When a college program experiences glory days – as Iowa did earlier this decade during its Caitlin Clark era – it can have a domino effect on said program’s recruitment. The recruiting tentacles of coach Jan Jensen’s Hawkeyes have found their way into the Palmetto State as evidenced by the 4A Westside star declaring she will sport Iowa black and gold beginning in 2027. Iowa, Georgia and Virginia Tech were Hartwell’s final three schools. An AEBL product, she has played at the varsity level since she was a middle schooler and has guided the Rams to back-to-back 4A Upper State championships. Hartwell played in all 29 games last season while averaging 12.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per contest last season. As Hartwell prepares for her senior campaign at Westside, expect the Rams to remain in the 4A contenders’ chat from start to finish once again throughout 2026-27. 

Khalia has been getting stronger as each year passes but what impressed tonight was her patience around the rim. Even with multiple defenders trying to crowd and pressure her, Khalia made the right decision either passing or scoring in response. Her touch from the free throw line looks good, and she even put the ball on the deck from the perimeter more than once, earning herself a trip to the charity stripe. She finished with a double double in a winning effort.

Arguably the premier big in the Palmetto State appears to be closing in on a decision. Hartwell is reportedly down to her final three schools – Iowa, Georgia and Virginia Tech – and she has visits planned to all three schools next month. She recently concluded her grassroots career running with AEBL and is preparing for her senior season in a 4A Westside uniform. Hartwell competed in all 29 contests last season for a Rams team that finished with a record of 27-2 and were once again 4A Upper State champions. She averaged 12.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game in 2025-26. 

When watching Westside contests, Hartwell’s 6-foot-5 stature will certainly stand out more often than not. The latest Division I offer to be picked up by Hartwell was courtesy of Rutgers. Since the high school season concluded, Hartwell was offered by UCF and Arizona State in addition to being re-offered by Florida, Virginia and Georgia. The 12.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks she averaged in 2025-26 along with leading the Rams to another 4A Upper State championship were enough to earn her South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year honors. Las Vegas and Nike Session 3 this weekend awaits for Hartwell. 

Speaking of someone who is no stranger to Division I offers, Hartwell’s latest Power 4 look would be courtesy of Arizona State and coach Molly Miller. One can see why she would want Hartwell to sport Sun Devils colors once her 2026-27 season at Westside concludes. The Rams were also among the many teams that took part in Dawn Staley’s camp at South Carolina. Hartwell has led her Westside team to back-to-back 4A Upper State championships. She played in all 29 games last season for a Rams team that finished with a 27-2 record while averaging 12.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks a game. 

The list of Division I offers that Hartwell has received over the years reads like a who’s who. This meant many a coach that was on hand at Riverview Park wanted to catch a glimpse of Hartwell’s 4A Westside team take on 5A Goose Creek. The first thing, of course, that many who watch Hartwell observe is her 6-foot-5 frame. How she would develop over the years would be the question and she has blossomed into one of the state’s premier bigs – one that has built a national profile. Hartwell played in all 29 contests last season for the Rams and averaged 12.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game in 2025-26. Her commitment – whenever she makes it – will be among the most anticipated of any Palmetto State prospect. 

Khalia scored the ball in a variety of ways, primarily right at the rim and also showing off very nice touch shooting the basketball from 12-15 feet. Specifically, Hartwell looked confident and comfortable knocking down multiple shots from the elbow area and beyond. Around the rim Hartwell was dominant scoring the ball and/or going to the free throw almost every time she got a paint touch. She did a nice job using her size and length to grab missed shots off the rim before her competitors even had a chance and getting the ball back up off the backboard before they could react. She scored the ball several times on offensive rebounds and put backs. Hartwell has been a household name in the southeast for 3-4 years now. It is clear that the work she has put in during that time has led to her development as one of the very best ’27 post players in the country. With offers from schools like Iowa, Duke, Virginia, and Central Florida recently, Hartwell has one of the more impressive offer sheets you will see from a high school player. UGA and the new staff extended an offer before camp and Hartwell proved why she was such a highly ranked prospect as the entire staff watched on as her and Westside were dominant.

Hartwell is also no stranger to Power 4 conference offers. Both Virginia and Georgia re-offered Hartwell and she also received her first offer from UCF. She also received an invite to USA Basketball’s 17U trials which took place in Colorado Springs back on May 21. Hartwell put together a stellar showing at Nike EYBL Session 2 in New Orleans and will begin her swan song season at 4A Westside in November. Hartwell led her Rams to a second consecutive Upper State championship last season while averaging 12.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game in the 29 matchups she played. 

Hartwell is another that is no stranger to Division I offers and she received another recently as she was re-offered by Florida at the end of April. She is another that is part of the AEBL Girlz organization. Hartwell has led her 4A Westside team to back-to-back Upper State championships. Last season, Hartwell would compete in all 29 of the Rams’ contests and averaged 12.5 points and 8.3 rebounds plus 2.1 blocks per game. Hartwell also added South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year honors to her impressive 2025-26 resume. She first played at the varsity level when she was an eighth grader. 

Hartwell and Division I offers go hand in hand these days with one of her latest coming from the national power that is Duke in late November. Her play has given many a college coach – including Blue Devils coach Kara Lawson – plenty to be impressed with. Hartwell reached the 1,000-point plateau for her career in December. She played in all 29 games this past season for a Westside team that has won back-to-back 4A Upper State championships. Hartwell averaged 12.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game. She also claimed South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year honors for 2025-26.