Region 1-AAAA Preview

After the long wait through the offseason and travel campaign, it will soon be time to tip off the 2021-22 high school girls basketball season across South Carolina. In the last several weeks, Prep Girls Hoops has released – and will continue to release – in-depth region-by-region previews, breaking down the teams and players fans need to keep an eye out for as we gear up for what should be an exciting next few months. We have released our single-A, double-A and triple-A previews. Without further adieu, it is time to focus our attention on the AAAA regions, starting with Region 1-AAAA. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-260465" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/03/D1A47A7B-48E6-450C-AB61-965B17CDB335.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="124094" first="Destiny" last="Middleton"] – 2022 – Westside HS</strong> – Middleton is at the top of her game – and that is surely to be the case as she transitions into her senior season. Prep Girls Hoops remembers seeing Middleton at the SCBCA Summer Showcase and, of course, before that, at the 4A state title game where she poured on 17 points with 10 rebounds in a winning Rams effort. She runs the floor extremely well and very quick. Middleton provides plenty of energy, plenty of rebounding and the ability to drain baskets from anywhere on the floor. She does plenty of the little things well too – including perimeter defense and being true on her free throw tries. <strong>Middleton recently committed to Lander University for next season and was also named the Prep Girls Hoops Preseason Region Player of the Year. </strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="253666" first="Aziyah" last="Bell"] – 2022 – Westside HS</strong> – Coach Jackie Roberts’ Rams are going to be seen as a potential threat to repeat as 4A state champions. Bell is an integral piece to that fearsome defense Roberts coaches with the Rams as she is a game-by-game threat to rack up the steals. Bell stays very active on the court with an ability to make shots from long range, drive to the basket, run the floor in the transition game and make efficient passes to her teammates. Bell also knows how to corral her own rebounds if necessary in case she misses a shot. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="264983" first="Reagan" last="Horn"] – 2023 – Easley HS</strong> – The Green Wave claimed its first winning season since 2006-07 this past year – and talents such as Horn prove to be reasons why. Horn puts plenty of emphasis on her ball handling skills and sets herself in position to knock down a great deal of 3-point attempts. Complimenting her long range shot is how well she can perform as a mid range shooter as well. Horn obviously possesses plenty of confidence in her ability to drain a number of treys. She will also get out in the transition game and turn those into high percentage shots. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="268140" first="Ahri" last="Scott"] – 2024 – Westside HS</strong> – Even after Middleton and Bell graduate after this season, the Rams will remain in good hands with Scott donning Westside’s gray and burgundy colors for the next three seasons. Scott knows how to set herself up perfectly to receive passes and give her team open looks from behind the 3-point line. Scott can establish an offense in the half court game and will slice and dice her way through defenders en route to the cup. She will be in scenarios where an opposing team is playing iso defense on her, then run right past said defender to either get to the rim or dish the rock out to a teammate. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-299598" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/06/555FA67D-26A5-4141-B321-DD3985C78BBA.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="175339" first="Olivia" last="Randolph"] – 2024 – Westside HS</strong> – Another one of coach Jackie Roberts’ players that was so integral in the Lady Rams capturing its first championship since 1992, Randolph brings a lot to Westside and then some. At over six feet, Randolph certainly helps the Rams’ frontcourt attack. She puts herself in position to get open and receive passes and will also drain shots from long range. As effective as she is as a shot blocker, scoring on her near the rim is anything but an easy task. Randolph is versatile as she can make plays in the open floor and also get out in transition. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="258130" first="Ava" last="Harrington-Owens"] – 2026 – Pickens HS</strong> – Given that she is part of the 2026 class, basketball fans across the Palmetto State will have more than enough time to take note of this rising star. She will put plenty of points on the board and also stifles opponents with her defense and the number of steals she will compile. The 5-foot-7 point guard will also grab plenty of rebounds, showcasing her talent, athleticism and versatility. Harrington-Owens averaged 11.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.8 steals last season for the Blue Flame and was one of three players on the Pickens roster (Gage Anthony, 2021 and Maggie Chambers, 2023) to come away with All-Region honors. <em><strong>Prep Girls Hoops predictions:</strong></em> Westside HS – The Lady Rams only graduated one senior from last year’s team, chances of a repeat 4A state title effort are high. Travelers Rest HS – The Devildogs were one game shy of advancing to the 4A state championship game in 2020-21. Easley HS – If the Green Wave can improve from its 3-5 region mark last year, a playoff berth could be in the plans. Walhalla HS – Coach Byron Wimphrie is in his second season with the Lady Razorbacks. Pickens HS – The Blue Flame is in search of its first winning season since 2010-11.