Newcomers: 2026 Unsung Heroes To Watch Out For This Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At this point, there has been more than enough time to digest and marinate over our updated rankings for South Carolina's senior, junior and sophomore classes.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The introduction of new rankings also comes with the introduction of new names that may be now somewhat unfamiliar to many a Palmetto State high school hoops aficionado but will become familiar over time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fans across the state know who many of the marquee 2026s are, but what about a few off-the-radar names? Without further ado, here are a few of those senior names to have in the back of one's mind in 2025-26.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1317857"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d48f3495788"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Many Razorbacks fans – and a lot of the town of Walhalla as a whole – made the trek to the Florence Center to see their Razorbacks prevail over Dillon in last season's 3A state contest. White led the purple to the gold placement on the 3A podium. Her performance in that contest included a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds. She also contributed three assists and two steals to the Razorbacks cause. For the season, White averaged 9.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and competed in 28 contests for Walhalla. She is ready to take on the role as the featured frontcourt player for coach Byron Wimphrie's Razorbacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1318924"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d48f34957ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When Palmetto State sports fans hear the name “Abbeville,” usually football comes to mind. Sanders was part of a 2024-25 Panthers version that proved it could make waves in the girls basketball realm as well. Abbeville concluded last season with a 14-7 record along with a win in the first round of last season's 1A state tournament. Sanders stands at 5-foot-5 and primarily plays at the point. One has to look out for how Sanders can make plays on either end of the floor. After emerging as a real contender last season, Sanders is looking to help Abbeville build on its 2024-25 success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1318943"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d48f3495839"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cross Schools of the SCISA 2A ranks may have gone through a tumultuous 2024-25, but all was well that ended well for the Stingrays as they departed from Sumter last February as 2A champions. Maldonado is a major piece to the winning puzzle the Stingrays have in the southernmost realms of the Lowcountry. She has worn the Cross Schools colors for both of its championship triumphs the previous two seasons. Maldonado stands at 5-foot-6 and primarily plays at the two. The spring semester is particularly an athletically busy time for Maldonado as she shifts her full focus to softball once the basketball season concludes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1318813"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d48f3495883"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cumbie had, arguably, her best season to date in 2024-25 for a Daniel team whose move from 3A competition to 4A play was nothing short of seamless. The Lions concluded its season with a 24-5 record, a perfect 12-0 showing in its region and a deep run in last season's 4A state tournament. This was in large part because of Cumbie's heroics. Daniel's talented two guard played in 27 games last season for the Lions and averaged 10.4 points, three rebounds and 1.6 steals per contest. Her AAU career has included a stint with Carolina Clutch and her athletic career has included a stint on the softball diamond. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1318956"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d48f34958ca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There were lots of joyous 3A teams across the state understanding that coach John Gardner's powerhouse Clinton assembling was now the 2A realm's problem to deal with. Clark is a key reason why the Red Devils are such a potent 2A threat. Clark was a reason why Clinton concluded last season with a 23-6 record and a berth in the Upper State championship game. The six-foot wing player competed in 28 contests last season for the Red Devils. She averaged nine points, five rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. Clark is a multi-sport athlete who also competes in volleyball alongside her basketball achievements. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1318763"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d48f3495911"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Incoming coach Terence Jones will likely look to Belton to add backcourt depth for the 2025-26 version of 5A Division 2 Chapin. Jones assumes his new post with the Eagles following years of success coaching Denmark-Olar to 1A championship games. Belton played in 28 games last season for an Eagles team that advanced to the second round of last season's 5A Division 2 state playoffs. Belton primarily operates as a two guard, but one can also place her in a team's starting five at the point. If Jones brings his winning ways with him from Denmark-Olar, a team like Chapin – and a talent like Belton – should certainly have a raised profile. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->