Region 1-AAAAA – SENIORS #RecruitThePalmettoState

The month of November typically means a number of things – and one of those it typically signifies is the start of the high school basketball season across South Carolina. Throughout the last several weeks, Prep Girls Hoops has released comprehensive region-by-region previews, highlighting each team in every region as well as key players to keep an eye out for as the season progresses. We previously released our A, AA, AAA and AAAA region previews. Now, we are moving on to the AAAAA region with a look at seniors in Region 1-AAAAA. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="187987" first="Jakaiya" last="Mack"] – 2022 – JL Mann HS</strong> – The phrase “Mack attack to the rack” is probably one that gets used often in Patriots basketball circles. Mack definitely brings that element of her game to a team’s offense in addition to being effective in the transition game. Prep Girls Hoops noticed her when JL Mann took part at the SCBCA Summer Showcase earlier this year in North Augusta. She displays a great deal of confidence and versatility. She can set up her team well in the half court offense and also is gifted in the transition game. Mack is a stalwart on defense and has plenty of court awareness. Jakaiya signed this week with Winston Salem State University (NC) (NCAA D2). <strong>Mack is the Prep Girls Hoops Preseason Player of the Year. </strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-304210" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/07/22BD1ACC-EE57-4DC7-99D4-0803AB76F75D-scaled-crop-1920x1261-1625219899-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="264985" first="Zakiyah" last="Moss"] – 2022 – JL Mann HS</strong> – Patriots fans will definitely miss not only Mack but Moss too once they graduate following this season. She too was also at the SCBCA Summer Showcase that took place at North Augusta’s Riverview Park. Moss is transferring from one region program in Hillcrest to another in JL Mann. She can make plays around the rim and can be agile with the ball in her hands. Moss makes it look easy with how she changes directions with the ball in her hands. Her offensive arsenal also includes a long-range shot and getting to the free throw line. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-332587" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/09/47-Mazari-Bennett-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="194857" first="Mazari" last="Bennett"] – 2022 – Woodmont HS</strong> – The Wildcats are fresh off a 2020-21 season that saw the team post a 14-5 record along with finishing 6-2 in region play prior to a first-round playoff exit. Bennett, in her senior season, is determined to ensure a deeper playoff run is on tap for the Wildcats. She excels on the defensive end and has a knack for getting her teammates involved in the flow of a game. She can set screens and also display accuracy from shooting from long range. Bennett averaged 10.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists last season for Woodmont. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="264984" first="Janaria" last="Lewis"] – 2022 – Woodmont HS</strong> – Lewis may not be playing for JL Mann, but Woodmont has itself a good one in JL, man. Lewis provides an interior presence as she strengthens the Wildcats’ frontcourt efforts. She will put points on the board in addition to grabbing a good number of rebounds. That paint presence can also be felt on the defensive side as she can come up with steals and intercept passes. Lewis displays her versatility with her ability to play perimeter defense in addition to how well she runs the floor and makes things happen in the transition game. <em><strong>Prep Girls Hoops predictions:</strong></em> JL Mann HS – The Patriots are returning most of their team from last season. Woodmont HS – Coach James Towe has a record of 58-16 during his time at the helm for the Wildcats. Hillcrest HS – If the Rams can improve from its 3-4 road mark from last season, look out. TL Hanna HS – Last season was the first that coach Glenn Elrod had a losing record while Yellow Jackets coach. Mauldin HS – Seven seniors graduated from the 2020-21 rendition of the Mavericks.