Six Storylines as 2025 (and Region Play) Begins

The change in the calendar year from 2024 to 2025 also means the obvious change in the high school basketball schedule.    It means that save for a few multi-team events around Martin Luther King, Jr. Day the mid-season tournament portion of the schedule is virtually complete.    That portion of the slate is about to give way to region play. It provides an opportunity for teams such as Military Magnet, Andrew Jackson, Oceanside Collegiate, North Augusta, Gaffney and Summerville to solidify their respective playoff standings. It also gives a chance for other teams such as A.C. Flora, Boiling Springs, Cross and Hammond opportunities to give their seasons a second wind.    As the intensity of the season increases with region play, here are six storylines we are looking at as 2025 commences.    SCISA 2A: Who Emerges?   With the controversy engulfing the Cross Schools Stingrays program following the ousting of coach Matthew Fisher-Davis it has created a massive opportunity for there to be a new champion at the end of the season.    Player boycotts are on the rise. The Stingrays were 5-2 prior to when the controversy erupted but have since dropped six of their previous seven games (including a pair of forfeits).    Cross Schools moved up from 1A to 2A following its 1A state championship win in Sumter over Curtis Baptist at the conclusion of last season. The Stingrays were likely a favorite to win the 2A championship.    If the Stingrays are out of the picture this could create a massive opening for teams such as Laurens Academy, Lee Academy and Andrew Jackson Academy to grab the SCISA 2A crown when we get to the Sumter County Civic Center.    1A: The Military Magnet Redemption Tour   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_30-12-2024_07-38-53-7110PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1123420" style="width:499px;height:auto" /></figure>   After a shocking loss to eventual 1A champion Lake View in last season's Lower State final, coach Nathaniel Taylor's Eagles are on a mission to – as the kids say, nowadays – get their getback.   When a team such as Military Magnet that is used to winning state championships concludes a season without being the last team standing in its classification – those coaches and players may deem the season a failure.    As of today the Eagles are the No. 1 ranked 1A team per the latest coaches poll. Military Magnet has only dropped one game against an in-state opponent – and that was a close 74-70 loss to 5A Ashley Ridge early last month.    The Eagles have not dropped a region game since the 2020-21 COVID year when they lost a contest to Whale Branch. Military Magnet should not have too many issues this season once again in region play so the rest of the season is really all about staying healthy and getting to the February frenzy.    [player_tooltip player_id='196266' first='Dream' last='Watson'] is leading the way in her senior season having averaged 12.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.7 assists plus five steals a game in 13 games. [player_tooltip player_id='366551' first='DaNariyah' last='Williams'] has also provided stellar play for the Eagles as a junior. She has averaged 10 points and 8.5 rebounds plus 3.4 steals in those 13 contests. Another senior – [player_tooltip player_id='252502' first='Sabri' last='Mitchell'] – has averaged 9.8 points, seven rebounds and 2.1 steals. [player_tooltip player_id='860961' first='Jada' last='Davis'] – also part of Military Magnet's 2025 class – has average 7.2 points and 1.5 steals this season. [player_tooltip player_id='366548' first='Dejamari' last='Pugh'] and [player_tooltip player_id='565520' first='Destinee' last='Wilson'] also provide the Eagles a backcourt boost.   Surprise Teams: Can White Knoll, Chester and Lake Marion keep it up?    In the build-up to the season, a pair of teams from the 2A ranks probably were not on the radars of many.    One of those teams was the Cyclones. After all Chester – last season as a 3A school – only won three games last season. Those victories came against 4A York, 1A Ware Shoals and 3A Union County.    This season Chester has done surprisingly well for itself in the non-region portion of its schedule. The Cyclones as of this writing are 8-2. The most recent 2A coaches poll had Chester ranked third.    How Chester performs against regional opponents will tell us a lot. And it is not as if the Cyclones are in an easy region. While they no longer have to worry about Woodruff (still in 3A) Chester now has teams such as Eau Claire and Clinton on the brains.    Both the Red Devils (fourth) and Shamrocks (seventh) are also ranked in that most recent poll. Given the region Chester is in, the outlook looks rosy for the Cyclones to make 2A state play. How they fare against Eau Claire and Clinton (who they struggled against last season) can tell us plenty about how deep a run the Cyclones can make.    Lake Marion won seven games all of last season. As of this writing, the Gators already have seven wins with region play lurking.    Ask anyone around the Lake Marion program and they will mention how the lowlight of the 2023-24 campaign was dropping that Feb. 9 contest against Academic Magnet in what was a 2A state play-in game. That was one of two of three matchups where the Gators fell to the Raptors.    In similar fashion to Chester, Lake Marion appears to be in good position to be playing basketball into mid-February because of the teams in its region. The only team that may give the Gators some problems is Hampton County.    But Lake Marion can throw the Hurricanes – and the rest of its Region 5-AA field – a problem of its own in the form of freshman two guard [player_tooltip player_id='1040958' first='Harmony' last='McCaskill']. She has averaged 13.4 points, 2.4 steals and 1.3 blocks a game in the eight games the Gators have played in.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/IMG_0185.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1060375" style="width:489px;height:auto" /></figure>   The team that represents Red Bank has had plenty of opponents and coaching staffs seeing red this season.    White Knoll barely qualified for 5A state play last season because of a close 32-31 defeat over River Bluff on Feb. 9 only to be ousted from the first round by Goose Creek in a 39-33 decision. The 2024-25 rendition of the Timberwolves looks like one that will not only make the 5A Division 2 tournament but will make a run in states.    The Timberwolves are taking a six-game winning streak into the new year – but they play in one of the toughest regions in the state amongst the likes of River Bluff, Irmo, Chapin, Lexington and Dutch Fork.    White Knoll's two star seniors have been huge reasons for the Timberwolves rise. [player_tooltip player_id='558730' first='Shaelyn' last='Hayes'] has averaged 14.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and three steals a game. [player_tooltip player_id='1047754' first='Emory' last='Waters-Inman'] has given the Timberwolves 12.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.2 steals a game. [player_tooltip player_id='1047757' first='Jaliyah' last='Daniel'], a sophomore, provides depth to White Knoll's backcourt.    4A: Is this Finally the Year for Either South Pointe or Lower Richland?    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_28-12-2024_08-00-38-4460AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1121286" style="width:534px;height:auto" /></figure>   South Pointe is doing South Pointe things yet again.    As of this writing the Stallions are an undefeated 12-0 and are top-ranked in the latest 4A coaches' poll. South Pointe has built up an impressive 2024-25 resume that has included victories over Andrew Jackson, Spring Valley and twice against Rock Hill.    But ask anyone who is a South Pointe backer and they may mention how their memories are still haunted by the ghosts of playoffs past. The teams that have defeated South Pointe in the last two 4A tournaments (North Augusta in 2023, Riverside last season) have won championships those years.   With A.C. Flora not resembling the A.C. Flora of previous years, the Stallions biggest roadblock to the region championship could be Camden. South Pointe hosts Camden on Jan. 8 then will travel to the Dog Pound on Jan. 31.   How many teams can say they have a guard averaging 21.7 points, 4.6 steals and 3.1 assists as a freshman? South Pointe can say that because it has [player_tooltip player_id='429828' first='Kaleigh' last='Lucas']. How many teams can say they have a big who is not only averaging a double-double of 17.8 points and 11.5 rebounds a game but is also getting Division I attention? South Pointe can say that because it has [player_tooltip player_id='324542' first='JaNyia' last='Cunningham']. In addition, the Stallions have [player_tooltip player_id='185416' first='Serenity' last='Woods'] – a senior guard who is averaging 11.4 points and 1.9 steals a game. [player_tooltip player_id='567029' first='Morgan' last='Young'] and [player_tooltip player_id='831269' first='Ailema' last='Land'] add depth to the Stallions' backcourt.    <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:550px;height:auto" /></figure>   If it is one thing we can count on at the Diamond Mine it is consistent winning basketball. Lower Richland was doing plenty of it when it was a 3A team and has now brought its winning ways to the 4A realm.    The Diamond Hornets were good enough to win states the last couple of years but the juggernaut that was Camden dashed the state hopes of many a previous 3A contender (ask Wren).    If Lower Richland runs into Camden again this season, it will be in the 4A state championship game given the Bulldogs play in an Upper State region and the Diamond Hornets are in the Lower State. Could this be the season where an eighth piece of state hardware makes its way to The Creek?    Lower Richland has yet to drop a game to an in-state opponent this season. The big question for the Diamond Hornets in January will be travel as the team is in a Pee Dee-centric region against foes such as Wilson, Lakewood, South Florence, Crestwood, Darlington and Hartsville.    [player_tooltip player_id='405364' first='Jhnai' last='Sumter'] has been the team's leading scorer and rebounder through 11 contests. Sumter has nearly averaged a double-double of 16.8 points and nine boards plus 2.6 steals. [player_tooltip player_id='496217' first='Chi'nya' last='Isaac'] has had herself a banner senior season before she brings her talents to Texas A&M International. Isaac has averaged 12.5 points, 3.9 steals and three assists a game. Frontcourt depth comes in the form of [player_tooltip player_id='831277' first='Taelor' last='Hiller-Johnson'] and the 8.5 points plus 6.1 rebounds she has averaged. Backcourt depth comes in the form of [player_tooltip player_id='875403' first='Mikayla' last='Foster'] who is averaging 8.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals a contest. Diamond Hornets opponents also have to watch out for [player_tooltip player_id='903679' first='Morgan' last='Shiver'] and [player_tooltip player_id='885798' first='Ti'Nya' last='Isaac'] – both of whom primarily play at the three.    4A: Is Blue Ridge Being Overlooked?   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_06-12-2024_10-05-11-5690PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1098662" style="width:491px;height:auto" /></figure>   We combed through the 4A coaches' polls that have been released this season. So far, Blue Ridge's name has not come up once.    On one hand this is understandable since it was yet to be seen how the Tigers would adjust from its move from 3A to 4A. The result this season have spoken for themselves. As of this writing Blue Ridge is 10-3 with its only losses being single-digit defeats to Lakewood, St. Joseph's Catholic and Fountain Inn.    On top of that, the Tigers just won this year's Battle at the Border tournament at Landrum with victories over three 3A assemblings in Woodruff, Chapman and Broome.    When looking at Blue Ridge's region field, the team that should give the Tigers the most trouble is Daniel. The Lions were ranked sixth in the most recent 4A poll. Greer should improve as well given it has played a tough schedule.    The young core that has been assembled at Blue Ridge should give the rest of the 4A field problems the next few years. That core includes sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1098651' first='Opal' last='Maralit'] who has averaged 12.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.4 steals and 3.5 assists in 13 games. It also includes junior Audrey Harkins. She has averaged 10.9 points and 2.5 steals. Another 2027 – [player_tooltip player_id='1098652' first='Kaydin' last='Sullivan'] – has averaged 9.5 points and 2.4 steals so far this season. The Tigers' rebounding efforts are led by sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1098650' first='Talia' last='Maxwell'] – averaging 11.8 boards so far in 2024-25. [player_tooltip player_id='1098649' first='Baylee' last='Autrey'] is the lone freshman on this year's Blue Ridge team.   3A: Landsharks On The Hunt Again   <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_09-15-08-5550PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-932672" style="width:492px;height:auto" /></figure>   In recent years, Oceanside Collegiate – one of the newer schools across the state of South Carolina – has brought in championships via its football, boys basketball and baseball programs. Could this be the season where Mandy Harrison's girls basketball program adds to what is already a growing trophy case at the Shark Tank?   It was a fair question as to how Oceanside Collegiate would fare when it made the move up from 2A to 3A. Those questions appear to have been answered emphatically as the most recent 3A coaches' poll has the Landsharks perched at the top.    With Oceanside Collegiate now in 3A once again, it no longer has to worry about the likes of Andrew Jackson spoiling its state championship aspirations. The only in-state defeat the Landsharks have suffered this season came at the hands of 5A Lucy Beckham on Dec. 4.   How the Landsharks perform against Orangeburg-Wilkinson (eighth-ranked in the most recent 3A poll) will go a long way in determining if Oceanside Collegiate stands atop its region. Hanahan – which has started the season at 7-4 – may also give the Landsharks a challenge.   Oceanside Collegiate presents one of the most dangerous backcourts in the state led by the sister act of [player_tooltip player_id='496228' first='Josie' last='Hanks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='688841' first='Henley' last='Hanks'] – both juniors. In addition, [player_tooltip player_id='688645' first='Ella' last='Hunter'] is another in that backcourt that opposing teams have to game plan for as well as [player_tooltip player_id='496223' first='Ella' last='Mae Schepp'] who committed to West Florida. [player_tooltip player_id='390983' first='Teagan' last='Scott'] – another senior – gives the Landsharks a formidable presence at the three and [player_tooltip player_id='932684' first='Lauren' last='Hagmeyer'] is a sophomore who primarily plays at the four.

The change in the calendar year from 2024 to 2025 also means the obvious change in the high school basketball schedule.