Around The State: Spartanburg County

Basketball season has once again arrived in the Palmetto State. As sports aficionados from Andrews to York (and all points in between) know, South Carolina is loaded with talent in all areas of the state – and the Upstate is no exception.    Over the last several weeks, Prep Girls Hoops has released county-by-county articles spotlighting teams and players in all areas of South Carolina to get fans readied up for the upcoming season. Our focus now shifts to Spartanburg County – an area of the Palmetto State that is high in population and rich in talent.    Without further ado, here is a look at the teams and talents residing in and around Spartanburg.   Boiling Springs (7-18, 0-8)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/IMG_0549-crop-2828x1857-1732458284.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1067588" style="width:440px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Bulldogs surely want their games from last season's region schedule back. If not for that porous showing in region play then Boiling Springs likely makes the 5A tournament as – at worst – the fourth seed out of its region.    Breanna Ray is entering her second season at the helm of the Bulldogs. And while much will be made about the current make up of Boiling Springs there will also be a lot mentioned about the immediate future of the Bulldogs program.    Out of the seven wins Boiling Springs compiled last season four of them were at the expense of Union County and intra-county rival Broome.    The Bulldogs have a talented seventh grader by the name of [player_tooltip player_id='1068009' first='Makenzie' last='Kinard'] whose profile will surely rise as she gains more experience in the high school ranks.   Broome (11-16, 4-4)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/IMG_0540-crop-1833x1204-1732457961.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1067583" style="width:451px;height:auto" /></figure>   If Broome returns to the 3A tournament this season, at least the Centurions will not have to worry about facing Daniel.    That is because the Lions moved up from 3A to 4A. Also Daniel was the team that dealt Broome a blowout defeat in the first round of last season's 3A playoffs to end the Centurions' 2023-24 campaign.    Teams that have to be front and center on the brains of Centurions players and coaches include Union County, Greer Middle College and Woodruff to go alongside Chapman as those are Broome's regional rivals. Former region foes Blue Ridge and Travelers Rest were realigned into 4A.    A pair of sophomores in [player_tooltip player_id='847519' first='Kourtney' last='Wofford'] and Maggie Humphries will likely be key in an improved 2024-25 for the Centurions.   Byrnes (17-9, 6-2)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/IMG_0204-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1060379" style="width:496px;height:auto" /></figure>   Rebels coach Missy Fowler probably did not like what she saw when the 5A Division 1 and 2 coaches polls were released.    In spite of Byrnes putting together another solid season last year, the Rebels did not crack the top 10 in either poll. Perhaps this has to do with a pair of star seniors from last season graduating – or simply how deep the talent pool is in 5A.    Either way, Byrnes also did not like how last season ended – a first-round postseason victory over Chapin only to get routed by eventual 5A runners-up Rock Hill to bring an end to the season.    What Byrnes has to love is the return of [player_tooltip player_id='299560' first='Te'Ericka' last='Dowling'] for one more go-round in Rebels blue and red. She has recently picked up offers from Limestone and Claflin. Last season, she averaged 15.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game. Complimenting what Dowling got accomplished was junior [player_tooltip player_id='567027' first='Jaida' last='Johnson']. She played in 23 games last season averaging 8.7 rebounds, 6.4 points and 1.8 blocks a contest. Byrnes has a backcourt that is bolstered by [player_tooltip player_id='903219' first='Cherish' last='Dukes'], [player_tooltip player_id='902211' first='Ellison' last='Silver'] and [player_tooltip player_id='666099' first='Olivia' last='Brockman'] while [player_tooltip player_id='567028' first='Caroline' last='Turner'] gives depth to the Rebels in the frontcourt. Another name to watch is eighth grader [player_tooltip player_id='925560' first='Ashlyn' last='Evans'].   Chapman (16-9, 5-3)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/eZy-Watermark_23-11-2024_06-55-50-8920AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1067196" style="width:424px;height:auto" /></figure>   There was plenty to chat about when it came to Chapman's 2023-24 campaign.    The Panthers were victorious in 16 games last season and finished only second in its region to a team in Blue Ridge that moved up to 4A. Ask anyone in and around Chapman and they will likely lament that it was a bit of a disappointment a season that was going so nicely had to end in a first-round 3A tournament defeat to West-Oak.    Last season saw coach Wes Hachette's Panthers plant themselves firmly on the map of 3A contenders – and coaches agree. Chapman earned a top-10 ranking in the preseason coaches poll.    [player_tooltip player_id='249923' first='Krislyn' last='Wilder'] has committed to Columbia College for basketball and softball. The star combo guard for the Panthers averaged 16.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.6 steals and three assists in the 23 games she took part in. [player_tooltip player_id='659988' first='Annastyn' last='Smith'] had one of the state's signature breakout freshman seasons in 2023-24 as she averaged 12 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals a contest. [player_tooltip player_id='490794' first='Kara' last='Twitty'] is advancing into her junior season. A skilled point-getter and rebounder, she averaged 8.1 points and 7.1 boards in 25 games. [player_tooltip player_id='387011' first='Elliot' last='Miller'] gives Chapman options in the backcourt and [player_tooltip player_id='1068042' first='Kamryn' last='Thompkins'] bolsters the Panthers' frontcourt.   Chesnee (5-22, 4-6)   One can say that the David Garner days were the most recent period when Chesnee was looked at statewide as a name to be reckoned with in girls basketball.    In all fairness to current coach Derek Byars, four of the five wins that the Eagles did compile did occur in region play. That was what got Chesnee into last season's 2A tournament. Only one problem – its first-round opponent was a juggernaut in Gray Collegiate. Our guess is the Eagles are breathing a sigh of relief the War Eagles got moved up to 4A.    This season, the Eagles' Region 1-AA is a bit larger with the previous incumbent teams but now adding High Point Academy into the mix.    Dorman (18-10, 5-3)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5176-crop-3621x2378-1700305156.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-808315" style="width:461px;height:auto" /></figure>   If facilities were a telltale sign of how good a school's girls basketball program is, Dorman may have a 5A dynasty unfolding.    Fortunately for the Cavaliers, they have great facilities not to mention their team is not too shabby either. Coach Ashlen Dorn's team did get quite the blessing from coaches as the Cavaliers are ranked top 10 in the 5A Division I poll.    Last season, Dorman eked out a victory over Lexington in the first round of the 5A playoffs only to run into Mauldin (defending champions at the time) in the second round. This season, the Cavaliers welcome a pair of new region rivals to the fray as former 4A combatants Eastside and Riverside (last season's 4A champion) join Gaffney, Byrnes, Spartanburg and Boiling Springs.   Dorman presents one of the premier veteran guards in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='305511' first='Rihanna' last='Wallace']. The Cavaliers also present one of the premier veteran bigs in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='405529' first='Morgan' last='White']. Both Wallace and White are juniors. White played in 24 games last season averaging 11.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. [player_tooltip player_id='633407' first='Kimora' last='Evans'] had herself a breakout season as a freshman. She played in 14 games averaging eight points and 3.4 steals a contest. Speaking of guards, Dorman landed a major transfer with [player_tooltip player_id='833028' first='Cherri' last='Yates'] arriving from High Point. Yates averaged 11.4 points and 1.2 steals last season with the Grizzlies. Guard depth comes from [player_tooltip player_id='739945' first='Makayla' last='Moore'] and [player_tooltip player_id='925567' first='Jade' last='Barlow'].   High Point Academy (15-10, 2-6)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/09/97-Karla-Bracebridge-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-504847" style="width:412px;height:auto" /></figure>   It was not that long ago when not only was High Point Academy a 1A school but that it was locked in a three-way battle with Denmark-Olar and Military Magnet for 1A supremacy.    With the Grizzlies now up in classification to 2A those days have come and gone. The only region wins High Point Academy garnered last season were against Brashier Middle College. Region wins are not easy to come by when Southside Christian, Christ Church and St. Joseph's (all now in 3A) are rivals.   The Grizzlies' new region rivals include Chesnee, Landrum, Liberty and Greenville Tech Charter along with Brashier Middle College.    [player_tooltip player_id='276130' first='Karla' last='Bracebridge'] is returning for her senior season at High Point Academy.   Landrum (27-4, 9-1)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_7364-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-829219" style="width:389px;height:auto" /></figure>   Stepping foot in The Cage typically means a Cardinals opponent was in for a rough 32 minutes of basketball.    That included last season when Landrum won 27 games en route to an appearance in the 2A state championship game vs. Andrew Jackson. The Cardinals were originally slated to be reclassified as a 3A team, but Landrum won its appeal and got to remain in 2A.    The Cardinals will certainly have a new look as two of its big three from last season has graduated and is on to the college ranks. In addition, Kali Koenig is the new Landrum head coach.    The one from that big three that has yet to graduate is [player_tooltip player_id='587300' first='Kylie' last='Fortner'] given she is a 2026. She averaged 13.9 points, 3.4 assists and 2.4 steals last season.   Oakbrook Prep (2-14, 1-7)   One would be hard-pressed to find a program that has gone through more recent struggles than that of the Knights.    The 2019-20 campaign under Jason Haltiwanger (now an assistant at 5A Gaffney) that saw the team finish with a 27-5 record feels like it was centuries ago. Last season, the only two victories that Oakbrook Prep managed to claim were against GREEN Upstate and Newberry Academy.    Beginning this season, the Knights moved down from 3A to 2A and are in a region with only three participants. The other two are Our Lady of the Rosary and Laurens Academy – the latter of which in the SCISA 1A semifinals last season.    Spartanburg (11-16, 2-6)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_21-06-2024_03-55-36-7710AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-929442" style="width:393px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Vikings are another example of a team that had aspirations of a promising season before being snakebit by region play.    Leslie Boyd is heading into her second season at the helm with Spartanburg. The lone region victories the Vikings managed last season were over the same adversary – Boiling Springs.    Spartanburg did make up for that tough region showing by earning a victory over Blythewood in the first round of the 5A tournament prior to a second-round defeat to Upper State finalist J.L. Mann. The Vikings are another team in Region 2-AAAAA that will welcome Riverside and Eastside as new area rivals.    [player_tooltip player_id='373426' first='Kam' last='Sainvil'] will have one more go-round with Spartanburg before heading to the collegiate ranks. She averaged 10.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals per contest – and, as of today, she is an unsigned senior. Spartanburg is a program that has its present in Sainvil and its future in [player_tooltip player_id='674610' first='Azaria' last='Sims'] who is beginning her sophomore season.   Spartanburg Christian (5-13, 4-5)   Not all 5-14 records are created equal.    The Warriors' showing from last season definitely is not anything to brag or boast about. But Spartanburg Christian did make up for it somewhat by winning four of those five against regional opponents.    Of course, that was nowhere near enough to earn head coach David Calloway's team a berth in the SCISA 3A tournament since Shannon Forest and Greenwood Christian (who Spartanburg Christian did defeat at home once last season) finished ahead of the Warriors.    The only other victory the Warriors claimed last season came against Union County. There is only one difference between the region Spartanburg Christian is in from last season to this season is no Oakbrook Prep.   Spartanburg Day (4-11, 3-4)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/9940F380-B593-4B06-895A-7BB6BD098B97.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-600178" style="width:414px;height:auto" /></figure>   How often does it occur when a team finishes a season with not only the same record as the previous season, but the same region record as the previous season?    That was the case for head coach Brian Wood and his Spartanburg Day assembling. The Griffins had the same record last season as they had in 2022-23. Region-wise, Spartanburg Day has fared well against Spartanburg Christian and Oakbrook Prep, but also managed a victory over Greenwood Christian on Feb. 9.    Unfortunately for Spartanburg Day, Spartanburg Christian finished one win ahead of the Griffins in the region (and overall) standings). Perhaps 2024-25 will be a season where Spartanburg Day's win total is a bit higher than four.    And a pair of senior guards will be key in the Griffins' efforts in [player_tooltip player_id='600163' first='Grace' last='Becker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='600164' first='Kaytlin' last='McJimpsey'].   Woodruff (10-14, 6-2)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/IMG_0615.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1067584" style="width:427px;height:auto" /></figure>   The 2023-24 rendition of the Wolverines may have been three wins to the bad of their 2022-23 showing. But that region record remained a robust 6-2 and that helped Woodruff's 3A tournament seeding standing majorly.    Those only two region losses came against Clinton – no longer a team Woodruff has to worry too much about since the Red Devils now reside in the 2A classification. The Wolverines as a whole will face a new set of region foes as, in addition to Clinton, Chester drops to 2A and Emerald moves up to 4A. Replace those three teams with Chapman, Broome and Greer Middle College as only Union County remains in the same region as the Wolverines.    Powdersville, Chapman and Fountain Inn (all in 4A) have dealt first-round losses to Woodruff in recent seasons. Coach Jon Jansen and his Wolverines look to change those fortunes this season.    Changing those fortunes means [player_tooltip player_id='305507' first='Sadie' last='Burnette'] doing what she is poised to do – close her high school career with an exclamation point. She earned preseason Top 5 3A Senior honors. Another returner is [player_tooltip player_id='496240' first='Jensyn' last='Turner'] who will embark on her junior season in 2024-25.

Basketball season has once again arrived in the Palmetto State. As sports aficionados from Andrews to York (and all points in between) know, South Carolina is loaded with talent in all areas of the state – and the Upstate is no exception.