Around the State-Richland County-District 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The coverage never ends here at Prep Girls Hoops when it comes to covering the whole Palmetto State. Let's take a look at District 2 of Richland County in this article. Who are some of the players in this area? Well, we will help you find out if you want to jump on board and <strong><em>SUBSCRIBE</em></strong> today for the price of a couple of happy meals. <strong><em>#RecruitThePalmettoState</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Schools in the County:</em></strong> Blythewood HS, Richland Northeast HS, Ridge View HS, Spring Valley HS and Westwood HS </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blythewood HS</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":554071,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/11/IMG_1668-scaled-crop-1542x1013-1669197965.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-554071" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was not that long ago when the 5A Bengals resembled, arguably, one of the worst teams in South Carolina high school girls basketball. After all, the Bengals were 0-19 in 2021-22. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blythewood followed that up with a season where they finished with a 15-14 mark – and nearly a first-round victory over Byrnes in last season's 5A state tournament.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though the Bengals may not have received a preseason Top 10 spot from the SCBCA, coach Steve Inabinet's squad looks poised and ready to take its place among the elites of the 5A ranks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Having a young core certainly helps and that includes sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='259992' first='Hayley' last='Hightower']. She averaged 12.1 points, four rebounds, 3.8 steals and 3.1 assists in her freshman campaign. Also having an outstanding freshman season was [player_tooltip player_id='320742' first='Chase' last='Thomas']. The talented small forward averaged a double-double of 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds to go along with 1.8 steals.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another noteworthy standout for Blythewood was [player_tooltip player_id='259994' first='India' last='Williams'] – also entering her sophomore stint. She averaged 13.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.9 steals in 26 games. Look out for [player_tooltip player_id='754999' first='Kaila' last='Spain'] as well as she begins her freshman season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Richland Northeast HS</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cavaliers finished with a 1-17 record last season with the lone win coming at the expense of Lugoff-Elgin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ridge View HS</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":599889,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/IMG_1695-crop-3226x2118-1676657757.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-599889" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When thinking of 4A teams to look out for, coach Terence Gibson's Blazers may not ring the bells that North Augusta, Wade Hampton or South Pointe do. But the Blazers did put together a Cinderella run through last season's 4A tournament that included wins over Lucy Beckham and South Florence before running into region foe A.C. Flora. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ridge View did graduate four seniors from last season's version, but a number of standouts from the 2022-23 team are returning for more this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the Blazers' primary point-getters from last season was [player_tooltip player_id='323653' first='Anasia' last='Harvey'] who is also one of the team's primary rebounders. She nearly averaged a double-double last season with 9.8 points and 9.6 boards. This is in addition to the 1.5 steals and 0.4 blocks she had. [player_tooltip player_id='268137' first='Simone' last='Johnson'] is coming off a freshman season where she averaged 8.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='358292' first='Destiny' last='Drakeford'] is a two-sport athlete whose athletic plate also includes volleyball. In her junior season, she averaged 5.2 points and 4.7 rebounds. [player_tooltip player_id='358290' first='Lucia' last='Bailey'] – like Drakeford – is entering her senior season and averaged 5.6 points and 1.5 steals last season. [player_tooltip player_id='514855' first='Tionna' last='Goodwin'] will be a sophomore this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Spring Valley HS</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":366437,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/12/D2AB714B-70A3-4D35-A856-8C6AC0EF6747.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-366437" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is no shame in losing in the playoffs to the team that eventually went on to win it all in 5A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That is what happened with coach Megan Assey's Spring Valley bunch from last season. The Vikings suffered defeat in the Upper State Final at the hands of eventual state champion Mauldin.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The primary question surrounding Spring Valley this season is who will step up in the stead of Jaidah Liebert who is beginning her freshman season at Spartanburg Methodist. Madison Entzimger is also starting her freshman season at Columbia College.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is still a talented cast of characters at Spring Valley. One of those is Alyric Bucker who transferred to Spring Valley from White Knoll. She averaged 6.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists last season with the 5A Timberwolves. Another of those is returning for her junior season in [player_tooltip player_id='268138' first='Zie'l' last='Ratchford']. An offensive and defensive anchor for Spring Valley, she averaged 11.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.3 steals last season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teams looking to beat the Vikings also have to find a way to contain [player_tooltip player_id='320740' first='Lauren' last='Crosland'], who plays AAU with Capital City Tyrants. She averaged 9.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game last season. The Vikings also have [player_tooltip player_id='185418' first='Amoura' last='Luvie Williams'] and Marianna Moody who are sure to provide key contributions this season. Kallie Robertson will join the team as a freshman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Westwood HS </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":551507,"width":"754px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/11/633BAD07-E609-426C-B19F-058E09054D35-scaled.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-551507" style="width:754px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Gregory Bauldrick's 2022-23 Redhawks rendition put together a historic run that saw Westwood earn a berth in the 4A state championship game only to suffer defeat at the hands of North Augusta.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bauldrick era at Westwood has been defined by winning and one would expect that would continue to be the case once again this season. How much – especially after graduating Jessica Woods, Raven Johnson and Korletta Daniels is yet to be seen.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning for Westwood is [player_tooltip player_id='198125' first='Makiah' last='Thompson'] who averaged 9.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and three assists in 31 games last season to go along with 1.5 steals. Also coming back to sport the Westwood colors is [player_tooltip player_id='356925' first='Destiny' last='Omeire'] – one of the team's key rebounders at 5-foot-8. [player_tooltip player_id='552625' first='Thanna' last='Davis'] (junior), Si'Niya Curry (sophomore) and [player_tooltip player_id='407242' first='Aneya' last='Britt'] (freshman) are also part of the Redhawks roster this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->