Stock Risers Among SC’s 2029 Class

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2025-26 high school season in the rear view mirror and the 2026 travel (and Circuit) season around the corner, it is time to shift our focus to the names of the future that will shape the high school girls hoops scene in the Palmetto State.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Recently, we unveiled our updated 2029 rankings and there were a number of notable stock risers among said class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were plenty of freshmen throughout the course of the last few months that established themselves as names to watch in the coming seasons. Without further ado, we place a deserved spotlight on those 2029s.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["885796"],"_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":1544689,"_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-69b97557f2631"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While Ridge View gains statewide headlines for the dominance of its boys basketball team, View County makes noise on the girls end of the hoops ledger as well. The Blazers of 5A Division 1 Ridge View managed to maintain its winning ways in large part because of its star backcourt beast freshman. Ferguson, who has been playing at the varsity level since she was a seventh grader, played in 23 contests this past season for the Blazers with coach Aaron Lucas in his first season at the helm at Ridge View. She averaged 10.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.2 steals throughout this past season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["848229"],"_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":1446235,"_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-69b97557f26a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Patterson has established herself as one of the premier young sharpshooters throughout the Palmetto State. She was part of a Clinton team that was a consistent contender from start to finish throughout the 2A ranks. While her long-range game is well-developed, the next three seasons of Patterson at the high school and travel ball levels will give her plenty of time to develop her overall game. She averaged six points last season for the Red Devils. Patterson is another that has more experience than the typical 2029 given she has also played at the varsity level since her seventh grade year and is also putting emphasis on playing softball at Clinton. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1263372"],"_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":1561731,"_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-69b97557f26fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 2025-26 season was a banner one for Wando. McKevitt was one of the key names that led the Warriors to a 22-7 record and a Lower State championship. McKevitt played in her second season at the high school level last season and took a massive jump from her eighth grade campaign. She played in all 29 games last season for the Warriors and led the team in scoring. She averaged 13.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.2 steals per contest. With her freshman campaign complete, McKevitt looks to translate that momentum into a stellar travel campaign with [program_tooltip program_id='783909' first='Palmetto' last='76ers/A'ja Wilson Elite']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1229641"],"_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":1667361,"_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-69b97557f274f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Mavericks of 5A Division 1 Mauldin put together another stellar season and it has a pair of freshmen that will ensure Mauldin remains firmly in the contenders' chat. One of those is Aiken who played in 25 games this past season. She averaged 9.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals for a Mavericks team that were Upper State finalists. A highlight of her 2025-26 season occurred at the She Got Next MLK Classic when she dropped 30 points in a 65-22 victory over a Ben Lippen team that were SCISA 4A semifinalists. The talented wing has played her second season at the varsity level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["925559"],"_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":1569387,"_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-69b97557f279d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ligon is the second of those two Mauldin freshmen poised to ensure the Mavericks remain a force to be reckoned with. Her play has translated into positive recruiting fortunes as Presbyterian, Anderson, Augusta University and Erskine College have all extended offers in her direction. Ligon competed in 26 contests this past season for the Mavericks and averaged 7.3 points, 3.6 assists, 2.6 steals and 2.6 rebounds per contest. She is another that first played at the high school varsity level while she attended middle school and her development has been on an upward trajectory ever since. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1240802"],"_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":1739248,"_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-69b97557f27e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Just a few short years ago, there was no such thing as an Atlantic Collegiate Academy. One of the newest schools in the Palmetto State, the Armada completed a 2025-26 season where it won a 2A Lower State championship. Williams played a huge role in Atlantic Collegiate's success this year. She competed in 24 games and averaged 8.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals per contest. Williams' performance in this month's 2A state championship contest against Landrum included seven points, five rebounds and three steals. Atlantic Collegiate is set to move up to the 3A classification 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":["1131790"],"_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-69b97557f2827"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When mentioning teams that are on upward trajectories, one must also pay attention to Whale Branch. Two years ago, the Warriors won seven games and recently concluded a 2025-26 season that saw Whale Branch finish 17-7. Prejean was the key catalyst behind the Warriors' stellar season. She competed in 24 games this past season and averaged 15.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.8 steals and 2.6 assists. Prejean concluded her second season at the high school level given she also played varsity as an eighth grader. Whale Branch competed in the 2A ranks the past two seasons but will return to the 1A realm beginning next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->