Around the State: Aiken County

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aiken County sits in the western part of the Palmetto State along the Georgia border on Interstate 20. This year looks to be plenty of talent coming out of this area. Well, let's get the fun started and journey around Aiken County. <strong><em>#RecruitThePalmettoState</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Schools in County:</em></strong> Aiken HS, Fox Creek HS, Midland Valley HS, North Augusta HS, Ridge Spring-Monetta, Silver Bluff HS, Wagener Salley HS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2081057,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/eZy-Watermark_09-07-2023_07-38-42-5980PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/eZy-Watermark_09-07-2023_07-38-42-5980PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2081057" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aiken HS</strong> - The Fighting Green Hornets will have to rely on seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1241815' first='Joey' last='Tracey']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1224936' first='Jadan' last='Young']</strong>. This off-season<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1112902' first='Ladontae' last='Felton']</strong> transferred over to rival South Aiken HS. Tracey has been solid all through his career in the green uniform. Joey averaged 14.9 ppg, 5.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists last season. Young averaged 5.7 ppg last year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1406403' first='Tre'von' last='Walker']</strong> a left-handed rangy wing will look to add to the mix this coming season for the Fighting Green Hornets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1990578,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/742C0174-AC5C-4D32-8D34-449B6752C3EE.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/742C0174-AC5C-4D32-8D34-449B6752C3EE.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1990578" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fox Creek HS </strong>- The Predators and Head Coach Andrew Peckham have a lot of new faces this season. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154121' first='Connor' last='Cannon']</strong> has been a steady force for this program over the years. The versatile Cannon enters his senior season with 765 career points. Cannon averaged 18.9ppg, 6 rebounds and 4.4 assists for the Predators (15-14). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1986996' first='Kobe' last='Sims'] </strong>a freshman point guard made a strong impression this past summer at the University of South Carolina Team Camp. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Midland Valley HS</strong> - The Mustangs finished (18-7) a season ago. Who will step up and lead the way this season?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2023014,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/01364EE9-7DB7-4176-A02E-385135E5BB4A.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/01364EE9-7DB7-4176-A02E-385135E5BB4A.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2023014" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Augusta HS </strong>- The Yellow Jackets have plenty of talent back from a (27-1) team from a year ago. The Yellow Jackets lost in the 2nd round of the SCHSL Class 4A Playoffs to Catawba Ridge HS 56-49. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157438' first='Daron' last='Dunbar'],</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1875715' first='Toian' last='Nabriat']</strong>, <strong>Tanner Harrell</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1444147' first='DaMario' last='Saxon'] </strong>are some of the pieces to this roster for Head Coach Tony Harrell. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2024434,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/15394FBD-CD80-4523-A6A2-76183902A9DE.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/15394FBD-CD80-4523-A6A2-76183902A9DE.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2024434" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dunbar a junior has great mid-range game to go with his frame and size from the backcourt. Daron averaged 14 ppg last season. Nabriat really likes to finish at the cup and shows a nice set of quick hands along the way. Harrell can be a bit deceptive at times and has the ability to score the ball from all 3 levels. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ridge Spring-Monetta HS</strong> - The Trojans can only go up after finishing (2-20) a season ago. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Silver Bluff HS</strong> - The Bulldogs finished (8-10) a season ago and lost to Columbia HS in the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2091087,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/eZy-Watermark_16-07-2023_02-29-42-6580AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/eZy-Watermark_16-07-2023_02-29-42-6580AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2091087" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Aiken HS</strong> - The Thoroughbreds added<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1112902' first='Ladontae' last='Felton']</strong> to the roster this season after transferring in from Aiken HS. Nicknamed "Boogie" Felton averaged 11.8 ppg and 6.1 rebounds in the green a season ago. Will <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158155' first='Terrence' last='Smith'] </strong>a UCONN football commit plays hoops this season? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wagener Salley HS</strong> - The War Eagles (12-15) must replace 57 ppg with the graduation of <strong>Chris Kitchings</strong>, <strong>CJ Bell</strong> and <strong>Cam Davis</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->