Upper State 2A Newcomers: No. 4 Back For More at Keenan

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!   Because enrollment changes rapidly, this means the classifications issued by the South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) has to change with it.    The SCHSL changes its classifications every couple of seasons. Two years ago when the last round of reclassification occurred around the Palmetto State, it saw schools mostly move up in their classes. This time, more teams moved down in terms of classification than moved up.    A new crop of teams are set to join the 2A ranks – and will be in search of what Landrum claimed last season when the Cardinals departed from Colonial Life Arena as state champions. We begin our look at the updated landscape of the 2A realm with a glance at the Upper State.    Carolina   When the Trojans most recently competed as a 2A team it was during the 2015-16 season. That year was not exactly a banner year for Carolina as the Trojans finished with a record of 4-17.    Last season, the Trojans fared a bit better than the team from a decade ago. The nine wins compiled by Carolina represented the first time that the Trojans won that many games since the 2013-14 season when the team finished 12-12. That was also a season when Carolina competed in the 2A ranks.   There is no shame in getting eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the team that has won back-to-back 3A state championships in Walhalla. That happened to the Trojans last season.    Crescent   Crescent has done plenty of fluctuating between 3A and 2A over the past several seasons. The Tigers were reclassified into the 3A ranks prior to the 2022-23 season following two seasons at the 2A level.    That 2022-23 campaign would see the Tigers put together one of its more successful seasons in recent memory. That season would see Crescent finish 16-7 – including going undefeated at home.    Last season's Tigers finished 9-13 but only 2-6 against region opponents. A “road warrior” theme took shape throughout Crescent's 2025-26 season – the Tigers finished 6-6 on the road but only 2-6 at home. The two home wins were against Palmetto and Dixie and the two region wins were at Pendleton and Belton-Honea Path.    Crescent's 2025-26 season ended in the first round of last year's 3A tournament by way of Broome.     GREEN Upstate   GREEN Upstate – one of the newer programs throughout the Palmetto State – was one of three schools that moved up from 1A into the 2A ranks. The other two are High Point Academy and Horse Creek Academy.    Its 2024-25 was not much to speak of – the Owls went 0-for-the-season. GREEN Upstate made a massive improvement by virtue of an 8-13 campaign.    All eight of GREEN Upstate's victories occurred within its region. The Owls' successful 2025-26 season earned it a 1A tournament berth. GREEN Upstate may have been on the wrong end of a 39-13 loss to Lee Central, but it can certainly use last season as a building block for the future.    Pendleton   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/IMG_3782.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1150848" style="width:575px;height:auto" /></figure>   Ask many a Pendleton fan and said Bulldogs aficionados will likely look fondly on their team's most previous time as a 2A combatant.    The 2015-16 season was the most recent campaign for Pendleton among the 2A field. That Bulldogs assembling concluded its season with a 22-4 record. Last season, instead of a Bulldogs team that only suffered four losses, Pendleton only mustered four victories throughout its 2025-26 campaign.    Among in-state opponents, Crescent, Wade Hampton and Belton-Honea Path were the lone wins the Bulldogs scored throughout last season. Pendleton did qualify for last year's 3A tournament but suffered an early exit at the hands of Christ Church.    Ashleigh Richardson would compete in 21 of the Bulldogs' 24 contests from last season. Richardson followed up a solid freshman season in 2024-25 by averaging 8.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 steals per contest as a sophomore. [player_tooltip player_id='1318869' first='Blakely' last='Branyon'] has bolstered the Bulldogs' efforts on the boards. She averaged 6.7 rebounds per game last season.    St. Joseph's Catholic   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/IMG_5339.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1563815" style="width:578px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Knights have participated in the SCHSL ranks since the 2010-11 season. The last two would see St. Joseph's Catholic compete as a 3A team. The Knights would reach the 3A Upper State championship game both times only to suffer defeat at the hands of eventual state champion Walhalla on both tries.    St. Joseph's Catholic is looking to duplicate that success as it moves to the 2A realm. The last time coach Natalie Satterfield's Knights were in the 2A classification was in 2021-22. That year, St. Joseph's Catholic finished with a 14-8 record and 8-2 in its region.    Last season's Knights team graduated two seniors.    Returning for St. Joseph's Catholic is [player_tooltip player_id='831267' first='Evie' last='Adams']. She recently concluded a stellar AAU season with AEBL and has secured offers from George Mason and Stony Brook. One of the state's elite sharpshooters, Adams averaged 17.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.5 steals per game.    Stella Nash is part of the 2027 graduating class for St. Joseph's Catholic. She was the team's second-leading rebounder throughout 2025-26 averaging 4.6 boards per matchup.    West-Oak   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/IMG_5382.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1563849" style="width:552px;height:auto" /></figure>   Since the 2022-23 season, wins have been aplenty for West-Oak. Each of those four campaigns for the Warriors have resulted in the team winning at least 17 games.    This includes the 2025-26 season where West-Oak was in the win column on 21 occasions. At one point throughout last season, the Warriors were able to string together eight consecutive victories. When tournament time arrived, West-Oak managed to score a first-round victory over Greer Middle College in commanding fashion.    The second round was not as kind to the Warriors as they suffered a close loss to Woodruff. Three seniors graduated from last season's West-Oak team.    [player_tooltip player_id='1174777' first='Kinady' last='Marcengill'] was a sophomore last season and is heading into her junior season in 2026-27. She led the team in scoring by averaging 11.4 points, four rebounds, 3.8 steals and 3.4 assists per game. [player_tooltip player_id='848225' first='Ashton' last='Sosby'] competed in all but one of the Warriors' matchups last season and averaged 10.5 points, a team-leading 9.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 steals per contest. [player_tooltip player_id='884943' first='Emma' last='Simpson'] is part of West-Oak's 2027 graduating class and averaged 9.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game last year.    High Point Academy   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/IMG_8989.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-845407" style="width:565px;height:auto" /></figure>   High Point Academy was another of the former 1A teams that moved back up to 2A. If last season was any indication, the Grizzlies probably are fortunate to leave the 1A ranks behind.    The 2025-26 season was nothing short of dreadful for the Grizzlies as the team only were in the win column on two of its 26 tries. Both of High Point Academy's victories were at the expense of region opponents – Chesnee and Liberty in early January.    Following the victory over the Red Devils, the Grizzlies finished the season with an eight-game losing streak and were well on the outside looking in of any tournament picture.    A bright spot for High Point Academy was the return of [player_tooltip player_id='833028' first='Cherri' last='Yates']. She returned for a second stint with the Grizzlies after briefly wearing the uniform of 5A Dorman. Yates averaged 12.6 points in 25 contests last season.    Greer Middle College   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/user-uploads/IMG_5692.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1871704" style="width:606px;height:auto" /></figure>   This marks two consecutive reclassifications that saw a change for Greer Middle College. The last couple seasons saw the Blazers play up in the 3A ranks but are now moving back to the 2A field.    The Blazers have yet to eclipse the 12-win season it had in 2014-15 under current St. Joseph's Catholic coach Natalie Satterfield, but there was improvement for Greer Middle College last season. It went from a three-win season to seven wins and a 3A tournament berth. Unfortunately for the Blazers, its season concluded at the hands of West-Oak in that first round.    Greer Middle College graduated a bevy of seniors from last season's team – six in total. Among the key players for the Blazers are Emery Salle, Raegan Todd and [player_tooltip player_id='1871705' first='Landraya' last='Parks'] – the latter of whom will begin her eighth-grade season in 2026-27.    Mountain View Prep   The best-case scenario for any new program throughout South Carolina is Atlantic Collegiate. Mountain View Prep may not have been able to duplicate the meteoric rise of the Armada but most programs have to start somewhere.    The Stars' first two seasons were spent in the 3A ranks and resulted in the team going a combined 9-41 in said two seasons. As was the case for Mountain View Prep's first season, the Stars also earned a tournament berth last year only to suffer a one-sided defeat to St. Joseph's Catholic. Powdersville was Mountain View Prep's playoff adversary two seasons ago.    Perhaps the move to 2A will be kinder to Mountain View Prep. Last season's team did graduate a pair of seniors.    [player_tooltip player_id='1832095' first='Makayla' last='Davis'] had a breakout season as an eighth grader for the Stars. She played in 18 contests last season and averaged 7.3 points per game. Mountain View Prep also benefitted from impressive numbers put forth by [player_tooltip player_id='1880946' first='Sydney' last='Williams'] who will be a senior this upcoming season. In the 20 games she played in Stars colors, she averaged 6.2 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.    Southside Christian   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/IMG_4563.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1169029" style="width:629px;height:auto" /></figure>   A few years ago, the Sabres underwent one of the more daunting reclassifications of any team in South Carolina as Southside Christian moved up from 1A to 3A.    The 2025-26 season was extremely kind to the Sabres as it compiled 22 wins in 26 attempts. This included a 14-game winning streak that took place during the heart of the season. Southside Christian finished only behind St. Joseph's Catholic in its region.    Following an opening round victory over Union County, the Sabres' 2025-26 season was ended by way of eventual 3A state champion Walhalla. Two seniors graduated from last season's Sabres team.    Among the key players for Southside Christian are [player_tooltip player_id='1833423' first='Autumn' last='White'], [player_tooltip player_id='1833348' first='Liliana' last='Fayson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1167841' first='Christian' last='Glenn'].    Woodruff   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/IMG_3055.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1416080" style="width:600px;height:auto" /></figure>   Both the girls basketball program and Woodruff as a school are in transition. As the team prepares for its move to the 2A ranks, the school has transitioned to a new Woodruff HS down the from the previous building.    The Wolverines were most recently a 2A team back during the 2015-16 season. During that season, Woodruff compiled a 17-5 record as well as an 8-3 mark in its region. Recent history has shown that the Wolverines have been one of the better region teams throughout the state.    Coach Jon Jansen hopes that those positive region fortunes also make their way to the new building. The Wolverines earned victories over Powdersville and West-Oak in last season's 3A tournament before falling to St. Joseph's Catholic in the Upper State semifinals.    [player_tooltip player_id='1606134' first='Jaylen' last='Means'] would compete in all 25 of Woodruff's matchups last season while averaging 8.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game. Another name on the rise for the Wolverines is [player_tooltip player_id='1606226' first='Ella' last='Flack'] who also played in all 25 of Woodruff's games.    Keenan   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/12/IMG_4927-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1544709" style="width:550px;height:auto" /></figure>   Last season's 3A Lower State champions are hoping that success of its 2025-26 campaign segues well to the 2A realm – and to the Upper State.    The Raiders last were part of the 2A field as recently as the 2023-24 season. Keenan may not have recreated what it had during its dynasty years of the late 2010s and early 2020s but the drop off for Reggie McLain's Raiders was not as steep as many predicted.    Keenan still finished 17-9 and 6-2 in its region only behind Gray Collegiate that season (because no region teams would play the War Eagles that season). The Raiders' aspirations of winning state last season were dashed at the hands of Walhalla.    [player_tooltip player_id='637593' first='Taelor' last='Lee-Sutton'] is one of the premier 2028s in the Palmetto State and she recently wrapped up a solid AAU season with AEBL. She played in 25 of the Raiders' 27 matchups last season while averaging 22.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 steals and 3.3 assists per game.    Newberry   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/12/IMG_5227.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1557682" style="width:562px;height:auto" /></figure>   In similar fashion as Keenan, Newberry was also in the 2A ranks as recently as the 2023-24 season. That was a classic “tale of two seasons” for the Bulldogs who went 6-5 on its home court but a dreadful 1-8 on the road.    The 2025-26 version of Newberry fared well against teams such as Mid-Carolina and Silver Bluff but appeared to struggle against everyone else. The Bulldogs were part of the 3A state tournament picture but encountered an early exit on its home court at the hands of Waccamaw.    It was as recently as the mid-2010s when Newberry had put together back-to-back 20-win seasons. Two notable names from last season's Bulldogs team include [player_tooltip player_id='1605977' first='Ashley' last='Higgins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1362492' first='Armani' last='Shelton'].

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 2A Newcomers: No. 4 Back For More at Keenan

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