Byrnes basketball hosted its annual Runnin’ Rebels Summer Shootout on Wednesday, June 3, playing host to 11 of the state’s top teams as the summer live period gets underway.
Byrnes, Riverside, and Eastside were all included in this year’s event, with each team playing two contests apiece.
Byrnes head coach Layne Fowler says this event, hosted regularly at the beginning of the June live period, is a great opportunity for teams to get a first look at their on-court product.
“It’s a good early summer season competition to get a good first look at things,” said Fowler. “It’s become a staple for a lot of teams, and we are happy to have some of the best around here every year to play."
Several Greer-area players stood out at Wednesday’s event. Here are a few of the day’s top performers:
Rickey Lassiter, Riverside
Lassiter, who is coming off a solid junior year for the Warriors, looks to be primed for an even bigger role as a senior.
In a win over Keenan on Wednesday, Lassiter led the Warriors in scoring and made several acrobatic lay-ups, including multiple and-ones. Lassiter’s lean frame and speed allow him to shift between defenders with relative ease, and against a sizable Keenan roster, Lassiter found ways to both distribute to his bigs and convert in a crowded paint.
Kamden Hack, Byrnes
Hack transferred from J.L. Mann last season, but an early injury cut a promising season short for the lengthy, athletic rising senior. In a double-digit win over Fox Creek on Wednesday, Hack’s energy was off the charts, flying in for several offensive boards and putback layups.
With Byrnes’ addition of 6-foot-7 senior transfer forward/center J’Sean Sanders, look for Hack to play a Swiss-army knife role for the Runnin’ Rebels this season. As a high-flyer and a promising outside shooter, Hack will likely see heavy minutes in different rotations on the wing.
Brandon Ray, Eastside
Ray is one of the most talented guards in South Carolina, and in a comfortable win over Lake Wylie, Ray put up 20+ points and hit shots from every level. Ray also made several pinpoint passes and kickouts to sharpshooters like rising junior Roman Ruggiero, as Eastside rode hot shooting to a solid victory.
Colt Fowler, Byrnes
There’s not much positive that hasn’t been said about Fowler, one of the best true point guards in the nation, but the rising senior got his summer campaign off to a great start in a win over T.L. Hanna.
Fowler racked up 16 points and eight assists in just 16 minutes, getting everyone in the Runnin’ Rebel offense involved and keeping Byrnes’ signature tempo flowing in a double-digit victory over a talented Hanna squad.
For more coverage of Greer-area sports, follow @GreerNewsSports on X and GreerNews.com - Sports on Facebook.
