Around The State: Aiken County rankings (2023-24)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Across South Carolina, the academic calendar for 2022-23 is about to begin. But while students go back to school, kids who also ball out across the Palmetto State will take to their respective courts in a few months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the coming weeks and months, we will be going from county to county across the Palmetto State to rank each area's stars and put a spotlight and who to keep an eye on as we draw ever closer to tip-off of the 2022-23 basketball season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We profiled Abbeville, Oconee and Pickens Counties first. Our next set of pieces takes us to the CSRA – more specifically, Aiken County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62f58f794b48f","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["172178"],"_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":"On the heels of what was a superb 2021-22 campaign that saw the Yellowjackets advance to the 4A state championship game, Smith took that momentum into the AAU season where she racked up offers from North Greenville, NC Au0026amp;T State, UNC Asheville, Gardner-Webb, Chattanooga, Campbell, Longwood and Charleston Southern. Smith is a near automatic double-double on a game-by-game basis with her scoring and rebounding capabilities. She is gifted as a screen setter, will find spacing in the interior and will absorb contact to get to the free throw line. Smith will also knock down mid-range jumpers. Smith has been part of two state championship-winning teams during her time at North Augusta. She hopes for a third in her swan song in black and old gold. She recently announced her commitment to Campbell University in North Carolina.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62f58fae4b490","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["175386"],"_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":"Lawrence, competing at the 2A level with Silver Bluff also knows a thing or two about deep playoff runs and championship games. A couple of seasons ago, she led the Bulldogs to the 2A state title game against Saluda. Lawrence is another who is a double-double threat on a consistent basis. She displays impressive ball handling skills and has no issues driving to the basket. Lawrence is also willing to absorb contact which can give her opportunities at the free throw line. She is coming off a productive club campaign where she ran with Upward Stars Select on the grassroots circuit.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62f58fdb4b491","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["243448"],"_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 combination of this skilled rising junior along with Lawrence is one Taylor-made for another banner season for the Bulldogs. Taylor is what can call a classic floor general as a point guard. She stands at 5-foot-4 and her ball handling skills prove to be a worthwhile asset when penetrating to the cup. Taylor approaches every matchup she plays with a fearless attitude. She can get creative with how she finishes around the rim and can create extra possessions for her team with the steals she can collect. Court vision and ball distribution are two other key elements to Taylor's game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62f590804b492","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["242928"],"_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":"When one does not see McDuffie on the basketball court, it is likely she is sharpening her soccer game given it is the other sport she has competed in during her time with the 4A Thoroughbreds. McDuffie is an efficient mover and distributor of the ball and stays with active hands as a defender. Her defense enables her to affect an opposing team's passing lanes. She adds a 3-point shooting dimension to a team's offensive attack and also attacks the rim with a fearless mentality. One can certainly expect another strong season from McDuffie for the T-breds in 2022-23.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62f590b74b493","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["253112"],"_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":"With three of the Green Hornets' star seniors from the 2021-22 season having graduated, one can envision Bradley becoming more of a focal point for 4A Aiken in the coming couple of seasons. Along with what she gets accomplished as a scorer, Bradley also does many of the little things that have a great impact – including hustling for loose balls. Bradley has no issues attempting shots from the midrange. Listed as a combo guard, she can organize an offense in a halfcourt set and will take her chances at the free throw line on the heels of drawing contact. Bradley has been playing at the varsity level since she was an eighth grader.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->