Region 2-AAAA Preview
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Temperatures are about to drop across South Carolina with it being the month of October going into November. That means that interest in high school girls basketball across the Palmetto State is about to increase with the season close to…
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Continue ReadingTemperatures are about to drop across South Carolina with it being the month of October going into November. That means that interest in high school girls basketball across the Palmetto State is about to increase with the season close to tipping off.
That is where we come in. Throughout the next several days and weeks, Prep Girls Hoops will offer in-depth, comprehensive previews of every regionacross the state. We are putting a spotlight on key players to keep an eye out for in those regions as well as offering our opinion on which teams we believe will finish where in the standings.
We are early in our Class 4A previews. We unveiled how we believe things will play out in Region 1-AAAA and now it is on to Region 2-AAAA.
Back in September, it was announced that Nash had received an offer to play collegiately at Columbia College. Nash also has participated in grassroots basketball with Upward Stars 3SSB 2023. She led the team to its most successful season, wins-wise, since 2015-16 as the Eagles earned a berth in the 4A playoffs. She stands at 5-foot-7 and thrives as a combo guard that provides a rebounding dimension to the team. Nash delivers all-out hustle and can put points on the board from virtually anywhere on the court. She also has zero problems with absorbing contact and will take her chances at the free throw line.
Highlights
With the Wade Hampton in the Hilton Head Island area on the verge of consolidating with Estill, the one that Giordano plays for in the Upstate will be the lone Wade Hampton HS remaining. In addition to basketball, she has also played volleyball while wearing Generals red and has also worn the colors of Lady Sixers throughout the AAU months. Defense, 3-point shooting, keeping herself out of foul trouble, efficient passing and a high basketball IQ are hallmarks of Giordano’s complete game. Wade Hampton will compete as a 4A team after several seasons of being part of the 5A ranks.
(*PGH Preseason Player of the Year*)rnIf teams are going to earn victories over the Generals, keeping this multi-talented veteran star has to be tops on any coach’s list. She has also participated in volleyball throughout her athletic career in addition to her AAU exploits with SC Lady Sixers 17U. She is a versatile combo guard who may be listed as a small forward but can easily be mistaken for a one or two with her ball handling capabilities. Abercrombie has a lot of scoring prowess with a mid-range jumper and plays primarily at an up-tempo pace. She understands how to get to the rim through a sea defenders and can take a game over as a bucket-getter.
This Lewis is more than ready to embark on her junior season and to veteran status within Palmetto State basketball circles. Lewis also excels as a volleyball player for the Yellow Jackets. She maintains a high level of activity and energy at all times on the court. Her transition play and speed are among the many attributes Lewis brings to a team. The same can be said for her lockdown defense and her ability to make opposing ball carriers turnover prone. She stands as a 5-foot-9 small forward who can turn offensive rebounds into two-point putbacks and is constantly in the vicinity of the ball.
And it is fitting that a Clark (Lamelle) compliments a Lewis. Prep Girls Hoops saw Clark-Lamelle earlier during the offseason at a camp hosted by coach Alaura Sharp at Presbyterian back in June. She has also participated in her grassroots basketball with Lady Royals 16U. Clark-Lamelle may be only 5-foot-2 but one can catch one glimpse of her on the court and immediately think floor general. She maintains a high level of activity on the court and can throw many a defense for a loop. She regularly will set up her team in halfcourt offensive sets and possesses rim attacking capabilities. A 3-point shot is another element to her offensive game.
The Generals have proven that they have star players on their roster regardless of class. Brewer stands at 5-foot-11 and has displayed an ability to play productive minutes as either a four or a five in the frontcourt. Her grassroots career has included a stint with SC Lady Sixers. Connecting on midrange jumpers is one element of her offensive game in addition to ball handling skills. Brewer also has no issues with playing the game on contact and getting to the free throw line. Wade Hampton qualified for last season’s 5A tournament and will look to make noise this season in the 4A realm.
Prep Girls Hoops also got a glimpse of Moody earlier during the long offseason at the same Presbyterian Blue Hose camp back in June. When she puts her speed to full use, she can be difficult for opposing defenses to contain. Moody manages to use together nifty footwork along with ball handling which enable her to get to the basket even against a sea of opposing defenders. She maintains a high level of activity with her hands as a defender, can shoot the 3-point shot well and puts herself in position to bring in rebounds. Along with basketball, she adds track and field work to her athletic resume.
The 2022-23 season will be the third that the Raiders have competed in the 4A ranks. Prior to that, Laurens was classified as a 5A school. Young put together a breakout freshman season at Laurens and appears poised to expand on that in the coming months. She proves herself defensively as an asset with her shot blocking ability and her scoring combined with rebounding showcase that she is a double-double possibility on a game-by-game basis. Young will log productive minutes in the frontcourt as either a traditional big or as a power forward. She averaged 8.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in the 19 games she played in with the Raiders.
When thinking about teams that personify the concept of “team of the future,” the Warriors have to be one of those teams. Trickett and her Riverside squad will be a 4A participant this season after being in the 5A ranks since 2016-17. Her AAU career includes running with SC Prime during the club months. She plays at the four while being listed at 5-foot-8 and operates much of the time with her back to the basket. She also is unafraid to absorb contact that can place her at the free throw line. Trickett exerts plenty of hard work necessary to be a playmaker and is willing to get physical in the interior.
Haroski has to be considered the centerpiece of the youth movement coach Jenny Taylor is witnessing with her own two eyes with the now 4A Warriors. She was on of the top 2026s that were on hand at the recently completed Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Expo at the John T. Rhodes Sports Center in Myrtle Beach. Haroski welcomes contact that can place her at the free throw line and can make plenty of plays as a transition runner. Included in her offensive skillset is the ability to knock down shots from behind the 3-point line. She plays primarily at the two. Haroski led Riverside to double-digit wins for the first time since 2011-12.
Highlights
Buff’s time on the grassroots circuit has included stints with both FBC Future Queens and SC Lady Sixers. One can see when she is on the court that she plays with the skillset and high basketball IQ of many veterans despite being young. Buff’s offensive skillset includes being able to knock down shots from midrange as well as long range. She brings a fearless attitude to every game she participates in and is more than willing to absorb contact to place her at the free throw line. She understands as well how to get past defenders en route to the basket.
Highlights
Prep Girls Hoops predictions:
Greer – The Yellow Jackets only dropped one game in its region last season.
Wade Hampton – Abercrombie looks poised to continue her ascent up South Carolina’s high school hoops ranks.
Riverside – Last season had to be considered a successful one by recent Warriors standards.
Eastside – One wonders where the Eagles would have finished in the standings if not for the four-game losing streak they closed last season on.
Laurens – Two of the Raiders’ six victories from last season came at the expense of Greenwood.