SC Recruiting Notebook for 3/31: Recent Commitments

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the book may be closed on the 2025-26 high school girls basketball season, the recruiting trail and the idea of an offseason is a combination that does not mix.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One attribute of the conclusion of a season is that decision time for those unsigned seniors has never felt more real. At any second, we could get a commitment announcement from any of those 2026s still mulling over their collegiate decisions.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It also will not be long before the phrase “rising senior” applies to the 2027 class and recruitment attention intensifies with those notable names. For now, we shine a spotlight on a few of the most recent commitments (and those we may have missed) throughout the Palmetto State.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["560678"],"_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":1450373,"_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-69bb33cb553ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lytes has shined the brightest under the bright lights throughout her high school career and one can assume that theme will continue for her at the next level. Roughly a week after the regular season had concluded, Lytes announced that she will be staying in-state to play her collegiate ball at Francis Marion. Lytes was one of four from 5A Division 1 Lexington who earned All-Region honors. She would play in all 27 games this past season for coach Molly Goodrich's Wildcats and would average 9.7 points and two steals per contest. Lytes is one of five seniors on this past season's Lexington team and was a key catalyst in the Wildcats' run to the 5A Division 1 Lower State championship game.&nbsp;</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-69bb33cb5544b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stephenson provided a formidable interior presence for a 5A Division 2 Chapin team in the first season of the Terence Jones era. A multi-sport athlete who also competes in softball and volleyball, Stephenson decided that basketball would her collegiate sport of choice and that Lander would be her school of choice. Stephenson played in 25 of the Eagles' 26 contests this past season and would average 9.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.6 steals per game. Her play would be a major reason why Chapin made a postseason run to the 5A Division 2 Lower State semifinals.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["398712"],"_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":1667438,"_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-69bb33cb554b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coach Colie Shelwick at Lander is very adept at keeping in-state prospects in-state. That is the case for Paul as she is transitioning to life at Lander with her high school career at 4A Westside officially in the rear-view mirror. Paul would play in all 29 games this past season for the Rams and would average 7.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. She is one of seven from the class of 2026 on this season's Westside roster. Paul has had plenty of noteworthy moments throughout her Rams career – including when she converted on a go-ahead, game-winning bucket in the 2024-25 Upper State championship to cap a furious Rams comeback against South Pointe.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["496240"],"_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":1415983,"_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-69bb33cb55543"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When Woodruff's season concluded at the hands of St. Joseph's Catholic in the 3A Upper State semifinals, a popular question around town was where Turner would decide to play her collegiate ball. A few days following that postseason contest, Turner announced that she would be bringing her hoops talents to Southern Wesleyan University. She has played both volleyball and basketball throughout her high school career. Among the highlights of Turner's 2025-26 season include setting a single-season school record for steals, becoming Woodruff record holder in assists and steals and playing games on the Wolverines' new court at the new Woodruff HS built down Cross Anchor Road from the existing building. Turner averaged 14.1 points, 5.9 steals, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists this past season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["366551"],"_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":1379427,"_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-69bd561304e21"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Williams will be departing from the high school ranks as a four-time state champion with 1A Military Magnet. With her days wearing the Eagles uniform behind her, she is set to bring her talents to Allen University. Williams put together some of her best statistical numbers in the 30 games that she played this past season for coach Nathaniel Taylor's Eagles. She averaged a double-double of 16.2 points and 10.4 rebounds plus 5.5 steals and 2.9 assists per contest. Williams won this past season's state championship as the lone senior on the Military Magnet roster. She scored 10 points, grabbed six rebounds, sent out three assists and collected two steals in the state game against Great Falls.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["445531"],"_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":1574196,"_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-69c13f520664e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Joseph is another who made the decision to stay in state. Approximately a week ago, she announced she will not only remain in the Palmetto State but will remain in the Pee Dee as she committed to Coker. It was two years ago when she first was offered to become a Cobra. This past season would see Joseph lead her 4A Darlington team to a 19-7 record. She played in 25 of the Falcons' 26 games in 2025-26 while averaging 13.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals per contest. Joseph also earned Region 5-AAAA Co-Player of the Year honors. She is one of four seniors on coach Shaniqua Bennett's roster that are set to graduate from Darlington.&nbsp;</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":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1125732,"_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-69c581fa97fae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coach Johnette Walker has landed another top-tier in-state talent. Wallace is the latest that will call Newberry College home for her collegiate career. She played her final season at the high school level with a Dorman team that finished 21-5, compiled a perfect 14-0 record to win its region and advanced to the 5A Division 1 Upper State semifinals. One of four seniors set to graduate from Dorman, Wallace helped the Cavaliers to the tune of 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.2 steals per contest. The SC Sixers product also received an offer from Converse prior to the start of the season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1318821"],"_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":"","_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-69c581fa9803e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson actually made her commitment announcement towards the start of the season back in December. but she is all primed and ready for college life at Randolph. She was part of a Greenville team that experienced a banner 2025-26 season. The Red Raiders won a 5A Division 2 Upper State championship and nearly won the big prize against Berkeley. Johnson is also an SC Sixers product. In addition to being offered by Randolph, she also secured one from Wesleyan College prior to the start of the season. The 5-foot-5 guard is one of two seniors that are part of Greenville's 2026 graduating class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["375908"],"_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":1058538,"_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-69c7d11cbecec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the Palmetto State's premier sharpshooters will be bringing her pinpoint accuracy from behind the arc to the other side of the Savannah River to Augusta University. She has played the last couple years of her high school career at Legacy Early College and averaged 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.9 steals and 2.6 assists per contest. Buff becoming a Jaguar reunites her with Quinasia Abercrombie as the two were teammates at Wade Hampton and spearheaded the Generals to a berth in the 4A Upper State championship game in 2022-23. Buff's stellar play led the 2025-26 Lions to a 15-7 record. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->