Six Intriguing Names That Moved Up in SC 2026 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If one has not noticed, it is rankings week here in the Palmetto State.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the start of the 2025-26 high school campaign roughly two months away, the time was right to peer at our extensive database of prospects and make a few changes to our senior, junior and sophomore rankings.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One reason why new 2026 rankings would be so anticipated is because of how collegiate ball awaits on the other side of their final times through the high school realm. Without further ado, we shine a spotlight on six seniors who rose in our latest edition of 2026 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["320742"],"_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":1092915,"_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-68d46a30186fd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">What does one do after experiencing championship euphoria? Attempt to experience that same euphoria once again. That is the objective for Thomas who understands that as defending 5A Division 1 champions, Blythewood will get everyone's best shot. She also recently landed an offer from North Greenville University. One major reason why the Bengals finally arrived at the 5A Division 1 summit last season was Thomas putting up some of her best statistical numbers. In 29 games sporting Blythewood's colors, Thomas averaged 23.1 points, 11.1 rebounds and three steals per contest. It was only four years ago that this team was winless. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["405364"],"_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":1119270,"_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-68d46a3018780"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sumter has played several sports throughout her career, but it appears she will keep her primary athletic focus on hoops following her final season at 4A Lower Richland. She played in 27 games for a Diamond Hornets team that finished 25-2 and did not drop a contest against an in-state opponent until the 4A Lower State final against North Augusta. Sumter had one of her better seasons statistically last season at The Creek – she averaged 13.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.9 steals. After years of being coached by Aaron Lucas, her final season at the Diamond Mine will be under the tutelage of Morgan Stroman as Lucas assumes the reins at 5A Division 1 Ridge View. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["387006"],"_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":1111431,"_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-68d46a30187f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Braddick is one of the premier veteran bigs in the state – particularly on the defensive end of the floor. Changes that First Baptist's roster underwent in the offseason should mean Braddick is even more of a featured big than she was in 2024-25 – a season that saw the Hurricanes advance to the SCISA 4A state championship. Much of her AAU days were spent with the TMP/[program_tooltip program_id='713840' first='Charleston' last='Raptors'] and [program_tooltip program_id='783909' first='Palmetto' last='76ers/A'ja Wilson Elite'] organizations. Braddick averaged 7.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots last season. She is more than poised to end her high school career with an exclamation point before she transitions to Clemson and ACC basketball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["562109"],"_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-68d46a301886f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Following a high school career that has seen House partake in volleyball, basketball and track and field, the collegiate ranks await following this coming season. Voorhees, Morris College and USC Salkehatchie have all extended offers in the direction of the skilled frontcourt force of 1A McBee. Her final time playing AAU ball was spent with SC Future 17U on the Under Armour circuit. House averaged 19.4 points, 14.4 rebounds, five blocks and 4.2 steals per game and will enter the 2025-26 season in search of not only more winning basketball with the Panthers – but also in search of the 1,000-point plateau. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["587302"],"_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-68d46a30188d2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 3A Walhalla team Roach was part of last season will forever be remembered in history. After all, it was the first time a Razorbacks team brought home a state championship – in any sport – in over 70 years. A product of FBC Next Up Lady Wolves, her first season playing at the varsity level was eighth grade when she played in 22 games. Roach wore Walhalla's signature purple hue on 27 occasions last season – and averaged 14.9 points, 4.9 assists, 3.9 steals and 3.5 rebounds last season. Throughout her athletic career, Roach has also played in volleyball and soccer alongside her basketball achievements. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["832074"],"_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-68d46a3018923"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lake City surprised many a Palmetto State high school basketball aficionado with its 10-win improvement over the Panthers' 2023-24 showing. Starks was a key reason why Lake City went from seven wins that season to a 17-8 campaign last year plus a berth in the 2A Lower State championship. She averaged 8.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals per contest last season. Starks competed in her final grassroots season wearing the uniform of [program_tooltip program_id='1238615' first='One' last='Force Academy']. With the Panthers as established contenders and Starks as part of the team's core, 2025-26 has the potential to be a special one for this talented veteran big. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->