Unsung Heroes: 2026 Forwards and Centers Outside the Top 100

From Aiken to North Myrtle Beach and from Westminster Catawba Christian to Hilton Head Christian, there is a good idea as to who are the top names in the realm of South Carolina high school girls basketball.    Then there are players that may not garner as much recognition but are more deserving of their flowers.    That is where we at Prep Girls Hoops come in. As the season draws ever closer, we are putting a spotlight on those names that may not always be in the headlines but are more than deserving of attention – from both fans and college coaches. Without further ado, we move to threes and fours from this year's senior class to keep an eye on.     By claiming a top-four spot in its Region 1-AAAA, the Raiders of Laurens were able to secure a berth in the 4A state playoffs. Allen proved in her sophomore season that she was ready for the high school game and built upon that in her junior campaign in 2024-25. She wore the green and gold Laurens colors on 23 occasions this past season and averaged 13.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.2 steals a contest. Allen led the team last season in steals and was second on the Raiders roster in a number of other statistical categories. Expect Allen to be the focal point of all things Laurens in 2025-26.      Gathers has played at the varsity level since she was an eighth grader with 1A Baptist Hill in the Lowcountry. She is a versatile veteran talent who can give a team worthwhile minutes at a variety of spots on the court – including as a traditional big, as a forward or at the wing. One aspect of her game that has certainly developed over the years is her rebounding – which one would expect from someone listed at 5-foot-9. Throughout her athletic career, Gathers has also competed in track and field events – including the discus throw and shot put - alongside her basketball achievements.     We at Prep Girls Hoops got a glimpse of Tessner when 2A Blacksburg competed at the SC Live Team Camp event at North Augusta's Riverview Park in June. Tessner has also competed in softball alongside what she does on the hardwood – including during the travel schedule with Carolina Curve. She primarily plays at the three, but displays her versatility with her ability to operate at either the two or at point. Tessner is also difficult to score on in the interior. She sported Wildcats colors on 23 occasions this past season and averaged nine points and 1.3 steals in 2025-26.      Madison-Ladson concluded the 2024-25 season as a state champion as Berkeley departed the Florence Center as the last 5A Division 2 team standing following its March championship victory over Greenwood. She was one of the team leaders in rebounds with 3.9 a game and was also third among Stags players in field goal percentage. Madison-Ladson was also one of the team leaders in blocks per contest, adding depth to Berkeley's frontcourt. She stands at 5-foot-8 and a is product of the [program_tooltip program_id='713840' first='Charleston' last='Raptors'] AAU program. A big senior campaign from Madison will be crucial to a repeat state bid for Berkeley.       Holmes saw playing time in eight games in her freshman season with Philip Simmons when the team competed in the 3A ranks. She wore the Iron Horse uniform on 22 occasions this past season and averaged 10 rebounds, 7.4 points, 1.7 steals and 1.4 blocks per contest in what was a season of firsts for Philip Simmons. Last season was the first for the Iron Horses back in the 2A ranks and the first season under coach Allen Gethers who previously coached at another 2A Lowcountry school in Timberland. Holmes led last season's Philip Simmons team in assists and blocks (a testament to her defense), was second among the Iron Horse in scoring and field goal percentage and was third in free throw shooting percentage.     Not only is Turner one of our unsung heroes, a great case can be made that she is underrated. Given she plays for one of the state's premier 5A Division 1 powers in Byrnes, Turner is perhaps one of the more higher profile names on this list. Last season's Rebels team finished the 2024-25 season with a record of 19-9 plus an 11-3 mark in its region. Turner averaged 6.8 points and 6.4 rebounds this past season playing in 25 of Byrnes' 28 games last season. The rebounding stat had her second on the team in boards last season. Turner adds depth to the Rebels' frontcourt and that depth will be a reason Byrnes will once again be a force to be reckoned with this coming season.     Harvey is a multi-sport athlete who also competes in swimming alongside her basketball accomplishments. The move for Eastside from 4A to 5A Division 2 was rocky for the Eagles, but the team still qualified for the state tournament and Harvey proved to be a bright spot. Harvey averaged 8.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.2 steals per contest in 2024-25. She recently finished her final AAU season with [program_tooltip program_id='715412' first='SC' last='Eagles'] – a team that participated in the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit's Triumph Region. Harvey led last season's Eastside assembling in points, rebounds and blocks and was second on the team in steals.     Searles joined Legacy Early College prior to last season following a noteworthy tenure at 1A McCormick. She is coming off an AAU season where she wore the uniform of FBC Next Up SC Lady Wolves. Height cannot be coached and Searles brings plenty of it at an imposing 6-foot-2. That in itself makes her a matchup problem and combined with her ability to convert on high-percentage shots plus rebound, Searles is a tall task for opponents to contain. Searles also has superb shot-blocking capabilities and can throw teams off guard with her midrange jump shot. She is more than poised to finish her high school career with an exclamation point.

From Aiken to North Myrtle Beach and from Westminster Catawba Christian to Hilton Head Christian, there is a good idea as to who are the top names in the realm of South Carolina high school girls basketball.