Girls’ basketball in the CSRA has a rich tradition of success. Last season, both Josey and Cross Creek captured state titles. Laney was knocked out of the state playoffs last season in the second round, ending a remarkable 24-year streak of advancing to the Elite Eight. And North Augusta’s ladies had their consecutive state title run snapped last year after four straight crowns.
Over the years, the area has sent hundreds of ladies to the collegiate level, and more than a dozen have played professionally. This 2021-22 season is no different. We have plenty of talented players and teams in the area. While we have some terrific seniors — most notably, Ky’Shonna Brown of Josey, Santanna Dennis of Laney, and Keona Curtis of Grovetown — this season have seen the young players steal the show. Several underclassmen have come into their own on the hardwood this season.
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Here is a look at the top five CSRA girls of 2021-22 so far:
Michaela Bogans — Sophomore point guard, Cross Creek
Bogans is a must-see player with an incredible combination of athleticism and natural ability for beyond her years. She was a key cog in Cross Creek’s title run last season and has been even better so far this season. She is currently averaging 14.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 4.2 steals per game. She has led the Lady Razorbacks to an impressive 13-1 overall record and a 4-0 mark in Region 4-AAA. Their lone loss was at the hands of Valdosta, whose enrollment is double that of Cross Creek’s.
Kiara Turner — Junior guard / forward, Laney
Turner is the area’s top scorer, pouring in 21.4 points per game. She seems to be heating up as the season goes on. She poured in a career high 45 points (on a sizzling 16 of 21 from the field, with seven three-pointers) and grabbed 11 Rebounds in an 84-51 win over Jefferson Co. last week. She followed that up with 30 points three days later in a blowout win over Oglethorpe Co. She has gotten better each season. After averaging 3.4 points playing sparingly as a freshman, she burst on the scene last season upping her scoring average to 16.3 per contest.
Aaliyah Lawrence — Junior forward, Silver Bluff
Lawrence is leading the way on both ends of the floor for a Silver Bluff squad that is following their successful football team’s lead. The Lady Bulldogs are 8-2 on the young campaign and appear ready to make a deep playoff run. Lawrence is averaging 14.5 points per game to go with 8.7 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 2.1 blocks per game.
Trinity Barrow — Junior point guard, Greenbrier
Barrow may be my favorite player to watch in the area. She is the epitome of a floor general. She can handle the ball with anyone, has superior quickness, a super-high basketball IQ, and works at her craft. That work is obvious based on her improved outside shooting. Last season, in 25 games she made just 12 three-pointers and shot 24% from long range. In just 15 games this season, she has already doubled the number of made three-pointers, with 15 and her accuracy has improved to 40%. She is currently averaging 12.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 4.3 steals per contest for the Lady Pack, who now stand at 15-2 overall and 7-0 in Region 8-AAAAA.
P’eris Smith — Junior forward / center, North Augusta
Smith, who is the top-ranked power forward in South Carolina’s 2023 Class, actually got some spot duty on the North Augusta Varsity Team as an 8th Grader. Therefore, she already has been a part of two state championship teams. She started making serious contributions as a Freshman when she averaged 9.0 points and 8.1 Boards per game.
Last season, as a sophomore, she averaged 8 points and 9.2 rebounds. This season she has truly come into her own as a scorer. She posted 31 points and 14 rebounds over the Holidays in a Tournament win over Strom Thurmond and is averaging nearly 17 points per game. She also averages 11.1 rebounds and 2.3 steals per contest. She has recorded 11 triple-doubles in 13 games for the Yellow Jackets who stand at 11-2 overall and 2-0 in Region 5-AAAAA. She has also started to rack up scholarship offers, with Francis Marion and Georgia Southwestern the latest schools to offer.
There are plenty teams and players worth watching this season, but these five young ladies should definitely be on your watchlist.
Ashley Brown covers sports for The Augusta Press. Reach him at Ashley.brown@theaugustapress.com
