Region 4-AAAAA Preview
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The last time competitive hoops at the 5A level was played across South Carolina, we were witnessing Rock Hill make history by defeating Summerville to claim the first-ever state championship for the Bearcats girls basketball program. It has occurred that…
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Continue ReadingThe last time competitive hoops at the 5A level was played across South Carolina, we were witnessing Rock Hill make history by defeating Summerville to claim the first-ever state championship for the Bearcats girls basketball program.
It has occurred that competitive hoops of all classes have returned to the Palmetto State. That is where we come in. Throughout the last several days and weeks, Prep Girls Hoops has provided in-depth, comprehensive season previews of every region in the state. We have highlighted key players to watch in addition to giving our opinion on which teams will finish where in the standings.
Our next preview comprises Region 4-AAAAA which consists of Midlands teams mostly from Lexington County.
(*PGH Preseason Player of the Year*)rnGarner was a name that became very familiar to Prep Girls Hoops these past few months. She ran on the grassroots circuit with North Carolina-based ABC Lightning and also announced that she would be committing to the University of West Georgia. Garner’s scoring and rebounding capabilities make her one defenses have to game plan against and it is why she should have a seamless transition to the college ranks. Garner also made her presence known on the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit at the Music City Showdown in Franklin, Tennessee as part of the Triumph Region. Last season’s Wildcats rendition was defined by its deep 5A playoff run.
Prep Girls Hoops also got a noteworthy glimpse of Offing at a signature event. That event being a team camp hosted by Dawn Staley and the University of South Carolina. Offing has an offer under her belt – one from Brevard College that she received in August. She is also a two-sport athlete that flourishes as a soccer player alongside hoops. While Offing may typically be placed at one of the forward positions on the floor, she can display impressive handles as if she were a one or a two. As gifted a rebounder and scorer as she is, Offing is a double-double threat on a game-by-game basis.
Yanity also played a key role in the Wildcats’ run in the 5A tournament last season – and she too has announced a commitment. She recently announced that she will take her talents to nearby Newberry College. Defensively, she stays active with her hands and is willing to absorb contact that can put her at the free throw line. Another of Yanity’s many strengths is attacking the rim and she has also shown a lot of prowess as a long range shooter. Yanity will also take full advantage in case an opposing ball carrier commits a miscue around her as she will translate that into an extra Lexington possession.
Highlights
Tucker competed in 19 games last season for a River Bluff team that qualified for last season’s 5A tournament. Tucker averaged 10.9, 3.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the Gators in 2021-22. She is a 5-foot-7 combo guard who will definitely make her presence felt at any time she is on the court – on both offense and defense. Improvement in statistical categories has been a notable aspect of her positive overall development. Tucker will also help her team’s rebounding efforts and her work on defense can get opposing ball carriers into uncomfortable situations where they become prone to turning the ball over.
Anderson adds to the depth the Silver Foxes present in the frontcourt as she stands as a power forward at 5-foot-10. She is a dual-sport athlete who has also taken part in track and field events throughout her career – including the shot put. Anderson will look to find spacing in the low post and can keep defenses guessing as they are unsure if she will attempt to drain a shot from midrange. She sets herself up well to receive passes near the basket and does the rest in the paint. If an opposing ball handler makes a miscue near her, Anderson’s heads-up mentality will enable her to turn that mistake into that team’s turnover and one more possession for Dutch Fork.
Coach Candice Cobb is returning for her third season at the helm at River Bluff – and she has to be thrilled that another of her bigs will be back in gold and forest green colors one more time. A number of seniors graduated from last season’s team, meaning Fletcher will have more opportunities to log more minutes. At an even six feet, she can put forth a great deal of work as a five. Fletcher has been in the throes of postseason runs during her years with the Gators and with her returning for her senior season, one would think 2022-23 would be no different.
Henderson previously played at White Knoll in the central portion of Lexington County before arriving on the scene at River Bluff. She has also participated on the AAU circuit with Upward Stars 3SSB. Henderson brings a fearless attitude to every game she plays and one way she displays this is her willingness to shoot the ball over taller defenders. She knows how to translate defense to offense along with being able to set up a halfcourt offense for her team. She is listed at 5-foot-6 and is a combo guard. Henderson can take and make her attempts from 3-point range and showcases her superb ball handling skills. Hauling in rebounds and heading out to the perimeter to play defense are two other key aspects to her game.
Outside of Dutch Fork silver and green, one color that Cheeseboro has worn throughout her preps career has been red – specifically the red of Palmetto 76ers Select 2023. She plays up a year in class with the AAU team and competed in 25 games last season for the Silver Foxes. She puts plenty of emphasis on taking care of the ball and limiting turnovers in addition to being able to combine ball handling skills with speed and agility. She is efficient as a 3-point shooter but will also find her way past defenders to finish at the cup. Her defensive footwork can make things difficult for many an opposing ball handler.
When one begins wearing a high school team’s colors as a seventh grader, that is a strong indication of a name on the rise. That was the case with Jackson and she has flourished ever since. Jackson previously ran on the AAU circuit during the spring and summer months with SC Future. She brings a notable height advantage to Dutch Fork as a 5-foot-10 four forward. Jackson has put plenty of emphasis on footwork and she moves around the court with lots of efficiency. Jackson brings athleticism every time her sneakers make contact with the hardwood in addition to overall athleticism. She will also help out her team’s offense by setting screens.
Misick-Rivas first earned her blue and gold Wildcats colors when she was an eighth grader and she is poised to be a key player in the team’s future the following three seasons. She has travel experience with Lexington Hoopsters. Misick-Rivas is unafraid to draw contact and give a team opportunities at the free throw line. She runs the floor with a great deal of efficiency and gets regularly in the right places at the right times in the paint. Whether it is as a starter or off the bench, Misick-Rivas will give her team serviceable minutes. She played in 20 games last season and has the added benefit of having senior Lindsay Garner Lindsay Garner 6’2″ | C Lexington | 2023 State SC as a mentor.
The Timberwolves may have found their replacement the next four years for Karlee Phelps Karlee Phelps 6’2″ | C Gray Collegiate | 2025 State SC who now is at Gray Collegiate. Anderson stands as a 6-foot-2 who also has experience in the travel realm with Infinite Dreams (IDreams). She may only be entering her freshman season in 2022-23, but she is already on the radars of many a basketball onlooker in the Carolinas and one can take to the bank that it will be the case even more as her hoops career continues to bloom. The Timberwolves could be poised for a bright future with this highly skilled five as part of its nucleus in the coming seasons.
One can certainly adorn the tail end of this preview in the blue and gold Lexington colors. Parks has been affected by the injury bug but she is not allowing that to have a negative effect on what can be a stellar career at the high school level. She has also participated in AAU basketball with Palmetto 76ers 2026 during the spring and summer months. As someone who plays the two while standing at 5-foot-6, she emphasizes limiting turnovers and being a skilled ball handler. In addition to her scoring prowess, she makes the correct passes that enable her teammates to stay involved in the flow of a game. Offensively, she can pull up from the midrange or attack the rim. Parks has previous junior varsity experience with the Wildcats.
Last but not least is Lily. Sundell as well is a two-sport athlete who thrives as a lacrosse player alongside her basketball play. She will make the correct passes to her teammates and brings a fearless attitude to every game she plays. Taking care of the ball and limiting turnovers are key attributes Sundell places an emphasis on. Sundell will also box out inc case of an opponent’s missed free throw. A youth movement is clearly taking place with the Wildcats that will ensure the team remains in the statewide spotlight. Her AAU career has included a sting with Lexington Hoopsters.
Highlights
Prep Girls Hoops predictions:
Lexington – The Wildcats are primed and ready to run it back one more time in Garner and Yanity’s final season.
Dutch Fork – The Silver Foxes should be fine even after the transfer of Kaycee Hyman to SCISA 4A Hammond.
River Bluff – The Gators have competed as a Class 5A team since 2016-17.
Chapin – The Eagles got four of their five victories last season over White Knoll and 4A Brookland-Cayce.
White Knoll – The Timberwolves only win of last season came at the expense of Great Falls.