Gamecocks basketball target Cam Scott continues to develop with college choice looming

Cam Scott isn’t used to performances like he had Tuesday night.

One of the top prospects in the Class of 2024, the Lexington High standout’s stat line read 8 points on 3-of-15 shooting, including 0-of-8 from 3-point range in an 84-44 loss to Christopher Columbus (Fla.), which features Class of 2025 standouts Cameron and Cayden Boozer.

Thursday, Scott looked like his old self. He was more confident and showed flashes of why college coaches have been rolling in and out of Lexington this year.

Scott scored 19 points and grabbed seven boards in a 57-49 loss to a strong Greensboro Day (NC) squad at the Chick-fil-A Classic at River Bluff High School.

“It’s not something I’m used to, but as soon as 12 a.m. it was over with,” Scott said of Wednesday’s game. “I was just focused on getting back to myself and what I’m comfortable with. They (Columbus) made us real uncomfortable last night. ... But I had to come in today and get back to myself. Yesterday I got frustrated with myself but today I let it come to myself.”

Lexington coach Elliott Pope said he liked what he saw from his star Thursday, and his continued development.

“Cam is up and down right now,” Pope said. “But he is starting to evolve, and if two or three shots aren’t falling, get to your sweet spot. Get a 15-foot pull up, get to the rim, get to the free throw line.

“That is progression over time. As an eighth grader and freshman, he would stay on the three-point line. But last year and this year, we have seen him get the ball to his scoring spots and be efficient when he is there.”

Scott and Lexington will finish out the Chick-fil-A Classic on Friday, then play a couple of non-region games before starting Region 4-5A play, marking the start the second half of Scott’s junior season. The Wildcats are one of top teams in Class 5A, and we’re ranked No. 1 in SC High School Basketball Coaches Poll.

Then, there is Scott’s college decision. He told The State again Thursday he still plans to announce his choice in February, likely before the postseason. He narrowed down his final schools to Auburn, Florida State, Kansas, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

Scott said he would like to make his choice before his senior season, to take the pressure off going into AAU and senior season.

Scott didn’t rule out reclassifying to Class of 2023, but said he hasn’t thought much about. He and his family will talk about that after the season.

“Just get it out of the way and focus on myself, and development,” Scott said of the February decision. “... I want to get it done as soon as possible.”

South Carolina coach Lamont Paris was there Thursday for Scott’s 9 a.m. game against Greensboro Day. Paris was also there for Tuesday’s game which didn’t end until 9 p.m.

Scott has taken an official visit to USC and been to some games this year. The Gamecocks have made Scott their top priority in the Class of 2024.

“It gives me confidence that he believes in me. To be here at 9 a.m. after being here at 9 p.m. really stands out,” Scott said of Paris. “I saw him when he walked on so that is something special to me. Not everyone can do that and can take time out of their day but he did for me.”

Scott has also taken official visits to Texas and Auburn. There are questions about the Texas program with head coach Chris Beard placed on leave following his arrest. Beard was charged with felony family violence charge after a woman told police he strangled and bit her.

FSU assistant Steve Smith was there Tuesday night to see Scott play, and the Seminoles are trying to get him in for a visit. Scott has two official visits left, and he said he is unsure if he will take them. Kansas also is a possibility for an official visit. The Jayhawks offered him in December.

“I really like Kansas’ development, as well as Tennessee,” Scott said. “I like the way Kansas developed through the years. They have had some highly-touted players come through. And maybe coming and not having to be the face of the franchise, but still coming in and have same opportunity as the No. 1 star.”

Thursday’s Chick-fil-A Classic scores

American Bracket

Greensboro Day 57, Lexington 49

GD: Reece 2, Joseph Bachman 10, Otto 9, Jaydon Young 15, Jordan Moody 12, Stainback 2, Carrier 5, Newkirk 2. L: Byrd 2, Evans 3, Bell 2, Cam Scott 19, Prunty 7, Jose Figueroa 13, Campbell 3.

AC Flora 51, River Bluff 42

ACF: Chris Parker 12, Wiley 8, Maxwell-Timms 8, Gray 8, Willard 3, Johnson 2, Jackson 1, Wrst 4, Higgins. RB: Wright 8, Pitts 2, Caldwell 8, Cromer 4, Renner 5, Bearden 4, Luke Chapman 12.

John Marshall (Va) 50, Columbus (FL) 47

JM: Damon Thompson 15, Latrell Allmond 12, Parker 8, Bailey 6, Rivera 6, McCall 3. C: Cameron Boozer 12, Cayden Boozer 11, Malik Abdullahi 11, Garyn Bess 10, Fragela 3.

Wheeler (GA) 60, Keenan (SC) 48

W: Isaiah Collier 18, Jelani Hamilton 12, Page 9, McKenzie 8, Hill 6, Mitchell 5, Stallworth 2. K: aylen Golston 15, Chrisean Oree 15, Sumpter 9, King 5, Elam 4.

National Bracket

Southern California Academy 48, Oak Hill 42

SCA: Garwey Dual 14, Jahseem Felton 11, Fielder 9, AJ Johnson 7, Bodo 5, Johnson 2. OH: Joshua Holloway 13, Kaden Magwood 13, Robinson 7, Russo-Nance 3, Mitchell 3, Schmidt-Uili 2, Drayton Jones 1.

Hillcrest Prep (AZ) 67, Providence Day School (NC) 47

HP: Justin Johnson 19, Tyshawn Bridges 19, Aiden Sherrell 13, Kamari Jones 12, Miller 2, Scherler 2. PDS: Riley Allenspach 13, Nick Hailey 13, Josiah Robinson 11, Thompson 7, Winston 3.

Huntington Prep (WV) 79, Calvary Christian Academy (FL) 67

HP: Jordan McCullum 21, M. Johnson 17, Del Jones 13, Larry Johnson 10, Ntambwe 9, Jessamy 6, Tingler 3. CCA: Jaylen Curry 32, Carl Cherenfant 10, Lathan 7, Abaev 6, Edouard 6, Warren 4, Roland 2.

IMG Academy (Fla.) 67, The Rock School (Fla.) 58

TRS: Yeaney 8, R. Jones 6, D. Jones 8, Evan Sterck 21, Wright 5, Okehie 3, Massamba 7. IMG: Rooths 7, Hastings 1, Bryson Tucker 12, Hutchinson 6, Jamie Kaiser 11, Blue Cain 14, Amier Ali 16.

Friday’s Schedule

Oak Hill vs Providence Day, 9:10 am

Lexington vs River Bluff, 10:50 am

Greensboro Day vs AC Flora, 12:30 pm

Southern California Academy vs Hillcrest Prep, 2:10 pm

Columbus (Fla) vs Keenan, 3:50 pm

Calvary Christian vs The Rock School, 5:20 pm

IMG Academy vs Huntington Prep (National Bracket championship), 7 pm

John Marshall vs Wheeler (American Bracket championship), 8:40 pm