Class 3A Newcomers: Lower State Teams

Use code “bailum30” for 30% off the first purchase of any subscription!   Every few years, a number of South Carolina's high school teams find themselves in a new classification and – likely – new regions.    The 2024-25 season is one of those where realignment had massive effects throughout the Palmetto State's sports landscape. This meant a large number of teams that were not part of the 3A realm last year will be calling 3A home for at least the next several seasons.    Earlier, we introduced an article that looked at the new 3A teams that will be playing in Upper State regions. Now, we turn our attention to those teams that are part of the Lower State.    Fox Creek (7-16, 4-4)   The fortunes for the Predators did not turn around until region play began.    And while teams such as Silver Bluff and Strom Thurmond gave Fox Creek problems, the Predators fared better against teams such as Pelion and Batesburg-Leesville. It was that 4-4 record that Fox Creek had against region opponents that qualified them for a berth in last season's 2A playoffs.    Fox Creek's season did come to an end at the hands of Mid-Carolina in the first round of last season's 2A tournament. Silver Bluff is following the Predators to the new Region 4-AAA. Other teams that will occupy said region are Swansea, Newberry and Keenan.    [player_tooltip player_id='873915' first='Jada' last='Jennings'] is returning to Fox Creek following a stellar freshman campaign. In 22 games, Jennings averaged 11.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.5 steals.    Keenan (17-9, 6-2)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_6447.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-823819" style="width:578px;height:auto" /></figure>   We know what the obvious question was regarding coach Reggie McLain's team going into 2023-24. Would they still resemble the same team that experienced championship success the last few seasons?    While Keenan may not have been that good, the Raiders proved that they are still an extremely tough out for opponents. A 17-win season and a berth in the 2A Upper State semifinals is anything but shabby.    Keenan is heading into a 2024-25 campaign where expectations are once again raised at The Cove. They are also returning to a 3A realm which is where much of that championship success was experienced. The Raiders are likely going to be preseason favorites to win Region 4-AAA – a region that also will feature Silver Bluff, Fox Creek, Newberry and Swansea.    [player_tooltip player_id='637593' first='Taelor' last='Lee-Sutton'] put together one of the more signature seasons for an eighth grader in the Palmetto State. She averaged 14.3 points, 4.2 assists, 3.4 steals and 3.3 rebounds in 24 contests. Returning for her junior season is [player_tooltip player_id='651709' first='Kristin' last='Brown']. The standout small forward for the Raiders averaged 13.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and two steals per contest. Adding depth to the frontcourt is [player_tooltip player_id='562110' first='Aareonna' last='Caughman'] who averaged 8.1 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.2 steals per contest. [player_tooltip player_id='305001' first='Jayla' last='Fulwiley'] bolsters Keenan's backcourt and [player_tooltip player_id='320741' first='Ariyana' last='Donaldson'] will also do the same for the Raiders' frontcourt.    Silver Bluff (22-2, 8-0)   To say that the Bulldogs have experienced a wealth of success during the Chasen Redd era would be an understatement. Except one problem - Redd departed from his post as head coach of Silver Bluff to accept an assistant coaching job at 4A Aiken.   Last season was a prime example of that as Silver Bluff only lost once to a South Carolina opponent. That was on the road at Gray Collegiate with a berth in the Upper State finals on the line.    With four seniors having graduated from last season's rendition and the Bulldogs moving into an entirely new classification and region, there is much intrigue as to what the 2024-25 version of Silver Bluff will resemble. Will they be near Swansea, Fox Creek or Newberry in their region or will they challenge Keenan for the 4-AAA championship?    Newberry (7-13, 2-5)   Last season it was as if there were two Newberry teams.    There was the Bulldogs that valiantly defending its home court – the version that finished 6-5 in front of its fans. Then there was the version that had to play on the road.    Newberry finished with a dismal 1-8 record on the road. The lone road contest the Bulldogs won was on Dec. 5 – a 54-12 decision over Great Falls.    A couple of months ago, it was announced that Melissa Mendenhall would be stepping down from her longtime post as head coach of the Bulldogs. Her list of accomplishments includes bringing a state championship to Newberry – in the 3A classification.    Oceanside Collegiate (19-7, 7-2)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/06/eZy-Watermark_19-06-2024_09-15-08-5550PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-932672" style="width:502px;height:auto" /></figure>   Ask anyone within South Carolina high school sports circles and they will likely say two schools were the catalysts for this realignment effort.    Gray Collegiate in the Midlands was one. Oceanside Collegiate in the Lowcountry was the other. Coach Mandy Harrison's Landsharks have put together stellar seasons as of late. The last couple of years, Andrew Jackson has been a thorn in the side of Oceanside. The Volunteers have been responsible for eliminating the Landsharks from the postseason the last couple of tournaments.    With the Landsharks moving up from 2A to 3A, they will not have to worry about Andrew Jackson anymore. Among the teams that Oceanside Collegiate will have on the brains is Orangeburg-Wilkinson who will likely challenge the Landsharks for Region 6-AAA supremacy. Battery Creek, Hanahan and North Charleston round on that region.    Returning for their senior seasons are guard [player_tooltip player_id='496223' first='Ella' last='Mae Schepp'] and small forward [player_tooltip player_id='390983' first='Teagan' last='Scott']. The junior sister act of [player_tooltip player_id='496228' first='Josie' last='Hanks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='688841' first='Henley' last='Hanks'] add plenty of depth to the Landsharks' backcourt. [player_tooltip player_id='688645' first='Ella' last='Hunter'], a combo guard, is another 2026 that is ready for another season in the Oceanside uniform. [player_tooltip player_id='932684' first='Lauren' last='Hagmeyer'] plays at the four and will be entering her sophomore season.

Use code “bailum30” for 30% off the first purchase of any subscription!