Biggest June Team Takeaways

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The month of June came and went in a blur and with it did the SCHSL Scholastic Period. South Carolina High School Basketball players are no longer allowed to practice with their High Schools and many of them will return to their Grassroots Programs this weekend. Personally, I attended 7 events and watched 85 teams in the month of June in an attempt to get a feel for what the State will look like this Winter. Some prospects and some teams stood out more than others and these 10 are just a few of my favorites from the period. They are divided into 5 storylines with 2 teams that I think fit in each. <strong>Check out my June Team Takeaways below:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Prepped For a Deep Run - Oceanside Collegiate &amp; Greenville</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This could finally be the year Oceanside Collegiate gets over the State Championship hump. The Landsharks lost in the 2A State Championship Game each of the last two years and made it to the Lower State Final Four in 2 of the 3 years before that. It is no secret that they have been a successful program under Quinton Hollis, but the one thing missing is a ring. With the most recent phase of SCHSL Reclassification, Oceanside is now in Class 3A Region 6 and would be my way-too-early pick to win the 3A State Championship. Key players include [player_tooltip player_id='2173801' first='Gabriel' last='Riesgo'], [player_tooltip player_id='2429724' first='Ty'Rek' last='Dawson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1206191' first='Jake' last='Thomas'] alongside prolific shooters [player_tooltip player_id='1513456' first='Abe' last='Davinroy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1206020' first='Carson' last='Jones']. While those are not the flashiest of prospects, when it comes to running a successful offense and winning important games there are few better than the Landsharks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greenville High is also subject to reclassification, moving up to Class 5A. They have won at least a share of the Region Championship every year since 2016-17 and will see some familiar local faces in their new Region. However, the Red Raiders will get a major boost this season with the addition of Transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1624061' first='Caden' last='Coleman'] and the return of [player_tooltip player_id='1958970' first='Frank' last='Whitley'] who missed last season with an injury. Greenville has lots of shooting to space the offensive attack of Coleman, headlined by Rising Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2027918' first='Tucker' last='Scholl'] who shot over 40% from three last season. They also have two of my favorite under-the-radar prospects in [player_tooltip player_id='1239536' first='Nehemiah' last='Thompkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1892485' first='Roman' last='Cooley'] and good depth with [player_tooltip player_id='1738001' first='Arkeis' last='Shell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1419745' first='Israel' last='Deaver'] off the bench. Look out for the Red Raiders this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Well-Balanced Roster - Wilson &amp; Boiling Springs</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When I am looking for a well-balanced roster, I am looking for talent in multiple grades. Wilson High School in Florence might be the epitome of that in South Carolina. They have two of the brightest prospects regardless of class the state has to offer in 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1149789' first='Tristan' last='Thompson'] and 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1486211' first='Josh' last='Leonard']. These two form the best duo in Class 4A and are a headache to match up with due to their size, athleticism, versatility, and ability to score the rock. 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1333159' first='Khristian' last='Bruce'] and 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2373169' first='JaBron' last='McFadden'] will also shine at points throughout this season but are more energy providers and role players. Fighting through the 4A Gauntlet will not be easy, but when you have a Roster like the Tigers your eyes are on a short drive to the Civic Center in early March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one may come as a surprise to some people, but I think Boiling Springs has a strong roster with good players at every age. The leader is [player_tooltip player_id='1985871' first='Reese' last='Walter'], a Point Guard who balances facilitating, downhill scoring, and spot-up shooting extremely well and is a name that should be thrown around with the Most Improved Players of the High School offseason. 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1465116' first='Isaiah' last='Atkins'] could be one of the best big men in Class 5A this season, 2027 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2678771' first='Manning' last='Camp']</strong> will provide spacing as a knockdown shooter, and 2025s [player_tooltip player_id='2392460' first='Tristan' last='Pendergraph'] and <strong>Jymiere Wright</strong> are very strong role players. The Bulldogs have a tough Region, but if they put the pieces together or get hot at the right time they might be in for a terrific 2024-25 Season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Size To Cause Issues - Marion &amp; South Florence</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When I think of size - both positionally and in general - Marion is the first team that comes to mind. They will look to lock down the paint with 6'6" [player_tooltip player_id='1295811' first='Isaiah' last='Vereen'] while 6'5" [player_tooltip player_id='1157437' first='Tahj' last='Lathon'] and 6'3" [player_tooltip player_id='2406367' first='Jameir' last='Legette'] - who has a strong lower body and plays bigger than his listed height - look to make an impact as well. They also have good size with their guards such as [player_tooltip player_id='2307830' first='Charles' last='White Jr'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1645097' first='Jaden' last='Gerald'] and will even bring some young bigs off the bench to make an impact. Although he doesn't fit the size narrative as much, <strong>Lacoree Timmons</strong> could be depended on to knock down spot-up threes, which is one of the Swamp Foxes' weaknesses. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Florence is another Pee Dee team that I feel has size that will be helpful this season. 6'8" [player_tooltip player_id='1149788' first='Jackson' last='Robinson'] and 6'5" [player_tooltip player_id='1444327' first='Jarius' last='Davis'] lead the way in this department and while both can use that size to dominate the offensive end, it is their defensive versatility that excites me. Davis is one of the most impactful defensive players in the state and both are capable of switching on that end of the floor. <strong>Lennix Valerie</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='1931197' first='Josh' last='Gamble'] are other names to watch. Valerie is a tremendous athlete and at 6'2" could cause issues for smaller guards while Gamble is a solid shooter and defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Exciting Young Core - Fox Creek &amp; Seneca</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fox Creek returns 6 Freshmen from the team that lost to Gray Collegiate in the 2A Upper State Semifinals last season. While they did lose their best player in Conner Cannon, several of those Freshmen played a part for the Predators including <strong>Corsheek White</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1986996' first='Kobe' last='Sims'], [player_tooltip player_id='2414074' first='Justin' last='Vining'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2441195' first='Kaleb' last='Broadwater']. Those four started for Fox Creek when I watched them at the SCBCA Live Camp alongside lone Rising Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2786512' first='Brelan' last='Baskett']</strong>. Another 2027, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2786507' first='Gavin' last='Baskett']</strong> who went 5-6 from three in one of those Camp Matchups, will likely be the team's sixth man and is one of the best young bench shooters in Class 3A. Fox Creek is one of my favorite dark horses in Class 3A not just for the future, but as early as this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Seneca might not have the most depth from a youth standpoint, their Freshman-Guard and Sophomore-Big duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2339844' first='Jeremiah' last='Hunter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2306321' first='Chaz' last='Moss'] is one of the best of its kind. They are probably the Bobcats' two most talented players and if they mature early it will spell good things for Seneca. Both had bright moments in the 2023-24 Season, particularly Hunter, who was the Starting Point Guard as an 8th Grader. He is a shifty Guard who reads the game and balances scoring with facilitating extremely well. Moss is a long rim protector who has a good jump shot. The Bobcats have some older pieces that will be important as well such as <strong>Stu Finley</strong>, <strong>Clark Finley</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2670880' first='Jermaine' last='Miller']</strong>, and <strong>Cameron Clayton</strong>, but the engine of the team is its star-powered young duo. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Small School That Could Surprise - Liberty &amp; Abbeville</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberty is one of two "small schools" that I believe in the upcoming season. They are led by 6'3" Wing [player_tooltip player_id='2459702' first='Kendrick' last='Jackson'] who is a good shooter with length and athleticism but will be asked to carry a big load for the Red Devils. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2721013' first='Logan' last='Smith']</strong> - the school's Starting QB - will also play an important role in his Senior Season after averaging 9.6 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 2.2 SPG, and 1.4 BPG in 2023-24. Other important pieces for Head Coach Brenden Marcell include <strong>Kendall Jackson</strong>, <strong>Chris Mable</strong>, and <strong>Jayden Garrett</strong>, who all can be above-average role players in 2A. The Red Devils are in a competitive Region 1, but they lost the least out of the contenders in that group and could push for a Region Title or a deep Playoff Run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abbeville is another "small school" that impressed me this June and one I will have high expectations for in Class 1A. They weren't at full strength when I saw them in North Augusta, down one of their key projected returners [player_tooltip player_id='1892777' first='Justin' last='Rollinson']. Rollinson led the team at 16 PPG in 2023-24 and also added over 3 SPG, but it was second leading-scorer [player_tooltip player_id='1848143' first='Jaden' last='Baylor'] who took over in a dominant performance without him. In fact, the Panthers return their top 9 per game scorers from last season and add a couple of intriguing Freshmen to the roster including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2418911' first='Jamerion' last='Williams']</strong>. <strong>Jalen Baylor</strong> and <strong>Darius Riley</strong> are two key role-playing wings and <strong>Al Patterson</strong> will provide rebounding, interior scoring, and even some perimeter shooting from his Center Position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->