Sophomore Jump: Seven 2028s That Took Massive Leaps This Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025-26 regular season is close to being in the books and tournament play will soon consume the brains of many a Palmetto State player, coach and fan.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before we muse over brackets and the path that awaits many an assembling in hopes of reaching state, we at Prep Girls Hoops wanted to recognize a few names from the 2028 class that put together impressive seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expect for this momentum to propel their respective teams into their tournaments – and for these names to continue their stellar play throughout the 2026 AAU campaign and into the future. Without further ado, here are a few of those noteworthy names.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["748211"],"_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":1111430,"_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-698cc9f526269"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There is a reason as to why Pojani rose to third in our 2028 rankings. Pojani has been key to the unfinished business mindset that SCISA 4A First Baptist has played with all 2025-26 long. One can count on Pojani to put a crooked number on the scoreboard, but she will collect a large number of steals, haul in her fair share of rebounds and dish out a sizable amount of assists. The Hurricanes advanced to the SCISA 4A championship game last season and Pojani's play is a huge factor in why First Baptist could be the final SCISA 4A team standing later this month in Sumter.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["768684"],"_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-698cc9f5262cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After experiencing the euphoria of the program's first-ever state championship at the conclusion of last season, Berkeley is in search of a repeat effort. Carter's play will be crucial in the Stags' quest to run it back. Carter has played in 22 games for Berkeley this season and has averaged 12.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.9 steals. She helped the Stags conclude its regular season with a stellar record of 19-5 plus an 8-2 showing in Region 7-AAAAA. Carter is one of the four sophomores that comprise the 2025-26 version of the Stags. Berkeley was ranked fourth in the most recent 5A Division 2 coaches' poll.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["831267"],"_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":1563815,"_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-698cc9f52631f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the state's premier sharpshooters put herself on the statewide map years ago as a seventh grader and has only improved ever since. Following up a 2024-25 where St. Joseph's Catholic advanced to the 3A Upper State championship game, Adams has been an on-court leader for her Knights to the tune of 18 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.6 steals per game. The most recent 3A coaches' poll has the Knights ranked third. When the high school season concludes, her AEBL Girlz AAU team will play on Nike's EYBL circuit throughout the spring and summer. Adams is one of seven sophomores on this season's Knights team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["903676"],"_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":1616020,"_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-698cc9f52636d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Samuel played her first season as an eighth grader and is also continuing to show massive improvement. She played in 21 games this season under first-year Lugoff-Elgin coach Dominique Thompson and averaged 17.8 points, five steals, 3.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds per season. The Demons did display improvement against region opponents – Samuel's play helped 5A Division 2 Lugoff-Elgin jump from no victories in region two seasons ago to four in 2025-26. During the spring and summer months of travel ball, Samuel has worn the Carolina Hornets uniform playing on the Nike EYCL circuit. She also recently made it to the top 10 of the most recent 2028 Prep Girls Hoops South Carolina rankings. Her play has led Lugoff-Elgin to its first playoff bid since 2010.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1131791"],"_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-698cc9f5263af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The addition of Caldwell to 2A Landrum has paid massive dividends for the Cardinals. Landrum has improved over its 2024-25 showing both in terms of overall record and fortunes against region opponents. She has played in 23 games in her debut season with the Cardinals and has nearly averaged a double-double – 20.4 points and 9.3 rebounds to be exact. Caldwell's stellar 2025-26 season with Landrum has also included her averaging 5.1 steals, 3.9 assists and 2.5 blocks per contest. The Cardinals were ranked fifth in the most recent 2A coaches' poll. Landrum won 2A Upper State two seasons ago and another deep playoff run could be in the…Cards.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["989336"],"_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":1561749,"_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-698cc9f5263fa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Reynolds is close to putting a wrap on her sophomore season at 5A Division 1 Wando in emphatic fashion. She has played in 21 games this season for the Warriors and has averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.3 steals. Reynolds is a product of the [program_tooltip program_id='988463' first='Mosch' last='Ball'] AAU program and her play has lifted Wando to a ranking of fifth in the most recent 5A Division 1 coaches' poll. She is one of four sophomores on this season's Wando assembling. Reynolds was also a rankings riser per our most recent 2028 list. Reynolds will look to help the Warriors claim its first state championship since 1980.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["925565"],"_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":1450355,"_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-698cc9f526442"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another tough out from the 5A Division 1 ranks, Ashley Ridge has played some of its best basketball during region play. The 8-1 record Boatwright's Swamp Foxes have compiled already sealed up the Region 8-AAAAA championship for this season. The 5-foot-9 Swamp Foxes small forward is third on the team in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 10.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals in the 17 games she has played for Ashley Ridge. Boatwright is another product of the [program_tooltip program_id='988463' first='Mosch' last='Ball'] AAU program. She has Ashley Ridge heading into tournament play with a lot of momentum as the Swamp Foxes have won 10 of its last 11 games as of this writing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->