Region 5-AAAA Preview

<p>Prep Hoops makes a trip across the Palmetto State over to Aiken County. Who will be the team to beat in Region 5-AAAA this season? Prep Hoops has you covered all season long with the latest basketball coverage here in the Palmetto State. </p> <p><em><strong>Prep Hoops Predictions:</strong></em></p> <p>1.North Augusta HS - The Yellow Jackets finished (9-7) last season under Head Coach Tony Harrell. </p> <p>2.Aiken HS - How will life be without RJ Felton now at East Carolina University? The Hornets finished (14-8) last season. </p> <p>3.Sotuh Aiken HS - The T-Breds could sneak up on some teams this season now that football season is over. South Aiken HS finished (9-5) last year and (6-2) in region. </p> <p>4.Airport HS - The Eagles finished just (2-14) last season. </p> <p>5.Midland Valley HS (Graniteville) - The Mustangs will try to manage a playoff spot after finishing (4-9) last year. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="930629" first="Austin" last="Harrell"] (2022) - North Augusta HS - Prep Hoops Preseason Region Player of the Year (pictured on front)</strong></p> <p>Harrell has been on varsity since his freshman season for the Yellow Jackets. Austin a multi-sport athlete also excels on the gridiron as a Quarterback and on the baseball diamond. Harrell has great range on his shot and can’t be left open while on the floor. Austin averaged 11 ppg last season while connecting on 36% from three point range. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/F172B9F9-EB3D-456B-AA66-2F652DD61903.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1044282" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/F172B9F9-EB3D-456B-AA66-2F652DD61903-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="976985" first="Jeremiah" last="Harris"] (2022) - Airport HS </strong></p> <p>Harris is back for the Eagles after a tough last season. Jeremiah a combo forward will do his best to keep the Eagles in playoff contention this coming season. Harris has good length and skill set to knockdown shots out on the perimeter. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/FE8B22B1-74DB-48F1-A038-BD81454623F6.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1252713" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/FE8B22B1-74DB-48F1-A038-BD81454623F6-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1139520" first="TJ" last="McElmurray"]  (2023) - Midland Valley HS </strong></p> <p>TJ plays a bit off the grid over in Aiken County with the Mustangs. McElmurray just finished the football season as a Quarterback while now turning his attention to the hardwood. TJ can and will look to stalk the baseline when given the chance plays the game very athletic around the rim. Can he help the Mustangs make some noise this season in the Western part of the Palmetto State. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1327526" first="Amarri" last="Wilcher"] (2023) - North Augusta HS </strong></p> <p>Wilcher provides the Yellow Jackets another solid guard in the backcourt for the next few years. Amarri averaged 9 ppg last season while shooting 88% from the free throw line. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/B5D34271-DE96-4FC6-B0ED-0D047DADCB7C-crop-2422x1591-1624421607.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1221566" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/B5D34271-DE96-4FC6-B0ED-0D047DADCB7C-crop-2422x1591-1624421607-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1112902" first="Ladontae" last="Felton"] (2024) - Aiken HS </strong></p> <p>Felton is the younger brother of RJ Felton who is now wearing a East Carolina University uniform. Ladontae has grown some since the spring time and started to fill out his frame. Felton plays poised and mature beyond his years on the hardwood. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/EBC47F40-B075-4C16-8B1C-8B92214F7899-crop-3003x1972-1632880664.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1296298" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/EBC47F40-B075-4C16-8B1C-8B92214F7899-crop-3003x1972-1632880664-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1224936" first="Jadan" last="Young"] (2024) - Aiken HS </strong></p> <p>The future will looks very bright in Aiken County with several young players coming up the ranks. Young is a sharp-shooting guard who can fill it up in a hurry. Young and Felton could form a nice 1-2 punch for Head Coach Darris Jackson in the years to come. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/A533F479-BA77-4977-9181-2412B39F4C98.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1158904" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/A533F479-BA77-4977-9181-2412B39F4C98-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1158155" first="Terrence" last="Smith"] (2024) - South Aiken HS </strong></p> <p>Smith has the fans at South Aiken HS excited with his play on the football field and hardwood. Smith just completed his football season with a tough 2nd round loss in the playoffs. Terrence a Quarterback can do a bit of everything with is competitive toughness and willingness to win. Smith very well could be the best athlete in the western part of the Palmetto State. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>