From the Sideline
Palmetto Classic
West Charlotte vs Independence
Christmas in the South means friends, family, and hoops! The Palmetto Classic, Phenom's gift to Columbia South Carolina, kicks off today with 6 games. In game 4 we have West Charlotte vs Independence. Independence is off to a hot start this year and carry a 9-1 record into this event. They are a balanced attack with 5 getting 8 or more a game with 3 getting over 13 a game. West Charlotte comes in at 7-3 and are led by Patrick Williams and Cartier Jernigan, a pair of 2019 wings putting up over 19 a game with 7 plus rebounds each. Which team from NC would come out of SC with the win in this one'
Independence used the hot hand of Andra McKee in the first half to take a 29-23 lead into the break. McKee had 14 of those as WC had no answer for him early. WC would ride a balanced attack and strong defense to the end and walk out of here with the win to the final of 68-49.
Players of note are as follows:
West Charlotte:
Patrick Williams, 6'8 2019 W – College ready body and athletic gifts on this kid allows him to make plays all over the floor. Good looking jumper with a high release point in the mid-range game helps him eat whenever he wants. Scary part is that it feels like he has more to give as he develops. (10p/5r/3a)
Cartier Jerrnigan, 6'1 2019 G – Explosive kid can really get up off the floor. Wired to score and can do so in every way needed. That bounce allows him to rebound his position better than most and cause issues on the defensive end as well. May have the size of a 1 but this kid is a player regardless of where you line him up at. He's a player. (10p/4r/1a)
Ahmad Gilbert, 6'6 2019 F – Coaches love a kid like this who can come into a game and dominate in one area. Ahmad does this when it comes to cleaning the glass. (6p/15r)
Independence-
Andra (AJ) McKee, 6'3 2019 G – Lit it up early and often in this one, getting it done from every level of the offense. Shows anticipation and instincts on the defensive end. Efforts fueled team to first half lead as he put up almost half his teams points at the break. (21p/4r/4a)
Raja Milton, 5'11 2019 G – All hustle kid fuels his team by making the plays no one else will. Had one stretch where had several steals and effort plays that led to points for the other team. Nice glue piece. (10p/2r/2a)
Matt Smith, 6'6 2019 F – Good body on this kid. Plays with strength and has enough bounce to finish at the rim with ease. Game is more power than anything else but shows enough all around game to tell you there is more to come as he develops. (11p/9r/3a)
