From the Sideline
Palmetto Classic
United Faith vs Independence
Day 2 at the Palmetto Classic is here and with it we have 6 more games on tap. Game 3 of the day puts United Faith versus Independence HS. Independence put on a great display of team ball yesterday getting the win over West Charlotte while United Faith took a loss in a close one in one of the showcase games last night. Both teams United Faith now goes into bracket play here as the number 1 seed though and would be looking to make a mark here. Winner of this one goes to the championship game, who would want it more'
Independence would come out showing the same type of team game they used last night and opened up a 19-14 lead at the end of the 1st quarter. Great ball movement and unselfish play fueled the run with 6 assists in the quarter attesting to this. A quick start to the 2nd quarter saw the lead grow to 29-14 and with the way Independence was playing, it looked like they may run away and hide with this one. That’s exactly what they would do, getting the lead up over 20 in the second half. Independence gets this one comfortably by the final of 76-50.
Players of note:
United Faith:
KC Hankton, 6’8 2018 F – Came up big early as the team needed a spark to get out of a hole and he gave it to them. Inside/out game works well with talent around him. Goes hard to the glass as well. Back to back solid games for the big senior. (15p/7r)
Jaylen Sims, 6’6 2018 W – UNCW bound wing shows out yet again, this time showing more versatility than he gave us last night. Does a bit of everything well out on the floor.
Independence:
Raja Milton, 5’11 2019 G – Small but scrappy player was a pain in the tail of United Faith in this one. Always seems to be in the mix on the defensive end of the floor. Gave great effort in all phases of the game. Glue guy skill set does a lot of good things for his team. (17p/5r/2a)
Matt Smith, 6’6 2019 F – Big and strong forward prospect follows up a solid 11p/9r showing last night with another solid one here on day 2. Strong, bouncy, and unselfish kid is a perfect fit for the way this team plays. (12p/10r/1a/1 block)
Andra (AJ) McKee, 6’3 2019 G – Led the team in scoring last night with 20 plus and follows it up with another good showing on day 2. Strong enough to finish and quick enough to get where he wants, he can score in a number of ways. Unselfish nature helps his status as a prospect as well. (18p/3r/4a)
Jamarius Burton, 6’4 2018 W – Really showed what he can do in this one by making an impact all over the box score. A 10p/2r/2a line from yesterday was followed up by another solid effort across the board on day 2. Kid showed he can do a bit of everything in this one. (10p/6r/4a/1 block)
