Class 5A State Rankings

The early and mid-season tournament months of November and December have passed us. With our calendars now reading January and having moved on to a new calendar year, things are preparing to get really interesting in South Carolina high school girls basketball.    There are a number of teams that have firmly established themselves as squads we will see in mid and late February and possibly into March. For a litany of others, January will serve as a make or break month as they hope to see their schools in their respective state tournament brackets.    Without further adieu, here is a look at our top 10 teams in Class 5A.    Stratford (14-3)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/11/IMG_1016-scaled-crop-2000x1313-1668633013.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-549509" width="389" height="255" /></figure>   Through the November and December portions of the season, the Knights have the most wins of any 5A assembling at 14. Its resume up to this point includes victories over Summerville and Timberland (twice).   Stratford is led by its star senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='299566' first='Yasmine' last='Cook'], who has averaged 14.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 2.1 blocks per game this season. In addition, [player_tooltip player_id='529245' first='Ciara' last='Mustapher'] has experienced anything but a sophomore slump. She has averaged 11.1 points so far a game. [player_tooltip player_id='175385' first='Kaleyia' last='Brown'] has played in all 17 games and has averaged 7.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. Speaking of seniors, Ta'Liya Griffin is averaging 7.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game and Kirsten Prudhomme has posted averages of 6.3 points, five rebounds, 4.7 steals, 4.6 assists and three blocks.   Woodmont (10-2)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/11/71BBAF68-2A0E-4D11-9F61-97C9F9334685-scaled.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-555830" width="392" height="294" /></figure>   We understand why Wildcats fans, players and coaches would take umbrage with any list that has them below the Knights. After all, one of the victories Woodmont has notched so far this season was against Stratford alongside wins over Philip Simmons and Easley (twice).    One senior and a number of juniors make up the nucleus of what the Wildcats present on a game-by-game basis. The senior in question is [player_tooltip player_id='124107' first='Anaya' last='Muhammad'], the team's 5-foot-7 guard. Woodmont also presents [player_tooltip player_id='176613' first='Trinity' last='Nesbitt'], [player_tooltip player_id='331883' first='Shemaiyah' last='Earle'] and [player_tooltip player_id='331884' first='Q'nigue' last='Chambers'] as part of its stacked roster.   Lexington (10-5)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/11/IMG_1009-scaled-crop-2288x1502-1668632942.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-549507" width="404" height="265" /></figure>   Speaking of Wildcats, Coach Molly Goodrich's in the Midlands are on their way to what looks like another winning season. Lexington's resume thus far has included wins over Blythewood, Christ Church, A.C. Flora, Sumter, Spring Valley and Summerville along with nearly defeating Rock Hill.     In 14 games, West Georgia commit [player_tooltip player_id='171785' first='Lindsay' last='Garner'] has averaged 14.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.6 steals per game. [player_tooltip player_id='171784' first='Jenna' last='Yanity'] is a commit to Newberry and has averaged 11.3 points, 6.1 assists and 3.1 steals. [player_tooltip player_id='558726' first='Maggie' last='Green'] is also part of the Wildcats' senior class and she has averaged 8.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals. Its younger cast has also shined this season. One example is [player_tooltip player_id='356922' first='Charlize' last='Misick-Rivas'] who has averaged 7.1 rebounds and 6.1 points in nine games and another is Izzy Saville and her 5.4 points she has averaged.   Mauldin (7-5)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/11/IMG_2385-scaled-crop-2048x1345-1669554202.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-555680" width="412" height="270" /></figure>   The Mavericks were tabbed as a heavy favorite to win it all in 5A play this season given their talent as well as their overall youth. Wins against teams such as Gray Collegiate and Dorman will do a lot to help Mauldin's case – and their cause.   Mauldin's leading scorer this season has been a sophomore – [player_tooltip player_id='242932' first='Trinity' last='Jones'] as she has averaged 13 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 steals a game. Its second-leading point-getter has been a freshman in [player_tooltip player_id='468191' first='Zara' last='Leamon'] as she has averaged 11.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. [player_tooltip player_id='198018' first='Timya' last='Grice'] gives the Mavericks an interior presence. She has averaged 8.2 rebounds, 7.2 points and 3.7 blocks a contest. As for [player_tooltip player_id='606873' first='Destiny' last='Mattison'], another sophomore, she is averaging 6.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals. [player_tooltip player_id='185426' first='Delilah' last='Soltys'] has played in all 12 games averaging 5.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.8 steals a game.   Summerville (9-5)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/06/7056A3FD-3565-4192-8AE8-B3DE599637B0-scaled.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-453027" width="411" height="308" /></figure>   The Green Wave made it to the 5A championship game last season and coach Calvin Davis' team entered the 2022-23 season also with unfinished business. Wins against Stratford, Wando (twice), Bishop England, Carolina Forest, Cane Bay and Sumter are on Summerville's resume.   The sophomore sisters Daughtery have been major additions to the Green Wave's roster after transferring from Indiana. [player_tooltip player_id='404108' first='Emma' last='Daugherty'] has averaged 11.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. [player_tooltip player_id='496213' first='Antonia' last='Brewer'] is a senior and team captain who has averaged 8.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. [player_tooltip player_id='453217' first='Molly' last='Daugherty'] is averaging 8.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.1 steals per contest and [player_tooltip player_id='324267' first='Madison' last='Thomas'] has posted numbers of 6.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists on average.   Sumter (9-4)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/11/IMG_1005-scaled-crop-1889x1240-1668632860.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-549499" width="404" height="265" /></figure>   Always a dangerous bunch to watch out for among 5A teams, the Gamecocks are proving that to be true once again two seasons removed from competing in the 5A championship game. Sumter this season has victories over Northwood Academy, Marlboro County, Crestwood (twice) and Oceanside Collegiate.   A trio of veterans – all juniors make up the centerpiece of what goes on with the Gamecocks. Those 2024s are Keziyiah Sanders, [player_tooltip player_id='190150' first='Rickell' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='171802' first='Kiara' last='Croskey']. [player_tooltip player_id='383713' first='Shamira' last='Andrews'], a senior was another one of the returning players for Sumter and a seventh grader, Araina Ross, has also been welcomed into the fold.   Rock Hill (8-3)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/12/IMG_4896-crop-3449x2265-1671803856.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-570786" width="407" height="267" /></figure>   The Bearcats got its first ever taste of 5A championship euphoria last season, but took quite the hit over the offseason with transfers and graduating seniors. One would not know it given how coach Kenny Orr's team has performed so far in 2022-23. Rock Hill has scored wins over Lexington as well as Chambers and Bessemer City out of North Carolina.   [player_tooltip player_id='190149' first='D'Ashaj' last='Crawford'], a junior and co-team captain is a key element to the Bearcats' so far in defense of last season's 5A crown. Rock Hill also has a veteran in [player_tooltip player_id='190148' first='Katie' last='Reed'] and a youngster in [player_tooltip player_id='452369' first='Chloe' last='Hudson'] that can be very effective from distance. [player_tooltip player_id='275924' first='Sarah' last='Wildy'], a junior forward and co-captain is another important piece to the Bearcats' winning puzzle.   Fort Dorchester (11-3)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/12/IMG_3116.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-564639" width="398" height="298" /></figure>   Two wins over Northwood Academy. A victory over Oceanside Collegiate. Defeating Berkeley by a wide margin. Earning a double-digit victory over First Baptist. The resume that the Patriots have compiled this season so far ought to put many a 5A competitor on notice.    The team boasts a roster that includes [player_tooltip player_id='375964' first='Denver' last='Mathis'], who has averaged 14.4 rebounds, 14.1 points, 2.8 blocks and 1.3 steals per game. [player_tooltip player_id='352013' first='Kwayasia' last='White'], in her senior season, has averaged 10.1 points, 6.6 assists, 4.4 steals and 3.5 rebounds per matchup. Caliah Tucker is a sophomore on the rise and she is averaging 9.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game along with 1.1 in the blocks department. [player_tooltip player_id='351604' first='Kai' last='Mack'] has hauled in 9.5 rebounds, tallied 6.6 points and blocked two shots per contest.   Spring Valley (10-4)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/11/IMG_1021-2-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-549515" width="407" height="305" /></figure>   Coach Megan Assey's Vikings put the 5A landscape on notice last season as her team got in the win column on 16 occasions. Spring Valley is reaching peak performance as they have already won 10 matchups this season – including wins over Marlboro County, Dutch Fork (thrice) and Lexington.    [player_tooltip player_id='185433' first='Jaidah' last='Liebert'] is indeed closing her high school career with an exclamation point. The senior star guard has averaged 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game. [player_tooltip player_id='268138' first='Zie'l' last='Ratchford'] is an offensive and defensive stalwart for Spring Valley. She has averaged 10.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. [player_tooltip player_id='320740' first='Lauren' last='Crosland'] is also putting together a stellar sophomore campaign for the Vikings. She has averaged 7.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals a game. [player_tooltip player_id='264040' first='Madison' last='Entzminger'], also a senior is averaging 5.1 points, 4.3 assists and three steals a game.   Cane Bay (10-5)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/11/IMG_0935-scaled-crop-2403x1578-1668631644.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-549454" width="408" height="268" /></figure>   In the school's relatively young history, the Cobras' girls basketball program had its winningest campaign last season with 23 wins. It is yet to be season what Cane Bay's win total will be for 2022-23, but we know it will be at least double-digits as victories over Timberland, Carolina Forest (twice) and Woodland have propelled the Cobras to 10 wins as of this writing.    [player_tooltip player_id='185226' first='Alaina' last='Nettles'], who recently committed to Charleston Southern, is closing out her preps career in style. She is averaging 19.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.9 steals and 3.8 assists per game. LaChar Lawrence is putting her name on the map as one of the state's up-and-coming freshman. She is averaging 9.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.4 steals in 14 games. [player_tooltip player_id='404399' first='Lauren' last='Thomas'] will also graduate after this season and has brought down nine rebounds, scored 8.6 points and collected 3.4 steals a game. Another Cobras upperclassman, Kimanni White, has averaged 6.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals per 32 minutes.

The early and mid-season tournament months of November and December have passed us. With our calendars now reading January and having moved on to a new calendar year, things are preparing to get really interesting in South Carolina high school girls basketball.