SC Recruiting Notebook for 9/1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>October has indeed arrived meaning three-fourths of the calendar year that is 2025 are in the books. One more full calendar month to go before the eyes of the South Carolina high school sports fan shift to its many basketball courts.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Until that time, there remains plenty to follow as the anticipation the season tip-off only builds and builds. As always, news involving collegiate offers is always aplenty.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The recruiting trail remains active and that includes in the current showcase season period we are in as November lurks. Without further ado, here is the latest from said recruiting trail as the previous week was another busy one.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["320742"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1092915,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-68dd2b79a0a57"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The previous week was a momentous one on the recruiting trail for the signature player as part of Blythewood's senior class. This past week, Thomas secured a pair of in-state offers – one from North Greenville and a Division I get from SC State. She has participated in plenty of offseason events as part of the Southeast Elite Showcase and wrapped up her final time through the AAU ranks with [program_tooltip program_id='783909' first='Palmetto' last='76ers/A'ja Wilson Elite']. Regardless of what happens this season, Thomas will head into the collegiate ranks as a state champion as she helped in guiding the Bengals to its first-ever crown last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["567030"],"_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-68dd2b79a0aac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A transfer from the Upstate that will ensure that North Myrtle Beach remains in the 5A Division 2 contenders' chat picked up her latest collegiate offer this past week. Montreat in the Asheville area extended an offer in Powell's direction. Following her final time on the AAU circuit with SC Sixers, Powell is looking ahead to the 2025-26 season with a Chiefs team that moved up from 4A to 5A last season and were 5A Division 2 Lower State championship game participants. Powell will also enter the college ranks as a state champion having won it all in 4A with Riverside two seasons ago. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1318786"],"_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-68dd2b79a0afe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If one is a noteworthy in-state talent, there is a good chance said talent will secure an offer from coach Johnette Walker at Newberry College. Bridges did just that in the early parts of last month. She stands at 5-foot-6 and is part of a 5A Division 1 Spartanburg team that once again qualified for last season's state tournament. We recently highlighted Bridges as an under-the-radar 2027 to be on the lookout for this season. Coach Leslie Boyd hopes to further solidify contender status for her Spartanburg assembling and a big season from Bridges will go a long way in achieving that objective. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1318965"],"_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-68dd2b79a0b47"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Back in late July, this noteworthy name from 3A Orangeburg-Wilkinson secured an in-state offer from USC Salkehatchie. The Bruins under coach Cedrick Simpson put together another solid season, finishing 15-7 in 2024-25 and Cleckley was an important part of Orangeburg-Wilkinson's winning formula. She played in 18 of the 22 contests the Bruins was part of this past season and averaged 10.1 points and 1.3 steals per contest. Cleckley participated with OBC Express on the AAU circuit this past spring and summer. She is part of the Bruins' senior core that will likely once again have Orangeburg-Wilkinson as a tough out in the 3A realm this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["925559"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":926315,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-68dd2b79a0b9b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ligon's recruiting took a significant uptick over the past several days. A few days ago, Ligon secured her first Division I offer by virtue of in-state school Presbyterian. Prior to that, Ligon was also offered by Anderson. The Presby and Anderson offers are in addition to a previous offer she landed from Augusta University back in August. Ligon spent her AAU schedule on the Adidas circuit with [program_tooltip program_id='1231019' first='Upward' last='Stars 3SSB']. As she enters her freshman season, Ligon already has two seasons of varsity experience under her belt. She was part of a 5A Division 1 Mauldin team that concluded the 2024-25 season with a record of 16-9. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["305511"],"_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-68dd2b79a0be1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Towards the latter portions of last week, Wallace secured an in-state offer courtesy of Converse and its head coach Kevin Lyons. She has completed her final time on the travel circuit wearing the uniform of SC Sixers. Wallace looks ahead to the coming season with 5A Division 1 Dorman where the Cavaliers should be among the state favorites. Last season, Dorman concluded with a record of 20-8 and Wallace was a key factor in the Cavaliers maintaining its winning ways. Wallace played in 26 games last season at Dorman and averaged 12.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.7 steals per contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1318994"],"_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-68dd2b79a0c25"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Around the midpoint of last month, Stephenson landed her first college offer from South Carolina Central Christian College. Recently, she added a second offer from Spartanburg Methodist College to her list. Throughout her career, she has also played volleyball and softball in addition to her foray into basketball. Stephenson played in 25 games last season at 5A Division 2 Chapin. She averaged seven points, 5.8 rebounds and one block per contest. The Eagles will be an interesting team to watch this season as Stephenson will be under the tutelage of former Denmark-Olar coach Terence Jones for her senior campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["658941"],"_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-68dd2b79a0c69"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the latest offers that was extended in the direction of a Palmetto State prospect was landed by one of the many seniors at 5A Division 1 Clover. Powell added an offer from Lynchburg and its coach Allison Nichols. Her Lynchburg offer adds to previous ones she had received from Mary Baldwin University (also a Virginia school), Sewanee and Wilson CollegeShe wore the uniform of [program_tooltip program_id='715412' first='SC' last='Eagles'] for her final spring and summer in the travel realm. Last season's Blue Eagles concluded the 2024-25 season with a record of 23-3. Powell averaged 10.6 points, five rebounds and 1.3 steals in the 26 games she played. Expect coach Shakkia Walker's Clover assembling to once again be in the 5A Division 1 state conversation this season in large part because of Powell's play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->