The South Carolina 76ers have a proud tradition, and certainly appears that they have a very bright future. The 76ers have been posting strong results this summer with a program that is paced by younger stars.
“We are primarily playing a group of 2016’s. We have a very talented class, and that definitely bodes well for our future,” said Coach Roger Wiley. “Sometimes they have played like younger players, but they have been getting better and better this summer. I think when July comes, they are going to have a lot of great experience, and I think we will be pretty strong by the end of the summer.”
The 76ers’ Black team is powered by a trio of 2016 prospects — Christian Hithe (5-9, SG, Rated atNo. 53 in her class by the All Star Girls Report), Jhileiya Dunlap (6-2, WF, No. 65) and Shaquanda Miller-McCray (6-3, C) — but those aren’t the only 2016 standouts in the program. Erin Houser (6-2, WF) plays for the Red team, while Lauren Harley (5-10, WF) plays for the White squad.
“Both Erin and Lauren started getting a lot of contact right after the Deep South Classic,” Wiley said. “Erin is a tall player with long arms and a guard’s game. She can handle it and shoot it, and she has a very good mid-range game. She also is a very good rebounder with a nose for the ball. Lauren is a very good athlete who can really jump. She handles the ball extremely well, and she has a repertoire of shots. She has the three, the mid-range game, and the ability to attack the basket and finish with either hand. Lauren is also a very good defender.”
“Houser is a strong athlete who can post you up, or step out to the arc,” said ASGR analyst Bret McCormick. “Harley is a quick leftie who can explode to the basket, and she has a nice mid-range game.”
In addition to the stars from the Class of 2016, Wiley also noted the contributions of Sanora Dengokla (2015, 5-9, G) and Jaelyn Murray (2017, 6-1, F).
“Jaelyn is on our Red team, and she is a long like Erin. She is long and rangy, and she could play the three or the four spot,” the coach said. “Jaelyn rebounds and runs the floor well, she has a nice jumper and she can attack off the dribble drive. Sanora is the unsung hero for our Black team, and her status is on the rise. She can jump out of the gym and she is a very strong player, so she is an excellent rebounder. She also has a solid mid-range game.”
“Dengokla reminds me of an old player named PeeWee Johnson. She has good quickness, hits the three, and has a strong mid-range game,” added McCormick. “Murray is a long athlete who runs and rebounds. She can score inside and face up out to 15 feet.”