Region 4-AAAA Preview: To Be The Champs…

The basketball calendar is one that may have an official offseason but said offseason is really in name only.    When April arrives, it is time to hit the grassroots trail for AAU hoops. When August comes around, the Fall semester arrives with showcase events taking center stage. And when it is November, the high school season starts up once again.    We at Prep Girls Hoops have released in-depth region-by-region previews with tip-off of the season merely days away.    Said previews continue with Region 4-AAAA – one that features the team re-established itself as the team to beat among the 4A field.   North Augusta   (2024-25 Record: 30-1, 10-0)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2551-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1119347" style="width:580px;height:auto" /></figure>   They did it again.    As was the case of the conclusions from 2016-17 to 2019-20 and 2022-23, coach Al Young's Yellow Jackets assembling was once again the last 4A team standing.    North Augusta did not drop a contest all last season against an in-state opponent – its only loss came to a team on the other side of the Savannah River in 2A Butler.    Lakewood, Aiken, Gray Collegiate, Lower Richland and Westside were the five teams the Yellow Jackets prevailed over en route to another state championship. The victory over the Rams had to particularly be sweet given it was Westside who denied North Augusta at the conclusion of 2021-22.    Key Players:   Coming back for one more season in Yellow Jackets black and gold is [player_tooltip player_id='350281' first='Celena' last='Grant']. She has played at the varsity level since she was an eighth grader. Grant averaged 14.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.4 steals per game last season.   North Augusta opponents not only have to game plan for Grant, they have to watch out for [player_tooltip player_id='444371' first='Ashley' last='Walker'] as well. She took to the court in all 31 games last season and averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 2.3 assists.   The Yellow Jackets' graduating class also includes [player_tooltip player_id='577618' first='Kenedi' last='Wright'] who stands at 5-foot-9 and primarily plays at the point. Wright also played in all 31 games and averaged 8.8 points, three assists and 2.6 steals a contest.   Thirty of the team's 31 games saw playing time for [player_tooltip player_id='304999' first='Messiah' last='Williams'] who is also part of North Augusta's 2026 graduating class. In those 30 matchups, Williams averaged a team-leading 6.6 rebounds, 6.5 points and 1.8 steals.   Another name to be on the lookout for with the Yellow Jackets is [player_tooltip player_id='1213547' first='Traeona' last='Davis'] who is advancing into her junior season at North Augusta. Davis stands at 5-foot-9 and primarily operates in the frontcourt as a power forward.   Gray Collegiate   (2024-25 Record: 17-7, 12-2)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/eZy-Watermark_26-11-2023_06-11-48-6430PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812727" style="width:567px;height:auto" /></figure>   The stir that Gray Collegiate (and Oceanside Collegiate, for that matter) caused across South Carolina's high school sports landscape certainly had many onlookers curious as to where the War Eagles would land in the next round of realignment.    Gray Collegiate made the daunting leap from 2A to 4A. In last season's 4A state tournament, the War Eagles prevailed over Crestwood and Wilson before suffering defeat by way of North Augusta.    Finding a way to defeat the Yellow Jackets has to be a top priority for coach Brandon Wallace and his Gray Collegiate squad. After all, three of the War Eagles' seven defeats were in get-togethers with North Augusta.    Key Players:   Gray Collegiate had plenty of transfer portal success – as evidenced by [player_tooltip player_id='407242' first='Aneya' last='Britt'] moving her talents to the War Eagles from 5A Division 2 Westwood. Britt averaged 14.9 points, 9.8 points and 2.4 steals last season.   Another transfer joining the War Eagles flock is [player_tooltip player_id='847611' first='Alexis' last='Gartmon'] who previously played at one of Gray Collegiate's new region rivals in Gilbert. Gartmon averaged 11 points, 3.7 rebounds and two steals last season.   [player_tooltip player_id='756275' first='Kiley' last='Freeman'] is returning for her junior season with the War Eagles after playing in 20 games last season for Gray Collegiate. Freeman averaged 10.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.1 steals per contest.   [player_tooltip player_id='562062' first='Raina' last='Mayers'] has been in the high school ranks since she was in the seventh grade. Mayers saw playing time in all 24 of Gray Collegiate's contests last season and averaged 5.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 steals.   Aiken   (2024-25 Record: 17-8, 10-4)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_17-06-2024_02-11-13-7570PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-926531" style="width:609px;height:auto" /></figure>   When this region was first formed, much of the attention and emphasis were placed on North Augusta and Gray Collegiate. We must remember that there was a third team that earned at least 10 region victories.    Aiken was that team. The Green Hornets had success against every region foe that was not either North Augusta or Gray Collegiate so finding a way to defeat both of those teams has to be high on Aiken's wish list.    North Augusta was who eliminated Aiken from the 4A state tournament following the Green Hornets earning a first-round victory at the expense of May River.     Key Players:   Entering her sophomore season with the Green Hornets is [player_tooltip player_id='925564' first='Azaria' last='Sapp'] who first played at the varsity level as an eighth grader. Last season, Sapp averaged 11.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per matchup.   A name that is part of Aiken's junior class is [player_tooltip player_id='1323813' first='Taylar' last='Glover']. She stands at 5-foot-5 and can be placed in a team's lineup as either a shooting guard or as a point guard. Glover was second among Green Hornets in assists last season.   Aiken's sophomore class also includes Aalija Drummings who bolsters the Green Hornets' efforts in the frontcourt. Drummings was one of Aiken's leading rebounders in 2024-25, averaging 5.4 per game.   Airport   (2024-25 Record: 15-11, 8-6)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/IMG_0665.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-759509" style="width:548px;height:auto" /></figure>   Following a 15-win season in 2023-24, the Eagles followed that up with another 15-win campaign last season.    A larger region meant more of an opportunity to improve its play against region opponents. Another similarity of the last two seasons for Airport was first-round playoff exits both in 2023-24 and in 2024-25. Two years ago, the Eagles were dispatched by Westside and Airport's season came to an end at the hands of Beaufort back in Febuary.    Last season's Eagles team graduated a total of three seniors. Airport has played as a 4A team since the 2016-17 season when it moved up from 3A.    Key Players:   In her freshman season, Ijazanae Jackson established herself as a name to keep an eye out for as she played in 25 games last season for Airport. Jackson averaged 5.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.9 rebounds in 2024-25.   [player_tooltip player_id='756930' first='Ciara' last='Cooke'] is also returning for another go-round with the Eagles as she too played in 25 games last season. Cooke averaged 5.4 points in those 25 games. She has played her AAU ball with [program_tooltip program_id='1320709' first='SC' last='Fever'] and also competes in track and field events.   [player_tooltip player_id='989337' first='Morgan' last='Minor'] had a major impact on Airport's 2024-25 season and is looking for even more of the same with this year's Eagles. Minor was one of the leading rebounders for Airport last season, bringing in 5.6 boards per game.   South Aiken   (2024-25 Record: 11-13, 6-8)   Just as one can say Airport's last two seasons were identical, one may also say the same thing regarding South Aiken.    After all both seasons for the Thoroughbreds concluded with identical 11-13 records. The last two seasons for the T-Breds have also concluded with first-round 4A state tournament exits. South Aiken was on the receiving end of a mid-February defeat to Pickens to years ago and Wilson dispatched the T-Breds from postseason play last year.   Coach Russell Felton's team graduated four seniors. It was during the mid and late 1980s when South Aiken last won state as those two championship occurred when the Thoroughbreds were in 3A.    Key Players:   Returning for her senior season in T-Breds burgundy and gold is Myracle Culbreath. She is listed at 5-foot-5 and primarily plays as a shooting guard. Culbreath averaged 5.9 points and five rebounds in 23 games.   [player_tooltip player_id='988416' first='Haydenn' last='Kosinski'] made a name for herself as an eighth grader and is looking to build upon that success as she begins her freshman season at South Aiken. Kosinski primarily plays at the four standing at 5-foot-9.   Also coming back for one more season with the Thoroughbreds is Semaj Faulkner. She was one of the leading rebounders from last season's team, averaging four per game. Faulkner stands at 5-foot-9.   Midland Valley   (2024-25 Record: 5-20, 3-11)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/IMG_3905.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1150913" style="width:612px;height:auto" /></figure>   The 10-win campaign that Midland Valley put together following its one-win pandemic season was a sign that the Mustangs were going in the right direction.    Since then, Midland Valley was won seven games in 2022-23 and five games each the last two seasons. With a larger Region 4-AAAA, it allowed the Mustangs to encounter more success during its January slate.    Two of Midland Valley's regional victories were at the expense of Brookland-Cayce and the other was a 45-44 nail-biter at Gilbert in early February. This was before the Mustangs' season ended with a blowout loss to North Augusta.   Three seniors graduated from last year's team.     Key Players:   A couple of sophomores made up a young nucleus of all things Midland Valley last season. One of those 2027s was [player_tooltip player_id='1318884' first='Trenity' last='Madison']. She played in 17 games last season while averaging 9.5 points a game.   The other 2027 is [player_tooltip player_id='1157665' first='Zekenya' last='Eberhart'] who is listed at 5-foot-8. Eberhart saw playing time in 23 of the Mustangs' 25 matchups last season. In those 23 games, Eberhart averaged 7.3 points per contest.   Gilbert   (2024-25 Record: 5-20, 3-11)   Gilbert was one of the many schools that made that jump from 3A to 4A. To say it was a tough transition for Gilbert the first year was an understatement.    Going from 16 wins two seasons ago to a mere five last season is a steep drop off. Two of Gilbert's five victories were at the expense of Brookland-Cayce. Earning three wins in region play was still enough to qualify Gilbert for a berth in the 4A state tournament before an elimination by Lower Richland in the first round.    Somewhat ironically, its road record was 3-11 as was its region record. Gilbert only graduated one senior but also saw a transfer move to Gray Collegiate.    Key Players:   [player_tooltip player_id='847612' first='Blythe' last='Price'] has emerged as a young star with Gilbert. Price first played at the varsity level two seasons ago as an eighth grader. Last season, Price averaged 14.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game. Price also plays volleyball.    [player_tooltip player_id='847615' first='Avery' last='Campbell'] is another name that has emerged as a standout in the Gilbert colors. She is another two-sport athlete who plays soccer in addition to what she gets accomplished basketball-wise.    Another name worth watching at Gilbert is [player_tooltip player_id='847613' first='Chanelle' last='Adams']. She is another multi-sport athlete who competes in softball alongside her basketball accolades. Last season, she averaged 5.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game in the 21 games she played.    Brookland-Cayce   (2024-25 Record: 8-18, 0-14)   <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_07-45-47-1670PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1123445" style="width:650px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Bearcats have experience competing in the 4A ranks and returned to them last season after spending the previous four seasons in the 3A ranks.    A tale of two seasons emerged at Brookland-Cayce. At one point, the Bearcats were 8-5. Then region play happened and the Bearcats dropped all of its regional matchups which denied Brookland-Cayce of a chance to compete in the state tournament. The last time the Bearcats made the 32-team field was in 2017-18 in the 3A field.    Brookland-Cayce is hoping a coaching change will turn the tide. Terrence Gibson who was a longtime head coach at 5A Division 1 Ridge View is now at the helm with the Bearcats.    Key Players:   The 2024-25 season will be the sophomore season for DaLacia Rouse. She played in 16 games last season as a freshman. Rouse averaged 12.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.9 steals per matchup.   Brookland-Cayce's senior class includes [player_tooltip player_id='903673' first='Kamryn' last='Etheredge']. She stands at 5-foot-2 and is one of the primary names in the Bearcats' backcourt. Etheredge averaged 10.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 2.9 assists.   Another talented guard that Gibson will be working with is Jadyn Miguel who is now a sophomore with the Bearcats. Miguel stands at 5-foot-3. In the nine games she played, Miguel averaged 8.1 points and 1.2 steals per contest.   The Bearcats' 2027 class includes [player_tooltip player_id='1123437' first='Maci' last='Cobb']. She stands at 5-foot-5 and primarily operates as a two guard, giving Brookland-Cayce backcourt depth. In the 16 games she played, Cobb averaged 6.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game.

The basketball calendar is one that may have an official offseason but said offseason is really in name only.