Class 5A Newcomers: Lower State Teams

Use code “bailum30” for 30% off the first purchase of any subscription!   The 2024-25 academic year was delayed, somewhat, across South Carolina due to the after effects of Tropical Storm Debby, but it did, of course, ultimately commence.    Every few years, a number of teams shift over to new classifications. This is one of those seasons and there were a number of teams that moved up from 4A to the Palmetto State's largest classification. One element of the 5A reclassification that also garnered the attention of many a sports fan was the introduction of divisions.   Without further ado, we shift over to the new Lower State teams in the 5A realm after already spotlighting the Upper State's new teams.    Lugoff-Elgin (3-23, 0-10)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/06/1EB54E03-EAF6-443A-8588-C9909CC0BB71.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-674654" style="width:552px;height:auto" /></figure>   At one point last season, the Demons showed promise as they began 2023-24 at 3-2.    Then the rest of the season happened where Lugoff-Elgin dropped 21 consecutive contests.    The three victories the Demons managed to score last season came at the expense of Northside Christian, North Central and I-Land. In fact, both previous seasons for Lugoff-Elgin have resulted in identical 3-23 records.    That more than likely played a role in Von Duncan's team suffering a massive blow over the offseason with the transfer of [player_tooltip player_id='637609' first='Jillian' last='Rush'] to the state power that is 4A Camden. It does not get any easier for Lugoff-Elgin as they were placed in a region with the likes of Blythewood, Ridge View, Spring Valley, Westwood and defending 5A state champion Sumter.    The Demons are bringing back [player_tooltip player_id='637607' first='Teryn' last='Hobson']. The sophomore averaged 11.1 points and 8.1 rebounds plus 3.2 steals and 1.8 blocks in 26 matchups. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='811223' first='Kendra' last='Wilson'] returns after averaging 7.1 points and 2.1 steals last season. [player_tooltip player_id='903676' first='Jordan' last='Samuel'] was an eighth grader last year and saw playing time in 24 games. She averaged 6.4 points, 3.8 assists and 2.7 steals a contest.    Ridge View (21-9, 10-0)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5531-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812512" style="width:558px;height:auto" /></figure>   The last couple of seasons, coach Terrence Gibson's Ridge View assembling was not uniformly seen throughout South Carolina as championship contenders. Perhaps the run the Blazers went on last season will start changing minds.    The Blazers were 4A Lower State finalists last season before Ridge View's run was concluded at the hands of A.C. Flora. One can expect Ridge View to be among the class of a 5A classification that it previously was part of.    Teams that await the Blazers in its new Region 5-AAAAA include Blythewood, Westwood, Spring Valley and defending 5A champion Sumter. Rounding out Ridge View's new region is Lugoff-Elgin and West Florence.    Veteran talent will be a huge key to success in 2024-25 for the Blazers. One of those is their resident big in [player_tooltip player_id='323653' first='Anasia' last='Harvey']. In 29 games, she averaged 10.3 points and 7.7 rebounds a game plus 1.2 steals. Another of those seniors is [player_tooltip player_id='369392' first='Janiya' last='Carter'] who was a transfer from the former 2A Wade Hampton in the Lowcountry. [player_tooltip player_id='895009' first='Sherron' last='Waters'] and Samaria Smith are also among Ridge View's graduating class. [player_tooltip player_id='268137' first='Simone' last='Johnson'] had a great season as a sophomore. The junior averaged 9.7 points and 6.1 rebounds last season plus 2.2 steals a contest. Ridge View's roster also includes [player_tooltip player_id='514855' first='Tionna' last='Goodwin'] – a junior guard.    Westwood (17-10, 6-4)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/06/F233EB33-CCBB-49A9-BF8F-813B7FDE0B0F.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-688021" style="width:527px;height:auto" /></figure>   It was expected that following two seasons ago where the Redhawks were one of the last two teams standing in 4A that the team would take a bit of a step back in 2023-24. Despite the loss to North Augusta two years ago at USC-Aiken, Westwood held its own throughout last season.    The Redhawks' new region will include seven teams – one more than their previous region in 4A. Out of the seven teams in said region, four of them are all newcomers to 5A.    Going from the bright lights of the state championship to getting eliminated in the first round by James Island is an adjustment.    The Redhawks are bringing back [player_tooltip player_id='407242' first='Aneya' last='Britt'] who played in 26 games as a freshman and averaged 9.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per contest. Also returning at Westwood is [player_tooltip player_id='356925' first='Destiny' last='Omeire'] for her swan song season. The 2025 averaged 6.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. Also among Westwood's returners are [player_tooltip player_id='404247' first='Kassidy' last='Gary'], [player_tooltip player_id='587304' first='Kamirra' last='Clarke'] and [player_tooltip player_id='552625' first='Thanna' last='Davis'] (senior) along with [player_tooltip player_id='885799' first='Lyric' last='Rogers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='885800' first='Shanaiya' last='Heath'] beginning their freshman campaigns.    West Florence (3-18, 0-10)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/IMG_8055.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-839122" style="width:508px;height:auto" /></figure>   Purists may take exception to the new reality of West Florence and South Florence not only being in different regions but different classifications. West Florence moved up to 5A while South Florence remained in 4A.   Nevertheless, West Florence faces a tough road ahead of it as it looks to navigate its new life as a 5A team. Last season's Knights only won three games in 2023-24 – vs. Lakewood, Cheraw and Dreher. With teams such as Blythewood, Ridge View, Spring Valley, Westwood and Sumter in their region plus Lugoff-Elgin, the Knights face a treacherous field – not to mention the additional travel to get to what is a Midlands-based region.    Gabrielle Gunter was the team's leading scorer from last season as she averaged 8.7 points per game plus 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals. Another key contributor from last season was [player_tooltip player_id='571844' first='Kendrina' last='Johnson'] who averaged 5.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per contest plus 1.2 steals. Kaylin Davis, a junior guard, averaged 5.1 points and one steal per contest.    North Myrtle Beach (18-8, 7-3)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_19-06-2024_09-18-45-5370PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-932681" style="width:535px;height:auto" /></figure>   It was only a few years ago when the Chiefs were in the 4A state championship game. Since then, North Myrtle Beach has been looking to reduplicate that success.    Heather Kearney is in her second season at the helm at North Myrtle Beach. Plenty was made about the possibility that one of the new 5A regions would be an all-Horry County region. That indeed came true.    If the Chiefs are to prevail in their new Region 6-AAAAA, then Carolina Forest and possibly St. James could be major threats in the way of it. That new region will also include Conway, Myrtle Beach and Socastee.    As senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='210157' first='Faith' last='Farmer'] enters her senior season, her junior campaign saw her average 17.5 points and 2.3 steals per game. [player_tooltip player_id='567022' first='Madison' last='Vereen'], the younger sister of [player_tooltip player_id='175332' first='Destinee' last='Vereen'] (also returning) had a breakout freshman campaign with 11 points and 6.4 rebounds plus 3.4 steals. [player_tooltip player_id='825729' first='Nevaeh' last='Washington'] is another senior and she has averaged 7.6 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals a game.    Myrtle Beach (9-14, 2-8)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/08/IMG_0742-2-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-520970" style="width:537px;height:auto" /></figure>   It was not that long ago when Myrtle Beach was a state power in terms of the girls 4A landscape throughout high school basketball in South Carolina.    Times definitely have the capacity to change. The Seahawks are certainly looking for better fortunes in their new 5A region than what they have experienced the last few seasons as a 4A combatant.    Last season for Ashlee Wright's team appeared to be a step in the right direction as Myrtle Beach won nine games – a major improvement over a 2022-23 where they only were victorious on two occasions. Jennifer Dennison will assume the reins as coach at Myrtle Beach. The Seahawks also did qualify for the 4A postseason only to be ousted in the first round at the hands of Lower State finalist Ridge View.    [player_tooltip player_id='520656' first='Kamoree' last='Vaught'] will be among the cast of characters for this year's rendition of Myrtle Beach that look to continue its upward trajectory.    Lucy Beckham (15-11, 7-3)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/06/47EC60F8-5289-4658-8EF1-7123698432D1-scaled.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-451598" style="width:577px;height:auto" /></figure>   Last season, one of the Palmetto State's younger schools proved not only can it win but that it can once again win in a tough region.    The Bengals navigating a region landscape that included James Island, Bluffton and Hilton Head Island is not easy, but Lucy Beckham finished 7-3 in that region. Lucy Beckham then followed it up by qualifying for the 4A tournament. The Bengals won its first-round contest against South Florence before falling to eventual Lower State champion A.C. Flora.    Region 7-AAAAA is what awaits the Bengals and it is one where the likes of Berkeley, Goose Creek and Wando should give Lucy Beckham quite the challenge. The other two participants in that new region are Cane Bay and Stratford.    Returning for the Bengals is [player_tooltip player_id='378102' first='Molly' last='Seifert'] who averaged 8.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and a steal in 23 games in 2023-24. Also returning is [player_tooltip player_id='258559' first='Annabelle' last='Cox'] for her senior season.    James Island (19-8, 5-4)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/12/IMG_8430-scaled-crop-2115x1389-1644577199.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-563488" style="width:578px;height:auto" /></figure>   James Island fought tooth and nail to remain in the 4A classification but the SCHSL had other plans.    The Trojans did have another stellar showing last season which resulted in a 4A tournament berth. James Island earned a victory over Westwood in the first round of the playoffs before its season ended at the hands of Wilson.    The Trojans have been placed in Region 8-AAAAA. Also in that region is Stall, Ashley Ridge and Summerville that are sure to be tough outs for coach Emily Beyoglides-Baldwin's team. West Ashley and Fort Dorchester round out James Island's new region.    James Island will need someone who can fill the huge void left by the graduation of Andrea Duncan. [player_tooltip player_id='635481' first='Tiana' last='Graf'] and [player_tooltip player_id='320743' first='Madisyn' last='Smith'] are returning for the Trojans.

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