Around the State: Lex-Richland District 5, SCISA

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Around the State is closing in on the end. Where to next? Let's work the way up to Lexington-Richland District 5 along with some SCISA programs along the way. Prep Hoops is your leader in basketball coverage all year long in the Palmetto State. <strong><em>SUBSCRIBE today and 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 Counties</em></strong>: Ben Lippen, Cardinal Newman, Chapin HS, Dutch Fork HS, Hammond, Heathwood Hall and Irmo HS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2677697,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_03-12-2024_07-17-39-2700AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_03-12-2024_07-17-39-2700AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2677697" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ben Lippen (Columbia)</strong>: The Falcons bring a good nucleus of talent back this season under Head Coach Jay Reid. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1364910' first='Braysen' last='Stockman']</strong> a junior guard is back in the mix. Stockman and his younger brother <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1806932' first='Maddox' last='Stockman']</strong> both return. Braysen averaged 20.4 ppg last season for the Falcons while Maddox chipped in at 9 ppg.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2677700,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_20-02-2024_08-55-18-5890AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_20-02-2024_08-55-18-5890AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2677700" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2729798' first='Buzz' last='Buxton']</strong> is a senior guard who really plays his role well here for the Falcons. Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1916765' first='KJ' last='Dupree'] </strong>should see good playing time for the Falcons this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2642372,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/eZy-Watermark_23-11-2024_10-46-46-5720PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/eZy-Watermark_23-11-2024_10-46-46-5720PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2642372" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cardinal Newman (Columbia)</strong>: The Cardinals always plays a very tough schedule it seems under Head Coach Philip Deter. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1383660' first='Elton' last='Smith Jr']. </strong>returns to play in the forward position. Smith has a very good skill set for his size and surely plays the game with a good motor. Elton will be counted onto lead the way this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2458484,"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_09-02-06-1690PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_09-02-06-1690PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2458484" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1183968' first='Nigel' last='Chivers']</strong> a senior guard transferred in from nearby Lugoff-Elgin HS this past summer. Chivers will provide some toughness and leadership from the backcourt. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2147147' first='Luis' last='Echevarria']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2868864' first='Jason' last='Rogers Jr'].</strong> will help anchor the backcourt duties with Chivers this season. Sophomore <strong>Wade Marsh</strong> will be a new name to monitor. Marsh really likes to set up shop out on the perimeter with his ability to shoot the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2459260,"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_08-16-46-5500PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_10-06-2024_08-16-46-5500PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2459260" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chapin HS</strong>: The Eagles finished (6-18) last season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2040358' first='Tyson' last='Ray']</strong> is an unsigned senior guard for the Eagles. Ray had a really solid spring and summer on the Grassroots Circuit. Tyson can really attack the cup and see the floor well from out top. He likes to work on the left-side of the bucket while getting downhill. Tyson likes to use the the old school bounce pass to step up his teammates along the way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2471211,"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_04-23-38-9140AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_23-06-2024_04-23-38-9140AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2471211" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2175529' first='Braydyn' last='Francis']</strong> is back for the Eagles in the backcourt. Francis is a tough and scrappy kid who really gets to be vocal on the floor at times. He will take a charge on command at times and play with some swag to boot. Braydyn has a fearless mindset and plays with a good deal of confidence. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2537673' first='Harry' last='Thomas']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2376077' first='Brendan' last='McMahon']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2537675' first='Jaydon' last='Bradford']</strong> all should provide some help along the front line for the Eagles. Thomas does a nice job of keeping the ball up high after claiming it off the glass. McMahon likes to play face-up and especially out in the corners.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2471212,"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_04-29-01-0890AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_23-06-2024_04-29-01-0890AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2471212" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dutch Fork HS</strong>: The Silver Foxes finished (10-16) last season. The Silver Foxes always get a late start at times with football making deep runs into the playoffs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1630003' first='Bryson' last='Taylor']</strong> returns out front to provide some good minutes and leadership. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1972148' first='Justus' last='Bell'] </strong>is a wing player in the junior class who can really glide all over the floor with his play. <strong>Chieco Riley</strong> is looking to make a contribution to the lineup this season with youngster <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2478755' first='Samajae' last='Govan']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2677699,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_03-12-2024_07-17-23-3880AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_03-12-2024_07-17-23-3880AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2677699" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hammond (Columbia)</strong>: The Skyhawks just won another football state championship which seems to be par for the course in the SCISA ranks year after year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578619' first='Jaiden' last='Haltiwanger']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1303625' first='Daylin' last='Haltiwanger']</strong> both return to the fold this season for Head Coach David Ross.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2677698,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_03-12-2024_07-17-06-4140AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_03-12-2024_07-17-06-4140AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2677698" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1811633' first='Jackson' last='Ross']</strong> brings toughness and versatility to playing anywhere on the floor at times for the Skyhawks. Ross just had a big season on the football field with 134 tackles and 12.5 sacks as first team all-state linebacker. <strong>Mekhi Brown</strong> is an undersized guard who will provide some timely shooting from the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2354750,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/eZy-Watermark_20-02-2024_08-53-47-8390AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/eZy-Watermark_20-02-2024_08-53-47-8390AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2354750" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Heathwood Hall (Columbia)</strong>: The Highlanders and Head Coach Brian Benator return plenty of players from last year's roster. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2292909' first='Nic' last='Nichols']</strong> is back after 12.1 ppg last season for the (9-18) Highlanders. Nichols plays the game with a very quick first step when it comes to slashing to the basket. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1692417' first='Kamauri' last='Hunter']</strong> is a jet quick point guard who really bring some havoc on the defensive end of the floor. Hunter averaged 9.3 ppg while slender wing player<strong> Henry Morris </strong>added 7.8 ppg. Morris is a deceptive athlete who can provide some mid-range game and activity around the rim. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2292900' first='Xander' last='Pertile']</strong> will provide some muscle down low in the paint this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2267854' first='Deuce' last='Claxton']</strong> gives the Highlanders another viable option in the backcourt with his hustle and play. Look for the Highlanders to surely improve on that record from a season ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2672414,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/Image-11-26-24-at-3.13-PM-2.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/Image-11-26-24-at-3.13-PM-2.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2672414" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Irmo HS</strong>: The Yellow Jackets after a new Head Coach in Allen Quillen who takes over former longtime coach Tim Whipple who retired this past season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578648' first='Matthew' last='Hopkins III'] </strong>is a senior guard who brings toughness and grit to the floor with his hustle.<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2537666' first='Jaden' last='Rivers']</strong> will provide some production down near the paint. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1986982' first='Jeremy' last='Anderson']</strong> a left-handed wing can play all over the place at times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AJ Brand</strong> a Quarterback will head off to Virginia Tech to play for the Hokies.<strong> Donovan</strong> <strong>Murph</strong> moved into the 2025 class and will take his talents to a Power 5 football program next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->