SC Recruiting Notebook for 9/15

When covering the twists and turns of the recruiting realm, it happens with the reality that some weeks are busier than others. The week that was in terms of which programs are offering which prospects was very active.    The urgency to extend offers to unsigned seniors is always high – and it only increases as we inch closer and closer to their graduation dates. In the meantime, upper-echelon juniors, sophomores, freshmen and even eighth graders are also securing their fair share of collegiate looks as well.    Without further ado, here is a recap of the week that was on the Palmetto State's recruiting trail.     As was the case with our recruiting report from last week, we begin with a commitment announcement. One of the premier bigs in the state, Anderson announced that she will remain in-state and play her collegiate basketball at Francis Marion University. A product of a [program_tooltip program_id='715412' first='SC' last='Eagles'] team that competed on the Under Armour and Prep Girls Hoops Circuits this past spring and summer, Anderson was part of a 2024-25 Wildcats team that posted a record of 17-5 last season. She averaged nearly a double-double as she played all 22 games last season at 5A Division 1 Lexington – 13.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per contest.     Currently the top 2028 in our rankings, one would expect a guard as dynamic as Lucas to garner a sizable number of collegiate offers. Her latest one was in-state and from a Division I school as Winthrop and coach Semeka Randall Lay has Lucas on her radar. As a sophomore, Lucas still has plenty of time to arrive at a college decision but she has more experience than the average sophomore given she has played at the varsity level since she was a seventh grader. Lucas played in all 30 games last season for 4A South Pointe and averaged 20.8 points, 4.7 steals, 4.1 assists and 3.9 rebounds. Her focus for now ensuring her Stallions are the last 4A assembling standing when March arrives – as well as becoming a multi-sport athlete as Lucas is also playing flag football.     Haroski already understands what championship euphoria feels like given she led Riverside to a state championship two years ago when the Warriors themselves played as a 4A team. Her recruitment has picked up over the last week as Haroski secured a couple of in-state looks from Lander and North Greenville. As is the case with Anderson, Haroski also played her final AAU season with [program_tooltip program_id='715412' first='SC' last='Eagles']. She did not play a full season in 2024-25 but looks to make up for lost time this upcoming season which can lift Riverside to another deep postseason run in the 5A Division 2 ranks.     It took a bit for this talented senior guard from 4A A.C. Flora to enter the recruitment chat, but McCray finally landed her first collegiate offer from Earlham College and coach Joe Adams in Indiana at the end of last month. McCray is fresh off her final AAU season where she proudly wore the [program_tooltip program_id='783909' first='Palmetto' last='76ers/A'ja Wilson Elite'] uniform. Last season's Falcons may not have achieved the success of previous A.C. Flora assembling in recent memory, but McCray was still a bright spot for coach Jacob Thompson's team. McCray played in 27 games averaging 9.6 points and 1.9 steals per contest.     Lately, we have become accustomed to the Chambliss sisters of 5A Division 1 Clover receiving offers from the same school. The theme changed recently as Jada would secure a couple of offers from Mars Hill and Bluefield State. Chambliss ran with EA Lady Stars Bridges/Team KB Bridges during her final go-round in grassroots ball. She recently made an appearance at the Prep Girls Hoops Carolinas Expo in Rock Hill. With her AAU career in the rear view mirror, Chambliss can focus on the upcoming season where the Blue Eagles look to re-establish themselves as state contenders in the 5A Division 1 realm. After all, coach Shakkia Walker's Clover team was 23-3 last year and only graduated one senior.     As for the other Chambliss sister at 5A Division 1 Clover, her latest offer would be of the in-state variety as Converse has her on its radar. She also was one of the many seniors that was on hand at the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center at the Prep Girls Hoops Carolinas Expo. Chambliss also wore the uniform of EA Lady Stars Bridges/Team KB Bridges during her final time in the travel realm. She played in all 26 games last season for the Blue Eagles and averaged 5.8 points, 3.3 assists and 2.9 steals per contest. With Clover returning most of its team from last season, expect another stellar season from the Blue Eagles where they will be major favorites among the 5A Division 1 field.     Offers were plentiful this past weekend for anyone who wears the Clover colors. Powell proved that as she secured offers from two schools. One of them was Sewanee in Tennessee and the other was Wilson College in Pennsylvania. Powell also concluded her career playing grassroots ball with [program_tooltip program_id='715412' first='SC' last='Eagles']. The career numbers Powell posted in 2024-25 were a massive reason why 5A Division 1 Clover concluded last season with a mark of 23-3. She played all 26 games for the Blue Eagles and averaged 10.6 points, five rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. Powell's presence will likely have Clover in a spot to contend from start to finish once again.     We shift our focus from 5A Division 1 to 5A Division 2. Oliver has a new college suitor as Wesleyan College in Georgia. Wesleyan's coach is Lauren Falohun – a South Carolina alum. After concluding her travel career with FBC Next Up SC Lady Wolves, Oliver looks to build on the successful season Greenwood had last year. She is more the shooting guard of the Oliver twin sister act. Oliver averaged 21.5 points, five steals, 4.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists in the 28 games she played for the Eagles. Given the successful offseason Greenwood had, Oliver and her Eagles are poised to make another deep 5A Division 2 run.     Oliver is more the traditional point guard of the two sisters. She also secured an offer from Wesleyan and also concluded her travel career with FBC Next Up SC Lady Wolves. Oliver also wore Greenwood's signature black and gold colors in all 28 games the Eagles played last season and she averaged 9.2 points, 4.6 assists, four rebounds and 3.5 steals in those matchups. Her play was integral in Greenwood's run to the 5A Division 2 championship game after moving up in reclassification from 4A. Oliver will ensure the Eagles are a team to beat once again in 2025-26.     We conclude this week's recruiting report with a trio of offers that were secured by standouts at 5A Division 1 River Bluff, now with Jordan Leath as coach. Godfrey's latest offer would be courtesy of Denmark Tech. She was one of the many juniors that was on hand last week at the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center for the Prep Girls Hoops Carolinas Expo. A [program_tooltip program_id='783909' first='Palmetto' last='76ers/A'ja Wilson Elite'] product, Godfrey joins a Gators team that had such a successful offseason it likely solidifies River Bluff as contenders in the 5A Division 1 ranks. Godfrey also landed an offer from Piedmont University prior to the conclusion of August.     In similar fashion as Godfrey, Tifre also secured an offer towards the close of last month from Piedmont following participation in an elite camp at the north Georgia school. Tifre also secured an in-state offer as well from Denmark Tech. She will finish her high school career returning to River Bluff and concluded her time through club ball wearing the Team Unleashed South Carolina uniform. Tifre was another representative of the strong Gators contingency that was on hand at the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center for the Prep Girls Hoops Carolinas Expo two weekends ago. She is more than poised to finish her high school career with an exclamation point.     Tucker was the third of the three Gators that would be offered by Denmark Tech and its coach (and athletic director) Javon Gilliard. Tucker concluded her grassroots career running with SC Future. She is a multi-sport athlete who also plays volleyball alongside her basketball achievements. Having played at the varsity level since she was an eighth grader, Tucker had career numbers last season for 5A Division 1 River Bluff. She averaged 9.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.2 per game in 2024-25. Similar numbers will do wonders for the Gators who are looking to turn their successful offseason into wins – and a deep tournament run.

When covering the twists and turns of the recruiting realm, it happens with the reality that some weeks are busier than others. The week that was in terms of which programs are offering which prospects was very active.