Samuel played her first season as an eighth grader and is also continuing to show massive improvement. She played in 21 games this season under first-year Lugoff-Elgin coach Dominique Thompson and averaged 17.8 points, five steals, 3.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds per season. The Demons did display improvement against region opponents – Samuel’s play helped 5A Division 2 Lugoff-Elgin jump from no victories in region two seasons ago to four in 2025-26. During the spring and summer months of travel ball, Samuel has worn the Carolina Hornets uniform playing on the Nike EYCL circuit. She also recently made it to the top 10 of the most recent 2028 Prep Girls Hoops South Carolina rankings. Her play has led Lugoff-Elgin to its first playoff bid since 2010.

In low-scoring contests such as Monday’s between Sumter and Lugoff-Elgin, every bucket matters. This included the 11 points that Samuel placed on the scoreboard to led her Demons. Samuel overcame early struggles to conclude her evening with a productive night at her home hoops office. Out of the 11 points she placed on the scoreboard, seven occurred in the second half of play. Samuel has more experience than the average 2028 given she first played at the varsity level as an eighth grader. She understands the art of attacking the rim, has confidence in her ability to connect from long range and can create additional opportunities for her team with her defense. 

The goal for coach Dominique Thompson and his 5A Division 2 Lugoff-Elgin team is simple – put the recent years of losing Demons basketball behind them and put Lugoff-Elgin on the map. That starts with the team’s star sophomore guard and she has made a statement early on. Samuel had a 19-point performance to lift her Demons to a 62-39 rout of 4A Brookland-Cayce. Lugoff-Elgin matched up against 5A Division 2 T.L. Hanna for the Tanzanite Bracket championship at the She Got Next Thanksgiving Classic. The Yellow Jackets may have scored the close win but they had no answer for Samuel who willed her team with 29 points.

This kid’s stock is going to continue to rise. She is determined to keep improving and is working hard to make that happen. This is the second showcase I have seen her play at in the last month and one evaluation that remains the same is she is not going to back down to anyone. She continues to attack the basket and is strong enough to handle the contact. Her open floor passing ability is a huge strength as well. Keep competing Jordan!

https://t.co/Br1RN38Gpw

Jordan is a quick and feisty point guard on both sides of the ball that plays with a chip on her shoulder. She isn’t going to back down to anyone at any position or size. The edge she plays with gives her the advantage. If Jordan continues developing her ball handling and play making ability and continues to work on her outside shot she can become a very special player. She is only a 2028 so we will be writing a lot about her in the future.

Samuel is another name on a team which moved up in classification last season. Lugoff-Elgin made its move from 4A to 5A (Division 2). One may look at the Demons’ 8-18 record as something to scoff at, but considering this team has been stuck between one and five win purgatory for the last several seasons, eight victories is a success by Lugoff-Elgin standards. Samuel’s eighth grade season was one that raised eyebrows – her freshman campaign last year where she wore Demons colors established her as a statewide name to watch. Samuel averaged 14.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.6 steals per game. 

Jordan Samuel Jordan Samuel 5'7" | PG Lugoff-Elgin | 2028 State SC had a tough take to the basket taking it all the way herself battling through contact on the block for her points.  She had some nice range with her shot hitting it from around the perimeter.  She was aggressive on both ends of the court making her way to the basket and blocking the path of her opponents.

Dominique Thompson, the new coach at 5A Lugoff-Elgin, is expressing confidence that his team will emerge from its recent doldrums to shake things up. Talents such as Samuel would inspire confidence in many a coach. Samuel has confidence in her 3-point shooting abilities. She should as she is true on so many of her tries from deep. Samuel will also display point guard ability as she knows when to shoot and when to pass. She also displays an impressive ability to take care of the ball and particularly is keen on setting up offensively on the wing. Perhaps the Demons’ new coach is onto something. 

Jordan made it a priority here today to score the rock and she did just that. Samuel really looks to be a physical guard with her play. She made drives to the basket along with connecting on several jumpers from behind the 3-point line. Jordan saw good minutes last year on the varsity level for the Lady Demons while attending Stover M.S.