Whenever Alexander is on a basketball court, fans of 5A Division 2 Westwood get a glimpse of the bright immediate future the Redhawks have. Even though the first day of this year’s Beach Ball Classic saw the Redhawks finish 0-2, Alexander finished with eight points against Deep Creek – a team from Virginia. There is a reason why Palmetto 76ers/A’ja Wilson Elite wanted her in their uniform during the spring and summer AAU months. Alexander will collect her fair share of steals, understands the art of making plays in transition and can either attack the rim or drain 3-point attempts. She had another eight-point showing against 5A Division 2 St. James. 

Alexander is a Palmetto 76ers/A’ja Wilson Elite product – and she has been playing like one in the early going for 5A Division 2 Westwood. She has earned herself starting five status with coach Gregory Bauldrick’s Redhawks and is a reason why those Redhawks are 4-2 early on. Those four wins have come at the expense of one of the tougher 2A teams in the state in Burke, a 3A team in Georgetown and 4A teams Richland Northeast and Colleton County. As of this writing, Alexander is second on the team in scoring, averaging 9.2 points per game. She is also third among Westwood players in assists, averaging 1.5 per contest. 

It is hard to believe that Amari is a 2030. She plays the game with such ease and poise. She is a three-level scorer that knows how to cut to the basket, create her own shot off the dribble and knock down 3s. It will be fun to watch her continue to grow and mature as a player. I know those coaches over at Westwood are excited about the future.

Alexander may be an eighth grader, but she displayed her talents, poise and confidence against her peers who have more experience than she does. As a seventh grader for coach Gregory Bauldrick’s 5A Division 2 Westwood team, Alexander showcased that she is the immediate future for the Redhawks. Alexander averaged 10.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals as a seventh grader for Westwood. Making transition plays, connecting on 3-point attempts, turning defense into offense and combining height with length are among the many positive attributes to a game that one can imagine how it will be developed once she gets more experience under her belt. 

The 2024-25 version of Westwood may not have had the season previous Redhawks teams enjoyed, but its fans – and coach Gregory Bauldrick – have a reason to be excited for the future. Alexander made sure Westwood’s move from 4A (where it once reached a state championship) to 5A Division 2 was a bit less daunting. She averaged 10.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals in the 28 games where she sported a Westwood uniform. The Palmetto 76ers/A’ja Wilson Elite organization knows how to get Palmetto State prospects prepared for the next level and it may have spotted another hidden gem in Alexander.