Region 1-AAA Preview

Before we know it, it will be time to tip off the 2021-22 high school basketball season across the Palmetto State – and we at Prep Girls Hoops will have fans covered from the first games all the way to this season’s state championships. Over the next few weeks, we will be releasing even more comprehensive previews of each region in the state, highlighting various teams as well as the important players to watch out for in every region. Our single-A and double-A previews have already been unveiled. Now, it is time to release our triple-A outlooks, beginning with Region 1-AAA. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="174563" first="Somarian" last="Webb"] – 2022 – Pendleton HS</strong> – Remember when Prep Girls Hoops wrote that Webb was one of our 2022 small forwards that need a bit more attention. She has proven that over the course of her career as she was named Co-Player of the Year for the Bulldogs last season. Webb has proven to be an important player for Pendleton and that is shown with how she can handle the ball as a backcourt stalwart. Webb proves her versatility as not only a small forward but via also playing minutes as a shooting guard. She has more than proven has potent a scorer she is with how accurately she can shoot the 3. Webb plays for FBC Carolina Elite on the travel circuit. <strong>Whitner Bobo - 2022 - Belton-Honea Path HS</strong> - Bobo and her Bear teammates didn't win a game last season. Bobo a 5'7 guard is looking to change that this season. Bobo averaged 10.6 ppg and 5.6 rebounds last season. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-271267" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/F805F102-E7AE-42A9-88AB-746ECF46CD27.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="124113" first="Riley" last="Stack"] – 2023 – Wren HS - Prep Girls Preseason Region Player of the Year</strong> – Stack was extremely active during the travel season this past offseason with SC76ers 17U Premier. It goes without saying that at 6-foot-5, she presents quite the challenge in terms of interior play. As skilled as she is at finishing around the rim, she will also knock down shots from behind the arc as well in addition to presenting a major task for would-be scorers on the defensive side. Her long wingspan serves as another asset to her game. She 16.3 points and 11.3 rebounds per game this past season for the Lady Hurricanes. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-278576" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/8728A695-7DC6-42DE-ABCA-4C4547A1122B-scaled-crop-1760x1156-1619563866-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="266064" first="Destiny" last="Hoover"] – 2023 – Daniel HS</strong> – One element of Hoover’s game that has stood out has been her aggressiveness as she will give her all on every single play. Another is how well she will connect in the midrange game. Hoover plays with a high basketball IQ and knows where she is at all times on the floor. She will make efficient passes and runs the floor well giving her an edge in the transition game. Hoover is a heads up player that can come up with clutch plays on defense and will attract her fair share of contact which will place her at the free throw line. She averaged almost eight points per contest this past season with the Lions. She has put in work with SC76ers on the travel circuit. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="265021" first="Makazia" last="Hunter"] – 2023 – West-Oak HS</strong> – Listed as a near 6-foot big, Hunter is coming off a season where she averaged a double-double with 10 points per game and over 10 rebounds per contest for the Warriors. As said stats suggest, she will get a team baskets and boards on either end of the floor. She is a lot to contend with on defense as she knows how to reject shots. Her stellar play this past season earned her All-Region honors. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-305801" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/07/44DC1E15-443E-407D-BA34-7C60E96E81A5.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="175308" first="Raina" last="McGowens"] – 2024 – Wren HS</strong> – The Lady Hurricanes won this region last season with a 13-4 mark as well as a 9-1 record in region play. A key element in Wren’s success last season had plenty to do with McGowens’ eye-opening freshman campaign. A fierce competitor, McGowens has proven to be an important element to the Hurricanes’ backcourt. She has no problems absorbing contact, getting to the line and hitting her free throws – including at important moments in a game. A major reason for that is how she manages to fearlessly attack the rim. She plays with the experience of an upperclassman as she has already played several seasons in varsity basketball. McGowens averaged 15.2 ppg and 5.4 rebounds last season. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-271863" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/C362B29D-1ED4-4A27-8F92-20D56F96861C.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="268139" first="Deyana" last="Hayes"] – 2024 – Wren HS</strong> – For the Hurricanes and coach Pam McGowens, expectations are high coming off last season where a berth to the playoffs was achieved and the graduation of only three seniors. Hayes will run the floor well and is adept in the rebounding game. She is one of those “right place at the right time” players we see so often throughout high school basketball. Hayes has an ability to make plays near the rim and the ability to drain shots from long range compliments what she can do near the basket. Hayes also participates in volleyball at Wren – as does teammate [player_tooltip player_id="124113" first="Riley" last="Stack"]. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-333040" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/09/BF47F899-71A5-43A2-B61B-22C1CB3ED44B.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="299564" first="Lexie" last="Ransom"] – 2024 – Seneca HS</strong> – Prep Girls Hoops saw Ransom at this year’s Top 250 Expo in Myrtle Beach. Ransom stands poised at all times and ready to make plays – particularly on the defensive side. As someone who also has partaken in track and field throughout her athletic career, one can expect a scouting report on Ransom to include her speed and how she uses that speed to slice and dice her way through defenders en route to the basket. Ransom knows how to drain shots from behind the arc as well. Along with track and field, she also plays softball at Seneca where her Bobcats won a 3A state championship. <strong><em>Prep Girls Hoops predictions:</em></strong> Wren HS – Expect a deeper postseason run this year for the Hurricanes. Stack and McGowens will key be a great DUO. Pendleton HS – Daryl Oliver will be in his first season as Bulldogs head coach. Daniel HS – A drop-off may be expected after the Lions graduated six seniors – including [player_tooltip player_id="177710" first="Sincere" last="Hicks"]. Seneca HS – This season’s Bobcats team should be improved from last season’s freshman-heavy rendition. Who will the need in the post with <strong>Adrianna</strong> <strong>Chaney</strong> transferring to Legacy Early College ? West-Oak HS – Improvement for the Warriors means improving from its 2-9 home mark in 2020-21. Belton-Honea Path – The Bears went winless in region play last season.