New Additions to SC’s 2029 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shortly after the 2025-26 high school season concluded, we at Prep Girls Hoops released our updated rankings for South Carolina's class of 2029.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition to several names moving either up or down in our updated rankings, there were also a number of names that put together seasons that were solid enough to earn inclusion on our rankings for the first time.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are names that put themselves firmly on the statewide map throughout the past several months and are poised to only improve as their careers blossom. Without further ado, we place a worthy spotlight on those freshman talents here.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1605899"],"_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-69b997a058b16"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Throughout the 2020s, Military Magnet – coached by Nathaniel Taylor – has been the team to beat in the 1A ranks. Brown-King was part of an Eagles assembling that recently completed its fifth state championship-winning season in six tries. Brown-King is a multi-sport athlete who also competes in volleyball alongside her basketball achievements. She competed in 28 contests this past season at Military Magnet and averaged 7.8 points and 6.2 rebounds in addition to 1.4 steals. Brown-King concluded her season with an 11-point, seven-rebound performance in the 1A state championship game against Great Falls. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1606109"],"_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-69b997a058b9f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jones is another highly skilled freshman who has more experience than the average 2029 given she has played at the varsity level since she was a seventh grader. A skilled bucket-getter, ball distributor and defensive playmaker, Jones averaged 8.6 points, three steals, 2.9 assists and 2.9 rebounds this past season at 4A Laurens. Her play helped the Raiders qualify for a 4A state tournament berth. Jones was one of two freshmen on the 2025-26 version of Laurens. She helped the Raiders to a 15-12 campaign – Laurens' highest win total since the 2009-10 season when the Raiders won 18 games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1723462"],"_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-69b997a058be6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bottom is another 2029 with more experience than the typical freshman given she played at the varsity level as an eighth grader. She helped 4A South Aiken compile 14 victories in 2025-26 – the highest win total for the Thoroughbreds since the 2018-19 season that saw a 15-win season for the T-breds. Bottom was second on the team in scoring this past season and competed in 23 games in 2025-26 for South Aiken, averaging 9.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 steals per contest. Bottom is part of a developing young T-breds core that is sure to ensure South Aiken remains a tough out in the coming seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1606017"],"_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-69b997a058c27"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hubbard established herself as a formidable frontcourt force for 5A Division 2 Socastee this past season. She was second among Braves in rebounding in addition to being one of Socastee's leading point-getters. Hubbard competed in 24 games this past season for the Braves and averaged 6.7 points, six rebounds and 1.7 steals per contest. She was one of the four freshmen that were part of the 2025-26 Braves version. Hubbard displayed that she was more than worthy to be part of the Braves' starting lineup in her freshman season – including against top-tier competition. Getting to the free throw line and making plays in the midrange are other positive attributes to her game as is corralling rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1769711"],"_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-69b997a058c67"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A year after prevailing in the 3A SCISA championship, Hasty's solid play for Pee Dee Academy proved it remains a tough out among its classification. Hasty was one of two from the Golden Eagles to earn All-Region honors. She helped Pee Dee Academy advance to the quarterfinals of this past season's SCISA 3A tournament. In addition to what she gets accomplished on the basketball court, Hasty is also a standout for Pee Dee Academy's softball team which began its 2026 season as four-time defending champions. Her play made her more than worthy of a varsity call-up after originally being part of Pee Dee Academy's junior varsity assembling. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1606258"],"_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-69b997a058ca5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brown is another who first played at the varsity level as an eighth grader and is experiencing positive development. The Hawks of 1A Blackville-Hilda played more games this season than in its 2024-25 campaign and improved its win total from five to 12. Brown played an integral role in improving the Hawks' fortunes. In the 17 contests where Brown proudly sported Blackville-Hilda's signature burgundy and gold hues, she averaged six points and 5.6 rebounds. Brown was the lone freshman on what was a very veteran-laden Hawks team and helped Blackville-Hilda qualify for this past season's 1A state tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1606212"],"_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-69b997a058ce3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Following a down season in 2024-25, the Blue Flame of 4A Pickens displayed that it is poised to ascend once again up the Palmetto State's high school girls hoops ranks. Threatt was the lone 2029 on this past season's Blue Flame team and is set to be part of Pickens' young nucleus in the coming seasons. Threatt was one of the Blue Flame's leaders in 3-point percentage this past season and can be placed in a team's lineup either in the frontcourt or backcourt – a testament to her versatility. Pickens has been in the 4A ranks since 2016-17 but are set to drop back down to 3A beginning with the 2026-27 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1605716"],"_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-69b997a058d22"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Prior to the 2025-26 season, Travelers Rest had not won 17 games in one year since the 2009-10 season when the Devildogs went 18-8 (8-2 in region) and were playing in the 3A ranks. Stephens made an emphatic statement in her first game of the season that she is more than ready for high school hoops. She scored 17 points in a close contest against the Warriors of 5A Division 2 Riverside and would go on to average 6.6 points and 2.3 steals in the 28 games that she played. Stephens was one of three freshmen that was part of this past season's Travelers Rest assembling. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1606301"],"_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-69b997a058d5f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Given Denmark-Olar saw its former coach take his talents to 5A Division 2 Chapin prior to the start of the 2025-26 season, it was a fair question as to how the Vikings would fare. Denmark-Olar fared very well. Jerido, who played her first season at the varsity level as an eighth grader, made a noteworthy leap in her freshman campaign. She would play in 20 games for the Vikings and averaged 9.5 points and 1.8 steals. Denmark-Olar greatly benefitted throughout the season from Jerido's stellar play. The Vikings finished with a 20-6 record, went a perfect 10-0 in its region and advanced to the 1A Lower State semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->