A.C. Flora’s Kim Roach Let’s see, the best player is playing out of position. The roster possesses as many middle school students as returning full–time starters. There are two seniors. And, early results indicate the offense is a work in progress.

You would think A.C. Flora coach Patti Moore would be bracing herself for a rebuilding season.

You would be wrong.

“When we asked them the night of the Irmo game (a pre–Thanksgiving tournament) ‘if we play well, will you be happy,’ someone responded ‘we don’t go out to play well, we go out to be the best.’ ”

And the Falcons have a chip on their shoulders after last season’s second–round exit in the Class 3A playoffs following a run of seasons making at least the third round.

If A.C. Flora is to regain what it considers its rightful place, Kim Roach (5–9), will be the catalyst. Already committed to USC Upstate, the senior has been slowed by a nagging injury during the preseason.

“She’s become more vocal,” Moore said. “I’ve seen her get on some kids in practice when she thought they weren’t giving all–out effort, which I was glad to see, but she leads by example.”

That example starts with the natural post– player moving to guard last year because of injuries and to the point this season.

“We want to get her back down to the post,” Moore said. “But because of our youth at guard, she’s had to step in and bring the ball up the floor.”

Freshman point guard Kyeshia Dawkins holds the ticket for Roach’s trip back to the paint. Moore tried to persuade Dawkins to jump to varsity as an injury replacement last season but failed.

“She plays with a lot of energy,” Moore said. “She’s not hesitant; she’s quick to pick up on things and has good basketball knowledge in general. Her challenge is getting used to the speed of the game and being guarded man–to–man.”

Stepping up in the paint while Roach is elsewhere are junior Alexis Jacobs (5–8) and sophomore Allie Gaddis (5–9).

“Alexis is that stereotypical kid who does everything that doesn’t show up in stats,” Moore said. “She defends the other team’s best offensive post player every game. Allie knows where she needs to be every single time and understands what she needs to when she gets the ball.”

Likely rounding out the starting lineup are junior shooting guard Bria Kitt (5–6) and either Simoy Evans (5–4, sophomore) or transfer Lauren Jones (5–10, senior) depending on Moore’s preferred alignment for that foe.

And, although Moore couldn’t persuade Dawkins to make the jump to varsity last year, she succeeded this year with seventh– grader Haniyyah Howard, who will be among the eight reserves.