Next Woman Up: Great 2028s from Across the State (Pt. 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023-24 regular season across the Palmetto State is reaching its crescendo and the tidal wave that is playoff fever will soon sweep South Carolina from mid-February until early March.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As is the case every season, one of the stories to follow pertains to standouts that make an impact for their respective teams prior to when they become freshmen. Throughout the season, we at Prep Girls Hoops had a chance to see several of those eighth graders that displayed they belonged on the court against more experienced competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who were some of those eighth graders? Without further adieu, here are a few of those 2028s that fans will want to keep an eye on over the next few seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["429828"],"_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":"Lucas is already one of the eighth graders with a higher statewide profile than most given she plays for one of the premier 4A teams in the state in South Pointe. She followed up a stellar campaign as a seventh grader with another this season for the Stallions who have once again approached the 20-win plateau this season. Lucas is difficult for defenses to keep in check as she has no problems draining her 3-point attempts in addition to her rim attacking capabilities. She also understands how to find open teammates and will create additional possessions for her team with the defense she plays.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ba69029c594"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["831267"],"_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":"Similar to Lucas, Adams is also in her second season playing at the varsity level as she also saw playing time for the Knights as a seventh grader. While that seventh grade campaign may have been an opportunity for Adams to gain varsity experience, 2023-24 has been a season-long coming out party for the St. Joseph's Catholic guard. Along with being an efficient runner of the floor, Adams excels as a 3-point shooter. She also understands when the right times are to score and when to distribute. Adams will have a bit of a higher profile next season as St. Joseph's Catholic will move up from 1A to 3A starting next season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ba69029c5fc"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"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":815344,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='975972' first='Ariah' last='Heard']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12124","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Nation Ford","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"FBC Carolina Elite Fire","_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":"Heard is sure to be the word for the next several seasons at 5A Nation Ford. Her AAU career has included wearing the uniform of FBC Carolina Elite Fire. She places plenty of emphasis on her ball handling capabilities in addition to accuracy as a 3-point shooter. The defense she plays can lead to opposing teams being turnover-prone and Heard also excels in the transition game. Heard is also versatile in the sense that she can play productive minutes either in the backcourt or in the frontcourt at the three. The Falcons may have its first building block for the future as they look to navigate what will still be tough sledding region-wise even after reclassification.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ba69029c6ae"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["637593"],"_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":823819,"_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":"Lee-Sutton proved herself to be part of the nucleus of a Keenan team that is, once again, a force to be reckoned with. Defensively, she gives opposing teams plenty of problems and that will leave said opponents prone to coughing up the rock. Lee-Sutton also excels as a ball handler and as a transition playmaker. Her play has particularly made a difference at home – the Raiders have won six of its games this season at The Cove. After playing the last couple of seasons in the 2A ranks, reclassification will see Keenan move back up to 3A. She has ran with Team Curry on the travel circuit.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ba69029c719"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["823921"],"_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":"Calloway may not have garnered the attention of some of her peer eighth graders on this list given she plays for one of the less-ballyhooed 1A teams, but she is certainly one to watch. She primarily plays at the one in the backcourt and has the ability to put points on the board from all three levels. Included in her skillset is a willingness to draw contact and find her way to the free throw line. Calloway also played her first season at the varsity level for the Eagles as a seventh grader and has followed it up by making even more of an impact for North as an eighth grader.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ba69029c76f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["768684"],"_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":"If 5A Berkeley was not on the radars of South Carolina high school basketball fans prior to this season, they certainly are now in large part because of Carter's stellar play for the Stags. Coaches will give plenty of playing time to those who do the little things that do not show up on a stat sheet – such as hustling for loose balls. Carter does plenty of that. The ability to drain 3-pointers, get out in transition and collect steals are other strong points to her gamt that is continuing to develop in the right direction. Carter is a key element of Berkeley's young nucleus that should continue to yield plenty of positive fortunes for the Stags in the coming seasons.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ba69029c7c5"} /-->