Around the State: Greenville County Seniors
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In a talent-rich state such as South Carolina, one can find standouts in virtually every corner of said state. But as is the case with everyplace, a good portion of that talent can be clustered in some of its more…
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Continue ReadingIn a talent-rich state such as South Carolina, one can find standouts in virtually every corner of said state. But as is the case with everyplace, a good portion of that talent can be clustered in some of its more high-population areas.
Throughout the last few weeks, Prep Girls Hoops has combed the Palmetto State via our county-by-county overlooks of each geographical area.
Greenville County happens to not only be home to one of the state’s largest cities, but it is also the county in South Carolina home to its the largest population. Here is a look at its 2023 class.
Young delivered one of the signature commitments of this offseason for any 2023 when she declared she was not only heading Division I but to Ole Miss of the SEC and coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin. Greenville may have had a down season last season, but the Red Raiders still qualified for the playoffs with Young leading the charge. She stands at 6-foot-4 and is a consistent double-double threat on a game-by-game basis. That height also makes her very difficult to score on as she is very gifted as a shot blocker. Young’s swan song at Greenville is sure to be a memorable one as she has a game that translates well to the college level.
Chiles is another noteworthy big in the Palmetto State who also delivered a big commitment as she is preparing to bring her skillset from the Lions to LaSalle in Philadelphia as part of the Atlantic 10 Conference. Prior to arriving on the scene at Legacy Early College, she played at Greenwood. Chiles is one of the premier posts anywhere in the state who combines scoring and rebounding ability with a knack for blocking shots. Another advantage she has to her game is the ability to finish with the left hand and another is her willingness to play the game on contact.
Chiles was not the only veteran star from the Greenwood area that will now call Legacy Early College home. The same move was made by the 5-foot-6 guard who has previously played at both Greenwood and Emerald. Clafin, Converse, Coker and Emory & Henry have all offered Spearman. She joins a Lions team that finished with a 25-5 record in 2021-22. She also ran on the grassroots circuit with Upward Stars 3SSB as did Chiles. Among the strong suits to her game is what she does as a transition playmaker and how she thrives as a midrange jump shooter. Spearman also excels as a ball distributor and ball hawk.
Highlights
Thompson had herself a banner 2021-22 with 3A Southside and coach Milton Parks as the Tigers advanced to the Upper State Finals of the 3A SCHSL tournament. She took that momentum into the travel season where she participated in grassroots ball with FBC Carolina Hawks. She assumed team captaincy duties for last season’s Tigers and can play at virtually any spot in the frontcourt. Thompson is difficult for defenses to contend with as she is a skilled shot blocker who can also take advantage of an opponent’s ball handling miscues. Her scoring and rebounding also make her a double-double possibility whenever she takes to the court.
Hatten is another of the many standouts that have coach Parks’ Tigers in contention to be one of the teams to beat in 2022-23 3A play. She is transferring away from Legacy Early College and to Southside a year after the Tigers made an appearance in the 3A Upper State Finals. Hatten stands at six feet even and plays primarily at the four. She will be a great compliment in the Southside backcourt to fellow veteran big Thompson. She is active at claiming rebounds on either the defensive end or the offensive side and those offensive boards can turn into two-point putbacks.
Clark’s Cavaliers claimed claimed the championship for Christ Church last season and will be in search of even more title paydirt in 2022-23. Christ Church will compete as a 1A team this season on the heels of achieving 2A supremacy at USC-Aiken back in March. Her story can certainly be referred to as a comeback given her history of knee injuries. Clark plays the game on contact and has no problems absorbing contact and finding her way to the free throw line. She primarily plays the three and is a double-double threat on a game-by-game basis with her scoring and rebounding.
Prep Girls Hoops got a glimpse of Muhammad earlier in the summer as the 5A Wildcats participated in a team camp hosted by Alaura Sharp at Presbyterian University. Muhammad is listed at 5-foot-7 and can play either of the backcourt guard positions. While she is gifted as a scorer, she also know how to distribute the ball and can contribute shot blocking ability that may surprise some scouts. Muhammad can also get in position for rebounds and finds herself at the right place at the right time on many an occasion on the court. She previously played at Southside before settling in with the Wildcats.
Highlights
Wearbon was one of the many standouts throughout the Palmetto State. She will be wearing similar colors as she goes from one team that wears orange (and brown) in 5A Mauldin to one that wears orange and black (in the 3A Tigers). She can establish herself as one who can set an offense and is gifted as a ball distributor and ball handler. Wearbon throws defenses off balance when she attacks the basket as someone who will either drive to the rim or dish it out to an open teammate. The Tigers appear to have many of the tools necessary to make more noise in what will be a drastically different 3A landscape this season.
The future for Foggie appears to be anything but foggy and is more resembling of a clear, sunny day in the South Carolina Upstate. Prep Girls Hoops got a glimpse of the Lions standout at a team camp at Presbyterian College hosted by coach Alaura Sharp. Foggie also ran on the grassroots circuit under the Adidas umbrella with Upward Stars 3SSB 2023 and previously with SC 76ers. Back in April, she announced she was the recipient of an offer from Delaware State. She plays with a team-first attitude whenever she takes the court, does plenty of the little things that do not always show up on a stat sheet, can be effective from 3-point range and knows how to drive to the rim.
Following a stint where she wore Greenville Red Raiders colors, Franklin began wearing gold and purple of Legacy Early College. Franklin’s skillset includes the ability to get to the rim and drain 3-point attempts. When she has the ball in her hands, she keeps defenders wondering what her next move will be. Franklin plays with a high basketball IQ and is listed at 5-foot-7 as a combo guard. She also has no problems doing many of the little things that may not show up on a stat sheet such as diving for loose balls and her ball handling ability translates to how well she can dish the rock out to a teammate.
Nash is coming off a noteworthy AAU season where she ran under the Adidas umbrella with Upward Stars 3SSB 2023. She is a potent scorer who can score from virtually anywhere on the floor. She also has no issues absorbing contact and finding her way to the free throw line. Nash is a 5-foot-7 combo guard who also excels as a rebounder and provides plenty of hustle to any team she is playing for. Nash played a major role in the Eagles winning its most games within a season since 2015-16 as Eastside qualified for the 4A playoffs.
Highlights
Nolan has been playing at the varsity level with the Tigers since she was an eighth grader and has proven ever since why she was worthy of being on the main Southside girls team even prior to her freshman campaign. One of Nolan’s strengths is her ability to distribute the ball in addition to what she can get accomplished as a ball hawk. Scoring and rebounding are a couple of other strong suits she has and can consistently be counted on to deliver clutch plays that lead to victories. She shared the team captaincy duties with Thompson in 2021-22.
Easley’s loss turned out to be the gain of coach LaTrese Davis and Legacy Early College when she departed from the Green Wave and joined the Lions. Swindoll can convert on high-percentage shot opportunities and will find herself at the free throw line on the heels of absorbing contact. The 5-foot-10 veteran plays primarily in the frontcourt and can give a team productive minutes as either the four or the five. Swindoll also does a good deal of work off the glass and can work both sides of the block. She stays active away from the ball and can set screens to help out an offense.
Blandin is an all-around competitor as evidenced by her competing in other sports outside of basketball. She has played volleyball and ran in the track and field realm throughout her athletic career. While she primarily operates in the low post, Blandin is versatile in the sense that she can she will drain her attempts from deep. Her shot-blocking ability and coming away with steals solidify her status as a defensive anchor for the Tigers. She previously ran on the grassroots circuit with SC 76ers before sporting the blue of FBC Carolina Hawks during the spring and summer months.
Smith previously played for 5A Hillcrest before transferring to Shannon Forest for what has been her final season at the high school level. She is listed at 5-foot-5 and is a two guard that also has a knack for attacking the basket. She skillfully finishes her attempts at the rim and has no problems drawing contact and getting to the free throw line – possibly to shoot a pair or to get three the hard way. This also comes into play because of her ball handling attributes. Smith has taken to the AAU circuit during the spring and summer months with FBC Raymond Hawks 17U.
Speaking of dual sport athletes, Giordano is another of those in the upstate as she too also adds volleyball to her athletic resume. She gets herself in the best positions to corral steals and can be true on her attempts from the 3-point area. Giordano can have games where she manages to keep herself out of foul trouble and will play with a high basketball IQ. She will make efficient passes and understands how to take care of the ball. The Generals have played the entire Eric Burrow era as a 5A team and will compete in the 4A class in 2022-23.
Hardin’s athletic resume has included a stint with Blue Ridge as well as competing in track and field to compliment what she does as a basketball player. She uses her 5-foot-10 height to convert on many high-percentage shot opportunities and can also battle for 50-50 balls. She is willing to absorb contact which can place her at the free throw line but also is versatile as an offensive player where she will take her fair share of 3-pointers. Corralling steals is another element to her overall game. Hardin and her Devildogs will compete this upcoming season as a 3A team after several seasons at the 4A level.
Taylor can manage to do a bit of everything to put her team in reach of victories. She previously played at Powdersville before wearing the orange and blue of the 3A Trojans. She will run point and maintain a confidence in an ability to make 3-pointers. Taylor has a knack for weaving her way through a sea of opposing defenders and moves the ball well within the flow of an offense. She also has no issues absorbing contact that can put her at the free throw line. Finding open teammates to throw defenders off balance is another thing Taylor excels at as a player.
Johnson stands as a 6-foot-2 big and anyone can notice as soon as she steps on the court that she presents an almost immediate height advantage. Along with a height advantage, she also presents length. She rebounds, collects steals and blocks shots. Johnson has established herself as an anchor for the Patriots defense. She also plays soccer with 5A J.L. Mann. With the graduation of a pair of star seniors from last season’s Patriots, one can expect that Johnson will be much more of a focal point for the 2022-23 rendition of J.L. Mann girls basketball as she prepares for her swan song with the red and Columbia blue.