Keenan vs. Walhalla: 3A Championship Preview

Thirty-two team fields in four of the six classifications. Twenty-four in the other two.    Only two teams are remaining in each bracket as we have arrived at championship week across the Palmetto State.    As the eyes of many a South Carolina high school sports fan shift to Colonial Life Arena, one theme that has developed is the ability of defending champions from last season to once again return to state.    One of those champions is last season's 3A winner and they will take on a team that has become very familiar with playing under the bright state lights the past few decades.    Keenan (20-6, 8-0 Region 4-AAA)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/12/IMG_4927-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1544709" style="width:611px;height:auto" /></figure>   It was not that long ago when Keenan established a dynasty throughout Palmetto State high school girls basketball thanks to the hoops heroics of a young MiLaysia Fulwiley. From 2018 to 2023, the Raiders won four state crowns in five tries.    It is also commonplace for coaches to take their talents elsewhere talents dubbed as generational bring said talents to the college ranks. That was not the case for longtime Raiders coach Reggie McLain. Including this season, McLain's Raiders have won at least 17 games the past three years – and have advanced at least to the Upper or Lower State semifinals in all three.   The 2024-25 Keenan version had its season cut short by way of Oceanside Collegiate in the 3A Lower State semifinals. This season's bunch got sweet revenge on the Landsharks at the Florence Center to punch its ticket to its first state since 2023 when the Raiders prevailed in a classic against Camden at the USC-Aiken Convocation Center.    Raiders' Road to Columbia:   Feb. 17 – 62-53 win vs. Marlboro County   Feb. 21 – 69-22 win vs. Georgetown   Feb. 24 – 43-35 win vs. Dillon   Feb. 28 – 62-43 win vs. Oceanside Collegiate   Key Players:   Keenan knows something about elite backcourt play – and [player_tooltip player_id='637593' first='Taelor' last='Lee-Sutton'] has established herself as one of the premier guards in South Carolina. She has played in 21 games this season and has hooped at the varsity level since she was a seventh grader. Sutton has averaged 22.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.3 steals and 3.2 assists this season.   When the Raiders take to the Colonial Life Arena court on Friday, it will be the final time for [player_tooltip player_id='562110' first='Aareonna' last='Caughman'] in Keenan's gold and navy blue hues. She has played in 22 games this season and has averaged 10.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and three steals per game.   Another of the seniors that is part of Keenan's 2026 graduating class is [player_tooltip player_id='651709' first='Kristin' last='Brown']. She is a two-sport athlete who has also excelled in volleyball. While she has only participated in 11 games this season, Brown has done what she can in those 11 contests averaging 9.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and two steals per game.   Also among the group of 2026s for the Raiders is Zaria Mines. In the 23 games that she has played, Mines is the team's third-leading rebounder averaging 5.5 boards per game. The ball has also been “Mines” all season – she is second on the team in steals.   Keenan's rebounding efforts have also been bolstered all season by junior Tyleea Robinson. She is another multi-sport athlete who also sports Raiders colors on the volleyball court. Robinson has brought down six boards per game – second on the team.   Khloe Williams has also greatly helped the Raiders' efforts on the glass. She has played in 15 of Keenan's matchups this season and has averaged 4.3 rebounds. Williams is another of the four juniors for the Raiders this season.   Keenan state championships: 2008, 2013, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022   Walhalla (25-2, 8-0 Region 1-AAA)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/IMG_2574.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1379450" style="width:591px;height:auto" /></figure>   The championship drought that previously plagued Walhalla's athletic program ended last season when the Razorbacks prevailed against Dillon in last season's state matchup at the Florence Center.    That drought persisted since 1952 until last March. Since a 2024 tournament loss to Wren, the Razorbacks have only lost to one in-state foe. That team is Daniel.    Fortunately for coach Byron Wimphrie and his Walhalla assembling, the Razorbacks do not have to worry about playing the Lions in February or March given Daniel is in the 4A ranks. Walhalla dropped an early December matchup at the Lions and have reeled off 20 consecutive wins since.    Razorbacks' Road to Columbia:   Feb. 17 – 58-28 win vs. Carolina   Feb. 21 – 61-40 win vs. Southside Christian   Feb. 24 – 56-44 win at Chapman   Feb. 28 – 60-53 win at St. Joseph's Catholic   Key Players:   One more game in Razorbacks purple awaits for [player_tooltip player_id='587302' first='Kami' last='Roach'] who has played in 24 of Walhalla's contests this season. In those 24 matchups, Roach has averaged 14.1 points, 4.8 steals and 4.7 assists along with 3.3 rebounds.   Once Roach graduates, one can expect for [player_tooltip player_id='925569' first='Baylee' last='Cannon'] to be the featured name in the Razorbacks backcourt. The sophomore guard has averaged 11.9 points, five rebounds, 2.8 steals and 2.6 assists per contest.   [player_tooltip player_id='1317857' first='Miley' last='White'] was one of the heroes for the Razorbacks in last season's championship get-together with Dillon and is one of three team co-captains on this year's Walhalla group. The senior frontcourt force has averaged 11.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.   Walhalla has also benefitted all season from the stellar play of a junior in the frontcourt. That 2027 is [player_tooltip player_id='1606129' first='Ashlyn' last='Frick']. One of four juniors on this season's Razorbacks assembling, Frick has averaged 10.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.   The Razorbacks' 2026 graduating class also includes Mara Chappell who is a three-sport athlete also competing in varsity volleyball and softball. Chappell is third on the team in assists and steals and fourth on the team in rebounding.   Walhalla state championships: 2025   Remember What Happened Last Time?   The last time Keenan and Walhalla met it was in the second round of the 2007 2A tournament. The Razorbacks were on their home court and were dealt a 56-53 loss at the hands of the Raiders.    When and Where?   Mar. 6, Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, S.C., 2 p.m.

Thirty-two team fields in four of the six classifications. Twenty-four in the other two.