Around the State: Anderson County

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Around the State Tour continues and the next stop is in Anderson County. Anderson County looks to have plenty of talent for all classes in the years to come. Let's take a look at the talent from here on your source for basketball coverage in the Palmetto State all year long. <strong><em>SUBSCRIBE today and use the passcode "Swanny30" at checkout to save 30% on your first billing cycle. #RecruitThePalmettoState</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Schools in the County</em></strong>: Anderson Christian, Belton-Honea Path HS, Crescent HS, Palmetto HS, Pendleton HS, Powdersville HS, T.L. Hanna HS, Westside HS and Wren HS </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Anderson Christian</strong>: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Belton-Honea Path HS</strong>: The Bears finished (11-14) last season. Who will step up and be the guy this season to lead the team? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Crescent HS (Iva)</strong>: The Tigers saw tough times last year and finished (2-16). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Palmetto HS (Williamston)</strong>: The Mustangs had a rough season last year at (4-21). Guard <strong>Xae</strong> <strong>Stokes</strong> returns after averaging 14 ppg last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2470153,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_24-06-2024_06-07-58-9100AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_24-06-2024_06-07-58-9100AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2470153" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pendleton HS</strong>: The Bulldogs finished (14-14) last season under Head Coach Chris Warzynski. The Bulldogs will rely on undersized post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2469373' first='Garon' last='Blalock']</strong> to provide some grit and toughness on the floor. Blalock averaged 9.3 ppg and 5.6 rebounds last season. He really does a nice job of jumping to the ball and playing on contact. Junior <strong>Michael Barnett </strong>returns along with newcomer <strong>Savion Johnson</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Powdersville HS</strong>: The Patriots are the defending Class 3A State Champions. University of South Carolina commit<strong> Hayden Assemian </strong>has left and went north to the Hoop State to play with Moravian Prep/Overtime Elite. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2538665,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/eZy-Watermark_01-07-2024_05-54-15-3900AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/eZy-Watermark_01-07-2024_05-54-15-3900AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2538665" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1766181' first='Jaleel' last='McGee']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2305858' first='Quan' last='Burton']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2299729' first='Von' last='Burton']</strong> all are part of a three-headed monster for the Patriots. This trio of guards really look to bring the production to the table. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1997737' first='Colton' last='Kreger']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2557550' first='Riggs' last='Savage']</strong> a freshman post player should add to the mix for Head Coach Austin Anderson. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2460079,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/Image-6-11-24-at-5.14-PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/Image-6-11-24-at-5.14-PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2460079" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>T.L. Hanna HS (Anderson)</strong>: The Yellow Jackets have plenty of weapons in the arsenal for Head Coach Keith Arrington to make some people pay attention in the Upstate this season. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2467001' first='Zae' last='Williams']</strong> a left-handed guard plays the game at a nice even keel at all times. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2573137' first='Jamajay' last='Williams']</strong> has a good frame and really looks to defend on the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2470488,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/Image-6-24-24-at-10.14-AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/Image-6-24-24-at-10.14-AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2470488" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578642' first='Lucas' last='Wiersma']</strong> and freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2405568' first='Brice' last='Wiersma']</strong> provide a solid 1-2 punch from the forward positions. Lucas has good footwork and soft hands while finishing everything near the bucket. He certainly can step-out and play faceup which he feels very comfortable doing. Brice already plays older than a freshman with his aggressive and play around the bucket. He surely has no problems mixing it up at times. Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2529301' first='Ali' last='Sannoun']</strong> is another piece to the puzzle here for the Yellow Jackets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2569758,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Image-9-17-24-at-9.45-PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Image-9-17-24-at-9.45-PM.jpeg?w=896" alt="" class="wp-image-2569758" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Westside HS (Anderson)</strong>: The Rams lost Zeke Marshall late this summer to Rabun Gap (GA). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2550966' first='Jonovan' last='Webb']</strong> will look to lead things from out front along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2573655' first='Keemaj' last='Clinkscales']</strong> and <strong>Tiyelle Hollings</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2477482,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/eZy-Watermark_01-07-2024_05-51-54-2470AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/eZy-Watermark_01-07-2024_05-51-54-2470AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2477482" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2314644' first='K'majay' last='Jenkins'] </strong>the #2 player in the 2027 Palmetto State Class is back with the Rams. Jenkins is relentless on the boards with his play. He plays the game extremely active on both ends of the court. Jenkins will finish either hand around the bucket. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2467363' first='Jayden' last='Heggins'] </strong>is a new face here at Westside HS after playing over at T.L. Hanna HS last year. Heggins originally from Virginia has good footwork around the bucket. Jayden can step-out 8-10 feet for an open look when needed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2556394,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/IMG_9384.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/IMG_9384.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2556394" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2418910' first='<strong>Ricky' last='Hood III</strong>'] is a physical and mature freshman already for the Rams. Ricky plays like a pogo stick at times with his quick leaping ability. He really likes to play the game downhill at times and overpowering defenders on the way to the bucket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2044298,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/8C8586BA-63B2-491A-AB9D-EC3C77F4ACBF.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/8C8586BA-63B2-491A-AB9D-EC3C77F4ACBF.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2044298" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wren HS (Piedmont)</strong>: The Hurricanes have plenty of fire power in the lineup this season for longtime Head Coach Fran Campbell. Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1341455' first='Abijah' last='Franklin']</strong> the reining Class 3A State Player of the Year is back. Franklin has already made his college decision and will head to Furman University next season. Abijah a ultra-athletic guard can really get his points in a hurry with his play. He averaged 23.9 ppg, 7 rebounds and 3 steals last season for the Hurricanes (25-6). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2460223,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/Image-6-11-24-at-5.13-PM-1.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/Image-6-11-24-at-5.13-PM-1.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2460223" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1543950' first='Brock' last='Cherry']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1541103' first='Rhett' last='Warga']</strong> will provide plenty of fire power to this line up this year. Cherry and Warga both do the little things to help your teams win games. Cherry averaged 10 ppg, 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists last season. Warga a Swiss Army Knife on the floor does a little bit of everything. Rhett averaged 7.4 ppg and 6.1 rebounds last season. This duo can step up any time on any given game night and lead the way for the Hurricanes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125308' first='Beau' last='Brannon']</strong> is looking to have a breakout season on this talented roster. Brannon really likes to set up shop out on the perimeter knocking down jumpers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->