5A Newcomer: Gray Collegiate Looks to Shake Up SC's Highest Class

The PGH Carolinas Freshman Showcase is Aug. 30 and the Expo takes place on Sep. 6! Use the discount code Carolinas26PGH25OFF for 25% off registration!   Throughout the week, we at Prep Girls Hoops have spotlighted teams that were affected by the South Carolina High School League's (SCHSL) most recent set of reclassifications. We have placed a lens on new teams in the 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A realms.    The 5A field was mostly unaffected – with one major exception. Gray Collegiate which, along with 3A Oceanside Collegiate in the Lowcountry, has been a topic of spirited discussion and debate across the Palmetto State.    The War Eagles won the 2022-23 2A state championship with a 40-32 victory over Bishop England at the USC-Aiken Convocation Center. Brandon Wallace, a former South Carolina standout, was the head coach for that state run and is still at the helm for the War Eagles today.    Since then, Gray Collegiate had a couple of seasons at 4A and is now moving to 5A. Last season, the War Eagles earned 4A tournament wins over Brookland-Cayce and Wilson before falling to eventual champion North Augusta in the Lower State semifinals.    Gray Collegiate will be in the Lower State's Region 4-AAAAA with Blythewood, Ridge View, Spring Valley and Sumter. Here is a look at the notable names that will take to the court for the War Eagles as they take flight through the 5A ranks.     Gray Collegiate may not have graduated any seniors last season, but several are part of the War Eagles' class of 2027. Britt is coming off a season where she ran with [program_tooltip program_id='713550' first='Palmetto' last='76ers'] on the AAU circuit. She has received a number of collegiate offers – including from Presbyterian, Andrews, Livingstone College, Francis Marion and Denmark Tech. Last season, Britt also reached the 1,000-point plateau for her career. Before arriving on the scene with the War Eagles, Britt wore a Westwood uniform. She played in all 28 of Gray Collegiate's contests last season while averaging a double-double of 19 points and 10.5 rebounds plus 1.7 steals per game.      Freeman also secured an offer from Denmark Tech back during the summer. She is one of the cornerstones of the Gray Collegiate backcourt and has had an AAU career that has included stints with [program_tooltip program_id='713550' first='Palmetto' last='76ers'], SC Future and [program_tooltip program_id='713005' first='Upward' last='Stars']. Freeman wore a War Eagles uniform for 26 of Gray Collegiate's 28 contests last season while averaging 9.9 points, 3.6 steals, 3.3 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game. She is also part of Gray Collegiate's graduating class of 2027. Prior to sporting a Gray Collegiate uniform, Freeman played at Chapin. She has also worn the uniform of [program_tooltip program_id='1320709' first='SC' last='Fever'] at one point during her travel career.      Gray Collegiate has had a knack for bringing in talent that previously played at other nearby schools. Prior to wearing a War Eagles uniform, Gartmon established a robust statewide profile with her play at Gilbert. She is another solid veteran name in the War Eagles backcourt that can give a team worthwhile minutes either at point or at the two. Gartmon competed in 27 of the War Eagles' 28 contests from last season while averaging 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and one steal per matchup. Gartmon was one of three from the class of 2028 on last season's Gray Collegiate team.      Thompson is another that found their way to Gray Collegiate from another school. Before she wore War Eagles threads, Thompson played at Cardinal Newman. In addition to playing basketball, Thompson has also competed in track and field events throughout her athletic career. Since last year, Thompson has fielded offers from Newberry College, Jackson State and Bellarmine. She played in 27 of Gray Collegiate's 28 matchups last season and was second on the team in rebounding. The 6-foot-4 War Eagles big averaged 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals per contest. She is also part of Gray Collegiate's 2027 graduating class.      Mayers was another of the three 2028s that were part of the winning puzzle for last season's Gray Collegiate team. A former Pan American International Champion, Mayers is a multi-sport athlete who has also competed in track and field competitions alongside her list of basketball achievements. Mayers has played at the high school varsity level since she was a middle schooler. She would compete in all 28 of Gray Collegiate's matchups from last season while averaging 5.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Mayers' travel career includes a stint with [program_tooltip program_id='713672' first='Palmetto' last='Pressure'] as well as one with IDreams.      It was last month that Kelly secured her first collegiate offer. It was of the in-state variety courtesy of Anderson University. It appeared last year that Kelly would wear a [program_tooltip program_id='713550' first='Palmetto' last='76ers'] uniform but she instead ran with [program_tooltip program_id='713672' first='Palmetto' last='Pressure'] while playing up in class on its 16U team. Kelly is another that has played at the high school varsity level since she was a middle schooler and can give a team plenty of effective minutes as a wing. She played in 23 contests last season with Gray Collegiate while averaging 4.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and a steal per game. Kelly was one of four freshmen on last season's War Eagles team.      Gray Collegiate's ability to lure in talent from other schools showed itself again when it was announced that Gipson – one of the premier 2031 talents in South Carolina – was departing from SCISA 4A Ben Lippen to join the War Eagles. In addition, Gipson also is in search of a new AAU team after she concluded her stint with [program_tooltip program_id='1238252' first='Twelve' last='Time']. Gipson was a major factor in the Falcons' run to the SCISA 4A semifinals last season. She played in all 30 contests last season for a Ben Lippen assembling that finished 22-8 in 2025-26. Gipson averaged 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.4 steals as a seventh grader and already has an offer from Newberry College as part of her rapidly growing resume.      Summons is another young talent that is making her way to Gray Collegiate from SCISA 4A Ben Lippen. A force to be reckoned with in the frontcourt, Summons also competed in all 30 of the Falcons' matchups last season. Summons averaged 9.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks per matchup. Also a [program_tooltip program_id='1238252' first='Twelve' last='Time'] product, Summons was one of three middle schoolers on last season's Ben Lippen team. Coach Wallace understands the need to ensure Gray Collegiate remains in the contenders' chat even after the upcoming season's crop of seniors bring their talents to the college ranks. Getting two of the top names from last season's Falcons does just that – and then some.      The height presented by Gray Collegiate is a major reason why the War Eagles are one of the toughest outs in the state. Lee adds to that frontcourt depth as she stands at 5-foot-10 and can give a team worthwhile minutes either at the three or at the four. Lee has also ran with [program_tooltip program_id='713672' first='Palmetto' last='Pressure'] on the NE2K circuit during travel ball. Lee was another of the four from the class of 2029 on last season's War Eagles team. Lee recently finished her 2026 travel season with the [program_tooltip program_id='713672' first='Palmetto' last='Pressure'] 15U team at the Insider Exposure Summer Slam event in Greensboro.

The PGH Carolinas Freshman Showcase is Aug. 30 and the Expo takes place on Sep. 6! Use the discount code Carolinas26PGH25OFF for 25% off registration!