USC Recruiting

Where top hoops prospects PJ Hall, Myles Tate stand in recruiting going into state title game

Winning another championship, not recruiting, has been on the minds of P.J. Hall and Myles Tate lately.

The Dorman juniors and the state’s top two prospects for Class 2020 go for another Class 5A title Friday against Berkeley. The Cavaliers are looking to become the first boys’ team to go for three straight titles since Calhoun County (2006-09).

Both say they will focus more on their recruiting once the season ends and they begin their AAU season with Upward Stars. Hall and Tate hope to make their college choices by the start of their senior seasons.

Hall is ranked No. 67 by 247Sports and No. 68 by Rivals. He missed the first 10 games with an injury but has put together a solid season.

The 6-foot-9 forward is averaging 15.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks a game. In Saturday’s Upper State championship game, he had 11 rebounds and six blocks to go along with seven points.

South Carolina and Clemson definitely are in the mix and have been recruiting him the longest. He recently picked up an offer from Marquette to go along with ones from Florida, Tennessee, Pittsburgh and Kansas State among others.

“South Carolina and Clemson have been communicating a lot,” Hall said. “Their messages are basically come in, play a stretch four (position), play defense and someone to get the ball down low to.

“I definitely am looking for a school with a family environment and want to have coach that is strict, a father figure and someone is there to make us men and mold me into basketball player that I want to be.”

Tate, the team’s starting point guard during this title run, is ranked in 247Sports Top 150 for Class of 2019. He leads the Cavaliers in scoring (17 ppg), assists (5.4 apg) and steals (2.3).

Tate scored 20 points including 4-of-6 from 3-point range in Saturday’s semifinal win over Mauldin. The 6-foot point guard said he hears from the Gamecocks almost every week to go along with Virginia, Georgia and UNC Charlotte.

Tate said he definitely is looking at a team with a point-guard friendly offense.

“Want a school take me a priority and want to have a good education,” Tate said. “I want the best basketball program I could get into. I want to play fast paced and team that really trusts their point guard.”

Championship schedule

At Colonial Life Arena in Columbia

Admission is $12

TV: Games will be carried locally on WACH 57.2. Ridge View and Wilson’s game will be on WACH 57.

INTERNET: All games will be streamed on www.nfhsnetwork.com (subscription required)

RADIO: Andrew Jackson, Spring Valley and Ridge View games will be carried on 102.7 FM and online and the station’s app.

Friday

Class A Girls Championship

High Point Academy vs. Scott’s Branch, 3:30 p.m.

Class A Boys Championship

High Point Academy vs. Hemingway, 5 p.m.

Class 5A Girls Championship

Spring Valley vs. Goose Creek, 7 p.m.

Class 5A Boys Championship

Berkeley vs. Dorman, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday

Class 2A Girls Championship

Christ Church vs. Mullins, 10:30 a.m.

Class 2A Boys Championship

Gray Collegiate vs. Andrew Jackson, noon

Class 3A Girls Championship

Keenan vs. Bishop England, 2 p.m.

Class 3A Boys Championship

Keenan vs. Ridgeland-Hardeeville, 3:30 p.m.

Class 4A Girls Championship

North Augusta vs. South Pointe, 5:30 p.m.

Class 4A Boys Championship

Wilson vs. Ridge View, 7 p.m.

This story was originally published February 26, 2019 at 12:52 PM with the headline "Where top hoops prospects PJ Hall, Myles Tate stand in recruiting going into state title game."

Lou Bezjak
The State
Lou Bezjak is the High School Sports Prep Coordinator for The (Columbia) State and (Hilton Head) Island Packet. He previously worked at the Florence Morning News and had covered high school sports in South Carolina since 2002. Lou is a two-time South Carolina Sports Writer of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. Support my work with a digital subscription
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