Region 7-A Preview Part 1 – SENIORS

Before we know it, we will be tipping off the 2021-22 high school basketball season in the Palmetto State and we at Prep Girls Hoops will have everyone covered as the season progresses. Throughout the following several weeks, we will be releasing region-by-region previews with a spotlight on important players in every reason as well as an overall team-by-team look on how the standings will play out at the conclusion of the season. Where do things stand in Region 7-A, which saw one of its own in Military Magnet win a 1A state championship last season? Here is where we see things. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-231044" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/11/B37160A6-5B2D-4761-8F5B-24E0604D20B6-300x169.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="169" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="175388" first="Taia" last="Gattis"] – 2022 – Cross HS</strong> – Prep Girls Hoops remembers seeing the talented Trojans power forward earlier in the offseason at the SCBCA Elite Camp back in June. Gattis is a versatile forward that may be 6-foot-1, but can still grab her fair share of steals. While she will put points on the board, haul in rebounds off the glass and block a good number of shots, Gattis also is quick and agile, slicing through defenders with the skill of a point guard. How well she runs the floor can also be seen with how she operates in the transition game. <div> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="171758" first="Kynew" last="Barnwell"] – 2022</strong> <strong>- Whale Branch HS –</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="171758" first="Kynew" last="Barnwell"] may play for a school that is approximately 71 miles away from Barnwell, South Carolina but fans of the Warriors are happy she dons their purple and gold. And a huge reason for why those fans are so pleased is because of how efficient of a scorer she is. Barnwell is a consistent threat to put up double digit point outputs. She is as every bit dynamic on the offensive end as she is on the defensive end with her ability to make opposing ball handlers commit turnovers. Barnwell is also adept at getting out in transition. <strong>Barnwell has been named the Prep Girls Hoops Preseason Region Player of the Year this season.</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-253700" style="font-size: 1rem;" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/02/FA12EFA7-A836-4D3A-BB76-6ADEB223266A.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> </div> <div> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="252501" first="Erin" last="Rivers"] – 2022 - Whale Branch HS –</strong> As is the case with many players, the more experience they gain, the more it displays in their play. For the 5-foot-11 senior for the Warriors, she presents an imposing presence that makes it a chore for opponents to convert on high percentage shots near the rim. Rivers will hit her free throws, rebound and block shots. She has an ability to be in the right place at the right time to anticipate passes near the rim. Rivers as well is a dual sport athlete as she also competes in volleyball at Whale Branch in addition to basketball. </div> <em><strong>Prep Girls Hoops predictions:</strong></em> <div> Military Magnet – After winning the 1A state championship last season, what will the Eagles do for an encore? </div> <div> Whale Branch HS – This team defeated Military Magnet prior to last season’s playoffs. </div> <div> Cross HS – There is more than enough talent on this team to make a run. </div> <div> Palmetto Scholars Academy – This team was 11-9 two seasons ago. </div> <div> Charleston Math and Science – Will this season be a return to the Riptide’s winning ways? </div> <div> St. John’s HS – Will the Islanders manage to improve in region play? </div> <div> Baptist Hill HS – What will 2021-22 have in store for William Harrington’s Bobcats? </div> <div> Lowcountry Leadership – Do not overlook coach Julie Simpson’s team. </div>