Aliyah Herndon Aliyah Herndon 5'10" | SF Southern Durham | 2027 State NC wasn’t just in the paint as was all over the court getting her hands in the way on defense, attacking the basket, and making smart cuts to get the pass.  She handled the ball well making some nice plays attacking the basket and finding her open teammates.  She did well flashing to the basket, calling for the ball, and being ready to make the bucket right off the pass.  She had some tough takes to the basket making it through contact and using her hesitation moves to get by her opponent.  Her ability to grab rebounds on both ends battling against anyone on the block is definitely an asset for her team.

Aliyah Herndon Aliyah Herndon 5'10" | SF Southern Durham | 2027 State NC hit her shot from beyond the arc.  She’s tough taking the ball coast to coast herself using spin moves to get to the opening and scoring off the glass.  She was using her strength to drive to the basket giving some life to her team as she created an old fashioned three point play for herself.  She hustled back on defense protecting the basket.

For much of Saturday night’s contest at Wake Forest, a primary assignment for North Meck was to keep Herndon in check. Herndon would conclude her evening with nine points – including seven in the first half. The game was not exactly a long-range shooting clinic for either Vikings or Spartans but Herndon made the lone 3-pointer for Southern SES. A blocked shot was also part of Herndon’s evening. This season’s Southern SES assembling included five from the class of 2027 and Herndon is part of that quintet. Herndon is a multi-sport athlete who also excels in the track and field realm alongside her basketball achievements. 

A shifty guard with the ball in her hands. She does a great job of attacking from the perimeter using ball fakes, good footwork and explosiveness to get past the defense. If she misses a shot she is the first one to her offensive rebound for a quick putback off the glass. Defensively, she is solid and can defend multiple positions.

Aliyah Herndon Aliyah Herndon 5'10" | SF Southern Durham | 2027 State NC was dynamic with her tough ball handling attacking the basket from the top of the key.  She used her ball fakes and strength to bully her way to the rim.  She can show off some range with her shot, and she battles inside on both ends of the court going after rebounds.  She’s tough on defense showing off her shot blocking ability.  She knew how to shift the defense to open up the floor for her teammates.

Herndon is a 5’10” SF with solid length and athleticism who can impact the game in multiple ways. She attacks the rim with energy, can knock down midrange jumpers. Defensively Herndon uses her length to disrupt offenses and create energy. Herndon has the tools to be a versatile and valuable player in the 919 area.

Herndon operates in the more conventional role for many a player that stands just barely south of six feet. Alongside her basketball achievements, she also competes in track and field events. Herndon is a gifted rim attacker from the open floor and can throw defenses off guard with how she can make quick passes while in attack mode. Her 5-foot-10 stature makes her difficult to score on as well. Herndon averaged nearly a double-double (9.5 rebounds, 9.2 points, 2.7 blocks and 2.7 steals) last season in the 28 games she played in 2024-25 for Southern Durham, which finished 25-4 last season and is moving up from 3A to 7A this season. 

Aliyah Herndon Aliyah Herndon 5'10" | SF Southern Durham | 2027 State NC hustled back on defense deflecting passes on fast breaks making sure her opponents didn’t score easy buckets.  She did a nice job even bringing the ball up the court finding her open teammate posting up on the block.  She works nicely with her teammates flashing in the paint and rotating on the block.   She was doing a nice job sliding into the help position on defense.  She knows how to use her body to protect the ball and maintain possession for her team.

Herndon was a key element of a 2023-24 Southern Durham rendition that finished with a robust 24-6 record. Included in those 24 victories were 17 in its conference and a deep run in the 3A state tournament that only came to a halt at the hands of eventual state runners-up Terry Sanford. Herndon is listed at 5-foot-10 and effectively plays in the four in the frontcourt. Among her many strong points are her ability to rebound and her willingness to force steals as a defender. Herndon is coming off a grassroots season that saw her wear the Carolina Flames uniform. 

Aliyah Herndon Aliyah Herndon 5'10" | SF Southern Durham | 2027 State NC is a strong and physical player. She can change a game on offense, on defense, or on the glass. Herndon is also an aggressive rebounder for the Carolina Flames . Defensively, she has great hands and forces a lot of steals each game. Herndon is a fantastic athlete who can guard smaller guards or bang with the posts in the paint. She is a versatile talent with a great deal of potential.