Around the State: Greenville County 2026-27

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>Our virtual journey through the Palmetto State has taken us to its Upstate – and to South Carolina's most populous county.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Throughout the last several weeks, Prep Girls Hoops has put a spotlight on the rising stars in each area of the state via our county-by-county rankings. A high-population area such as&nbsp;Greenville&nbsp;County can be particularly difficult to rank, but we managed to do so for its senior, junior and sophomore classes.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Only one class remains in&nbsp;Greenville&nbsp;– the freshman class and it too has no shortage of talent. Without further adieu, here is our look at how things are looking for its 2026s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63100c90c63fd","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["371196"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":450787,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Prep Girls Hoops saw Haroski on a couple of occasions throughout the offseason. Once took place during the Jackie Carson camp at Furman University and once at Dawn Staley's camp at the University of South Carolina. She led Riverside to its first double-digit winning season since 2011-12. She brings plenty of talents as a scorer and can be a real threat to knock shots down from behind the 3-point line. Haroski also welcomes contact that can place her at the free throw line and maintains an ability for getting out in transition. Riverside will move from 5A to 4A for this upcoming season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63100cb8c63fe","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["380650"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Helmer is another rising star that Prep Girls Hoops managed to get a glimpse these past few months. She is a two-sport athlete who has volleyball as part of her athletic resume along with basketball. Leave Helmer open from behind the 3-point line and a team is all but giving the Knights three additional points. Helmer has established herself as an anchor for the St. Joseph's Catholic backcourt and has played at the varsity level since she was a seventh grader. Her accuracy from deep combined with her rim attacking abilities can keep many a defense on their toes not to mention she knows when to score and when to pass.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63100cf2c63ff","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["387116"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Blackwell played up a year in class this past AAU season as she participated alongside the 15U team of FCA Eagles. Last season was Blackwell's first at Southside Christian and she showed herself to be an asset for the team – particularly as someone who can block shots and compile steals. Blackwell stands at 5-foot-10 and primarily operates as a four forward. The Sabres – a 1A team – has become used to winning basketball from its girls hoops program and Blackwell appears to be the cornerstone for returning Southside Christian to statewide prominence.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63100d3dc6400","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["375908"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Buff is another Upstate name in the class of the 2026 rankings. She has already played for FBC Future Queens and for SC Lady Sixers when running grassroots. She has no issues playing the game on contact and getting to the free throw line. Buff's fearless attitude extends to how she penetrates to the rim and gets past defenders to finish at the cup. She also possesses midrange and long range shooting as part of her overall offensive arsenal. Buff already plays as if she was a veteran despite her young age and she will only get better as she gains more experience.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63100d80c6401","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["371550"],"_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_0_evaluation":"While teammate [player_tooltip player_id='371552' first='Aleena' last='Hardin'] (2023) represents the present of a Travelers Rest program that will play as a 3A school this coming season, Dandy represents the Devildogs' future. She is a gifted distributor of the ball and can assist her teammates with double teams to put opposing ball carriers in precarious spots. Defensively, she will also disrupt an opposing team's passing lanes with her ability to get her hands on the ball that has the potential to be a steal and a transition basket. Dandy puts plenty of points on the board too. She is a name we will be hearing abourt seeing aplenty in the coming seasons.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63100da1c6402","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["468191"],"_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_0_evaluation":"The 5A Mavericks boast one of the more robust youth movements throughout the state – and Leamon is one of the embodiments of that movement under coach Angel McGowan. Leamon combines speed, ball handling and a ferocious attitude which enables her to be dangerous when driving to the basket. She has a knack for finishing at the rim and gets herself in perfect position to receive passes and make plays. Leamon is skilled at dribbling out of uncomfortable situations and can also be accurate when shooting from long range. Leamon played her grassroots basketball with 3 The Hard Way.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6311f9ae8816a","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["380651"],"_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_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eWhen a standout makes a high school roster as a seventh grader and manages to log starting minutes as a 2027, that player must be doing something right. Dumont is prepared to enter her eighth grade season with St. Joseph's Christian. Even if she has a rocky start to a game, one can ensure Dumont will find her rhythm and put points on the board. Dumont has no problems drawing contact and taking her opportunities at the free throw line and can also sink her attempts from 3-point range. She will have games where she increases her assist total and her rebounding total. Dumont will look to poke the ball away from an opposing ball carrier and utilizes her team's passing lanes at the perfect times to locat open teammates.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->