Around the State: Aiken County

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The journey around the Palmetto State stops in Aiken County next. Aiken County is located in the western part of the state along the Georgia State line. Plenty of talent this year will come out of this area. Let's look into the action right here. <strong><em>#RecruitThePalmettoState </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Schools in County: </strong></em>Aiken HS. Fox Creek HS, Midland Valley HS, North Augusta HS, Ridge Spring-Monetta HS, Silver Bluff HS, South Aiken HS and Wagener-Salley HS </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":582837,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/IMG_7926-crop-3142x2063-1673805335.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-582837" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aiken HS</strong> - The Fighting Green Hornets finished (15-11) a season ago. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='558729' first='Malasia' last='Jamison']</strong> 13.6 ppg and 10.2 rebounds and Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='253112' first='Norriyah' last='Bradley']</strong> will lead the way. Bradley recently played very well at the Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Expo. Norriyah averaged 13 ppg, 7.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.4 steals last season. Bradley keeps the ball on a string and really surveys the floor with his quick decision making and passing skills. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fox Creek HS</strong> - The Lady Predators had a long season last year finishing (2-18). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Midland Valley HS </strong>- The Lady Mustangs will have to rely on leadership from shooting guard <strong>Tekina Dixon</strong>. Midland Valley HS finished (7-17) a season ago. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":608345,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/03/IMG_7225-crop-2549x1674-1677832335.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-608345" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Augusta HS </strong>- Some teams never rebuild just reload. The Lady Yellow Jackets fresh off a Class 4A State Championship defeated Westwood HS last season 42-29 to claim the title. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='350281' first='Celena' last='Grant']</strong> the #1 player in the 2026 Palmetto State Class leads the way at 13 ppg and 8.8 rebounds. Freshmen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='444371' first='Ashley' last='Walker']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='577618' first='Kenedi' last='Wright']</strong> were major contributors a season ago. Walker averaged 6.7 ppg and 6.2 rebounds while Wright averaged 7.3 ppg. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732534' first='Montana' last='Jenkins']</strong> made the move over from across the Georgia State line to wear the Lady Yellow Jackets uniform this season. Can<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='304999' first='Messiah' last='Williams'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='305000' first='Madison' last='McCain']</strong> both step up this season and provide some solid post play for Head Coach Al Young</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ridge Spring-Monetta HS </strong>- YOUTH Movement is here for the Lady Trojans. A season ago RS-M finished (2-18) with an extremely young roster. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='766375' first='Taylah' last='Leaphart']</strong> averaged 8.6 ppg a season ago. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='766378' first='Kennedy' last='Ligons']</strong> is just an 8th grader for the Lady Trojans averaged 8.3 ppg and 6.1 rebounds from the guard spot a season ago. [player_tooltip player_id='766376' first='Bri' last='Hendley'] will roam the paint after averaging 7.3 pp a season ago. Can<strong> Joy Norris</strong> and<strong> Jaivell Taylor </strong>bring some production from the post area this season? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":759506,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/IMG_0666.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-759506" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Silver Bluff HS</strong> - The Lady Bulldogs finished (19-4) and lost to Keenan HS 60-46 in the 3rd round of the SCHSL State Playoffs. Head Coach Chasen Redd will rely on the senior trio of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='243448' first='Ahminah' last='Taylor']</strong>, forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587305' first='Krystal' last='Johnson'] </strong>and <strong>Makya Bing</strong> this season. Taylor a pesky point guard averaged 14.2 ppg last season while Johnson averaged 9.1 ppg and 6.2 rebounds. Johnson really had a breakout performance recently at the Prep Girls Top 250 Expo in North Charleston. Krystal really played both ends of the floor with her activity around the cup and willingness to finish. Bing averaged 5.5 ppg last season playing down in the post a season ago. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":366435,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/12/D887C38E-4402-4540-9393-BBB2909FC31A.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-366435" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Aiken HS </strong>- Head Coach Russell Felton and the Lady Thoroughbreds finished (4-17) a season ago. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='242928' first='Jakiah' last='McDuffie']</strong> returns from an ACL injury this season. Look for <strong>Semaj Faulkner</strong>, <strong>Lakota Fluharty</strong>, <strong>Kerstin</strong> <strong>Grant-Williams</strong> and <strong>Sumara Williams</strong> to help turn things around this season down on East Pine Log Road. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wagener Salley HS </strong>- The Lady War Eagles finished (8-11) a season ago. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->