North Augusta HS Open Practice Evaluations + Season Preview

<!-- 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 September provides a key chance for high schools to get back to work and display their prospects to College Coaches. Wednesday, I was in North Augusta, South Carolina, to check out the defending Class 4A State Champions. Check out this deep dive into some of their top players and what could be in store for the team as a whole in 2026-27:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Information:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>School: North Augusta High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>City: North Augusta, South Carolina</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Tony Harrell</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Classification: SCHSL Class 4A Region 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Returning Prospects:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2364856' first='Tristan' last='Anderson-Edmond']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2469363' first='Zayvion' last='Harris']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2691559' first='Treivan' last='Wright']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Names to Know</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2537655' first='Julian' last='Graham']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2030 [player_tooltip player_id='3777958' first='As'ton' last='Smith']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Potential Contributors:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2560587' first='Alex' last='Evans']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2560591' first='Joshua' last='Best']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 <strong>DJ Johnson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 <strong>Trez Mincey</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Open Practice Evaluations:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2364856"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab66f4e7ed58"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tristan was only able to work out for 45 minutes on Wednesday because of football being in-season, but it was great to see him on the hardwood while I was stopping by. They let him go through shooting drills, where he looked great knocking down jumpers off the dribble and on the move. I'm expecting him to have a huge senior year in an increased role and lead the Yellow Jackets on a deep playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2537655"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab66f4e7ed92"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The other senior whom North Augusta will rely on for consistent production this season is [player_tooltip player_id='2537655' first='Julian' last='Graham']. Graham had a strong junior year at Aiken High School in 2025-26, before making the move to join the Yellow Jackets this offseason. He is a strong off-ball weapon because of his ability to hit standstill threes or hit one- or two-dribble pull-ups. If he can become a little more dynamic in his ability to create shots for himself, Julian will be worth a look for college programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2691559"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab66f4e7edb3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sticking with the theme of shooting, this 2028 guard has a case for being the best shooter in his class. He is projected to step into the starting lineup for the Yellow Jackets this season after being in the rotation off the bench a year ago, and his premier shooting ability will swing big games late in the season. They will run lots of things to get him open looks, but he doesn't need a ton of space to get his shot off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2560587"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab66f4e7edd1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Don't let the height fool you with [player_tooltip player_id='2560587' first='Alex' last='Evans'], he is a guy who plays much bigger than his size and is not afraid to mix it up in the paint. He has a very strong frame that helps him defend bigger players, produce on both sides of the glass, and finish around the paint. Evans also showed good bounce and a desire to run the floor, which will translate into production off the bench this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3777958"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab66f4e7edee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Capping off the evaluations from North Augusta's open practice is a youngster who already looks like one of the best in the CSRA. This was just his first practice this month with the Yellow Jackets, but you wouldn't have been able to tell it by how comfortable this freshman looked with the ball in his hands. As'ton is extremely gifted with a natural feel, quickness, and length, which all have me very high on him going forward. It's still clear he's learning things like how his teammates want to play and how to finish around bodies at the rim, but there is no questioning the talent and skill of this 2030 Point Guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Takeaway:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite losing a lot of senior production from the State Championship-winning team a year ago, I still really like where this North Augusta program sits going forward. Guards are always a strength of the Yellow Jackets, and this season should be no different. [player_tooltip player_id='2364856' first='Tristan' last='Anderson-Edmond'], who took a back seat at times a year ago, will take a major step forward in his production and be one of the best players in Class 4A this season. Junior duo [player_tooltip player_id='2469363' first='Zayvion' last='Harris'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2691559' first='Treivan' last='Wright'] is one of the most underrated in the state, with Harris' true Point Guard ability and defensive prowess allowing Wright the freedom to be more scoring-minded. The play of freshman [player_tooltip player_id='3777958' first='As'ton' last='Smith'] could be a wild card for this team, but based on what I saw from him in practice on Wednesday, he will play his way into big minutes from day one. Transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2537655' first='Julian' last='Graham'] will provide a nice scoring boost, plus the versatility of [player_tooltip player_id='2560587' first='Alex' last='Evans'] is an attribute that should not be overlooked. The Yellow Jackets will look to play faster and with a lot more defensive pressure than a year ago, so I think they will be right in contention for a trip back to Columbia at the end of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->