Around the State: York County Seniors
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The Charlotte metropolitan area is known as one of the main hubs for the sport of basketball not only in the southeast but across the country. With as much high school girls talent as there is in York County, one…
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Continue ReadingThe Charlotte metropolitan area is known as one of the main hubs for the sport of basketball not only in the southeast but across the country. With as much high school girls talent as there is in York County, one can certainly see why.
Throughout these past several days and weeks, Prep Girls Hoops has utilized its county-by-county rankings throughout South Carolina to put a focus on the main talents that are in each area of the Palmetto State.
Up next are the two counties located just outside Charlotte. As one could expect, it is a high-population area that is loaded with stars. Here are those from the 2023 class.
If it is one thing head coach Kevin King and Legion Collegiate Academy are never short on it is talent. A perfect example is the Lancers’ star 5-foot-10 power forward who ran grassroots with SC Future. Burns mostly competes against North Carolina teams after the Lancers departed from SCHSL where they last competed as a 2A team during the 2020-21 season. She is a game-by-game double-double with the prowess she has made as a scorer and rebounder. Shot-blocking is another aspect of the game Burns does well. She has received offers from Agnes Scott, Averett and Newberry College – and recently committed to Newberry.
McCloud flies somewhat under the radar in an area where high school ballers receive plenty of attention. She also plays as the goalie for the Warriors soccer team. McCloud has no problems receiving passes on the perimeter and turning those into 3-point makes. She assumed team captaincy duties for Indian Land last season. McCloud is versatile where she can play productive minutes as either a two guard or a three forward and has a skillset that includes rebounding, ball distribution, shot blocking and coming away with steals. She comes from a sports family as her brother, Nick, plays cornerback for the Buffalo Bills.
Postel is a multi-sport athlete who also participates in track and field alongside her basketball work. She is coming off an AAU spring and summer where she ran grassroots alongside Lady Attack Elite – one of the more respected travel squads in the Carolinas. She combines her primary position of guard with the stature of many threes and fours at 5-foot-10. Postel puts emphasis on taking care of the ball, making effective passes and finding ways to score. Rebounding and shot blocking are also a couple of Postel’s strong suits. Postel played a major role in the Copperheads’ run to the 4A Upper State Finals.
The Stallions have found plenty of success under coach Stephanie Butler-Graham which included a berth in the 4A championship game in 2019-20. Bell has played both basketball and volleyball throughout her career at South Pointe and adds to the Stallions’ depth as she will have games where she comes off the bench. Bell is effective as a scorer and as a rebounder and adds a shot blocking element to her defensive repertoire. She provides a presence in the paint and also excels in the track and field realm with South Pointe. Another superb season from Bell will certainly ring bells across the Palmetto State as she steps into her final season in Stallions red and black.
Wright was part of the 2020-21 Eagles rendition where Clover bested Sumter at the USC-Aiken Convocation Center to win that season’s 5A state championship. Listed as a small forward, she is always aware at all times of where she is on the court. Wright stays active in games and that can turn into her getting teams to cough the rock up and taking advantage of those miscues. She not only puts points on the board but her rebounding can create second-chance opportunities for her team and limit those of an opponent. Wright will play her first season in 2022-23 under new Eagles coach Shakkia Walker.
Between what she does as a volleyball, basketball and soccer standout, it may be easier to ask which sports Grigg has not played. Grigg had a breakout season as a freshman for the Trojans and had her best statistical campaign for 4A Northwestern averaging 15.6 points and 4.3 steals per matchup. She runs the floor with efficiency – including in transition – and defensively comes through as a shot blocker. Grigg takes care of the ball and brings a fearless mentality every time she steps on the court. She can be accurate as a defender and dangerous on defense as a ball hawk.
This Starr will have one more season to shine bright at the Northwestern campus. Her bread and butter is what she does for the Trojans’ frontcourt. While the 6 foot veteran will typically do what she does best as a traditional big, she will at times play the four. Her high basketball IQ enables to be, on many occasions, ahead of where a play is. Her speed really comes into play in transition and she will reject many a shot close to the basket as a defender. Starr played in all 25 games last season for a Trojans team that finished 17-8 (5-3 in Region 4-5A).
To say that Drakeford had a busy summer on the basketball court would be an understatement. The Lancers participated in camps at Francis Marion and Newberry Collge not to mention the SCBCA camp in North Charleston. She stands at 5-foot-8 and plays primarily as a forward. Drakeford managed to earn playing time in 15 of Legion Collegiate’s matchups last season. She ran on the grassroots circuit this spring and summer with Carolina Fire – based out of Union County in the Hoop State. Lancers fans have to be excited for what is in store for her in her final season with Legion.
Typically when we hear about Legion Collegiate Academy, it involves players who transferred to the Lancers. Anderson went in the opposite direction – transferring from Legion and to the 4A Cougars. She approaches every matchup she plays in with a fearless mentality and is not afraid to draw contact that can place her at the free throw line. Anderson is as every bit a smart player as she is a skilled player who can see an opponent’s offensive play before it happens and react accordingly to create an extra possession for her team. In addition she is a gifted ball handler who will attack the rim with a high degree of speed and quickness.
Joseph managed to obtain more playing time in more games this past season for the Lancers than she did in 2020-21 when she was a sophomore. Joseph also shines on the softball diamond in addition to what she gets accomplished at Legion’s basketball venue. She is listed at 5-foot-8 and primarily plays as a forward in the frontcourt. Joseph will bring a plethora of experience to a Legion Collegiate team that will be veteran-heavy this upcoming season. Talents such as Joseph have put a program such as the Lancers on the map even though the school has only been in existence since 2019.