A1 Battle for the Ring: Youngsters
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It does not matter where one goes in South Carolina during the spring and summer months. If it is a weekend in the Palmetto State, one can guarantee that some of the most competitive girls basketball at the AAU level…
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Continue ReadingIt does not matter where one goes in South Carolina during the spring and summer months. If it is a weekend in the Palmetto State, one can guarantee that some of the most competitive girls basketball at the AAU level is being contested.
This was once again the case this past weekend. A1 Hoops Report paid the Midlands a visit as its Battle for the Ring tournament was held primarily at Lexington HS – a school that was one of the focal points of the past high school season.
We at Prep Girls Hoops also made the trip out to the home of the 5A Wildcats for the weekend’s festivities. Among those who were also there were several from the 2028 and 2029 classes who had their balling sneakers all the way on.
Ansley Harris
Ansley Harris
Harris’ Georgia Hotshots team had a rocky start to the Battle for the Ring with defeats to Lexington Hoopsters and Palmetto 76ers/A’ja Wilson Elite . By virtue of an eight point effort, Harris was instrumental in her team coming from behind on the invite’s final day to claim victory over Palmetto State-based Chapin Flight. A good bit of her scoring production came via the free throw line – showcasing that she has no problems drawing contact to give her team addition chances via the stripe. When she made many of those plays was as important as the plays made themselves as much of what she got accomplished occurred in the game’s latter moments to ensure her team would depart South Carolina with a victory.
Jarvia Davis
Jarvia Davis
One Team One Dream had a tough start to the weekend’s festivities by virtue of losses to Lady Stars Georgia and Palmetto 76ers . Davis’ team – which is comprised of many young talents that play off the grid – turned things around with a 40-30 victory over that same Lady Stars team that gave them problems the previous day. Davis – who is a name on the rise at 1A Hunter-Kinard-Tyler – is listed at 5-foot-7 but can give a team worthwhile minutes either as a three or a four. Davis also does plenty of work on the glass. A turnaround is taking place with the Trojans and having players such as Davis sport its colors will ensure Hunter-Kinard-Tyler continues to rise up the 1A ranks.
Gosselin currently plays at Hand MS which is a feeder for 3A (soon to be 4A) Dreher. Not only does she excel as a basketball, but she also is a two-sport athlete who has played soccer. Gosselin’s Palmetto 76ers team concluded this year’s Battle for the Ring with an emphatic victory over One Team One Dream. She was one of two who led all scorers for her team with six points. Gosselin brings a heads-up attitude to how she plays which can enable her to corral plenty of steals. Scoring wise, Gosselin will throw defenses off balances with her ability to attack the rim or drain 3-pointers. She also brings a formidable height advantage at 5-foot-10.
Denmark-Olar proved last season that it can graduate talent and still replenish with youngsters. Wright – a 2029 – was one of those youngsters that was ready for the varsity ranks. With a nine-point outing, she led her One Team One Dream assembling to a 40-30 victory over Lady Stars Georgia. Listed at 5-foot-7, the young up-and-comer is establishing herself firmly as a mainstay of any team’s backcourt. Wright showcases plenty of aggressiveness and confidence for someone as young as she is and she has the ability to score from all three levels. Rebounding and defense are two other strong elements to her overall skillset.
A’melodi Norwood
A’melodi Norwood
Here is a name that is sure to draw plenty of attention across the Augusta area – and the rest of Georgia at large. Even though her Lady Stars Georgia team was unsuccessful on Sunday against its adversaries from South Carolina in One Team One Dream, Norwood still put forth a valiant effort with 15 points to lead her team. She places plenty of emphasis on ball handling skills and combines that signature guard-like quality with the height of a frontcourt player. Norwood also can and will score from all three levels – including at the free throw line on the heels of drawing contact.
Coach Terrence Gibson is at the helm of a Ridge View program that is among one of the premier girls basketball programs in the state. As Ferguson showcases, the Blazers will continue to bring talent to its stable as they move back to 5A play. Ferguson managed to spearhead a Palmetto 76ers effort against One Team One Dream that resulted in the former team pitching a shutout over the latter to close out this year’s Battle for the Ring. She previously ran with Palmetto Pressure on the travel circuit. She is another who scores from all three levels, has confidence in her ability to make plays and will surely amass even more playing time as her skillset continues to evolve.
The SCISA 4A juggernaut that is Heathwood Hall has its present veteran core in Lauren Jacobs Lauren Jacobs 5’9″ | PG Heathwood Hall | 2025 State SC , Camillea Gore Camillea Gore 6’0″ | SG Heathwood Hall | 2025 State SC , Sabreya Monsanto Sabreya Monsanto 5’11” | SF Heathwood Hall | 2025 State SC and Shamarie Hayes Shamarie Hayes 5’8″ | CG Heathwood Hall | 2025 State SC – all of whom will graduate following next season. This past weekend at Lexington HS, one saw a glimpse of what the Highlanders future will resemble. Jenkins also plays junior varsity softball at Heathwood Hall alongside her basketball play. She stands at an imposing 6-foot-1 which allows her to win plenty of rebounding battles. Good luck scoring on this patroller of the paint as her height combined with her length enable her to reject plenty of opposing shot attempts.