Region 5-AA Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The eyes and ears of the South Carolina sports fan are preparing to turn its attention back to its basketball courts – where we should be in for what will be another thrilling season of high school hoops across the Palmetto State.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Throughout the next several weeks, Prep Girls Hoops will release in-depth previews of every region in the state, highlighting the key players in said regions and giving our takes on where we think the standings will be at season's close.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After unveiling how we feel the first four regions in Class&nbsp;2A&nbsp;will play, next up on our list is Region&nbsp;5-AA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63577edc3523c","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["241663"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The Rams are remaining in Class u003cspan class=u0022ilu0022u003e2Au003c/spanu003e, but will be participating as a Region u003cspan class=u0022ilu0022u003e5u003c/spanu003e-AA school as opposed to Region 4-AA where they were last season. Rivers is part of the nucleus at Chesterfield and she is sure to ensure her high school career ends on a high note. She has also played volleyball during her athletic career. Rivers can put plenty of points on the board and compliments her scoring with her ability to haul in rebounds. She is versatile in the sense that she can play either as a two guard or a three forward. Rivers is also a threat to collect steals and block shots as a defender. Last season, she averaged 13.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.4 steals per game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6358168d6d225","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"McKenzie Sutton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Buford","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Sutton is advancing into upperclassman status and will unquestionably take on a leadership role in her swan song season. With the graduation of Avery Plyler, expect even more touches for Sutton. She can put points on the board from virtually anywhere on the floor – including in the midrange game and from behind the 3-point arc. Sutton will also absorb her fair share of contact which can place her at the free throw line. She bolsters a team's rebounding efforts and her defense can lead to many a turnover from an opposing ball carrier. Sutton led the Yellow Jackets to the 2A Upper State Semifinals last season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63577f083523d","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["252525"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003e(*PGH Preseason Player of the Year*)u003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003eu003cbru003eu003cbru003eDiggs is also a two-sport athlete who spends the spring months on the softball diamond once the hoops season has finished. Her first season with the Rams was her eighth grade season in 2019-20 and fans have had a front row seat to witness her development over the years. Diggs can play either of the forward positions as either a three or a four and has particularly shown prowess over the years as a rebounder. Defensively, she can make things uncomfortable for opposing ball carriers and the heads-up attitude she approaches the game with make her likely to up her steal totals.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635817536d226","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["487429"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eWorrell's athletic career has included showcasing her talents on the soccer pitch along with her basketball accomplishments. She played in 20 games last season for the Braves and averaged 8.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.9 steals at Cheraw. As those statistics indicate, she can put plenty of points on the board, can haul in her fair share off the glass and can come away with plenty of sports. Worrell can play at either the one or the two in the backcourt and is a skilled ball distributor. Cheraw will move from Region 4-AA to Region 5-AA for the upcoming season.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63577f373523e","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["395216"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":395227,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"McCall is part of what is still a robust, young core with the Volunteers given she took part in 26 of the 27 games Andrew Jackson played in 2021-22 en route to being u003cspan class=u0022ilu0022u003e2Au003c/spanu003e runners-up. She averaged 10.u003cspan class=u0022ilu0022u003e5u003c/spanu003e points, 3.4 steals and 3.1 rebounds last season. McCall stays busy athletically throughout the school year as she participates in volleyball during the fall months and softball during the spring semester. Scoring, ball distribution and defense are hallmarks of McCall's game and she displayed throughout her freshman campaign that she is filled with upside. She stands at u003cspan class=u0022ilu0022u003e5u003c/spanu003e-foot-2 and typically plays at the one.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63577f9c3523f","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["383418"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":396768,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Speaking of upside with the Volunteers, one cannot help but think about this rising star who spent her AAU months with Fairplay Select 14U. The bright lights of the state championship spotlight did not faze Asbelle as she scored 10 points and brought down four rebounds. She has displayed her status as a boost to the Volunteers as a ball handler in addition to scoring. Those ball handling skills are indicative of many guards and she exerts plenty of work as a rebounder. Asbelle averaged 10.u003cspan class=u0022ilu0022u003e5u003c/spanu003e points, u003cspan class=u0022ilu0022u003e5u003c/spanu003e.8 rebounds and 3.1 steals in the 24 matchups she participated in for the Volunteers.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63577fd035240","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["398714"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Myers is coming off an offseason and grassroots season where she participated in AAU basketball with Upward Stars Upstate 2023. Cheraw finished with a 7-13 record and u003cspan class=u0022ilu0022u003e5u003c/spanu003e-13 in conference. Last season, the Braves posted its highest win total since 2017-18 when the team won 15 games. The 2021-22 rendition of Cheraw had a good mix of both veterans and young talent, which provides a good situation for the talented Myers to continue to find her footing. She stands at u003cspan class=u0022ilu0022u003e5u003c/spanu003e-foot-11 and thrives primarily as a big. Myers will be a top name to watch in the coming seasons as her career continues to blossom.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6357e3b28f2fe","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["496215"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eThe many changes the Volunteers program encountered throughout the offseason should yield positive dividends for Alexander as she looks to be a signature element of the Andrew Jackson frontcourt in the coming seasons. Prep Girls Hoops caught a glimpse of her at the South Carolina Top 250 Expo in Myrtle Beach. Alexander can grab rebounds on either the offensive or defensive glass and goes all out every minute she is on the court. Her hustle can leave many an opposing team and coach searching for answers. She is part of what will continue to be a formidable young core with the Volunteers that will give plenty of teams problems.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Prep Girls Hoops predictions:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chesterfield</strong> – The Rams only dropped one matchup at home last season – and that was to Andrew Jackson.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Andrew Jackson</strong> – The Volunteers should still be just fine despite losing [player_tooltip player_id='175322' first='Tamia' last='Watkins'] to Camden.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Buford</strong> – The Yellowjackets made a deep run in the&nbsp;2A&nbsp;tournament last season before losing to Upper State finalist Landrum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cheraw</strong> – The three aforementioned teams were the ones with better conference records than the Braves last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>York Prep</strong> – Despite their overall record, the Patriots were 3-4 at home last season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Central</strong> – The Knights had the same identical home record as York Prep – 3-4.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Central</strong> – The Eagles' lone win last season came on the road at Lewisburg – a Class A team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->