Region 4-AA Preview

Before we know it, it will be time to tip off the 2021-22 high school basketball season in South Carolina and it is sure to be nothing short of competitive. As we get closer to said tip off, we at Prep Girls Hoops will be releasing in-depth previews of every region in the state, highlighting the teams and players that fans need to keep their eyes on as the season progresses. Last week, we released our single-A previews. As we now look at how the double-A field should play out, here is a look at 2022s and 2023s in Region 4-A. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-300939" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/06/B152D57C-C751-4E92-8788-279F11FB89BC.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="251273" first="Avery" last="Plyler"] – 2022 – Buford HS</strong> – Plyler is coming off a junior season where she not only averaged 13 points and nearly eight rebounds a contest. She also was named MVP of the Buford team in addition to first team All-Region honors. Listed as a power forward, she can display versatility as she also has a knack for playing as a wing. She has worked a lot with her shooting as well. Plyer is a multi-sport athlete as she also competes in volleyball and soccer with the Yellow Jackets. Susan Scott’s Yellow Jackets are going into this season with high expectations after going 12-4 last season and advancing to the semifinals of the 2A Lower State playoffs. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-300782" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/06/D838C8CA-A077-43BD-BE2C-20A398F22337.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="241663" first="Raeleigh" last="Rivers"] – 2023 – Chesterfield</strong> <strong>HS</strong> – The Golden Rams’ offense flows and runs through [player_tooltip player_id="241663" first="Raeleigh" last="Rivers"]. Chesterfield’s 2020-21 season got off to a fast start before running into problems with Legion Collegiate late. Rivers and her Chesterfield team hopes to correct that and correct that they may on the back of how proficient Rivers is from 3-point range. Shooters from deep can make things tough for defenses especially when they have a toughness mindset, as Rivers does, and the ability to weave through defenders en route to the basket, as Rivers does. She averaged more than 18 points per game last season for the Golden Rams. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="252525" first="Kierra" last="Diggs"] – 2024 – Chesterfield HS</strong> – Golden Rams fans can dig what Diggs has brought to Chesterfield. The big two of her and Rivers posed quite the challenge for opposing teams last season and it is sure to be the case this year as well. While Diggs is listed as a small forward/power forward, she displays her versatility by heading out to the perimeter and draining 3-pointers as if she were a one or a two. She will also get somewhat nifty with how she finishes around the rim. Diggs possesses a midrange shot as well and exudes her confidence with how she will call for the ball. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="175322" first="Tamia" last="Watkins"] – 2025 – Andrew Jackson HS</strong> – Watkins has been a fixture for coach Laura Beth Taylor’s Volunteers ever since she was a seventh grader two seasons ago. While officially a freshman, she has established the experience of an upperclassman. A left-handed four who is listed at 6-foot-1, she provides quite the presence in the low post with how she finishes around the rim. Watkins has no issues getting out on the perimeter as well in addition to how she manages to corral rebounds on either offense or defense. The Volunteers finished the 2020-21 season having gone undefeated in region play. <em><strong>Prep Girls Hoops predictions:</strong></em> Chesterfield HS – The Golden Rams may have won the region last season if not for a late slump. Buford HS – There is no shame in getting bounced out of last season’s 2A playoffs by eventual runner-up Silver Bluff. Andrew Jackson HS – With the graduation of [player_tooltip player_id="172489" first="Oksana" last="Lathan"], freshman [player_tooltip player_id="175322" first="Tamia" last="Watkins"] becomes the focal point for the Volunteers. York Prep – Who will fill the shoes left by the graduation of [player_tooltip player_id="215934" first="Taylor" last="Southall"] (17.6 points per game)? North Central HS – The Knights have not had a winning season since 2006. Cheraw HS - The lone road victory the Braves had last season was vs. Central. Central HS – Five of the Eagles’ defeats last season were single-digit losses.