Best of the P-A-L-M-E-T-T-O State

A few months ago, I noticed articles on the PrepDigIndiana site where it highlighted players in the Hoosier State by simply spelling out the words I-N-D-I-A-N-A.   So, ever since then, I felt doing one for South Carolina would be a good idea … except “South Carolina” simply has way too many letters – shoutout to the PrepGirlsHoops sites for Texas, Iowa and Ohio for not having this problem.   So … instead of doing one based on “South Carolina,” why not one based on “Palmetto,” since it is the Palmetto State. And … eight letters beats the 13 our beloved state has.   Without further adieu, without regard to class, here are eight players, spelling out “Palmetto,” that have made waves in South Carolina’s robust girls hoops landscape.   [player_tooltip player_id="172178" first="Pe’ris" last="Smith"] – North Augusta High School – 2023 - P’eris protects the paint. She will also be an increasing focal point for the North Augusta offense going forward given two of its leading scorers from last season were both senior captains – meaning they graduated. Has plenty of height for someone at 6-foot-2 but can get all over the court and effectively uses her talents to her advantage as a rebounder and scorer. Smith was a major reason why the Yellowjackets were successful in its repeat bid to win a state championship and North Augusta looks to be a team to beat as Smith draws more attention as she advances her career.   [player_tooltip player_id="124089" first="Ashlyn" last="Watkins"] – Cardinal Newman High School – 2022 - Speaking of players of teams who won state championships last season … a previous PrepGirlsHoops piece described Watkins as a “walking double-double.” That she is. Last season for Cardinal Newman, she averaged over 16 points and more than 11 boards per contest. Not to mention in addition to her scoring and rebounding, she’s been known to slam a few home from time to time. (Side note … if a list such as this was compiled a few years ago, a certain Las Vegas Ace and Heathwood Hall alum would more than likely be on this list).   [player_tooltip player_id="124070" first="Laila" last="Acox"] – Ridge View High School – 2021 - That Las Vegas Ace and Heathwood Hall alum was shouted out by Acox when she participated a couple of years ago in the Jr. NBA Global Championship. It should not be much of a surprise why she would make the roster. Acox is another that has earned her fair share of double-doubles over the years as she averaged 14 points and 10 boards per game last season with Ridge View. Acox can get up and down the floor, can make shots from short-, mid-, or long-range and also is a force on defense. East Carolina, where she will play her college ball, will be very happy to have her in the fold.   [player_tooltip player_id="124104" first="Milaysia" last="Fulwiley"] – Keenan High School – 2021 – What more has to be said? Plenty will be written about this youngster the next few years as her career continues to ascend. She is 14th on the ESPN HoopGurlz 2023 rankings – and for good reason. When you drop 54 points in a single game (as she did last season against Indian Land) and already get offered by South Carolina, Clemson, Georgia and other schools, you are doing something right. Oh…and did we mention she’s only a sophomore now? Best of luck, Keenan opponents.   [player_tooltip player_id="175305" first="Erykah" last="Ladson"] – Legacy Early College – 2021- Ladson’s new location will be Legacy Early with the Lions. Prior to her making that move, she hooped for Hillcrest and proved herself as one of the team’s featured stars. Watch out for this guard when she’s behind the 3-point arc because she can drain them from deep. Legacy Early College, a school known for bringing in talent, is coming off a season where they went 19-7 and coach Jessica Auguste has to be excited about how Ladson intends to close out her preps career in Lions purple and gold as opposed to Rams red.   [player_tooltip player_id="124090" first="Talaysia" last="Cooper"] – East Clarendon High School – 2021 - South Carolina. Clemson. North Carolina. Kentucky. Louisville. What do all of these schools have in common? They are also Division I programs who have offered this standout Wolverine (and everyone knows about the Gamecocks and Cardinals’ high stature in women’s basketball circles). Cooper has already made a name for herself at the school as she reached the 2,000-point plateau after only her freshman season – and is already the most decorated girls basketball player in the school’s history. A multi-dimensional skillset that includes going from one end of the floor to the other with the ball, passing ability and a knack for making tough shots in traffic.   [player_tooltip player_id="124109" first="Tanaja" last="Kennedy"] – Cardinal Newman High School - 2023 – Cardinal Newman – and its coach Molly Moore - will be very happy with this list as two from the school are featured. They are definitely worthy being the Cardinals are now two-time defending SCISA state champions. And in that championship with Northwood Academy last season, Kennedy’s 20 points she tallied were the difference. Kennedy is gifted, though not only as a scorer but also as a ball distributor and also forces teams into turnovers. She averaged 13 points per game, five assists and three steals per contest last season.   [player_tooltip player_id="172489" first="Oksana" last="Lathan"] – Andrew Jackson High School – 2021 – When watching Lathan on the court in the orange Volunteers uniforms, she looks as if she should be playing for another group of noteworthy Volunteers (Lady Vols) in Tennessee. She was one of the Volunteers’ many notables on a team that finished with a 22-3 mark for the season in addition to going unbeaten in its respective region. Lathan also garnered all-region honors as did several for Andrew Jackson High. Centerpieces to her game include her athleticism, her versatility, her ability to get to the hoop and create high-percentage shots in addition to shooting prowess from mid- and long-range. If one notices that she brings an element of speed to the game, it translates to basketball well from another sport as she is part of the Andrew Jackson track and field team.