Around The State: Richland County District Two

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The opening tip of the 2024-25 season has indeed commenced. As of late, we at Prep Girls Hoops decided to get the many fans of the Palmetto State prepared for said season by highlighting the players and teams to keep on one's radar.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have nearly completed our virtual trip through South Carolina – and this stop takes us to Richland County's District Two – mostly comprised of schools that are in the north and east suburbs of Columbia.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four of the five schools in Richland County's District Two also have the distinction of being in the same region beginning this year. Without further ado, let us have a look at these teams.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Blythewood (13-9, 6-4)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":826830,"width":"443px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_6910.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-826830" style="width:443px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season was a year that saw 5A Blythewood continue the upward trajectory it has been on over the last several years.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was also the first year of the Emily McElveen era for the Bengals. Blythewood suffered a surprising loss in the first round of last season's tournament to Spartanburg. This means the goal for the Bengals is not only to qualify for the tournament but make a run in said tournament.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In fact the last two seasons have seen close defeats for the Bengals in the first round. Something tells us Blythewood is tired of seeing its name in a bracket only said name to appear once on said bracket.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, the focal point for all things Bengals is its big three – all of whom are juniors. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320742' first='Chase' last='Thomas']</strong> is coming off a season where she averaged a double-double – 19.3 points and 10.3 rebounds plus 2.3 assists and 1.5 steals a game. Also part of that big three is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='259992' first='Hayley' last='Hightower']</strong> who posted numbers of 11 points and 4.5 rebounds on average along with four assists and 3.5 steals. Then there is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='259994' first='India' last='Williams']</strong> who averaged 10.6 points, five assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.6 steals a contest last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Richland Northeast (8-14, 2-8)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1090674,"width":"454px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/IMG_0937.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1090674" style="width:454px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Out of the five teams spotlighted in this article, Richland Northeast is the only one that is in 4A instead of 5A – and, by proxy – is not in the same region as the other four.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cavaliers are coming off an eight-win season in 2023-24. One may look at that and think it is a relatively unimpressive number. Consider that those eight victories actually match the total number of victories for Richland Northeast combined from the previous four seasons.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their season from last year did earn the Cavaliers a 4A playoff berth even though they were ousted from the first round by Bluffton. While Richland Northeast did retain its 4A status, its region moved them into the Upper State alongside Dreher, Lancaster, A.C. Flora, Camden, South Pointe and York.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The core for coach Cicely Jenkins' team is comprised of seniors – and it includes a frontcourt stalwart in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='811001' first='Sasha' last='Cebula']</strong> as well as backcourt stalwarts in <strong>Amaiya Gadson</strong> and <strong>Ajaela Brown</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Ridge View (21-9, 10-0)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1060362,"width":"432px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/IMG_0136.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1060362" style="width:432px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The view has been very picturesque from Ridge View the last couple of seasons.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two years ago, Terrence Gibson's Blazers put together a surprisingly deep run in the 4A tournament. How did Ridge View follow that up? Not only by once again establishing themselves as a team to beat but via a berth in the 4A Lower State Final vs. A.C. Flora.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beginning this season, Ridge View returns to the 5A realm while remaining in the Lower State. Many a prognosticator will have the Blazers as favorites to win its region. A major reason for that is there are few teams in the Palmetto State more stacked than Ridge View.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leading the charge for the Blazers is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='323653' first='Anasia' last='Harvey']</strong>. Ridge View's star veteran big played in 29 games last season averaging 10.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals a contest. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='268137' first='Simone' last='Johnson']</strong> is another one of the Blazers' featured players. In her sophomore season in 2023-24, she averaged 9.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest. Ridge View also added a major transfer with the addition of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569795' first='Joliyah' last='Robinson']</strong> from 3A Orangeburg-Wilkinson. In her freshman season with the Bruins, she averaged 14 points and 1.6 steals in 24 games. Speaking of transfers, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='369392' first='Janiya' last='Carter']</strong> adds depth to their backcourt. She previously played at the former 2A Wade Hampton (now Hampton County). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='514855' first='Tionna' last='Goodwin']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992667' first='Samaria' last='Smith']</strong> also add even more backcourt depth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Spring Valley (16-11, 7-3)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":840581,"width":"472px","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_8522.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-840581" style="width:472px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two seasons ago, the Vikings embarked on a deep run in the 5A tournament – all the way to the Upper State championship game against eventual champion Mauldin.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spring Valley may not have had the run in the tournament last season that they did two years ago, but coach Megan Assey will still throw a dangerous roster that will give teams plenty of problems. The Vikings were ousted in the second round of last season's 5A tournament to Gaffney but earned a Top 10 5A Division 1 ranking in the preseason coaches' poll.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Experience will be a strength of this year's Spring Valley rendition. Out of the 13 players on this year's Vikings roster all but four are either juniors or seniors.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='268138' first='Zie'l' last='Ratchford']</strong> will be entering her senior season with the Vikings. A stalwart on both ends of the floor, she averaged 13.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, three assists and 2.8 steals as a junior. Also entering her senior season is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='651707' first='Mariana' last='Moody']</strong> who recently committed to Francis Marion. In the 27 games she played as a junior, Moody averaged a double-double of 12.4 points and 10.3 rebounds plus 1.7 steals and 1.4 blocks. Another noteworthy Spring Valley senior is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320740' first='Lauren' last='Crosland']</strong>. She averaged 10.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 steals per contest. Their backcourt also features names such as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992662' first='Kallie' last='Robertson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='558731' first='Alyric' last='Buckner']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='903674' first='Ivyonna' last='Craver']</strong> and <strong>Amoura Luvie Willi</strong> where its frontcourt features names such as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='429822' first='Dominique' last='Briggs']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='894829' first='Mariah' last='Moody']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Westwood (17-10, 6-4)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1060355,"width":"489px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/IMG_0113.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1060355" style="width:489px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westwood, similar to Spring Valley, also experienced a high point in its program's history two seasons ago. The Redhawks – still one of the newer programs in the state – reached the 4A championship game for the first time in its history.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year sees Westwood and coach Gregory Bauldrick move up from 4A to 5A. Its season last year came to an abrupt end in the first round of last season's tournament by virtue of a 60-52 defeat at James Island (another school that went from 4A to 5A).&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the preseason coaches' poll, Westwood earned a Top 10 ranking among 5A Division 2 teams.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='407242' first='Aneya' last='Britt']</strong> is entering her sophomore season with the Redhawks. She averaged 9.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game last season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='356925' first='Destiny' last='Omeire']</strong> earned Top 5 Senior 5A Division 2 honors. Last season, she averaged 6.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals a contest in 27 games. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='552625' first='Thanna' last='Davis']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='885799' first='Lyric' last='Rogers'] </strong>bolsters the Redhawks backcourt while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='885800' first='Shanaiya' last='Heath']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1047758' first='Teoni' last='Cummings']</strong> do the same for its frontcourt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->