Around the State: Richland County Freshmen
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The deep talent pool that exists in the Palmetto State is slowly, but surely beginning to be recognized by onlookers even outside of South Carolina’s state lines. And as these freshmen in the Midlands are displaying, that talent pool is…
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Continue ReadingThe deep talent pool that exists in the Palmetto State is slowly, but surely beginning to be recognized by onlookers even outside of South Carolina’s state lines. And as these freshmen in the Midlands are displaying, that talent pool is not drying up anytime soon.
Throughout the past few months or so, Prep Girls Hoops has (virtually) toured the entirety of the state via our county-by-county rankings. As we get closer and closer to tip-off of the regular season, we are offering our version of the Cliffs Notes into high school girls basketball across our state.
We have unveiled our senior, junior and freshman list for Richland County. Last, but certainly not least – its freshman class.
We begin our 2026 list in similar fashion to how much of our 2023 list went – with a talented standout who runs on the grassroots circuit with SC Future – specifically SC Future 2026. She stands at 5-foot-7 and primarily plays the three with the minutes she is allotted. Delaney also has a middle school championship under her belt as she won one with the Cavaliers of Crayton MS – an AC Flora feeder school. Coach Jacob Thompson will enter his second season with the Falcons this upcoming season and he will likely be thrilled with what he will get from his young star in the making.
Hayley Hightower has a high ceiling. When it is not the jersey of the 5A Bengals she will be wearing, it is that of Palmetto 76ers. She is skilled with her ball handling and will sail past defenders to finish at the rim. Hightower keeps her hands active as a defender and when said hands are applied on an opposing ball carrier, it puts said opponent at high risk of coughing up the rock. Hightower then turns those into transition bucket opportunities. She is a natural southpaw that also has a potent midrange game and consistently looks to make plays around the ball. Hightower will join Blythewood after attending Kelly Mill MS.
Coach Terrence Gibson is poised to have a frontcourt to be reckoned with in the coming seasons at Ridge View. Johnson stands at 5-foot-9 and can mostly play at the three. She sets herself up to receive passes near the rim then she does the rest. Johnson is an efficient runner of the floor and will attack the rim to finish at the basket. She can throw defenders off balance as at times they are unsure as to if she will pass or if she will attempt to score. Johnson will also receive passes behind the arc and drain her tries from deep.
Highlights
McCray joined the fray at AC Flora and had no problems making her presence known as an eighth grader. She also plays AAU ball with Palmetto 76ers 2025, meaning her talents have given her the opportunity to play up a year in class. She is confident in her ability to drain 3-point attempts. McCray is also a gifted passer and an efficient floor runner. Opposing teams need to watch out for when she is on defense because she is a constant threat to steal the ball and give the Falcons additional possessions. Here is another AC Flora coach Jacob Thompson will enjoy working alongside in the coming seasons.
Highlights
Coach Aaron Lucas called up Sumter late in the season for Lower Richland. Previously, she played her middle school basketball with Hopkins MS before wearing the black and Vegas gold of the Diamond Hornets. Despite her being young, she already has a set of talents where she will be able to hold her own against her more experienced peers. She manages to handle the ball well and can get out in transition to clog the lane. Defensively, she can make things difficult for opponents either in the interior or out in the perimeter. In the grassroots realm, she plays alongside Palmetto 76ers.
Chase is setting herself up to be one of the young faces of the 5A Bengals program over the next several seasons. She also runs with Palmetto 76ers during the AAU months of spring and summer. She is a 5-foot-7 combo guard that brings plenty of versatility to her team as she will find minutes playing the three. Thomas is also an efficient slasher to the basket and find her teammates in transition. As she can play the three, she will also drain the three and will hustle down the court to ensure her opponents do not get easy layups in transition.
5A Blythewood is set up nicely to graduate a noteworthy class of 2026 in four years. Williams spends her time during the spring and summer AAU months with Palmetto 76ers 2026. She runs the floor well – particularly in the transition game. Williams makes efficient passes to ensure her teammates are open and in good position to make plays. She has a 3-point shot as well as part of her overall offensive arsenal and can stop an opposing team’s transition attempt in its tracks with a clutch defensive play. Williams played at Blythewood MS prior to arriving with the high school team.