Class 4A Newcomers: Lower State Teams

Use code “bailum30” for 30% off the first purchase of any subscription!   Here is all that one needs to know about how this season will have a different feel from the few campaigns that occurred prior to this season – the team that won last season's 4A state championship is no longer even in 4A.    That is what reclassification does and that will be a huge storyline heading into the tip off of the 2024-25 season. While volleyball and football will take up the early attention of high school sports fans across the state, that will soon shift to the basketball court once we get to November.    We already had a look at the new 4A teams that will be playing in the Upper State regions. Without further ado, here is a focus on the Lower State.    Gilbert (16-10, 6-4)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/12/IMG_3666-crop-3449x2265-1671359940.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-568705" style="width:581px;height:auto" /></figure>   Back-to-back double-digit winning seasons? Gilbert is entering the chat.    And it is not as if they achieved those wins in a region that was easy to get through. The previous 3-AAA region they were part of included the likes of state powers such as Lower Richland and Orangeburg-Wilkinson.    Gilbert particularly excelled on their home court as they won seven of their 10 contests last season in front of their home fans. And while the team's season concluded at the hands of Crestwood (also moving from 3A to 4A), coach Alisha Hope's team has its work cut out for it in its new region.    Aiken, Airport, Gray Collegiate and North Augusta are among Gilbert's new region rivals as are Brookland-Cayce, South Aiken and Midland Valley. While the team will sorely miss the production of Ahleria Leaphart, [player_tooltip player_id='847611' first='Alexis' last='Gartmon'] is ready for her freshman season. She averaged 8.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.5 steals per game. Also returning is another freshman in [player_tooltip player_id='847612' first='Blythe' last='Price']. She averaged seven points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 steals in the 11 games she played. [player_tooltip player_id='582736' first='Kylie' last='Morton'] is a 2026 combo guard that averaged 6.6 points and 1.9 steals in 21 contests. [player_tooltip player_id='847615' first='Avery' last='Campbell'] saw playing time in 20 games as a freshman and averaged 5.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.9 steals. Another name for Gilbert to be on the lookout for is [player_tooltip player_id='847613' first='Chanelle' last='Adams'].    Gray Collegiate (20-12, 8-0)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_09-06-2024_03-00-54-3360PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-921204" style="width:564px;height:auto" /></figure>   In many ways, Gray Collegiate was one of the primary lightning rods that set this whole realignment carousel in motion. After all, two seasons ago, the War Eagles claimed 2A state supremacy at USC-Aiken in a 40-32 win over Bishop England.    Not to mention its rivals in its former 4-AA region (Columbia, Keenan, Eau Claire, Fairfield Central) did not even play Gray Collegiate which put the scheduling for coach Brandon Wallace's team in a tailspin.    The War Eagles' bid to repeat last season was halted in the 2A Upper State final at the hands of Landrum. Gray Collegiate moves from Region 4-AA to Region 4-AAAA where the likes of Aiken, Airport, Gilbert and North Augusta await along with South Aiken, Midland Valley and Brookland-Cayce.    Returning for her senior season is power forward [player_tooltip player_id='242933' first='Kadence' last='Walker-Lee']. She led the War Eagles in scoring and rebounding last season, compiling 13.5 points and nine boards a game plus 1.8 steals. Another returning senior is [player_tooltip player_id='207409' first='Karlee' last='Phelps']. She averaged 7.8 points and 4.8 rebounds plus 1.6 steals plus 1.3 blocks per contest in 18 games. [player_tooltip player_id='401008' first='Diamond' last='Tatum'] is another who is coming back to sport the Gray Collegiate uniform. She averaged 6.8 points and 2.4 steals per 21 games. [player_tooltip player_id='756275' first='Kiley' last='Freeman'] is a worthwhile addition to the War Eagles. A transfer from 5A Chapin, she averaged 8.9 points and 2.4 steals a game as a freshman. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='877800' first='Alyssa' last='Salaam'] adds to the team's backcourt depth and [player_tooltip player_id='562062' first='Raina' last='Mayers'] will do the same for the War Eagles frontcourt.    Crestwood (16-9, 8-2)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/06/F6920BD4-B0A3-4E66-A330-C5A6B145FF36.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-688019" style="width:547px;height:auto" /></figure>   We move to Region 5-AAAA and the teams that occupy it.    One of those teams, Crestwood, is beginning a new era at the helm as former Knights star Shaquanda Miller-McCray is assuming the reins at Crestwood. The Knights only had one season under its previous coach – Bridget Richardson.   Crestwood has certainly been one of the successful programs throughout the state in recent memory. In 2023-24, the Knights made a deep run in the 3A playoffs but the season was cut short at the hands of a nail-biter defeat to a team with similar colors in Darlington. The Knights and Falcons will once again be region rivals in Region 5-AAAA alongside Hartsville, Lakewood, South Florence, Lower Richland and Wilson.    Miller-McCray will have what should be a formidable big three to work with. [player_tooltip player_id='571845' first='Saniya' last='Williams'] is going into her senior season. She averaged 18.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.2 steals in 25 games last season as a junior. Another senior is [player_tooltip player_id='370272' first='London' last='Vaughn']. An anchor for Crestwood's backcourt, she averaged 10.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.6 steals per contest. As for [player_tooltip player_id='370267' first='Javiah' last='Martin'], she posted numbers of 10 points, 3.2 steals and 3.1 rebounds on average.    Darlington (19-10, 5-5)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_6673.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-824823" style="width:569px;height:auto" /></figure>   The 2023-24 campaign was a banner one at the Falcons' nest in the Pee Dee.    Darlington posted a 19-win season for the first time since 2010-11. Coach Shanique Bennet's team made a deep run in the 3A tournament all the way to the Lower State final and there is no shame in a team's run coming to a close at the hands of the juggernaut that is Camden.    The Falcons will look to navigate a new reality as a 4A participant – including a Region 5-AAAA field that features adversaries such as Lakewood, Wilson, Lower Richland, Crestwood, South Florence and archrival Hartsville.    Among those returning for Darlington is [player_tooltip player_id='445531' first='Autumn' last='Joseph'] – one of the premier bigs in the Palmetto State. A pair of young guards in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='831287' first='Yasmine' last='Douglas'] and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='897294' first='Aaliyah' last='Woodham'] look to solidify the Falcons' backcourt.    Lakewood (9-12, 5-5)   It was in 2019-20 when the Gators last took to the court as a 4A combatant. That was a very forgettable season in Lakewood as that year's version only were victorious in three games that season.    To the Gators credit, they managed to hold their own in what was a very tough Region 6-AAA – one that included Camden, Crestwood and Darlington. The Knights and Falcons are joining the Gators in their new Region 5-AAAA where they will be joined by Hartsville, South Florence, Wilson and Lower Richland.    Speaking of the Diamond Hornets, that team was responsible for bringing Lakewood's season to an end in the first round of last season's playoffs.    Coach Joey Footman graduated five seniors from last year's team. One of the Gators' returners? [player_tooltip player_id='529248' first='Zakiya' last='Hodge'] who averaged 13.1 points per game in 2023-24.   Lower Richland (20-7, 10-0)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5550.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812521" style="width:557px;height:auto" /></figure>   Similar to what will be the case this season with West Florence in 5A and South Pointe in another 4A region, realignment did not do any favors for now 4A Lower Richland.    Coach Aaron Lucas has been at the helm of the Diamond Hornets since 2019 and he has made a habit of churning out talent at that program. Where realignment did Lower Richland no favors is in terms of its region status. When one looks at Lower Richland's region rivals – Crestwood, Darlington, Hartsville, Lakewood, South Florence and Wilson – one can see it is a very Pee Dee-centric region for a Midlands team.    As was the case with many a team last year in the 3A tournament, championship aspirations at The Creek were dashed at the hands of Camden.    Lower Richland boasts talent regardless of class. One example of this is Chi'Nya Isaac who recently picked up an offer from Lees-McRae. The senior guard averaged 12.7 points, 3.7 assists and 2.1 steals in 27 games last season. Another example is [player_tooltip player_id='831277' first='Taelor' last='Hiller-Johnson'], who anchors the Diamond Hornets' frontcourt. She averaged 8.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. She is listed at 6-foot-1. Another of the veterans that make up Lower Richland is [player_tooltip player_id='405364' first='Jhnai' last='Sumter']. She played in 27 games last season and averaged 10.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.7 steals. [player_tooltip player_id='875403' first='Mikayla' last='Foster'] saw plenty of playing time in her freshman season last year. She averaged 5.2 points and 1.2 steals a contest. The Diamond Hornets also have a couple of up-and-coming freshmen in small forward [player_tooltip player_id='903679' first='Morgan' last='Shiver'] and guard [player_tooltip player_id='885798' first='Ti'Nya' last='Isaac'].    Beaufort (7-15, 4-4)   The region that the Eagles were in previously as a 3A combatant was not exactly seen as one of the tougher regions in the state outside of Philip Simmons.    Realignment has seen Beaufort go between 3A and 4A the last few seasons. For the Eagles time in 4A on this occasion, their region slate (Region 6-AAAA) includes adversaries such as Bishop England, Bluffton, Colleton County, Hilton Head Island and May River.    Despite the record, coach Reginald Jones' team still was one of the teams that qualified for the 3A tournament before Waccamaw brought the Eagles' season to a close in the opening round.    Bishop England (28-3, 8-1)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/IMG_3696-crop-1833x1204-1708878859.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-860878" style="width:568px;height:auto" /></figure>   As long as the Bishops continue to be coached by Paul Runey the team will find a way to be firmly in the mix.    Bishop England is making one of the more drastic realignment shifts of any team. It is one thing to move from 2A to 3A. It is another entirely to go from 2A to 4A. Not to mention being in a similar situation as Lower Richland, South Pointe and West Florence where the region it is in will call for plenty of travel.    Bishop England was in the 2A state championship game two seasons ago before losing to Gray Collegiate – another school that went from 2A to 4A. The Bishops defeated Andrew Jackson to earn a berth to that game. The Volunteers got sweet revenge in the Lower State final last season to dispatch of Bishop England.    The Bishops graduated seven seniors from last season's team. Returning is Lisse van de Erve who averaged 8.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals per contest. Also returning is [player_tooltip player_id='877411' first='Olivia' last='Allen'] who averaged 5.3 points and five rebounds plus 1.7 steals per contest. [player_tooltip player_id='452370' first='Sullivan' last='Leonard'], a junior, looks to bolster the Bishop England frontcourt.    Brookland-Cayce (5-15, 2-8)   What do Dreher, North Central and Wagener-Salley all have in common? All were teams who were placed in the loss column at the hands of Brookland-Cayce last season.    They were the only teams that were placed in the loss column at the hands of the Bearcats. Five wins may be a far distance from the 14 victories that were compiled by Brookland-Cayce during the 2017-18 season, but it is an improvement over the most recent of seasons.    The Bearcats have anything but an easy road ahead in looking to build on last season's five victories. Brookland-Cayce is not only returning to the 4A ranks, but will be in a region that includes Aiken, Gray Collegiate, Airport, Gilbert and North Augusta not to mention South Aiken and Midland Valley.    This will be the first season of Jamaal Brown at the helm for the Bearcats. Two of the focal points for the team this season will be guard [player_tooltip player_id='903686' first='Kamryn' last='Etheredge'] and small forward [player_tooltip player_id='894828' first='Kadin' last='Enoch']. Both Etheredge and Enoch are 2026s.

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