Class 4A Upper State/Lower State Championship Preview

As of the first Monday of March, state championship games will have been determined for the 1A, 3A and 5A Division 1 classifications. Monday would be 4A Day at the Florence Center.    The teams that took to the court that Monday in the Pee Dee were looking to get one more glimpse of Florence on Friday when the 4A state championships take place. It was already a guarantee prior to the season that a new 4A champion would be crowned given the previous 4A winner – Riverside – moved up to the 5A ranks.    One can make a strong case that the four teams remaining to determine the 4A championship have been the four best teams in the classification for the 2024-25 season. Without further ado, here is a look at the two matchups.    Lower State Championship: Lower Richland (25-1, 12-0) vs. North Augusta (27-1, 15-0)   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_23-12-2024_04-43-39-8990PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1119268" style="width:537px;height:auto" /></figure>   The girls basketball program at Lower Richland has been synonymous with winning over the years. The Diamond Hornets last captured a state crown in 2013 as a 3A school. This is the first season back to the 4A ranks for coach Aaron Lucas' team.    Last season, Lower Richland's 3A state title hopes were dashed in the Lower State semifinals at the hands of Camden – a team that dashed the hopes of many 3A state suitors the past few years. The Diamond Hornets have returned with a vengeance in their first season back in 4A.    Lower Richland has not dropped a game against an in-state opponent all season.    Diamond Hornets' Road to Florence:   Feb. 18 – 71-27 win vs. Gilbert   Feb. 21 – 69-44 win vs. Darlington   Feb. 26 – 54-37 win vs. Bishop England   Key Players:   Lower Richland's efforts in 2024-25 have been keyed by senior and Texas A&M-International commit [player_tooltip player_id='496217' first='Chi'nya' last='Isaac']. She is the Diamond Hornets scoring leader, having averaged 14 points, 3.4 assists and 3.3 steals a game.   Another integral piece to the winning puzzle at The Creek has been [player_tooltip player_id='405364' first='Jhnai' last='Sumter']. In the 25 games the junior has played, Sumter has averaged 13.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.9 steals per contest.   Opponents of the Diamond Hornets also have to game plan for [player_tooltip player_id='875403' first='Mikayla' last='Foster'], a 2027. She has averaged 10.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and two steals per game.   A force to be reckoned with in the frontcourt is [player_tooltip player_id='831277' first='Taelor' last='Hiller-Johnson'] – also a senior. She not only helps out the team's scoring efforts to the tune of 9.8 points per game, but also Lower Richland's rebounding efforts at 6.5 a contest. Hiller-Johnson is also the team leader in blocks with 1.5 per matchup.   A pair of freshman on this season's Lower Richland rendition will be names to watch out for in future seasons at the Diamond Mine. Both typically play in the frontcourt. One is [player_tooltip player_id='885798' first='Ti'Nya' last='Isaac'] and the other is [player_tooltip player_id='903679' first='Morgan' last='Shiver'].   Lower Richland state championships: 1994, 1997, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013   North Augusta   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_6397.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-823770" style="width:549px;height:auto" /></figure>   The perennial 4A state power that is North Augusta is back for more in 2024-25.    Coach Al Young and his team probably do not have fond memories about how last season ended. The 2023-24 campaign for the Yellow Jackets concluded in an Upper State semifinal loss to Westside – the same team that defeated North Augusta in 2022 to win that season's 4A state crown.    Something will have to give on Monday as the Yellow Jackets also have yet to drop a contest against an in-state foe. North Augusta will also enter play on Monday in the throes of a 24-game winning streak.    Yellow Jackets' Road to Florence:   Feb. 18 – 68-19 win vs. Lakewood   Feb. 21 – 59-27 win vs. Aiken   Feb. 26 – 49-20 win vs. Gray Collegiate   Key Players:   [player_tooltip player_id='350281' first='Celena' last='Grant'] has gained plenty of big game experience during her time sporting the Yellow Jackets' colors. This season, Grant is averaging 14.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.4 steals a game in 27 games.   [player_tooltip player_id='444371' first='Ashley' last='Walker'] has also put forth stellar numbers in her sophomore campaign with North Augusta. Walker is averaging 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists.   A backcourt standout for North Augusta is [player_tooltip player_id='577618' first='Kenedi' last='Wright']. The junior Yellow Jackets guard has averaged nine points, three assists, three rebounds and 2.6 steals per matchup.   North Augusta's rebounding efforts are further bolstered by [player_tooltip player_id='304999' first='Messiah' last='Williams']. The junior Yellow Jackets center has averaged 6.5 boards, six points and 1.9 steals a game in 26 games.   Adding even more depth to the North Augusta frontcourt is [player_tooltip player_id='305000' first='Madison' last='McCain']. She has played in 23 games in 2024-25 for the Yellow Jackets and has averaged 5.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals.   North Augusta state championships: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023   Last Meeting   Dec. 18, 2007 – 75-22 Lower Richland win   When and Where?   Mar. 3, 3 p.m. at Florence Center   Upper State Championship: Westside (23-2, 11-0) vs. South Pointe (29-0, 13-0)   Westside   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/IMG_0157.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1060369" style="width:537px;height:auto" /></figure>   It was only three years ago when the Rams had earned back-to-back 4A state victories when said championships emanated from the USC-Aiken Convocation Center. Those wins occurred against North Myrtle Beach (now in 5A) and North Augusta.    Nicole Hood is in her second season at the helm of the Rams following Jackie Roberts retiring after 30 years. Her Westside assembling is looking for better fortunes in Florence than was the case last season when the Rams dropped that year's 4A Upper State final to eventual champion Riverside.    The Rams have only dropped one game all season against an in-state opponent. That was against Lower Richland back in late November at the She Got Next Thanksgiving Tournament at White Knoll.    Rams' Road to Florence:   Feb. 18 – 73-29 win vs. Southside   Feb. 21 – 60-36 win vs. Camden   Feb. 26 – 73-24 win vs. Daniel   Key Players   Now in her sophomore season, [player_tooltip player_id='324541' first='Khalia' last='Hartwell'] is emerging as one of the premier bigs in the Palmetto State. Hartwell, who is beginning to garner Division I attention, has averaged 14.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and one steal per game.   One of the veteran presences on Westside shows itself in the form of junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='195514' first='Monasia' last='Clinkscales']. In the 22 games she has played, Clinkscales has averaged 11 points, 4.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists.   The Rams are also getting a look at its future whenever eighth grader [player_tooltip player_id='921724' first='Tiana' last='Marshall'] is in uniform making plays. Marshall has averaged 10.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.7 steals.   [player_tooltip player_id='398712' first='Makyhia' last='Paul'] is another of the seven juniors that comprise this season's rendition of Westside. Paul is another of the team's leading rebounders. She has averaged 6.8 points, 5.4 boards and two steals per matchup.   The deep Rams' roster also includes [player_tooltip player_id='398713' first='Janaila' last='Rhodes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='398715' first='Gervonna' last='Williams'] adding backcourt depth. Mariah Randolph and Lamiyah Boggs serve valuable roles on the team as wings.   Westside state championships: 1989, 1991, 1992, 2021, 2022   South Pointe   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_5308.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1173219" style="width:582px;height:auto" /></figure>   We know the story at this point with South Pointe. Compiling excellent regular seasons only to encounter playoff heartbreak at the hands of eventual champions (North Augusta two years ago and Riverside last year).    The Stallions want to ensure they are the last 4A team standing this time around – and they have the team to get it done. Stallions coach Stephanie Butler-Graham and company are not only looking to turn unfinished business into finished business. They are looking to preserve a season where South Pointe runs the table.    The team that has given the Stallions the most trouble this season is no longer in this year's playoffs – but it is region rival A.C. Flora. South Pointe only defeated the Falcons by six (65-59) on Jan. 3 and by five (60-55) on Jan. 25.   Stallions' Road to Florence:   Feb. 18 – 90-12 win vs. Bluffton   Feb. 21 – 90-36 win vs. Wren   Feb. 26 – 83-39 win vs. Lancaster   Key Players   There is spirited discussion as to who is the top freshman in the Palmetto State. [player_tooltip player_id='429828' first='Kaleigh' last='Lucas'] has a strong case to stake her claim to that distinction. Lucas has averaged 21.1 points, 4.8 steals and 4.2 assists this season.   There is also spirited discussion as to who is the best young big in the state. There is a strong case to be made for [player_tooltip player_id='324542' first='JaNyia' last='Cunningham']. She too has received Division I attention. Cunningham has nearly averaged a double-double of 19.1 points and 9.6 rebounds in addition to 1.6 steals.   [player_tooltip player_id='185416' first='Serenity' last='Woods'] would love nothing more than to depart from the high school ranks as a state champion. The senior two guard has averaged 12.1 points, three assists and 2.1 steals per contest.   Just as South Pointe features one of the state's premier freshmen, it also has an eighth grader in [player_tooltip player_id='671661' first='Kemoni' last='Hardy'] who is ready for her time in the spotlight. She has played in all 29 games this season and has averaged 5.7 points and 3.2 steals.   Backcourt depth also appears in the form of junior [player_tooltip player_id='567029' first='Morgan' last='Young'] and another 2028 in [player_tooltip player_id='831269' first='Ailema' last='Land'].   Last Meeting   Jan. 14, 2023 – 70-36 South Pointe win   When and Where?   Mar. 3, 6 p.m. at Florence Center

As of the first Monday of March, state championship games will have been determined for the 1A, 3A and 5A Division 1 classifications. Monday would be 4A Day at the Florence Center.