Upper State 4A Newcomers: Assemian Ascends to Senior Status

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!   Changes – mostly that are beyond a school's control – occur periodically that can either positively or negatively affect said school's enrollment. Of course, this has a domino effect on the athletic classification status of a school.    Every few years, the South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) reassesses the athletic classification status of every school in the Palmetto State and makes changes accordingly. The last time this took place was prior to the 2024-25 season where schools mostly moved up.    This time more schools moved down than up. We continue our week-long series looking at teams that were affected by the most recent round of reclassification with a look at teams that moved down from 5A to 4A.    Easley   To say that the 2025-26 season was a trying one for the Green Wave was an understatement.    Easley finished 0-for-the-season last year. In fact, the Green Wave's most recent victory was back in February of 2025 when it earned a 39-27 victory on its home court against Hillcrest. Since then, Easley has been experiencing the doldrums of an 18-game losing streak.    Considering that the Green Wave has gone 4-36 since the initial move to 5A took place, Easley is probably more than willing to drop back to the 4A field. In 2023-24, the most recent season of Easley in 4A, it went 10-17 – and 4-6 in its region. That season concluded with a first-round 4A tournament defeat to A.C. Flora.    Perhaps, a coaching change could do the Green Wave good as well as Lamont Wakefield will assume the reins at Easley. Fans of Easley are hoping that the same success Wakefield had at J.L. Mann will translate over to the Green Wave.    Greenwood    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/06/IMG_8067.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1263787" style="width:636px;height:auto" /></figure>   The 2023-24 season was also the most previous campaign for the Eagles as a 4A combatant. As evidenced by the 22-6 season Greenwood put together that year, it was also occurring at a time the Eagles were beginning an ascent up the Palmetto State's high school girls hoops food chain.   This included winning a 5A Division 2 Upper State championship two years ago. After coming up short in its state bid two years ago, the Eagles were hoping to finish its unfinished business.    Greenwood earned a bye in the first round of last season's 5A Division 2 tournament then earned a second-round victory over Nation Ford before a close loss to Gaffney in the Upper State semifinals.    Nearly the entire Eagles core from last season graduated. One that will do so in 2028 is [player_tooltip player_id='563335' first='Jurnee' last='Williams'] who averaged seven points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game. Williams played in all 27 contests last season in Greenwood's gold and black hues.    T.L. Hanna   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/12/IMG_5375.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1563656" style="width:561px;height:auto" /></figure>   Speaking of teams whose colors are (Vegas) gold and black, that distinction also applies to T.L. Hanna.    The Yellow Jackets were last reclassified from 4A to 5A between the 2015-16 and 2016-17 season. The latter year of the two saw T.L. Hanna finish with a 12-12 record and 9-5 in its region. What followed was an improvement to 21-4 overall and a 7-1 region showing.    The 2025-26 version of the Yellow Jackets had a promising season prior to region play beginning. T.L. Hanna before January was 7-4. The Yellow Jackets finished 4-10 and were the last team from Region 1-AAAAA to earn a state tournament bid. T.L. Hanna's 2025-26 season was cut short in the first round of the 5A Division 2 tournament by way of another region rival in Woodmont.    T.L. Hanna benefitted from a stellar junior season from [player_tooltip player_id='1606073' first='Kailani' last='Oliver']. The 2027 big averaged 14.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. The Yellow Jackets also benefitted from solid backcourt play from Laira Harrison-Whitner. She would play in 17 games last season and average 7.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals per contest. [player_tooltip player_id='1606213' first='Jaiyanna' last='Parker'] is part of T.L. Hanna's 2027 graduating class. She averaged 6.7 points, 5.1 rebounds (second on the team) and a steal per matchup.    Gaffney   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/IMG_7234.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1733924" style="width:599px;height:auto" /></figure>   The theme of schools whose colors are Vegas gold and black continues with a team that was a 5A Division 2 Upper State finalist last season.    Gaffney aficionados have to be hoping that this season back in 4A unfolds similarly to the last time the Indians were among the 4A field. That was the case in 2015-16 when Gaffney concluded that season with a record of 18-4.    The Gaffney of that season encountered a first-round playoff exit at the hands of T.L. Hanna. The Gaffney of last season under coach Julian Wright is looking to build off its deep tournament run from 2025-26.    The Indians had a stacked team last season and that appears to be the case against going into 2026-27. At the top of that list has to be [player_tooltip player_id='637610' first='Tianah' last='Hopper'] who recently has secured offers from Anderson, Augusta, Stetson, Converse and, most recently, Barton College. A versatile veteran who can play either in the frontcourt of the backcourt, Hopper averaged 15.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.7 steals, 1.8 assists and 1.8 blocks per game. The Indians' 2027 graduating class also includes [player_tooltip player_id='567023' first='Lauren' last='Mathis'] who is a two-sport athlete that also plays tennis. She competed in 25 of Gaffney's 29 contests last season and averaged 10 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and a steal per matchup last season.    Gaffney also includes [player_tooltip player_id='1868767' first='Kaylin' last='Houze'] who is moving into her junior season. She played in all 29 games last season for the Indians while averaging 6.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists. Another 2028 to watch is [player_tooltip player_id='975811' first='Kalee' last='Church']. She adds backcourt depth to Gaffney and also plays softball. [player_tooltip player_id='1226689' first='Delaney' last='Wilson'] is entering her sophomore season and can give a team productive minutes as a wing.    A pair of 2030s on the rise are sisters Sha'Mariel Smith and Sha'Meriel Smith. Sha'Mariel is more of a guard while Sha'Meriel primarily plays as a big.    Greenville   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/IMG_6041.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1610779" style="width:607px;height:auto" /></figure>   Following a season where Greenville won a 5A Division 2 Upper State championship, the only thing left to do is finish that unfinished business and win the big prize.    Ask any team that was in the spot the Red Raiders were in last season and they will mention how it is easier said than done. To the credit of coach Anthony Gowens, both of Greenville's seasons where they were in the 5A Division 2 ranks saw the Red Raiders play in an Upper State final.    The most previous occasion of the Red Raiders being in the 4A ranks was 2023-24. That season's Greenville assembling finished with a record of 11-15 and region mark of 5-5.    [player_tooltip player_id='610425' first='Makayla' last='Assemian'], who has been offered by Lander and Lenoir-Rhyne, is preparing to begin her senior season in a Red Raiders uniform. Assemian averaged 10.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game last season. Also among Greenville's signature names is [player_tooltip player_id='1267040' first='Emily' last='Jaminet'] who is poised to be the centerpiece of the Red Raiders' frontcourt for the next several seasons. Jaminet averaged 9.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.    Adding to Greenville's backcourt are names like [player_tooltip player_id='567024' first='Miracle' last='Cheeks'], [player_tooltip player_id='651706' first='Jazaria' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='1606102' first='A'Keyra' last='Harris'], [player_tooltip player_id='1049250' first='Kailee' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1068049' first='Hailee' last='Wilson']-Drawhorn. Brevard College recently extended an offer in Williams' direction. Wilson-Drawhorn is also part of Greenville's 2027 graduating class. [player_tooltip player_id='1213545' first='Heavenly' last='Moore'] adds depth to the Red Raiders' frontcourt.    Riverside   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/IMG_3669.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1450409" style="width:622px;height:auto" /></figure>   In and around Riverside, the Warriors community likely looks back with plenty of fondness of their most recent memory of the team competing in the 4A ranks. That memory was made at the Florence Center in March of 2024 when Riverside prevailed over A.C. Flora to claim state that season.    Riverside was moved from 5A to 4A prior to the 2022-23 season. The Warriors' most recent two seasons in 5A Division 2 were more of a mixed bag. The team was 20-8 following its state run but last season's team had plenty of youth and only finished with a 9-18 record.    In 2025-26, Riverside earned a first-round victory over Catawba Ridge in the 5A Division 2 tournament before being eliminated by Greenville in commanding fashion.    [player_tooltip player_id='1049391' first='Marley' last='Mangum'] would compete in 23 of Riverside's 28 contests last season. She would average nine points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. Entering her junior season is [player_tooltip player_id='872291' first='Jasleen' last='Lombana'] who is coming off a solid season with [program_tooltip program_id='715412' first='SC' last='Eagles'] on the Under Armour Circuit. Lombana's travel team also made several stops during this year's Prep Girls Hoops Circuit. She averaged 8.2 points in 2025-26 for the Warriors. A name to watch in the future is [player_tooltip player_id='1606100' first='Morgan' last='Pierotti'] who will be an eighth grader this season. She averaged 7.3 points in 24 matchups throughout last season.    Wade Hampton   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/12/843-Sophi-Michaels.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1566890" style="width:640px;height:auto" /></figure>   Mentioning that Wade Hampton does not have fond memories of its most recent time through the 5A ranks would be putting it lightly.    The last two seasons have seen the Generals win a grand total of only two games. Not to mention Wade Hampton, in a clear rebuilding mode, did not win a single region game during the stretch.    The lone game the Generals won throughout the 2024-25 season occurred against an upstart Mountain View Prep team. The only win Wade Hampton notched throughout the 2025-26 campaign was at the expense of Southside. Compare that to the 2023-24 season when Wade Hampton earned a double-digit victory in the 4A state tournament over Catawba Ridge only to suffer a close defeat at Westside.    Also compare that to the year prior when Wade Hampton was a 4A Upper State finalist opposite North Augusta.    [player_tooltip player_id='980334' first='Sophi' last='Michaels'] was a bright spot for the Generals last season. Michaels averaged 8.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.3 assists per matchup last season.    Catawba Ridge   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/IMG_4767.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1817804" style="width:607px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Copperheads initially began play as a 3A team before the program hit its high watermark in the early portions of the 2020s in the 4A field. Believe it or not, the 2025-26 season was the first time it had a double-digit winning year since that early peak in the early 2020s.    In 2023-24 – the Copperheads' most recent occasion in 4A, the team finished with an 8-18 record – but six of those wins took place in its region, enabling Catawba Ridge to qualify for the state tournament that season. The result was a first-round defeat to Wade Hampton.    Last season resulted in an 11-13 showing for the Copperheads while going 4-8 opposite region foes. Indian Land and Northwestern were responsible for Catawba Ridge's region victories. The Copperheads were eliminated from the playoffs last season at the hands of Riverside.    Several names to watch out for in the upcoming seasons for coach Sheridan Pressley's Copperheads include Rilyn Grinch, [player_tooltip player_id='1833368' first='Kayleigh' last='Freeman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1802810' first='Madalyn' last='Murphy']. Murphy ran with Charlotte Dream Elite during the spring and summer months of AAU.    Clover   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/04/IMG_5057.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1828978" style="width:657px;height:auto" /></figure>   When the 2016-17 season commenced, the result was Clover moving up from 4A to 5A.    The most recent season for the Blue Eagles as a 4A team – 2015-16 – saw Clover end up with an 11-12 record. The Blue Eagles' showing against region opponents left plenty to be desired – Clover was 3-9 in its region that season and did not qualify for the 4A tournament that season.    Last season's Blue Eagles did qualify for the state tournament – and fared much better during its region slate than that 2015-16 version. Its only two losses in region were against Rock Hill and Fort Mill. After a 5A Division 1 first-round tournament victory over Spring Valley, the season for Coach Shakkia Walker and her Blue Eagles came to a close by way of eventual champion Blythewood.    Clover graduated its entire senior core last season. Two names to watch in the future are [player_tooltip player_id='1265026' first='Libby' last='Pearson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1715078' first='Chandi' last='Mobley'] – the latter of whom will be in her freshman season.    Indian Land   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_5459.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1179072" style="width:628px;height:auto" /></figure>   Indian Land's time through the SCHSL's realignment carousel has been one of the more interesting ones statewide to chronicle.    Prior to the 2010-11 season, the Warriors moved up from 1A to 2A. Indian Land then became a 3A school with the start of the 2016-17 season then ascended to 4A beginning with the 2020-21 COVID year. The Warriors began its time as a 5A Division 2 combatant with the 2024-25 season.    Coach Kevin King's Indian Land assembling finished 9-17 during that most recent time in 4A. It also went 5-5 against region opponents. That year's team earned a first-round playoff contest against Riverside. The Warriors have won only two region contests over the last couple of seasons – once against Catawba Ridge and the other opposite Northwestern.    One thing that is not lacking from Indian Land is talent. [player_tooltip player_id='1319112' first='Jordyn' last='Johnson'] played in 23 contests last season with the Warriors. She averaged 9.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, three steals and 1.4 assists per game last season. Another standout 2028 from last season's team was Yarielis Vega-Soto. She also wore Indian Land's. uniform on 23 occasions. She averaged 9.2 points, 3.1 steals, 2.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals per matchup last season.    [player_tooltip player_id='1319147' first='Taylor' last='Harris-McKnight'] is also part of the Warriors' 2028 class. She averaged 8.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals in the 23 games she played. [player_tooltip player_id='756277' first='Ava' last='Pensule'] is part of Indian Land's 2027 graduating class. She was one of the team's leading rebounders hauling in 5.2 boards per contest.    Selma Zoubir – a 2029 – and Taylor Swafford – another 2028 – also provide rebounding depth to the Warriors. Zoubir led the team in boards last season at 7.3 per game and Swafford averaged 4.4 per contest.    Lake Wylie   The state's newest school is debuting as a 4A combatant and has already had a domino effect on nearby Clover as it had to drop down from 5A to 4A.    The Chargers hired former Blue Eagles assistant Dameon McClain to assume the reins as Lake Wylie prepares to take to the court this winter. We at Prep Girls Hoops had an opportunity to interview McClain about the upcoming season and what he wants to instill in his team.    Lake Wylie has already released its 2026-27 schedule. The Chargers will make their home debut against a tough opponent on Nov. 17. That opponent is Gaffney.    Legion Collegiate   Just as it may be difficult for a few traditionalists to imagine Legacy Early College as an SCHSL member, the same applies to Legion Collegiate.    Legion Collegiate was re-admitted to the SCHSL as an at-large member in 2025 after a tenure in the North Carolina Independent Athletic Schools Association (NCISAA). It underwent a one-year probationary period where its teams were ineligible for postseason contention. This caused a slew of transfers from Legion Collegiate last season. The Lancers previously were a SCHSL member as recently as the 2020-21 COVID season when it won six games – all in region.    Now, the Lancers are back – and as a 4A combatant. Last season saw Legion Collegiate win only three games – two against York Prep and once at the expense of Westminster Catawba.    Legion Collegiate's eligibility issues meant the Lancers were the embodiment of the phrase “next woman up.” Makayla Thomas averaged 15.7 points, 4.3 steals and four rebounds per contest in the games that she played. Emarie Evans and Judy Hassabo were two of the team's leading board-getters, grabbing 3.7 and 3.4 rebounds per contest, respectively.    Nation Ford   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/IMG_0776.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1089736" style="width:623px;height:auto" /></figure>   When the SCHSL created the new 5A classification prior to the 2016-17 season, Nation Ford was one of the many teams that moved up from 4A to the new 5A.    The move to 5A yielded initial positive fortunes for the Falcons. The 2015-16 Nation Ford team went 7-15 but won five of those seven contests during its region schedule. That year's Falcons were in the 4A state tournament but exited early because of a double-digit loss to Westside.    The Falcons of 2025-26 concluded it season with a 14-13 record and an 8-4 showing in its region. Coach Kelly Bennett's Nation Ford group earned a first-round tournament win over Hillcrest but were eliminated from the 5A Division 2 playoffs by way of Greenwood.    [player_tooltip player_id='975972' first='Ariah' last='Heard'] is set to begin her junior season with the Falcons. Heard was in 23 of Nation Ford's 27 games last season while averaging 11.8 points, five rebounds, 2.7 steals and 2.6 assists per game. [player_tooltip player_id='1274632' first='Haven' last='Land'] – a 2030 prospect who has already received offers from Georgia, Furman, East Carolina and Clemson – put forth a solid eighth grade season for Nation Ford. She averaged 11.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals in all 27 games.    The 2027 Nation Ford graduating class includes [player_tooltip player_id='935769' first='Aubrey' last='Morrow'] who also competed in all 27 games last season. She averaged 10.7 points, a team-leading 5.4 rebounds, 2.1 steals and two assists per contest. [player_tooltip player_id='1748975' first='Makayla' last='Washington'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1795940' first='Jordyn' last='Kerr'] are two other talented standouts from the Falcons' class of 2028.     Lugoff-Elgin   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/IMG_6103-crop-3501x2299-1767702303.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1616020" style="width:650px;height:auto" /></figure>   Back in 2010-11, Lugoff-Elgin was reclassified from 3A to 4A. That initial season as a 4A team would see the Demons finish with a 5-14 record overall and a 2-10 showing against region opponents.    The most recent iteration of Lugoff-Elgin in the 4A ranks saw the team finish a less-than-memorable 3-23 and without a single region victory. The Demons scored victories over Northside Christian, North Central and Indian Land, denoting a promising start to the season prior a 21-game losing streak.    Last season's Demons were not the Demons of old. Coach Dominique Thompson took over the reins at Lugoff-Elgin and his hire is already paying dividends. Following a regular season that included region wins over West Florence, Sumter and Spring Valley, the Demons earned a road playoff victory over St. James and only lost in the second round of the 5A Division 2 tournament by 10 points to Chapin.    By Lugoff-Elgin's recent standards, that is the definition of a successful season.    A centerpiece of that successful season for the Demons was [player_tooltip player_id='903676' first='Jordan' last='Samuel']. A product of Carolina Hornets United, Samuel is entering her junior season at Lugoff-Elgin. She averaged 17 points, five steals, 3.7 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game last season. Speaking of veterans, [player_tooltip player_id='637607' first='Teryn' last='Hobson'] is part of Lugoff-Elgin's 2027 graduating class. In the 23 games she played last season, she averaged 9.3 points, a team-leading 6.5 rebounds, 4.7 steals and a team-leading 1.5 blocks per matchup.    Lugoff-Elgin is set not only for the present but the future as evidenced by the presence of [player_tooltip player_id='1252742' first='Kadie' last='Hall'] – one of the premier 2030 playmakers in the Palmetto State. Hall played in 24 contests last season as an eighth grader and averaged 8.1 points, 1.8 steals and 1.4 assists per game in 2025-26. [player_tooltip player_id='1311711' first='Chelsea' last='Grant'] was another of the team's leading rebounders as she hauled in 4.9 per contest. [player_tooltip player_id='903693' first='Sofia' last='Trivino'] is another name to watch in the backcourt for the Demons.    Westwood   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/12/IMG_5266.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1561793" style="width:638px;height:auto" /></figure>   Westwood first opened its doors in the early part of last decade. The Redhawks played its first two seasons as a 3A team before moving up to 4A starting with the 2014-15 season. That initial season in 4A saw Westwood go 9-12 with a 3-7 region record.    The high point of Westwood's time – so far – occurred in the 2022-23 season when the Redhawks won a Lower State championship and faced North Augusta in the 4A state game at the USC-Aiken Convocation Center. The year after that, Westwood went 17-10 and 6-4 in its region. The Redhawks were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by James Island that season.    Last season saw Coach Gregory Bauldrick's team go 17-11 and 7-5 in region. After a dominant win in the opening round of the 5A Division 2 state tournament over Conway, the Redhawks' season was ended by way of a North Myrtle Beach team that was in the throes of an undefeated campaign at the time.   [player_tooltip player_id='885799' first='Lyric' last='Rogers'] has earned recent offers from UNC-Pembroke, Anderson and Winston Salem State. The [program_tooltip program_id='713672' first='Palmetto' last='Pressure'] product played in all 28 contests last season and averaged 12.6 points and 1.9 steals per game. The Redhawks also have one of the premier 2030s in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='885788' first='Amari' last='Alexander'] on its team. She also competed in all 28 contests last season for Westwood while averaging 11.3 points, three rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.3 assists per contest.    Leading the rebounding efforts for last season's Westwood team was [player_tooltip player_id='885800' first='Shaniya' last='Heath'] who also has had a tenure with [program_tooltip program_id='713672' first='Palmetto' last='Pressure']. Heath was the team's leader on the glass, hauling in 5.8 boards per matchup. [player_tooltip player_id='1094088' first='Amari' last='Dugger'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1047758' first='Teoni' last='Cummings'] were two others who bolstered the Redhawks' rebounding efforts, grabbing 4.2 and 3.8 per matchup, respectively.

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Upper State 4A Newcomers: Assemian Ascends to Senior Status

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