Region 3-AAAAA Preview: All York County, All The Time….Almost

Ask a high school softball or baseball player the month they look forward to the most. Many of them will say February.    Ask a high school volleyball or football player the month they look forward to the most. Many of them will say August.    Ask a high school basketball player the month they most look forward to. Many of them will say November – the month we are currently in.    We at Prep Girls Hoops have released in-depth previews of every region in the state, highlighting the teams and players fans need to keep in mind as the season progresses.    Our probing of the 5A field continues with the York County-centric region that is 3-AAAAA.    Clover (Division 1)   (2024-25 Record: 23-3, 12-0)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/06/IMG_7715.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1257969" style="width:636px;height:auto" /></figure>   Prior to the 2020-21 pandemic year, Clover had played in state championship games on four separate occasions and came up short in all four. It was at the conclusion of that season when the Blue Eagles finally hit state paydirt against Sumter at the USC-Aiken Convocation Center.    The season prior to that championship season was one where the Blue Eagles put together a 20-win season. Clover won 28 matchups that season and 23 last season. The Blue Eagles earned a bye to the second round of the 5A Division 1 state tournament only to be bested by Rock Hill.    Much of last season's team is returning as coach Shakkia Walker begins her fourth season as head coach of the Blue Eagles.    Key Players:   The Blue Eagles have one of the more stacked senior classes in the state – and that includes [player_tooltip player_id='658941' first='Clara' last='Powell'] who stands at 5-foot-10 and can play as a two, three or wing. Powell averaged 10.6 points, five rebounds and 1.3 steals in 2024-25.    Another 2026 on this year's Blue Eagles roster is [player_tooltip player_id='637733' first='Julienne' last='Chambliss'] who played in all 26 games last season for Clover. Chambliss averaged 5.8 points, 3.3 assists and 2.9 steals in those 26 contests.    Also among that 2026 graduating class is Mariah McIlwain. Over the offseason, McIlwain declared she her commitment to North Greenville University. McIlwain played in 25 games last season for Clover.    That 2026 class includes [player_tooltip player_id='1278048' first='Georgia' last='Smith'] who stands at 5-foot-8. Smith saw playing time in 26 games last season for the Blue Eagles. She is another dual-sport athlete who plays both basketball and soccer.    [player_tooltip player_id='637732' first='Jada' last='Chambliss'], the sister of Julienne, is another that is part of the Blue Eagles' graduating class. Both of the Chambliss sisters committed to Mars Hill. Chambliss is listed at 5-foot-8 and played with [program_tooltip program_id='715685' first='E.A.' last='Lady Stars'] Bridges/Team KB Bridges during the spring and summer months of AAU.    Fort Mill (Division 2)   (2024-25 Record: 16-11, 9-3)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2462.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1119339" style="width:631px;height:auto" /></figure>   When looking at the Yellow Jackets' records the past couple of seasons, one can say that Fort Mill's 2024-25 was virtually identical to its 2023-24.    Looking at how the Yellow Jackets performed in get-togethers with region adversaries illustrates a different story. That 2023-24 Fort Mill version only won three games in region. Two of those wins were against Nation Ford and the other was against Clover.    Coach Nathan Wruble's team had a four-game winning streak entering the 5A Division 2 state tournament but that momentum was not enough to stave off a first-round elimination by virtue of Greenville. Last season's Yellow Jackets graduated a pair of seniors.    Key Players:   Beginning her junior season at Fort Mill is [player_tooltip player_id='975827' first='Colbie' last='Wolf'], who runs with Charlotte-based Lady Attack Elite during the spring and summer grassroots month. Wolf averaged 10.1 points and 1.3 steals per game.    The Yellow Jackets' 2026 graduating class includes [player_tooltip player_id='1318824' first='Kate' last='Marker'], who wore Fort Mill's blue and gold hues in all 27 games last season. In 2024-25, Marker averaged 9.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game.    Another name that is part of that senior class for Fort Mill is [player_tooltip player_id='922569' first='Zoe' last='Williams']. In late September, Williams declared her commitment to Lees-McRae. The 5-foot-11 2026 forward averaged 6.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game.    [player_tooltip player_id='1183140' first='Natyia' last='Parker'] is beginning her sophomore season at Fort Mill following a freshman campaign where she played in 20 games while averaging 6.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.9 steals a contest. Parker plays both basketball and volleyball.    Rock Hill (Division 1)   (2024-25 Record: 21-7, 9-3)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_30-12-2024_07-40-46-5870PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1123417" style="width:603px;height:auto" /></figure>   The ascent that Rock Hill had taken under coach Kenny Orr reached an apex at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season when the Bearcats prevailed over Summerville in the 5A state championship game at the USC-Aiken Convocation Center.   Since then the Bearcats have remained in the 5A contenders' chat only to be denied another state win in recent years. Rock Hill fell to Sumter two years ago in the 5A state matchup and were eliminated by eventual champion Blythewood in the Upper State semifinals last season following wins over River Bluff and Clover.    As long as Orr is calling the plays for the Bearcats, one can expect Rock Hill to once again be in the state conversation from start to finish.    Key Players:   Returning for the Bearcats is [player_tooltip player_id='452369' first='Chloe' last='Hudson'], one of the premier 3-point specialists in the state. In the 27 games she played, Hudson proved she is more than only long-range jumpers. Hudson averaged 17.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 2.1 assists per contest.   [player_tooltip player_id='732707' first='Taylor' last='Land'] is also returning for another season in Rock Hill's burgundy and gold hues. Land competed in 20 games last season following the 21 games she played in as a freshman. She averaged 5.1 points in 2024-25.   One of the names to be on the lookout for in Rock Hill's frontcourt is [player_tooltip player_id='1318836' first='Christian' last='Dunbar'] who stands at 5-foot-10 and can play as either a three or a four. Dunbar saw playing time in 27 games last season.    Another name to watch out for in the Bearcats frontcourt is [player_tooltip player_id='1319145' first='Jaylah' last='White'] who is beginning her sophomore year at Rock Hill. White is a multi-sport athlete who also plays volleyball alongside her basketball achievements.   Frontcourt depth was found in the form of [player_tooltip player_id='732706' first='Hannah' last='Anderson'], a multi-sport athlete who also excels as a volleyball standout. Anderson is listed at 5-foot-11 and played in 16 games last season with the Bearcats.    Nation Ford (Division 2)   (2024-25 Record: 13-15, 6-6)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/IMG_0776.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1089736" style="width:611px;height:auto" /></figure>   In similar fashion as Fort Mill, the real story of Nation Ford's 2024-25 was not necessarily its overall season record but what the Falcons got accomplished in region.    Two seasons ago, the Falcons dropped all 10 of its contests in region. Last year, Nation Ford played .500 basketball – including a pair of victories over Catawba Ridge and Indian Land. The Falcons also won its first-round 5A Division 2 playoff matchup against Eastside before falling to Greenwood in the ensuing round.    Six seniors in total called it a career at Nation Ford following last season. Kelly Bennett is returning for his fourth season at the helm of the Falcons.    Key Players:   [player_tooltip player_id='975972' first='Ariah' last='Heard'] has steadily risen up the ranks of South Carolina's high school basketball landscape. Heard is beginning her sophomore season and can log valuable minutes either as a point guard, shooting guard or small forward.    Junior status has arrived for [player_tooltip player_id='935769' first='Aubrey' last='Morrow'], a skilled point guard who stands at 5-foot-6 that can also play at the two. Her grassroots career has included a stint wearing the uniform of Lady Legends as well as one with Crown Academy.   Nation Ford's 2026 graduating class includes [player_tooltip player_id='651635' first='Kaitlyn' last='Garvin'] who stands at 5-foot-6 and primarily plays at point guard. She transferred to Nation Ford from Legion Collegiate and her career has also included a tenure with Catawba Ridge.    Catawba Ridge (Division 2)   (2024-25 Record: 8-17, 3-9)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_5404-crop-2284x1500-1738779555.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1179075" style="width:638px;height:auto" /></figure>   Speaking of the Copperheads…   The first few seasons of Catawba Ridge's girls basketball program were promising – including a berth to the 4A Upper State championship game in 2021-22. Since then, the Copperheads have been treading water as a program.    In a sense, Catawba Ridge had a season that was the reverse of Fort Mill and Nation Ford's 2024-25s. The Copperheads struggled against region opponents with its lone 3-AAAAA victories occurring against Indian Land and Northwestern (twice).    And while Catawba Ridge did qualify for the 5A Division 2 tournament, its season was brought to an end by way of Woodmont in the first round. Coach Sheridan Pressley coached a young team last season that only graduated two seniors.    Key Players:    [player_tooltip player_id='1194738' first='Brooke' last='Berninzoni'] is part of Catawba Ridge's 2026 graduating class. She played in 24 games in 2024-25 as a Copperhead and spearheads much of what Catawba Ridge looks to do in the frontcourt. She averaged 8.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game last season.    Northwestern (Division 2)   (2024-25 Record: 5-16, 2-10)   It was as recently as the 2021-22 season when the Trojans, as a 4A team, put together a 17-8 season that appeared to indicate Northwestern was returning to the form it had throughout much of the John Bramlett days.    In the ensuing three seasons since, Northwestern has won 14 games combined. The Trojans did improve from its two-win 2023-24 where its only wins were against North Central and York – then a region rival of the Trojans.    Beginning its 2024-25 season at 2-0 with wins over North Central and Central Cabarrus out of North Carolina represented a promising start prior to a six-game losing streak. The Trojans' only victories for the remainder of the season were against Chester and Indian Land (twice).    Indian Land (Division 2)   (2024-25 Record: 6-21, 1-11)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/09/IMG_8473.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1315069" style="width:656px;height:auto" /></figure>   Speaking of the Warriors...   Indian Land was one of the three teams that first became part of this region last year after being reclassified to 5A from 4A (along with Northwestern and Catawba Ridge).    That reclassification had ramifications for how the Warriors performed against region opponents. Indian Land only one a single game in its region. That occurred on the road at the Copperheads on Feb. 4.    Improvement in its matchups against region opponents has to be high on the wish list for coach Kevin King and his Warriors. Last season's team graduated a total of four seniors. Three of Indian Land's victories took place against North Carolina teams in Ballantyne Ridge, Cox Mill and Garinger.   Key Players:   Opponents looking to earn victories over Indian Land have to game plan for Yarielis Vega-Soto who is beginning her sophomore season with the Warriors. She averaged 8.7 points and 3.1 steals last season.    Indian Land's 2026 graduating class will include Emily Callahan who competed in all 27 games last season for the Warriors. She averaged 8.3 points, 7.1 rebounds (second in that category last year) and 1.6 steals.    [player_tooltip player_id='1319112' first='Jordyn' last='Johnson'] put together an impressive freshman campaign for the Warriors and is looking to build on that in her sophomore year. Johnson averaged 6.7 points and 1.9 steals per game playing all 27 contests.    One name that has been a constant these past couple of seasons at Indian Land has been [player_tooltip player_id='756277' first='Ava' last='Pensule']. She stands at 5-foot-3 and primarily plays as a point guard, but she can also give a team worthwhile minutes at the two. Pensule played in 26 games in 2024-25.

Ask a high school softball or baseball player the month they look forward to the most. Many of them will say February.