Around the State: Richland County – District 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Midlands of the Palmetto State has Richland County where the state capital is located in Columbia. Richland County is made up of several school districts. Let's just dive into some of the coverage right here on your source for girls' basketball in the Palmetto State all year long. Make sure to <strong><em>SUBSCRIBE</em></strong> today and remember to always <strong><em>#RecruitThePalmettoState </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Schools in the County: </em></strong>A.C. Flora HS, Columbia HS, C.A. Johnson HS, Dreher HS, Eau Claire HS, Keenan HS, Lower Richland HS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A.C. Flora HS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":806830,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5016-crop-3387x2224-1700081720.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-806830" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Jacob Thompson is entering his third season at the helm of the 4A Falcons and has already seen plenty of success after moving from his previous perch at another 4A school in Airport.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A.C. Flora was one win shy of a berth in the state championship last season before 4A runners-up Westwood dashed the Falcons' dreams. The Falcons may have graduated Trinity Delaney (now at Francis Marion) but Thompson's team still has a talented roster that should ensure A.C. Flora will be in the conversation for sometime.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That includes [player_tooltip player_id='185224' first='Terriana' last='Gray'], a preseason SCBCA Elite Girls pick. She recently received a Division I offer from Alabama A&amp;M. She averaged 15.6 points, six rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.4 steals per game in the 30 games she played in. The Falcons have its present in Gray and its future in McCray – [player_tooltip player_id='496281' first='Skylar' last='McCray'] that is. She played in 30 games as a freshman last season and averaged 7.2 points and 1.9 steals per game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One can expect contributions as well from [player_tooltip player_id='678690' first='Emory' last='Curnell'], [player_tooltip player_id='429827' first='Tamira' last='Delaney'] and [player_tooltip player_id='670334' first='Madison' last='Mickens'].&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Columbia HS</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":568719,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/12/IMG_3986-crop-2591x1701-1671367898.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-568719" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In recent seasons, many a Palmetto State high school hoops fan may not have had a team such as the 2A Capitals on their radar. That changed last season as Columbia compiled a 16-10 record and narrowly missed out on last season's 2A tournament.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Getting to the February frenzy could be an attainable goal for the Capitals this season – particularly if someone can replace the scoring prowess of Damani Wilson who graduated last season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning for her sophomore season is [player_tooltip player_id='587304' first='Kamirra' last='Clarke'] – another one of Columbia's primary point-getters. She followed up her impressive eighth grade campaign with one where she averaged 18.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.7 steals and 2.4 assists per game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Capitals also have a couple of standout freshmen in [player_tooltip player_id='587303' first='Janiyah' last='Tucker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='587301' first='Emani' last='English']. Tucker averaged 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game last season in 21 games. English is a two-sport athlete who also plays volleyball. She averaged eight rebounds and 5.6 points last season in 24 games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CA Johnson HS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 1A Hornets finished with an 0-12 record last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dreher HS</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 3A Blue Devils had a 5-11 record last season, but four of those victories came against region opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eau Claire HS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":357142,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/11/5162D237-CD16-40F9-B342-C530B5F0BF9D.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-357142" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Shamrocks may not be posting the win totals they did during the Precious Caldwell years, but Eau Claire did manage to finish with back-to-back double-digit win seasons for the first time since 2009-10 and 2010-11. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eau Claire finished with a mark of 12-11 last season but only went 2-6 against regional opponents. That was understandable given the Shamrocks played in a region with two statewide juggernauts in Keenan and Gray Collegiate.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='378764' first='Destinee' last='Tiller'] is returning for her junior season with the Shamrocks. In her sophomore campaign, she averaged 15 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. Two other juniors to be on the lookout for are Milayshia Chisholm and Sytiria Bethel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Keenan HS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":674379,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/06/ED7B7D85-4297-4B00-B07A-14EF39A04173.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-674379" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adjusting to life sans a generational talent like MiLaysia Fulwiley is never an easy task for a program, but that is what awaits coach Reggie McLain and his Raiders now that she is in the college ranks at South Carolina.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keenan still received a rather favorable preseason ranking courtesy of the SCBCA. The Raiders were chosen at No. 6 in its Preseason 2A Top 10.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Raiders may have its future in the form of an eighth grader by the name of [player_tooltip player_id='637593' first='Taelor' last='Lee-Sutton'] – who was one of our 2028 Top Performers at this year's SCBCA Elite Camp. Lee-Sutton plays AAU with Team Curry.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keenan's roster will also include [player_tooltip player_id='651709' first='Kristin' last='Brown'], [player_tooltip player_id='562110' first='Aareonna' last='Caughman'], [player_tooltip player_id='320741' first='Ariyana' last='Donaldson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='305001' first='Jayla' last='Fulwiley'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lower Richland HS </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":573050,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/12/IMG_5061-crop-2089x1372-1672213756.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-573050" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Aaron Lucas' Lower Richland bunch was a Lower State finalist from last season despite graduating Anala Nelson who is now shining as a star at Austin Peay. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is no shame in losing to eventual 3A state champion Camden which was a buzzsaw that gave essentially everyone problems. The Diamond Hornets did receive a favorable honor from the SCBCA. Lower Richland is ranked third (only behind Camden and Wren) in its Preseason Top 10.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Diamond Hornets are bringing back stars across classes. One of those is [player_tooltip player_id='235335' first='Chanyse' last='Green'] – a senior who can play either at the two in the backcourt or the three in the frontcourt. Chi'Nya Isaac is returning for her junior season at The Creek. In 2022-23, she averaged 13.2 points, 3.5 assists, 3.2 rebounds and three steals in 26 games. [player_tooltip player_id='405364' first='Jhnai' last='Sumter'] is clearly the program's future. She averaged 13.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, three assists and 2.8 steals last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->