Class 2A Newcomers: Upper State Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Use code “bailum30” for 30% off the first purchase of any subscription!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A new athletic season in the high school ranks is close to getting underway. This is different from the typical season because it happens to be one where a number of the state's teams are in new classifications from this same time last year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The&nbsp;2A&nbsp;realm may not have seen the number of teams enter its ranks that were present in higher classifications, but there are still a few schools that found out they will call&nbsp;2A&nbsp;its home going forward in the near future.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Previously, we penned articles that looked at 3A, 4A and 5A's newcomers. Now, our attention turns to&nbsp;2A&nbsp;teams starting with the&nbsp;Upper&nbsp;State.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Brashier Middle College (9-14, 0-8)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a textbook example of how region play can turn what was once a promising season into a forgettable one.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brashier Middle College entered Region 1-A play with nine wins. They concluded region play overall also with nine wins. To be fair, the Bengals did stick out as a weak spot in their region. After all when that region includes the likes of St. Joseph's Catholic, Southside Christian, High Point and Christ Church earning victories can be a difficult task.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jeremy Heinold's team will be in search of better fortunes now that the Bengals have moved up from 1A to&nbsp;2A. Their region will include Blacksburg, Chesnee, Greenville Tech, High Point, Liberty and Landrum.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>High Point (15-10,&nbsp;2-6)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":845407,"width":"545px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/IMG_8989.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-845407" style="width:545px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In similar fashion to the way Keenan did, High Point was another team that defied expectations last season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were plenty of sports pundits across the Palmetto State that expected the Grizzlies to take a massive step back following the graduation of three star seniors following 2022-23. Coach Jamaal Brown's team managed to hold its own through the first part of the season but finished only&nbsp;2-6 in its region contests.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both of its regional victories occurred at the expense of Brashier Middle College and its season concluded in the first round of the playoffs at the hands of Denmark-Olar.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Grizzlies' new region as a&nbsp;2A&nbsp;participant (Region 1-AA) will also include Landrum, Liberty, Brashier Middle College, Blacksburg, Chesnee and Greenville Tech.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning to the Grizzlies following a stellar breakout freshman campaign is [player_tooltip player_id='833028' first='Cherri' last='Yates']. She averaged 11.4 points and 1.2&nbsp;steals in 2023-24. [player_tooltip player_id='276130' first='Karla' last='Bracebridge'] is also returning for High Point to add to the team's frontcourt.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>American Leadership Academy</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is one of the newer schools in South Carolina.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>American Leadership Academy was initially granted acceptance into SCHSL but originally as a 3A school. That initial ruling was overturned and the charter school was placed into&nbsp;2A.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The new school is located in Lexington County right off of Exit 55 off of Interstate 20 in the Midlands. The Patriots will play its first season as a SCHSL participant in Region&nbsp;2-AA that will also include Batesburg-Leesville, Ninety Six, Pelion, Strom Thurmond and Saluda.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Clinton (19-6, 8-0)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":855145,"width":"560px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/IMG_1426-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-855145" style="width:560px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When it comes to 3A schools in 2023-24, the Red Devils may not have generated the headlines of a Camden or a Wren but Clinton still put together a solid season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team suffered a narrow loss to West-Oak to bring an end to last year's campaign but the Red Devils played exceptionally well against region opponents. Coach John Gardner's Clinton team ran the table through its region schedule to win Region 4-AAA.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clinton is in a unique position in terms of realignment. All other sports were placed in Region 3-AA but football is Region 1-AA. Its new basketball region will include Chester, Columbia, Eau Claire, Fairfield Central and Mid-Carolina.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Among the returners for the Red Devils is [player_tooltip player_id='589680' first='Bryanna' last='Belton']. The senior three for Clinton averaged 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.2&nbsp;steals last season. Also returning for her junior season is [player_tooltip player_id='855426' first='Mylayja' last='Thompson']. The star guard posted average numbers of 8.9 points and a robust 5.2&nbsp;steals in 2023-24.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->