Around The State: Aiken County rankings (2025-27)
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Following what was an exciting season at the AAU level, the basketball calendar across South Carolina takes a bit of time off prior to October and November when the hype machine begins to build for the 2022-23 season. With the…
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Continue ReadingFollowing what was an exciting season at the AAU level, the basketball calendar across South Carolina takes a bit of time off prior to October and November when the hype machine begins to build for the 2022-23 season.
With the academic calendar at high schools at its starting point and sports such as volleyball and football ruling the roost athletically, we at Prep Girls Hoops are putting a county-by-county spotlight on the biggest stars in each of the Palmetto State’s 46 counties.
In our first article highlighting Aiken County, we looked at the area’s rising seniors and juniors. Now, we put a lens on its rising sophomores, freshmen and eighth graders.
Prep Girls Hoops first noticed this standout 2025 in November. Fox Creek HS is located in North Augusta but is attended by kids in both Aiken and Edgefield Counties. The 5-foot-10 big for the Predators competed in 26 games last season and wowed many an onlooker with her scoring, rebounding and shot blocking capabilities. McCain also has no issues absorbing contact and getting to the free throw line. Among her many strong suits is the knack she has for finishing at the rim. The upcoming season for Fox Creek will see the team back at the 2A class and under coach Michael Hogan after Owen Jacobs accepted the boys job at nearby Strom Thurmond.
For anyone hoping that perennial 4A power North Augusta will drop off anytime soon…do not hold one’s breath. Grant is proof positive that the Yellowjackets program is proving it will be in good hands for the forseeable future. In last season’s 4A state championship game, Grant proved to be a secret weapon for the Yellowjackets scoring 10 points off the bench. Toughness, vocal leadership and fearlessness are only a few of the traits that will make Grant one to keep an eye on in the coming seasons. A few others include her rebounding capabilities, defense, handles and high basketball IQ. She is on the radar of Dawn Staley at South Carolina as she recently announced she picked up an offer from the Gamecocks.
Here is one who previously played at North Augusta before making the move to another 4A competitor in Aiken. Expect Williams to garner plenty of playing time for the Green Hornets given coach Aubrey Pompey’s bunch graduated a trio of star seniors from its 2021-22 rendition. Listed as a big, she is sure to find a footing on a Green Hornets team that will be in Region 4-AAAA as opposed to 5-AAAA. Those graduating seniors from last year were mostly frontcourt players for Aiken – all the more reason why the talents of Williams will come in really useful once play tips off in November.
Highlights
In spite of losing Zuri Goldsberry who transferred across the Savannah River to Greenbrier HS in Evans on the Georgia side of the Augusta metro (and herself had a big 4A state championship game against Westside), coach Al Young’s program at the Yellowjackets has a bright future between Grant and Walker. From Paul Knox MS to North Augusta is Walker. Prep Girls Hoops saw her at a team camp at Francis Marion University and displayed plenty of confidence for her age. She made her presence felt in the painted area particularly as a rebounder. Walker can also showcase her versatility with her ball handling and her skill for taking care of the rock in transition. She plays primarily at the four and will have a great mentor this season in senior big Peris Smith Peris Smith 6’2″ | PF North Augusta | 2023 State SC .