of this travel season, it is those from the 2028 class. Ross was a huge reason why Palmetto Pressure’s sixth grade team went 3-0 for Lexington Elite Showcase. She knows how to dribble the ball in traffic (and pass) and causes problems on defense with her ability to make inbounding difficult for offenses. Commit a turnover with Ross nearby and that is likely going the other way for two (or three) more Palmetto Pressure points.