Region 1-AA Preview – UNDERCLASSMEN

It will not be long before the 2021-22 high school girls basketball season tips off across the Palmetto State and we will have the entirety of the season covered from the opening games to when it is time to crown state champions. With the opening tip of the season around the corner, Prep Girls Hoops will be releasing in-depth region-by-region previews that spotlight important players in every region as well as our predictions on who will finish where in the standings. Last week, we unveiled our previews for the single-A regions. Now, it is time to move on to the double-A slate. Here is a look at what underclassmen to watch for in Region 1-AA. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="177515" first="Courtney" last="Baldwin"] – 2023 – Crescent HS</strong> – Baldwin gets lots of wins at Crescent. She too is a multi-sport athlete and in the same fashion as Johnson, softball is her second sport of choice. Baldwin claimed All-Region honors in both sports in 2018-19. Listed at 6-foot-2, she creates many a challenge for anyone looking to score on her in the low post as she is skilled at shot blocking. She creates many a challenge looking to defend her in said low post too as Baldwin is a consistent double-double threat. Baldwin also runs the floor very well and knows how to get out in transition. <strong>Aubrie Middleton – 2023 - Ninety Six HS</strong> – Middleton has proven herself to be at the top of the heap for Ninety Six – and this also rings true for multiple sports. She gives plenty of scoring help to the Wildcats and that is bolstered by her ability to drain the 3-point shot. Middleton also gives her team a plethora of production on defense with how she manages to collect steals along with her effective shot blocking capabilities. The second sport of choice for Middleton happens to be football as she dons a helmet and pads for Ninety Six as a kicker. <div> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="171796" first="Yasmene" last="Clark"] – 2023 - Christ Church Episcopal</strong><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>– Clark had a breakout freshman season two years ago. An injury put a damper on her 2020-21, but coach Janet Vicks will be more than pleased to see her back on the court donning Cavaliers colors. She is an effective rebounder on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor and that combined with her scoring makes her a consistent double-double threat on a game-by-game basis. Clark also is gifted on defense as both a shot blocker and can come up with a number of steals. She runs the floor very well, can get out in transition and will draw contact to put her at the line. </div> <div> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="242935" first="Jasmine" last="Ford"] – 2024 - Christ Church Episcopal</strong><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>– Jasmine gives new meaning to the phrase built Ford tough. One may see her name on the girls section of our Prep Soccer site as she has excelled on the pitch as much as she has on the hardwood. One will also see her on Prep Girls Hoops’ 2024 rankings in the top 80. Ford’s defense creates plenty of problems for teams on offense as she is gifted at stealing the ball. She gives a team plenty of hustle plays and is not afraid to dive for loose balls. Ford also bolsters the Cavaliers’ rebounding efforts. </div> <em><strong>Prep Girls Hoops predictions:</strong></em> Christ Church: The Lady Cavaliers have a lot of fire power to make a run this season. Crescent HS – Michelle Parnell will be in her second season in her second stint as coach. Abbeville HS – The Panthers are looking to build on last season’s winning ways. Ninety Six HS – The Wildcats graduated only one senior from last year’s team. Liberty HS – Two of the Red Devils’ three wins in 2020-21 were vs. Greenville Tech Charter. Greenville Tech Charter – The Warriors went winless last season.