Region 5-AAA Preview

<p>Will the Bruins and Bearcats go back and forth this season for the Region 5-AAA Championship ? Will the Predators invade the party ? Read more inside right on your leader in basketball coverage in the Palmetto State. </p> <p><em><strong>Prep Hoops Predictions:</strong></em></p> <p>1.Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS - Can the Bruins get over the hump this season after losing in the Lower State Championship Game to Marlboro County HS last season. The Bruins finished the year at (12-3). </p> <p>2.Brookland-Cayce - The Bearcats have plenty of firepower to make some noise this season under Head Coach Robert Wells. </p> <p>3.Fox Creek HS - The Predators and Head Coach Andrew Peckham could really sneak up on some teams this year. </p> <p>4.Strom Thurmond HS (Johnston) - The Rebels will rely on <strong>Chandler Mims</strong> this season. Mims also excels on the baseball diamond for the Rebels. </p> <p>5.Gilbert HS - The Indians are a football powerhouse can that carry over to the hardwood ? </p> <p>6.Swansea HS - Will the Tigers fight for a playoff spot ? </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="650231" first="Jordan" last="Simpson"] (2022) - Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS - Prep Hoops Preseason Region Player of the Year (pictured on front)</strong></p> <p>Simpson really stuffed the stat sheet season for the Bruins. Jordan a good sized guard averaged 13.6 ppg, 4 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 2.5 steals last season. Simpson enters his senior season with 680 career points for Head Coach Willie Thomas. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/B5431C76-AD72-4654-918A-2FFE6B72EBE7.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1224918" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/B5431C76-AD72-4654-918A-2FFE6B72EBE7-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="795989" first="Christian" last="Ferguson"] (2022) - Brookland Cayce HS </strong></p> <p>Ferguson a long and rangy forward brings good versatility to the floor for the Bearcats. Christian has a nice dribble pull-up game from midrange. Christian can extend the defense with his shooting behind the arc. Ferguson ran with the PCH Nightrydas SC this past summer o on the Grassroots Circuit. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/BC67BB8B-5BBC-46D5-B2CA-9E795A0607AE.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1184852" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/BC67BB8B-5BBC-46D5-B2CA-9E795A0607AE-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="930641" first="Jahmari" last="Kennerly"] (2022) - Brookland Cayce HS </strong></p> <p>Kennerly is currently football for the Bearcats. Jahmari is a very shifty guard that really excels in the transition game. Kennerly will explode to the basket with his side to side ball-handling skills. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/A2E29F4A-3676-40CC-AC4C-AF61D24D773C.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1230245" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/A2E29F4A-3676-40CC-AC4C-AF61D24D773C-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1214134" first="Christian" last="Hall"] (2022) - Brookland Cayce HS</strong></p> <p>Hall a point guard has a nice mid-range game and really looks to utilize the short jumpers along the baseline. Christian has the ability to create his own and plays the game a bit offensive minded from the backcourt. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/21CEAE20-85FE-48F3-8E82-F7C1BB6474D3.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1007031" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/21CEAE20-85FE-48F3-8E82-F7C1BB6474D3-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="837359" first="Jadon" last="Johnson"] (2022) - Fox Creek HS </strong></p> <p>Johnson a multi-sport athlete plays Quarterback and in the backcourt for the Predators. Johnson is coming off a ACL injury and might not be back with the program until January according to Coach Peckham. </p> <p><strong>Levi Taylor (2022) - Swansea HS </strong></p> <p>Taylor a undersized post player averaged 9.8 ppg last season for the Tigers. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/483118BC-D1F4-4D26-948F-2EF5D8A49745.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1222646" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/483118BC-D1F4-4D26-948F-2EF5D8A49745-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="922023" first="Horace" last="Jacques"] (2023) - Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS </strong></p> <p>Jacques is a tough-minded guard for the Bruins. Horace can really get-up and defend on the ball and cause chaos. Jacques plays the game very unselfish and doesn’t mind getting on the floor for a loose ball. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1154113" first="Chandler" last="O’Bannon"] (2022) - Fox Creek HS</strong></p> <p>O’Bannon a lengthy forward has the ability to challenge shots on the defensive end of the floor. Chandler averaged 8.5 ppg this past season. Look for O’Bannon to have a big season as a senior for the Predators.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1154121" first="Connor" last="Cannon"] (2024) - Fox Creek HS </strong></p> <p>Cannon is coming into his own for the Predators. Connor ran on the Grassroots Circuit with Upward Stars Southeast 2024 this past summer. </p>