Region 1-AAAA Preview

<p>It’s time to turn attention to the Upstate and Region 1-AAAA right here. This region consist of just 5 teams from the Northwestern part of the Palmetto State. Who will be the team to beat here ? Read more inside on your basketball leader in the Palmetto State. </p> <p><em><strong>Prep Hoops Predictions: </strong></em></p> <p>1.Travelers Rest HS - The Devildogs finished (18-4) last season and tied for the region title with Easley HS (7-1). </p> <p>2.Easley HS - The Green Wave will look for another solid season after going (14-5) last season. </p> <p>3.Westside HS (Anderson) - The Rams will be in the middle of the pack after finishing (9-9) last season. </p> <p>4.Walhalla HS - The Razorbacks will look to fight for the 4th playoff spot from the region. </p> <p>5.Pickens HS - The Blue Flame finished just (2-13) and (0-8) in region last year. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/01/DA2B20E6-6DC0-4573-A421-01D8D98323F4.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1113704" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/01/DA2B20E6-6DC0-4573-A421-01D8D98323F4-300x169.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="169" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="910051" first="Jacob" last="Brown"] (2022) - Travelers Rest HS - Prep Hoops Preseason Region Player of the Year (pictured on front)</strong></p> <p>Brown does it all for the Devildogs around the paint area. Jacob plays bigger than his size down low and really shows to have great versatility all over the floor. Jacob will grab rebounds out of his area, bring the ball up the floor, score on a soft jump-hook then grab a loose ball on the floor, all in the matter of 20 seconds. Brown averaged 12.3 ppg aand 10.2 rebounds last season. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1118516" first="Kain" last="James"] (2022) - Easley HS </strong></p> <p>James is back for the Green Wave after averaging 15.3 ppg last season. Kain made 35 three pointers last season while connecting on 37% from behind the three point line. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/DEDED091-89F7-42EC-8958-DB5EFE5F49AB.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1227206" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/DEDED091-89F7-42EC-8958-DB5EFE5F49AB-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1227159" first="Kaziaes" last="Hemphill"] (2022) - Westside HS (Anderson) </strong></p> <p>Hemphill is a back to the basket center with a bit of a old school game to him. Kaziaes a left-handed post player has good length and tends to stay around the paint area at all times. Hemphill will battle inside and still looks to be improving on his game. </p> <p><strong>Jordan Fortenberry (2022) - Easley HS</strong> </p> <p>Fortenberry anchors the middle for the Green Wave. Jordan has blue collar mind set down low in the paint. Fortenberry averaged 6.9 ppg and 5.9 rebounds last season. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/262B1A33-7151-49AB-94EF-E7D5974F6E97.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1226875" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/262B1A33-7151-49AB-94EF-E7D5974F6E97-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="865328" first="Caleb" last="Mills"] (2023) - Travelers Rest HS </strong></p> <p>Mills is a coach's son with a good basketball IQ. Caleb averaged 7.8 ppg last season for the Devildogs. Mills always seems to be under-control while on the floor with his play. </p> <p><strong>Loyal Piker (2023) - Walhalla HS </strong></p> <p>Piker 6'3 shooting guard is back for the Razorbacks. Piker averaged 11.8 ppg last season. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/C7AEBD3D-FAE9-4761-B004-B79913525B50.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1220849" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/C7AEBD3D-FAE9-4761-B004-B79913525B50-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1258300" first="Josh" last="Williams"] (2024) - Westside HS (Anderson) </strong></p> <p>Williams is a strong guard who can get the ball to the cup. Josh also excels on the gridiron for the Rams football team. Williams has the ability to bully by defenders at times. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>