Region 4-A Preview
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The countdown to the 2022-23 regular season across South Carolina is in its final days and it will not be long before the Palmetto State’s premier talents take to the court again in their respective high school colors. Throughout the…
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Continue ReadingThe countdown to the 2022-23 regular season across South Carolina is in its final days and it will not be long before the Palmetto State’s premier talents take to the court again in their respective high school colors.
Throughout the next several weeks, Prep Girls Hoops shall provide comprehensive region-by-region previews highlighting the spotlight players in each region and giving our predictions as far as who will finish where.
We unveiled our outlook for the first few regions for Class 1A. Now, we look at Region 4-1A which happens to feature last season’s 1A state runners-up.
The Vikings, who were that team that participated in last season’s 1A championship, will be returning a formidable team from last season – including a number of talented seniors. Wroten is a threat to gather steals and create extra Denmark-Olar possessions. She also has a knack for draining 3-pointers and converting on pinpoint passes to her teammates. Her activity she brings to the defensive end to the floor can affect an opposing team’s passing lanes and she is a potent rebounder as she displayed in the championship game. Wroten shared team captaincy duties last season and picked up an offer from Denmark Technical College.
Roberts is a textbook example of the phrase “diamond in the rough.” She plays somewhat off the grid in a less than heavily populated area of South Carolina but her team gets plenty of attention because of its statewide success. Roberts uses her 5-foot-8 frame to her advantage as she plays primarily at the three as someone who can haul in rebounds and put points on the board. She averaged 15.8 points, 12 rebounds and 6.4 steals per contest in 2021-22. With one more season remaining in Vikings blue and gold under coach Terence Jones, she is poised to conclude her high school career with an exclamation point.
Athletically, James has not only thrived as a basketball player, but also on the volleyball court as well. James has shown herself to be an accurate 3-point shooter and brings a heads-up attitude to every game she plays on both the offensive and defensive ends. Denmark-Olar fans remember that it was James who led the way in what was a 1A state championship game that saw the team attempt to out-defend Military Magnet. James primarily plays the two while standing at 5-foot-6 and scored six points with four rebounds and three steals in that game at the conclusion of last season.
2025s
(*PGH Preseason Player of the Year*)rnEven once those three seniors graduate from Denmark-Olar HS after this school year, the girls basketball program still has a rising star in Walker to build around. She also plays volleyball to go alongside her basketball success. Walker can throw a defense for a loop when she has the ball in her hand given she is a gifted rim attacker as well as a skilled jump shooter. Another one of her many skill is that to take care of the ball and limit turnovers. Ball distribution is another element to her game that she thrives with. Walker’s first season with the Vikings was her eighth grade year.
Highlights
Barnes is another standout on what is a stacked Denmark-Olar roster. On the grassroots circuit, she has previously worn the green uniform of SC Future. Barnes will garner serviceable minutes for the Vikings if she were to enter a game off the bench. She adds a shooting dynamic to Denmark-Olar’s offense and can consistently find herself at the right places at the right time. Barnes’ primary position is in the frontcourt as a three and she regularly comes through by making the correct passes to her teammates – particularly in the interior. She too first was part of the Vikings varsity team as an eighth grader.
Prep Girls Hoops predictions:
Denmark-Olar – As another top 1A program, their primary question will be how to beat Military Magnet.
Calhoun County – Filling the shoes of two graduated seniors in Shy’an Cokley and Angela Wright will be a tough task.
Ridge Spring-Monetta – The same applies to the Trojans with graduated senior Mikenzie Kinard – will someone fill her shoes?
North – Three of the Eagles’ four victories last season came at the expense of Hunter-Kinard-Tyler and Blackville-Hilda.
Williston-Elko – The Blue Devils managed to qualify for last season’s 1A playoffs and earned a first round victory.
Wagener-Salley – North was at the receiving end of two War Eagles victories last season.
Hunter-Kinard-Tyler – The Trojans have not had a winning season since 2010-11 when they went 18-1.