Coach Tammi Reiss has made her presence known across the Palmetto State as of late. Roughly a week ago, Dates was another that had also secured an offer from Florida after a conversation with Shay Robinson – Florida’s associate head coach. This is the initial grassroots season where Dates is wearing the FBC United uniform and running on the Under Armour circuit. She is also playing up in class in the 17U division. Dates will be at Live At Lakepoint this weekend in Georgia. Dates first played at the high school level as a seventh grader and averaged 20 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.5 steals for a 5A Division 2 Goose Creek team that were Lower State championship participants.

A long, lanky guard that can do a lot of everything. Madeline showcased her elite skills on both sides of the ball. She was very decisive of attacking the basket when she saw open lanes to slash through. Dates also has an excellent three-point shot. She can definitely score the ball at all three levels very efficiently.

Dates was another elite 2029 prospect playing up for Mo and FBC United. The thing that stood out to me first and foremost was her quick decision making. Dates knew what she was going to do when the ball got to her and as soon as it was in her possession she made her next move keeping her defender guessing and off balanced. When she did get settled in a spot, she was elite shooting the ball on passes from her teammates, both inside the three point line and outside of it. The ball didn’t hit the rim on a lot of the shots she made and her form was excellent. She has very good size and length and utilized it well slashing to the basket. I really liked the way she defended as well on the press and in the harcourt with active hands and her long wingspan. Madeline is a player I really look forward to seeing play again and hopefully soon.

The Gators of 5A Division 2 Goose Creek also have the distinction of its most recent 20-win campaign being in 2019-20 – when they won its most recent state championship (and third in four years at the time). That was before this season. Not only has Dates powered Goose Creek to second ranking in the most recent 5A Division 2 coaches’ poll, but she led her team to a region championship after running the table against its region foes. Dates played in all 25 games this season for the Gators and averaged 20.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.5 steals per contest. 

Dates is swiftly establishing a statewide profile – and even a national one. She already has several Division I offers on her resume as Clemson, Charleston Southern and SC State hope to see her wearing their respective colors when 2029 arrives. Dates has her Goose Creek assembling ranked second in the most recent 5A Division 2 coaches’ poll – only behind undefeated North Myrtle Beach. Dates first played at the varsity level as a seventh grader and has averaged 20 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.7 steals per contest in 2025-26. When a team can say its only losses during a season were against 4A powerhouses Camden and North Augusta, said team is doing something right. On Dec. 15, Dates had a career day against 4A Beaufort when she put together a 39-point, seven-rebound, three-steal, three-assist outing against the Eagles.

Dates’ emergence as one of the premier freshmen in the Palmetto State has her Goose Creek team firmly in the 5A Division 2 contenders’ chat. The fourth matchup of Saturday’s Girls Night Out featured her Gators and the Bulldogs of 4A Camden. Dates, who recently landed offers from Clemson and Charleston Southern, concluded her evening with 20 points. Out of the 20 she scored, 12 occurred in the first half of play. For the most part, the contest took on an up-tempo feel and Dates displayed how much she thrives in that type of matchup. Dates understands how to organize an offense in a half court set and can put points on the board from all three levels. 

Between her appearance at the SCBCA Elite Camp in Charleston and her appearance at FBC The Jungle, the first weekend of October has been a busy one for the rising star from 5A Division 2 Goose Creek. In addition to Dates’ overall playmaking prowess, she presents a height advantage over her peer guards. The ability to be a three-level scorer is another positive attribute to Dates’ game and her length compliments her height as a guard particularly on the defensive end of the floor. She put together a remarkable eighth-grade season last year for the Gators and she is just getting started establishing a profile that can extend past the Palmetto State’s realms. Dates also is a cross country runner. 

Madline is showing why she is one of the premier players and top PGs in the state. She is excellent at slashing through defenders and scoring at the rim or over bigger opponents with her efficient floater. Her ability to stop on a dime and pull up is impressive. She has good length and uses it to her advantage on both sides of the ball. Her athleticism, ball handling and one on one moves take her to a whole different level. She will be fun to watch this year!

https://t.co/mMdPmwssIy

Dates is rapidly building a profile as one of the premier 2029s in the Palmetto State. She may be 5-foot-7 but she has a height advantage over many of her peer guards. Dates understands the art of slicing and dicing through defenses and she will either finish strong at the rim or connect on a floater. She has no issues drawing contact and taking her chances at the free throw line and she effectively utilizes her length as much as she does her height. Dates had one of the signature eighth grade seasons last year wearing the colors of 5A Division 2 Goose Creek. She averaged 15 points and 1.1 steals in 2024-25 for the Gators. 

Madeline Dates Madeline Dates 5'9" | PG Goose Creek | 2029 State SC spent some time playing with upper classmen, so I wanted to mention her here.  She hit a nice transition bucket pulling up creating space away from her defender.  She knew when to take it all the way to the bucket or pull up short losing her defender.  She used her length well on defense knocking the ball away from her opponents.