2021: Charleston Area Frontcourt Frontrunners

In the primary area of the South Carolina Lowcountry, one would be very impressed with what one would see on the basketball court if they look at who is in the low post. &nbsp; When the 2020-21 girls basketball season occurs, it will be the swan song for many of the state’s noteworthy standouts as they transition into their careers and lives in college. And much of those talented athletes in the Charleston area can be seen on frontcourts of teams. &nbsp; Here are several from in and around Charleston that have aspirations of concluding their high school careers on a high note. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="172049" first="Tranell" last="Mitchell-Smalls"] – 5’11” – 2021 – F – North Charleston High School</strong> – Mitchell-Smalls presents an impact and presence on the court for the Cougars that is anything but small. In addition to her ability to adeptly move around the court, she also makes things difficult for opponents on the defensive end with her ability to challenge shots. Mitchell-Smalls averaged nearly four blocks per contest last year and played a key role in the Cougars’ path to the 2A state championship in 2019-20. Add that to someone who can get rebounds (11 per game on average last year) and score and one has a kid that does everything a coach is looking for out of a four or five. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="175295" first="Vanessa" last="Blake"] - 6’2" - 2021 - PF - Ashley Ridge High School - </strong>As both a basketball and volleyball player for the Swamp Foxes, Blake has become very familiar with the indoor court at Ashley Ridge. Her playing time took a significant jump forward from her freshman season into her sophomore year and Blake has not looked back since. She has ability to make tough shots while up against defenders, can draw contact to put her at the free-throw line and can also drain shots from midrange. She was a co-captain with her sister Amanda and averaged nearly a double-double for last season en route to a 17-12 record in addition to a postseason berth that saw the Swamp Foxes advance to the second round of the 5A playoffs. &nbsp; <strong>Nay Nay Brunell – 5’7” – 2021 – F/W– Stall High School</strong> – A true blue standout for a team with two shades of blue in its insignia. Brunell competed in 17 games for the Warriors last season – and did the most she could with the opportunities she was given. Brunell went for nearly 11 points per contest in addition to just over six rebounds. As is the case with many players, improvement and experience can go hand in hand. It has certainly applied as Brunell’s career has progressed from being a freshman into the upperclassman she will be for Stall in 2020-21. Coach Donta’ Brown and the Warriors should expect big things from Brunell when the season starts this Fall. &nbsp; <strong>Ashleigh Goings – 5’10” – 2021 – C – Fort Dorchester High School</strong> – Ashleigh’s career has been going places and the Patriots will continue to be going places as long as its No. 14 continues her stellar play. Goings was one of two players for Javon Gilliard’s Fort Dorchester team that earned all-region honors. She is another that not only gets it done on the offensive end, but also on defense as well. Her shot-blocking ability was on full display in several games last season – including in a game against Stall in late January when she dealt out seven rejections to the Warriors. Goings also tallied 16 points and hauled in 16 rebounds that game. Goings is half of what will be an extremely formidable 1-2 combo Fort Dorchester will field this upcoming season. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="175321" first="Aujea" last="Bowman"] – 5’8” – 2021 – SG/SF/PF – Fort Dorchester High School</strong> – And she is the other half of that formidable 1-2 combo for the Patriots. Bowman, as one can guess, was the other from Fort Dorchester that came from the 2019-20 garnering all-region honors, but she also had all-state accolades as well. Listed as both a guard and forward, her play is indicative of versatility that enables her to play either position. She finished last year scoring nearly 20 points per game and bringing in over 13 boards (and also reached a milestone by arriving at the 1,000-point plateau for her career). Bowman puts her athletic skills on display not only on the basketball court, but also on the softball diamond as well. The sting of missing out on an at-large playoff berth will be a catalyst for the Patriots as coach Gilliard will enter his second season at the helm with a team well-motivated.