SCISA Class 1A Preview
In this article:
Indications that we are transitioning to the fall and winter months of the calendar year include leaves either turning brown, yellow or orange, the temperatures dropping and high school basketball gyms on the verge of being filled. Over the next…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIndications that we are transitioning to the fall and winter months of the calendar year include leaves either turning brown, yellow or orange, the temperatures dropping and high school basketball gyms on the verge of being filled.
Over the next several days and weeks, Prep Girls Hoops will provide in-depth previews of every region in the state as we highlight standout players in said regions and give our take on which teams will finish where in the standings.
Here is our first of four SCISA previews. Last season, Newberry Academy won its second consecutive 1A state championship, but saw many of its core players – including Daja Taylor – graduate. She is now in the collegiate ranks at Columbia International University.
Speaking of multi-sport athletes, Harvley is another one of those. Harvley plays somewhat off the grid at Cambridge Academy and also partakes in volleyball and soccer alongside her basketball accomplishments. She competed in all 20 games last season for the Cougars and was instrumental in the team posting a 5-3 record at home. Over the years, she has worked to become a consistent rebounder and it shows on a game-by-game basis. Harvley can be dangerous with the ball in her hands as she will attack the rim if she is in the open floor or find her way to the rim in the painted area.
Reaghan Whitlock
Reaghan Whitlock
Whitlock was already a focal point of all things Patriots. That could become even more pronounced as she enters her senior season with the transfer of Jane Walker Yonce Jane Walker Yonce 5’8″ | PF Orangeburg Prep | 2025 State SC to 3A Orangeburg Prep. Whitlock also plays softball and volleyball for Wardlaw Academy and won a softball state championship two seasons ago. She causes problems for defenses with how she can attack the rim and with how she can be accurate from behind the 3-point line. She also is willing to draw contact and give herself and her team free throw opportunities. On defense, she keeps her arms and hands outstretched and can deflect an opposing team’s passes.
Emma Craig
Emma Craig
Craig is another multi-sport athlete. For the Raiders, she partakes in volleyball and softball alongside hoops. She is one of the mainstays for the Jefferson Davis Academy offensive attack and she compliments how she puts crooked numbers on the scoreboard with a knack for hauling in rebounds. Her ball handling skills are also an attribute in the area of driving to the basket. Craig also can play the game on contact and will take her opportunities from the free throw line. A memorable 2022-23 school year at Jefferson Davis Academy appears to be in store for Craig – in all sports.
Carrie Hutto
Carrie Hutto
Hutto continues the theme that has been present throughout this list – athletes that compete in a variety of sports. She participates on the volleyball team at Jefferson Davis Academy. When she has the ball in her hands, one can ensure she will take care of the rock and limit turnovers to maintain possessions. Hutto will also put herself in position to grab plenty of rebounds and score her fair share of points. Hustle plays are also an important part of Hutto’s game as she will dive for loose balls and can be true when she shoots the ball from long range.
(*PGH Preseason Player of the Year*)rnTwo seasons ago, Huck made her presence known in the South Carolina girls basketball landscape as a freshman. She once dropped 40 points in a game in said freshman season. Huck has also been a standout on the volleyball team in Laurens Academy. Huck has led by example throughout her career with the Crusaders and she now combines experience with those leadership attributes. She can run the floor with efficiency – including in the transition game – is confident in her ability to drain her attempts from long range and has no problems playing the game on contact to get to the free throw line.
Ballard proved to be an important reason why the Crusaders advanced to the semifinals of last season’s playoffs. She is a two-sport athlete who also excels as a volleyball player alongside her basketball exploits. Ballard is a skilled ball handler who also can be very accurate from behind the 3-point line. She causes problems for opposing teams as a defender as well. With Ballard returning for her junior campaign and given the litany of changes that occurred in the SCISA landscape over the offseason (including defending champion Newberry Academy graduating three star seniors), she will have coach Jason Marlett’s Laurens Academy bunch in prime position to contend for the 1A crown.
A theme seems to be developing with our list – talented basketball standouts that also thrive on the hardwood as volleyball players. Mapes is another one of those and one can add soccer to her athletic resume. She first joined the Cougars as an eighth grader and posted her best statistical season in 2021-22 with 9.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Her signature position is shooting guard while being listed at 5-foot-8. Mapes is accurate from behind the 3-point line and does the most that she can with the playing time she amasses – something that she will continue to garner more of in the next two seasons.
So continues our common theme with this junior standout from the Eagles. The sports of choice she participates in alongside basketball are volleyball and softball. She primarily plays as a big, but can display a midrange jumper indicative of many guards or forwards. Brigman can bring down rebounds and win plenty of battles on the boards. She is also one of Richard Winn’s defensive stalwarts and is completely willing to play the game on contact that can put her at the free throw line. Brigman is transitioning into the veteran stages of her high school career and now combines her talent with plenty of experience.