SC State AAU Championships: 2025 Top Performers

<p>Prep Hoops made the trip up to Greenville this past weekend to take in some of the action from the SC State AAU Championships. The games were being held at Bob Jones University. Lets start the coverage right here with the 2025 Palmetto State Top Performers. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/9DD0E524-0A0D-44B2-9AA0-30C42C73B14D.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1463724" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/9DD0E524-0A0D-44B2-9AA0-30C42C73B14D-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1145334" first="Jordan" last="Watford"] - [program_tooltip program_id='2078752' first='Upward' last='Stars'] Southeast 2025 - Lancaster HS </strong></p> <p>Watford has great size playing in the backcourt from the lead position. Jordan sees the floor very well and plays the game always under control from out top. He has great length to deflect passes when coming is way. Watford plays the game with a good understanding while maintaining good shot selection. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/5AE23E27-1222-4083-A30E-DB553B871ADE.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1463721" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/5AE23E27-1222-4083-A30E-DB553B871ADE-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1220039" first="Amarii" last="King"] - [program_tooltip program_id='2078752' first='Upward' last='Stars'] Southeast 2025 - Keenan HS </strong></p> <p>King is as tough as they come on the floor. Amari NEVER backs down from a challenge while on the floor. He really likes to play the game physical and on contact. King saw plenty of minutes on the varsity level this past season for the Raiders. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/F30948D4-867D-4F2C-A0C1-E51BE336153B.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1463720" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/F30948D4-867D-4F2C-A0C1-E51BE336153B-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1360540" first="Keenan" last="Arcega-Whiteside"] - [program_tooltip program_id='2078755' first='Upward' last='Stars Upstate'] - Dorman HS </strong></p> <p>Keenan is a MOTOR guy from end to end with his play on the floor. He rebounds the ball on both ends of the floor at a high clip. Keenan finishes around the cup on second chance baskets along or attacking the glass. Artcega-Whiteside never looks to take a play-off while on the floor. Keenan is skilled and mobile to play anywhere on the floor. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/0D607357-DCC6-4279-A77D-8F25E0D7952D.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1463719" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/0D607357-DCC6-4279-A77D-8F25E0D7952D-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1157437" first="Tahj" last="Lathon"] - [program_tooltip program_id='2078752' first='Upward' last='Stars'] Pee Dee - Marion HS </strong></p> <p>Tahj has really showed some flashes this season with his play. Lathon needs to stay consistent with his play at all times and keep working. Tahj can run the floor and fill the lane in transition. He was able to convert some short jumpers today with his play. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/8E3D3294-2F94-4AE5-9833-916211BCA35A.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1463723" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/8E3D3294-2F94-4AE5-9833-916211BCA35A-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1407053" first="Shawn" last="Michael Matthews"] - [program_tooltip program_id='2078752' first='Upward' last='Stars'] Pee Dee - Wilson Hall (Sumter)</strong></p> <p>Matthews is TOUGH as they come on the floor. Shawn doesn't back down from anyone while playing the game with some swagger. He was in the middle of every hustle play today it seemed if it meant taking a charge, grabbing a loose ball or diving on the floor. Shawn was right there on his way to scoring 22 points in a very tough loss to the Carolina Shockers. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1354733" first="Gage" last="Dicks"] - Carolina Shockers - Barnwell HS (pictured on front)</strong></p> <p>Dicks likes to set up shop out on the perimeter especially behind the three-point line. Gage is geared to score the ball and did that today in a tight game over [program_tooltip program_id='2078752' first='Upward' last='Stars'] Pee Dee. Dicks finished with 20 points in the win today. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/161EA0AA-4FF0-46D1-BF74-8D3FBC5AC577.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1463722" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/161EA0AA-4FF0-46D1-BF74-8D3FBC5AC577-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1463715" first="Cedric" last="Schofield"] - Elite Game - Columbia HS </strong></p> <p>Schofield recently moved into the Palmetto State from Augusta, GA. Schofield played this past season at Butler HS. Cedric already has good size and length for his age. He will be a player to monitor down the road in the Midlands. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>