Around the State: Lexington County

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's turn up the heat and head over to Lexington County in the Midlands. The county features plenty of schools. What is the wait? <strong><em>SUBSCRIBE today and get on board with Prep Hoops. Use the passcode "Swanny30" at checkout to save 30% off your first billing cycle. #RecruitThePalmettoState</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Schools in the County</em></strong>: Airport HS, Batesburg-Leesville HS, Brookland Cayce HS, Gilbert HS, Gray Collegiate, Lexington HS, Northside Christian, Pelion HS, Swansea HS, River Bluff HS and White Knoll HS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Airport HS (West Columbia)</strong>: The Eagles finished (7-17) last year. <strong>Daniel Jeffries</strong> leads way at 11.4 ppg last year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Batesburg-Leesville HS</strong>: The Panthers were (9-15) last season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2639844' first='Ta'Maj' last='Gilliam']</strong> is back to run the show after averaging 16.2 ppg last season. Gilliam is a new name for the database. <strong>Jr Stewart</strong> averaged 8.9 playing around the bucket. The Panthers bring plenty of experience back off last year's team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2463761,"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_11-48-35-1540AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_16-06-2024_11-48-35-1540AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2463761" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brookland-Cayce HS</strong>: The Bearcats finished (12-14) last season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1220039' first='Amarii' last='King']</strong> made the move over from Cardinal Newman. King excelled on the gridiron for the Bearcats this fall. Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2175556' first='Roshawn' last='Weeks Jr']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578653' first='Nathaniel' last='Hughes IV']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2469374' first='AJ' last='Edwards'] </strong>all will see plenty of playing time this season. This trio all have the ability to lead the Bearcats on any given game night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2471925,"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_23-06-2024_04-37-20-8570AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_23-06-2024_04-37-20-8570AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2471925" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2469366' first='Carter' last='Jackson']</strong> a guard made the move over from AC Flora HS.<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2469371' first='Isaiah' last='Oree']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2230456' first='Isaiah' last='Daniels']</strong> will add great minutes. The Bearcats have plenty of depth this season for longtime Head Coach Robert Wells.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2471263,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/Image-6-25-24-at-10.04-AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/Image-6-25-24-at-10.04-AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2471263" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gilbert HS</strong>: The Indians will need to find some help for guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2248665' first='Tyzai' last='Smith']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gray Collegiate</strong>: The War Eagles have a new head coach in Carlos Powell. Former Coach Dion Bethea moved onto Georgia Southern University as an assistant coach. The War Eagles made the move up to Class 4A this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2477490,"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_23-06-2024_07-51-48-7830AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/eZy-Watermark_23-06-2024_07-51-48-7830AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2477490" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1025879' first='LJ' last='Britt']</strong> is back to lead the senior class with<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1032755' first='TyQuan' last='McDuffie']</strong>. Britt is one of the highest ranked available players in the 2025 Palmetto State Class. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1560921' first='Levi' last='Ball']</strong> made the move in from the Lone Star State this summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2459255,"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_10-06-2024_08-17-39-9680PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_10-06-2024_08-17-39-9680PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2459255" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2027917' first='Hunter' last='McGraw']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2147351' first='Malachi' last='Hamlet']</strong> are certainly two promising sophomores on this roster. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2373167' first='Makhi' last='Tyler']</strong> is a freshman who should see some playing time this season. The War Eagles made the move up and the roster will still be fine for Class 4A level play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2462615,"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_14-06-2024_08-50-09-0150PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_14-06-2024_08-50-09-0150PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2462615" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lexington HS</strong>: The Wildcats won the Class 5A State Championship last season over Byrnes HS 67-48. Winthrop signee <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1332455' first='Kaleb' last='Evans']</strong> is back to lead a new looked team. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1406403' first='Tre'von' last='Walker']</strong> made the move over from Aiken HS where he averaged 13.5 ppg and 7.4 rebounds last season. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2405569' first='Sam' last='Mills']</strong> should anchor down the middle and provide some production inside the paint. <strong>Seth Adams</strong> can provide some perimeter shooting from time to time for the Wildcats. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1806965,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/EDFA7C73-1925-41ED-BDF7-4CA62295C603.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/EDFA7C73-1925-41ED-BDF7-4CA62295C603.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1806965" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Northside Christian (Lexington)</strong>: The Crusaders finished (18-6) last season will rely on some seniors to lead the way this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1559447' first='Hilton' last='Dessausure']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1806880' first='Sam' last='Burks']</strong> and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2353297' first='Cade' last='McNeil']</strong> will provide the punch for Head Coach Peter Wilkerson this season in SCISA. Cade averaged 11.6 ppg last season. Burks turned in a solid football season this fall for the Crusaders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2463770,"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_11-45-51-7140AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_16-06-2024_11-45-51-7140AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2463770" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dessausure recently committed to Maryville College in Tennessee. Hilton averaged 13.1 ppg last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1806906' first='Luke' last='Bohnsack']</strong> is another member of this Crusaders roster that will return. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pelion HS</strong>: The Panther finished (5-15) last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Swansea HS</strong>: The Tigers finished at (0-23) last season. Things can only get better this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2458461,"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_09-06-2024_08-35-24-3340PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_08-35-24-3340PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2458461" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>River Bluff HS (Lexington)</strong>: The Gators and Head Coach Ben Lee finished (18-10) a season ago in Class 5A. Senior point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1766186' first='Yasir' last='Cromer']</strong> is back along with<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2515180' first='Blake' last='Wilson']</strong> down inside the paint. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2376073' first='Dax' last='Avery']</strong> will provide some perimeter shooting when needed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1987004,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/79398D39-A212-4680-B37B-1641F96369A4.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/79398D39-A212-4680-B37B-1641F96369A4.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1987004" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>White Knoll HS (Lexington)</strong>: The Timberwolves and Head Coach Willie Thomas finished (12-15).<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1755070' first='James' last='Smith']</strong> missed action this summer with an injury. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2469361' first='Bryson' last='Schofield']</strong> is back as a member of the 2028 Palmetto State Class. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2380315' first='Peyton' last='Jennings'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2459219' first='Denzell' last='Posey']</strong> will provide valuable minutes and production this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->