Region 8-AAA Preview
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The level of competition in high school girls basketball in South Carolina is very high – and that is ready to prove itself once again as the 2022-23 regular season will soon commence. That is where we come in. Over…
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Continue ReadingThe level of competition in high school girls basketball in South Carolina is very high – and that is ready to prove itself once again as the 2022-23 regular season will soon commence.
That is where we come in. Over the next several days and weeks, Prep Girls Hoops will provide in-depth and comprehensive previews of every region in the state. In those previews, we will shine a spotlight on the standout players in each region and give our opinion on where we think each team will finish.
We have released seven of our eight previews for Class 3A. Without further adieu, we conclude our look at said class with Region 8-AAA.
Mack will be entering the 2022-23 season off an AAU campaign that saw her compete with A’ja Wilson Elite 2023. She also holds two college offers – one from Spring Hill and another from North Greenville (a school known for luring many a Palmetto State standout). She has also ran track throughout her athletic career. She plays primarily the three and brings all-out hustle every time she takes to the court. Mack can bring down rebounds and leads vocally as well as by example whenever she is on the court. She averaged 10.9 points and 7.8rebounds in 18 games last season for the Iron Horses.
(*PGH Preseason Player of the Year*)rnLast season was a banner one for Rivers. In 19 contests, she averaged 17.2 points, 3.6 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game for Philip Simmons. She also reached the 1,000-point plateau for her career in addition to assuming team captaincy duties. Rivers has played at the varsity level since she was a seventh grader. Rivers is actually four points shy of 1,200. Rivers is an accurate 3-point shooter and compliments that with his ability to haul in rebounds. Those offensive boards can become two-point putbacks. Another element to her overall game is being unafraid of contact and getting to the free throw line.
The Iron Horses are moving up from Class 2A to Class 3A this season. Last season’s rendition finished with a 16-4 record, 8-2 in region play and an undefeated mark at home. And that was despite Kellerman suffering a season-ending injury. She is returning and ready to make up for lost time. When Kellerman is on the court, she is one of the more proficient 3-point shooters anywhere in the state. In addition to what she does on the basketball court, Kellerman also excels on the soccer pitch at Philip Simmons. Ball distribution, rebounding and her status as a ball hawk are other strong suits of her game.
Highlights
Need a win? Hit up Quinn. This can apply to the Eagles girls basketball team or their girls soccer team of which Wilson is a goalkeeper for. Beaufort is moving down from 4A to 3A in 2022-23. Points-wise, Wilson had the best season of the three she has had with the Eagles as she averaged 8.8 points per contest. She is willing to do what is necessary to ensure her team has more points than the opponent when the clock hits the triple zeroes. Along with leading by example, she also leads vocally. Even in the face of tough defenses, Wilson still finds ways to make plays.
Wilson’s Battery Creek team has been competing as a 3A school since 2016-17. Her banner 2021-22 included recording her first career triple-double in a Dolphins victory over Academic Magnet. She has also participated in track and field events throughout her career and has previously ran on the grassroots circuit with H2 Lowco 16U. She is a defensive stalwart and one element of her game is her ability to grab rebounds. Wilson can put crooked numbers on the board and is a consistent threat to steal the ball. She plays primarily at either one of the two guard spots on the floor. The Dolphins qualified last season for the 3A tournament.
Previously, Adams has ran on the grassroots circuit with Coastal Select. She has also worn the uniform of Charleston-based TMP. Adams is a frontcourt force for the Hawks who have been competing as a 3A team ever since 2012-13. She is a consistent point-getter and uses every bit of her 5-foot-10 stature to her advantage. Adams stays active even when she does not have the ball in her hands and uses her ability to find spacing to pull down many a rebound. She will also keep the ball high when she does bring down a board. Adams possesses excellent footwork in the post and can drain midrange jump shots.
Prep Girls Hoops predictions:
Philip Simmons – The eventual return of Kellerman has the Iron Horses poised to make noise in 3A play.
Battery Creek – The Dolphins had a losing record at home, but a winning mark on the record last season.
Beaufort – It is yet to be seen how the Eagles will adjust to playing against 3A opponents.
Hanahan – Four of the Hawks’ six victories came at the expense of Academic Magnet and North Charleston.
North Charleston – Both Cougars’ victories from last season came against Baptist Hill.