Around the State: Florence County

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's make a trip over to the Pee Dee area of the Palmetto State and stop in Florence County. Who will be the top team in Florence County this coming season? <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>: Florence Christian, Hannah-Pamplico HS, Johnsonville HS, King's Academy, Lake City HS, South Florence HS, West Florence HS and Wilson HS </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2292916,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_09-12-2023_02-06-38-2460AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_09-12-2023_02-06-38-2460AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2292916" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Florence Christian</strong>: The Eagles were just (4-17) last year in SCISA. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687285' first='Taylor' last='Greene']</strong> is back this season after averaging 15.1 ppg and 5.2 rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2322560,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/IMG_8070.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/IMG_8070.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2322560" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hannah-Pamplico HS</strong>: The Raiders will rely on the services of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672085' first='Tylin' last='Jenkins']</strong> and guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2314647' first='De'Auje' last='Bacchus']</strong> this season. Jenkins averaged 14.7 ppg and 7.4 rebounds while Bacchus put in 11.2 ppg from out top. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Johnsonville HS</strong>: The Flashes suffered through a tough season last year at (3-18). Travis Wilson has moved on and graduated. <strong>Tahkari Ross</strong> is a new name to keep an eye on this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>King's Academy (Florence)</strong>: The Lions had a (6-18) last season in SCISA. What can we expect out of them this season? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lake City HS</strong>: The Panthers fell on hard times last season. They finished the year at (6-18). The Panthers were (0-10) in region play. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1403076' first='Blayne' last='Edwards']</strong> averaged 11.1 ppg and 8.8 rebounds last year. He will for certain need some help this coming year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2323116,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/eZy-Watermark_16-01-2024_02-40-21-5960PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/eZy-Watermark_16-01-2024_02-40-21-5960PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2323116" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Florence HS</strong>: The Bruins have a new coach in Herbert Hunter who comes over from Eau Claire HS. The Bruins were (18-11) last season and have some key pieces back this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149788' first='Jackson' last='Robinson']</strong> a senior forward returns to the mix after averaging 8.7 ppg and 4.7 rebounds. Robinson is an athletic forward who brings good versatility to the floor. The Bruins lost to Westwood HS 60-59 last season in the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1989113,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/96751E58-08A8-4EF3-8D2D-66AED36D815D.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/96751E58-08A8-4EF3-8D2D-66AED36D815D.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1989113" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Left-handed senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1444327' first='Jarius' last='Davis']</strong> returns for the Bruins. Davis has good size out on perimeter and a willingness to get to the rack by stalking the baseline at times. He averaged 7.7 ppg last season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1931197' first='Josh' last='Gamble']</strong> a sophomore averaged 16.8 ppg last season over at West Florence HS. Gamble is a nice addition to the Bruins roster. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2304052,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_22-12-2023_09-49-05-0330AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_22-12-2023_09-49-05-0330AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2304052" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1220036' first='Amare' last='Adams']</strong> is a football commit for the Clemson Tigers. He averaged 10 ppg and 7 rebounds last season down on the block. Will Amare play hoops this season or head off to college in January? <strong>Lennix Valerie</strong> a senior guard is currently playing football for the Bruins and having a good season at wide receiver. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2307874,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_28-12-2023_09-29-38-6110AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/eZy-Watermark_28-12-2023_09-29-38-6110AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2307874" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Florence HS</strong>: Dominique Muldrow is the new head coach of the Knights this season. He comes over from city rival Wilson HS where he was an assistant coach. Senior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1356316' first='Karon' last='Brown']</strong> averaged 9.2 ppg and 5,1 rebounds last season for the Knights (8-18). Who will look to replace [player_tooltip player_id='1931197' first='Josh' last='Gamble']'s numbers from a season ago? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wilson HS (Florence)</strong>: The Tigers and new head coach Yusef English will be making some trips out of state this coming season to Illinois and Louisiana for tourneys. The Tigers lost to Ridge View HS last season 56-53 in the playoffs. The Tigers have plenty of talent to make a run down the road to the Florence Center come March. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2463766,"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_16-06-2024_11-47-16-4400AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_16-06-2024_11-47-16-4400AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2463766" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149789' first='Tristan' last='Thompson']</strong> is off the board and headed down the road to Conway next year to play at Coastal Carolina University. Tristan averaged 17.8 ppg and 7.5 rebounds last season. Thompson is currently ranked the #3 player in the 2025 Palmetto State Class. Thompson brings good versatility with his play on the hardwood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2456057,"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_05-06-2024_07-54-54-7200PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_05-06-2024_07-54-54-7200PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2456057" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1486211' first='Josh' last='Leonard']</strong> is the #1 player in the 2027 Palmetto State Class. Leonard who has been on the varsity for the Tigers since the 8th grade averaged 13.9 ppg, 9.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists last season. Josh has an unreal skill set and motor on the floor. He can defend and play multiple positions on both ends of the court. The scary thing is he hasn't even scratched the surface with his overall potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2055831,"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_04-07-2023_10-15-20-7180PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/eZy-Watermark_04-07-2023_10-15-20-7180PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2055831" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1425907' first='Elijah' last='Smith']</strong> is back in the post as an unsigned senior this fall. Smith had some injuries and missed some time last year. Elijah started off his career at Cheraw HS before making his way over to the Tigers. Smith averaged 5.1 ppg last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2456237,"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_06-06-2024_07-10-46-6520AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_06-06-2024_07-10-46-6520AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2456237" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1333159' first='Khristian' last='Bruce']</strong> a guard recently played well at the SCBCA Elite Camp in North Charleston. Bruce seems to be settled in here for the Tigers and looking to run the show from out top this season. Khristian is looking to have a breakout season this year and has all the potential to do just that when focused. He averaged 6 ppg last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2456065,"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_05-06-2024_07-54-26-3730PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_05-06-2024_07-54-26-3730PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2456065" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Youngsters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2373169' first='JaBron' last='McFadden']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2456043' first='Isaiah' last='Addison']</strong> will look to contribute to the roster this season. This duo played really well this past summer on the Grassroots Circuit with Palmetto Pride. McFadden will provide some muscle down low in the paint while Addison will play his game out on the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->