Around the State: Abbeville, Oconee, Pickens rankings (25-27)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>August is one of the slowest – if not the slowest – month on the high school basketball calendar. With sports such as volleyball and football taking center stage as the fall semester commences at many schools, it gives basketball fans an opportunity to ponder who are some of the premier players in their respective areas.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the next couple of months, we will take a look at many of those areas across South Carolina to examine where those top stars stand among the standouts in said areas. The first region takes us to the far corner of the Upstate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our first part of our Abbeville, Oconee and Pickens County rankings were recently unveiled. Without further adieu, here is part two. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62f50e5719fc0","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["387003"],"_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":"Between the latter portions of the 2021-22 season with the Blue Flashes and the entirety of the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit, we have seen plenty of this young up-and-comer over the past several months. Gillam, an eighth grader, led Calhoun Falls Charter to a 14-3 record last season and the single-A landscape throughout South Carolina was put on notice thanks to Gillam's stout play. She also played alongside Emerald at Dawn Staley's team camp at the University of South Carolina. Gillam is explosive with plenty of speed and court vision and has an offensive skillset that includes the ability to drive to the rim and shoot the 3-pointer as well as make efficient passes.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62f50e8819fc1","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["258130"],"_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":"The 2021-22 campaign also has to be considered a success by recent Pickens standards. Owens, as an eighth grader, led the Blue Flame (mostly renowned for its volleyball success) to its first-ever playoff victory since 2010 after a 48-47 victory over 4A foe Greenville. She also runs track and field and the traits she gets from that sport can translate well to basketball. Owens is skilled at finishing at the basket and can even do so with her left hand. With her understanding of fundamentals which include defense, Owens does not have to do too much to prove herself as an asset. She can also haul in rebounds and rack up the steal totals. She ran on the grassroots circuit with FBC Carolina Hawks Hatten 14U.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62f50ecf19fc2","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["235401"],"_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":"While Gillam will be the focal point of a Blue Flashes team that is on the rise, she will not be doing it all by herself. Thomas spent some time this recently finished AAU season running grassroots with County Line Elite. She too is capable of putting crooked numbers on the scoreboard and one way she accomplishes this is by her proficiency from behind the 3-point arc. Thomas has no issues as well penetrating to the rim and finishing at the cup amongst a sea of opposing defenders. Add in ball handling skills and one has the ingredients of a player that should have plenty a Calhoun Falls Charter fan pumped about the possibilities in the coming seasons.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62f50f1319fc3","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["399198"],"_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":"Upward Stars 3SSB is well-represented on the first half of our list given its 2025 team was where Mobley spent her offseason these past few months. She is listed at 5-foot-4 and averaged 12.4 points per game in 2021-22 for the Warriors. That ability to place the ball through the hoop was complimented by the work she does on the glass and how she can corral steals. Watch out for her if she has the ball behind the arc – cause she can be accurate from 3-point range as well. Mobley has also excelled as a soccer player in addition to basketball throughout her athletic career.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62f4b1cf061f7","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["387010"],"_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":"Unlike Bell and Hunter, Sanders does not play off the grid – and a big reason for that is because the Blue Flashes have established themselves as one of the teams to beat in the 1A ranks. In addition to basketball, she has also ran track in her athletic career. Those traits that she has acquired from the track and field realm have translated themselves to a stellar high school career. Sanders is a force in the frontcourt for the Blue Flashes and a reason for that is the work she does on the glass on either end of the floor. The 2025 class across the Palmetto State has plenty of talent and this upcoming season looks to be one where Sanders rises up that list.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62f4b1f9061f8","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["374512"],"_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":"Sheriff is another rising sophomore from the area looking to make strides on that list of 2025s. She is also another dual sport athlete as she plays soccer in addition to basketball. She first started wearing the Warriors colors as a seventh grader, meaning she will bring a wealth of experience into the upcoming season despite only being a rising sophomore. Sheriff will play either of the backcourt positions and is a consistent threat to steal the ball and take advantage of an opposing ball handler's miscues. She also has a 3-point shot as part of her overall offensive skillset.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->