Upper State 1A Newcomers: Jazz Finale at The Field

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!   Every few years, the South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) does a reclassification shuffle that has an effect on a few schools.    The last round of reclassification saw several schools move up in classification. This time, reclassification saw a number of schools move down.    The 1A field was particularly affected by the latest round of reclassification where a great deal of schools that previously were in the 2A ranks were moved down to 1A. This was especially the case for the 1A schools that are on the Upper State side of the realm.    Consider this a way-too-early preview of the upcoming season with an emphasis on teams that will be in 1A after dropping from 2A.    Ninety Six   The year was 2011-12. That was the last season Ninety Six competed in the 1A ranks before remaining in 2A for over a decade.    The Wildcats are hoping that the success they have encountered last year as a 2A combatant translates over to 1A. Coach Amanda Deason's Ninety Six assembling concluded its 2025-26 season with a 20-4 record and only finished second in its region only behind a Saluda team that went unbeaten against region foes.    Ninety Six was eliminated from last year's 2A tournament at the hands of Clinton. This year, following a pair of scrimmages against those same Red Devils and Strom Thurmond, the Wildcats will begin its regular season at the Coach Varner Tip-Off Tournament at the new Woodruff HS.    Emma Gentry was tied for the team lead in scoring and averaged a double-double throughout last season. Gentry averaged 11.2 rebounds and 10.2 points per game in addition to 2.4 steals and 1.2 blocks per contest. [player_tooltip player_id='1237400' first='Kenley' last='Collins'] also played in all 24 games last season for the Wildcats while averaging 7.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals per matchup.    Also key to Ninety Six's success was Bella Stewart who is entering her swan song campaign. She played in 23 of the Wildcats' 24 contests while averaging 7.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks to give Ninety Six depth in the frontcourt. Sy'Reanna Partlow was another of the team's leading rebounders as she averaged 4.3 per game in her freshman campaign with the Wildcats.   Batesburg-Leesville   For some teams, a seven-win season can be seen as forgettable. But considering Batesburg-Leesville went 0-for-the-season in 2024-25, the 2025-26 campaign was a massive step forward for the Panthers.    Not only did Batesburg-Leesville conclude last season with seven wins, the Panthers also qualified for the 2A state tournament. Batesburg-Leesville even earned a first-round playoff victory over Columbia before falling in emphatic fashion to Blacksburg in the second round.    The goal for Batesburg-Leesville is simple – utilize the momentum from last season for even bigger things in 2026-27 and hope that the move to 1A yields more positive fortunes for the Wildcats.    Eau Claire    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/12/IMG_5502-crop-2291x1504-1766457441.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1569174" style="width:551px;height:auto" /></figure>   The last time a change in reclassification affected Eau Claire, it took place at the outset of the 2008-09 season when the Shamrocks moved to 2A – down from 3A.    Ask many a green and orange backer and they will let one know of another significant year in Eau Claire history – the 2024-25 season when the Shamrocks were in a state championship contest against Andrew Jackson.   Considering who departed from Eau Claire following that 2024-25 season, it was expected that its 2025-26 version would be a dropoff. It was with the Shamrocks' lone non-region victory occurring against North Central along with a pair of wins over Mid-Carolina. Eau Claire did qualify for the 2A tournament last season only to be eliminated in the first round by Ninety Six.    A bright spot for Eau Claire was [player_tooltip player_id='1606222' first='Jakelle' last='Nunez'] who is transitioning into her freshman campaign with the Shamrocks. A product of the [program_tooltip program_id='713672' first='Palmetto' last='Pressure'] AAU program, she averaged 13.2 points, 3.4 steals and 3.1 rebounds last season. Avonnia Wright is entering her senior season and also competes in track and field events alongside basketball. Wright competed in 19 games last season with Eau Claire while averaging 6.9 points and 3.2 rebounds plus 1.7 steals.   The Shamrocks could also get a boost in the form of [player_tooltip player_id='1606204' first='Tiana' last='Wright'] who transferred to Eau Claire from now 3A Lower Richland. Wright competed in 22 games last season for the Diamond Hornets. Jadia Coleman was another of the team's leading rebounders averaging 6.3 boards per game as a three forward.    Blacksburg    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/11/IMG_3243-crop-2305x1514-1764132768.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1446155" style="width:533px;height:auto" /></figure>   The 2026-27 season for coach Bobby Rodgers and his Blacksburg assembling will be the first time a Wildcats team will have competed in the 1A ranks since the 2011-12 season. That team finished with an 18-7 record.    Last season's Wildcats were eliminated in the 2A Upper State semifinals at the hands of Andrew Jackson. Blacksburg did put together a 22-7 record plus a 12-1 showing to finish ahead of eventual 2A state champion Landrum in its region.    The Wildcats are slated to open the season against the CHASE Trojans out of North Carolina before competing in the Bob Dillon Invitational where they will be among the likes of 2A Clinton and host 5A Spartanburg.    Another solid season from [player_tooltip player_id='1318982' first='Essence' last='Rodgers'] will be key for the Wildcats as she transitions to sophomore status in Blacksburg's Vegas gold and black hues. She played in 22 games last season with the Wildcats while averaging 11.7 points, 2.8 steals and 2.7 rebounds per matchup. [player_tooltip player_id='1606143' first='Jessica' last='Ham'] will be in her senior season at Blacksburg. She competed in 24 games in 2025-26 while averaging 9.5 points, 2.6 steals and 2.2 rebounds per game last season.    Coach Rodgers is also hoping for more stellar minutes from [player_tooltip player_id='1318971' first='Cherysh' last='Gomez'] as she is also part of Blacksburg's 2027 graduating class. She averaged 6.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.4 steals per matchup last season.    Buford   The 2025-26 season would see the Yellow Jackets finish with a record of 5-14. That would also be the same record Buford finished with in its most recent season as a 1A team which was the 2009-10 campaign.   Despite the less-than-memorable overall record, what enabled Buford to still qualify for last season's 2A tournament was four of its five victories occurring against region opponents. This included a couple of victories at the expense of Cheraw.    The Yellow Jackets' 2025-26 season did come to a close in the first round of last year's tournament at the hands of Burke. Buford has not won at least 10 games in a season since 2021-22 when the Yellow Jackets were in the win column on 14 occasions and were a 2A Upper State semifinalist.   Fairfield Central   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2123.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1117712" style="width:598px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Griffins have fluctuated between 3A and 2A these past few years. As recently as the 2021-22 season, Fairfield Central competed as a 3A combatant before moving to 2A.    The combination of graduations and transfers prior to the 2025-26 season meant Fairfield Central was likely in for a down year. The Griffins went from 11 wins two years ago to only five last season. One of those victories was at the expense of crosstown rival Richard Winn Academy which was last year's SCISA 1A runner-up. Two of those wins were also against York Prep.    Fairfield Central also finished 2-8 in its region which had it on the outside of the 2A state tournament picture.    The return of [player_tooltip player_id='324559' first='Jazzlyn' last='McMillan'] to the Griffins should provide a much-needed boost to Fairfield Central's fortunes. She played most of her career at Fairfield Central but spent last season in the private school ranks at SCISA 4A Hammond. McMillan missed the 2026 AAU season with injury but recently committed to Anderson University.    Fairfield Central was one of the winners of portal season as evidenced by a pair of sisters transferring to Winnsboro from 4A Richland Northeast. [player_tooltip player_id='1319003' first='Ke'Asia' last='Belk'] averaged 9.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 2.2 assists per game as she played in 23 of the Cavaliers' 24 games. [player_tooltip player_id='1606228' first='Bre'Asia' last='Belk'] also competed in 23 of those 24 Richland Northeast contests as she averaged 6.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 steals per matchup.    Payton Martin was a bright spot on last season's team despite Fairfield Central's overall struggles. She played in 15 games in 2025-26 and averaged 12.8 rebounds, 6.9 points, 2.3 steals and 1.4 blocks per matchup to earn all-region honors.    Barnwell   Lately, the major story involving Barnwell has not been anything involving its girls basketball program – but the school itself.    The current Barnwell HS will only be around for two more years as there was a groundbreaking ceremony for the future Barnwell County HS. The new school – whose mascot will be the Bulls and whose colors will be navy blue and Vegas gold – will bring together students from Barnwell, Blackville-Hilda and Williston-Elko.    Basketball-wise, the Warhorses only won five games last season and have not had a double-digit winning season since 2022-23 when Barnwell was in the win column on 13 occasions. Four of the Warhorses' five victories last season were in region including two against Bridges Prep and two against Edisto. The Warhorses' 2025-26 season ended in the first round of the state tournament at the hands of 2A Lower State finalist Timberland.    A notable name from the Warhorses is Savannah Rountree who is entering her senior season. She played in 20 of Barnwell's 21 games last season and averaged 9.4 points per contest.    Central   One would have to go back to the 2015-16 season to find the most recent occasion of a Central team putting together a double-digit wining season. That year's Eagles finished with a record of 11-10.    Ask a Central fan and they will also likely lament that that year's Eagles went 3-9 in its region. For a program like Central, the goal is to make incremental improvements on a season-by-season basis. The Eagles only won five games last season but qualified for the 2A state tournament because all five of its victories were against region foes.    That included two victories each against York Prep and North Central. The Eagles' 2025-26 season would end in emphatic fashion in the first round of last season's tournament at the hands of Saluda.    Cheraw   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_6606.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-824820" style="width:527px;height:auto" /></figure>   The last three seasons have seen double-digit winning campaigns at Cheraw. The most previous occasion of the Braves being affected by a realignment shuffle occurred prior to the 2020-21 season when Cheraw dropped from 3A to 2A.    A 6-6 showing in its region enabled the Braves to finish third in its region, but ask Coach Eddie Chaplin and he will mention how he wishes his team did better on the road. Cheraw was 3-9 away from Council Porter Court. This included in the first round of last season's playoff when the Braves were eliminated in the first round by Blacksburg.    Cheraw's only road victories from last season were against Virtus Academy, York Prep and Central.    [player_tooltip player_id='842167' first='Anyah' last='Banks'] is entering her senior season and played in all 25 contests last season for the Braves. She averaged 14.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.1 steals per contest last season. Cheraw also benefitted greatly from a stellar freshman campaign from [player_tooltip player_id='1833394' first='Ariana' last='Gaston']. She gave the Braves 6.1 points and 1.3 steals per contest. Sha'mya Chamber is part of Cheraw's graduating class of 2027 and was one of the team's leading rebounders from last year at 5.1 per contest. Zainab Fall gave Cheraw 6.8 boards per matchup to lead last season's team.    Chesterfield   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_17-06-2024_02-11-26-8270PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-926529" style="width:603px;height:auto" /></figure>   Chesterfield being dropped in classification from 2A to 1A represents a return to where the Rams were as recently as the 2011-12 season. Ask Rams fans and they probably would rather forget that campaign as Chesterfield finished a less-than-memorable 5-14. Two years prior to that, Chesterfield was one of the best teams in the state as evidenced by their 21-4 record in 2009-10.    Last season's Rams were a bit better than that 2011-12 team. Chesterfield went 15-11 and won eight out of its 12 region contests. The Rams' time in the 2A tournament included a 53-50 victory over Lake City before falling to Marion by a final score of 50-27.    The 2025-26 Chesterfield team graduated a total of three seniors.    [player_tooltip player_id='925570' first='Terrahjah' last='Robinson'] was a key piece to the winning puzzle for the Rams. She played in 23 of Chesterfield's 26 games last season while averaging 15.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.7 steals per game. Chesterfield also benefitted from another season of solid play from [player_tooltip player_id='1121272' first='Reagan' last='Rivers'] – a two-sport athlete who has also played volleyball throughout her career.    She played in 25 of the Rams' games while averaging 14.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.8 steals a matchup. [player_tooltip player_id='1832084' first='Le'Asia' last='Brown'] had a breakout eighth grade season at Chesterfield. She averaged a team-leading 9.7 rebounds, 7.6 points, 1.7 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. Frontcourt depth was provided by Kiyana Peurifoy who averaged 7.9 rebounds per contest.    North Central   Earlier this decade, North Central did not win a game on two consecutive seasons. At one point, the Knights were in the throes of a 48-game losing streak before it was snapped in late January of the 2024-25 season with a win at Buford.    The 2025-26 Knights appeared to be taking a step in the right direction by improving its win total from two in 2024-25 to seven. North Central even claimed four victories against region opponents. Two of those wins were against York Prep.    A key name in the frontcourt that was set to join North Central from the middle school ranks instead took her talents to 3A Camden.     One bright spot for the Knights last season appeared in the form of Ariana Gainey. The senior frontcourt force for North Central averaged seven points last season in 15 games sporting Knights gold and green.

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!

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Upper State 1A Newcomers: Jazz Finale at The Field

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