A Look Inside SCHSL Girl’s Basketball From AAAAA To Class A……We Predict The Teams For The Finals
Blythewood's highly regarded forward, Chase Thomas during the 2025 state title games against Summerville.
By Billy G. Baker
Publisher
Moncks Corner—The 2025-26 SCHSL State Basketball Finals for the 12 surviving girl’s teams comprised from Div. I AAAAA, Div. II AAAAA, Class AAAA, Class AAA, Class AA, and Class A will be contested at the Colonial Life Center on the campus of the University of South Carolina between March 5 through March 7.
The AAAAA Div. I girl’s finals is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday March, 6. The Div. II gold medal round is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday March, 6 while the AAAA girl’s final is to be played at USC at 4 p.m. on Saturday March, 7. The AAA girl’s state finals will be played out at 2 p.m. on Friday March, 6 with the AA girl’s finals set for 2 p.m. on Thursday March, 5. The Class A girl’s championships will be at noon on Saturday March, 5.
The Lower State girl’s finals will all be played at the Florence Civic Center on February 27-28. The upper state girl’s finals will be played on agreed upon neutral sites on February 27-28 also.
Div. I AAAAA Girls:
Last year Blythewood defeated Summerville at the Florence Civic Center to earn the Div. I AAAAA state title and the Lady Bengals (14-4, 5-0) are currently ranked number three in the HSSR ranking released on January 15.
Blythewood returns the talented duo of highly regarded forward Chase Thomas who scored 18 points in last year’s finals along with guard India Williams who poured in 22 points. They certainly have the horses to pull the victory wagon into the Colonial Life Center at 6 p.m. on March 6 with a huge local crowd supporting them.
Summerville (6-10) was hit hard by graduation losses and the top contenders from the lower state in Div/ I AAAAA appear to be current 6th ranked Wando, seventh ranked Sumter along with Carolina Forest.
Wando (14-2, 2-1) has three players averaging in double figures. Freshman guard Bella McKevitt (13.1), First Baptist transfer Ava Rush (12.9 pts and 8.2 rebounds) along with sophomore forward MaKenna Reynolds (11.2 points) give the lady Warriors a lot of offensive scoring power.
The HSSR has strong feelings that Blythewood could be knocked off the Div. I AAAAA mountain by either Byrnes (16-1), or Dorman (14-3) when the Upper State finals are settled. In a head-to-head region 2-AAAAA game recently Dorman defeated Byrnes 55-49.
Byrnes is led by 9th grade PG Ashlyn Evans (13.2 pts), junior SG Ellison Silver (13.1 pts) and inside player Jaida Jordan (10.1 pts & 6.9 rebounds). Dorman also has three players in double figures led by center Morgan White (20.4 pts & 10.4 rebounds), junior PG Makayla Moore (13.1 pts), and senior guard Ri Wallace (10.1 pts).
From Region 6-AAAAA 8th ranked Carolina Forest (11-4, 3-1) could make a deep run also and they are led by a trio of double scorers also. They include senior prospect Miracle McLean (16.8 pts & 11 rebounds), 510 PF Macy Floyd 12.5 pts & 7.3 rebounds) and junior G Mayissa Dorcely (12.2 pts).
Lexington (14-3) is a contender out of Region 4-AAAAA and they are led by center Sydni Anderson (14.4 pts & 9.4 reb) along with junior SG Cassidy Harry (12.3 pts).
HSSR Prediction For Gold Medal Round: Dorman or Byrnes versus Wando
Div. II AAAAA:
The Div. II AAAAA state finals is scheduled for the Colonial Life Center at USC at 6 pm on Thursday March, 5, and at this point of the season, it appears that top ranked North Myrtle Beach (15-0) is likely to face number two ranked Goose Creek (15-1) in the Lower State finals, while in the upstate the final two contenders are likely to be last year’s runner-up and 4th ranked Greenwood (14-3) versus sixth ranked Gaffney (12-5) from the upper state.
Greenwood lost to Berkeley 60-54 last year in the finals. Two players on the Stags championship team transferred to Goose Creek in Alyanna Moses and Natalia Madison-Ladson making the Gators a stronger team for sure. Goose Creek, head coached by Jabari Deas, is led by freshman Madeline Dates (20.4 pts) and soph guard Celeste Griffin (9 pts) a game.
The undefeated MMB Chiefs are led by junior Madison Vereem (16.6 pts & 4.2 R) along with senior Sophia Powell (15.6 pts & 6.9 R) and Jurnee Blye (9.1 pts & 7.7 R).
Head NMB coach Heather Kearney, who won 40 games in her first two years with the Chiefs, recently told the HSSR, “We want to get better every single day and take one game at the time.”
Gaffney has been made a tougher team by competing in Region 2-AAAAA, perhaps the strongest region in the state. They could finish third in their region behind Byrnes and Dorman but go on to win a Div. II AAAAA state title.
The Indians are now head coach by Julian Wright with the retirement of Mark Huff after last season. Gaffney recently lost to both Byrnes (59-55) and Dorman (66-64) and they a bounce, here or there, from winning both games.
The Indians are led by the 1-2 punch of senior F Shirah Harris (16.9 pts & 7,3 R) and junior guard Tinah Hopper (14.3 pts. & 8.3 R).
Coach Wright told the HSSR, ““For us to finish on a run we need to avoid bad stretches, both of those games with Byrnes and Dorman were games of runs by them,” said Coach Wright. “If we can play more consistently, that would put us in a great position.”
HSSR Prediction For Gold Medal Round: Gaffney versus North Myrtle Beach
Class AAAA Girls:
The SCHSL state finals for the AAAA girls will be contested at 4 p.m. on Saturday March 7 at the USC Colonial Life Arena.
In the upper state the teams to compete for a state title are Camden (15-1) and they have a 61-57 OT win over North Augusta on their resume, but they did lose to South Pointe (75-63) for their lone loss thus far.
The HSSR is just being the messenger here when we predict top ranked North Augusta (15-1) is our choice to repeat as AAAA state champions this year. We just do not think that any team can beat them twice in one season, so we just must see how things play out. The Jackets already claim wins over Dorman (56-34) and Goose Creek (61-36) this season and that is the main reason we have them at number one right now.
Head coach Al Young coached up the team to their sixth state title in school history with a 50-37 win over Westside in the finals last year. NA returns the top two scorers in that game last season in Ashley Walker (15.8 pts & 4.1 R) along with Celena Grant (10 pts & 4.5 R) a game.
Camden, head coached by Lewis Mungo, is among the few teams in the state with four starters in double figures. They are junior 6-1 F Ayona Alexander (15.7 pts & 10.8 R), junior G Braylin Mungo (12.1 pts & 3.1 R), along with junior PF Jillian Rush (11.1 points) and junior wing Harmony Jefferson (10.9 pts) per game.
South Pointe, head coached by Stephanie Butler-Graham, are led by three talented players in double figures. They are 6-0 junior F JaNyia Cunningham (20.2 pts & 11.7 R), soph G Kaleigh Lucas (17.2 pts. & 3.1 R) along with junior Tralyn Phiillips (10.6 pts) per game.
One can never count out Westside (15-1) under Hall of Fame head coach Jackie Roberts.
The Lady Rams return to being one of the top junior prospects in the nation in 6-5 center Khalia Hartwell who scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the state finals loss to NA a year ago. Senior PG leader Monasia Clinkscales is also back to lead the Rams forward.
A strong challenge will come out of Region 2-AAAA with Daniel (15-1). The Lady Lions’ only loss was by one point (54-53) against top ranked Byrnes. They are led by three players in double figures. They are senior SG Braelin Cumbee (13.4 pts), junior F Shala Williams (12.3) and soph G Campbell Epting (10 pts). Daniel is head coached by Cosandar Griffin.
HSSR Prediction For Gold Medal Round: Westside or Daniel vs North Augusta (potential repeat from last year)
Class AAA Girls:
The SCHSL Class AAA girls state finals will take place at the USC Colonial Life Arean on Friday March 6 at 2 p.m.
The HSSR currently ranks Walhalla (15-2) and Dillon (14-2) 1-2 in the current HSSR ranking. They were the two teams that played in the AAA finals last season in a game won by Walhalla 52-37. However, there is a lot of parity in AAA this season, and teams like Oceanside Collegiate (12-3) and Southside Christian (14-1) could make the finals if the ball bounces the right way for them.
Walhalla returns four starters from their state championship team led by senior PG Kami Roach (14.3 pts, 4.5 assists & 4.3 steals) ), soph G Baylee Cannon (12 pts) senior F Miley White (11.4 pts) and junior F Ashlyn Frick (9.5 pts) so the Razorbacks are very deep in talent.
Dillon head coach James McMillian tells the HSSR, “I think this team is a contender once again, but we have to keep working on all the little things and find ways to get more players involved in our offense,” said Coach McMillian. “We learned a lot last year in coming from behind to beat Oceanside Collegiate to win lower state, and then we loved what we need to improve upon in the loss to Walhalla in the state finals.”
The Lady Wildcats are again led soph four-year starter SG prospect Treasure Davis (22.5 points & 5.9 assists& 3.2 steals) along with a one-two punch with junior PG Khw-Nylahi McKinnon (18.1 pts, 5.5 R, 5.7 steals, and 4.2 assists).
West Oak (16-3) will travel to Walhalla on Jan. 20 for a Region 1-AAA show down. West Oak has four starters averaging double figures and they are capable of being a spoiler. They are led by soph G Kinady Marcengill (12.1 pts), junior 5-10 F Ashton Sosby (12.4 pts & 10.3 R) along with senior PG Joey Burgress (11.3 pts) and junior Emma Simpson (10 pts & 6.6 R) per game.
HSSR Prediction For Gold Medal Round: Rematch Between Walhalla and Dillon.
Class AA Girls:
The SCHSL Class AA girl’s finals will take place on Thursday March 5 at 2 pm at the USC Colonial Life Arean and they are numerous contenders to win this classification.
Top ranked Clinton (18-1) is an interesting but well-coached study under the direction of coach John Gardner. The Lady Red Devils have no starters in double figures, yet they average 52.6 points a game. Their best player could be 6-1 junior PF Kemaria Shelton averaging 7.6 and 6.4 rebounds a game.
The top Clinton scorer is 7th grader Allenson Cook (8.9 pts & 4.6 steals) followed by senior G Mylayja Thompson (8.7 pts), and senior F McKenzie Clark (8.1 pts).
Clinton could get a push from Region 2-AA member Ninety-Six (15-1). They are led by Katie Fortner (11.6 pts) and Emma Gentry (9.4 pts & 9.7 R) a game.
In the Lower state Atlantic Collegiate (13-2) has played a very competitive schedule. They are led by soph G DaZena Capers (11.7 pts), 9th grade SG Erin Williams (8.2 pts) and senior F Micah Davis (8.1 pts & 5.1 R) per game.
Kingstree coach James Price has had his team knocking on the door of Class AA for the past few years and this might be the year the Blazers knock it down. The team is led by talented junior inside player Naydia Shaw (17.9 pts & 10.4 R) along with senior G Demia Mosely (11.4 pts) a game.
Do not be fooled by the record of defending AA champion Andrew Jackson (11-5) as three of losses came against Gaffney, Ridge View, and Dutch Fork. They did only return two starters from last year’s 28-3 team that bombed Eau Claire 89-36 in the finals. Ni’Yonna Asbelle poured in 30 points in the title game a year ago and she came back along with her (25.6 pts) game. The other returning starter is junior SG Trinty Delly (13.3 pts) a game.
AJ head coach Steven Fair is a veteran coach who knows how to coach teams up to meet the challenge.
HSSR Prediction For Gold Medal Round: Clinton or Andrew Jackson versus Atlantic Collegiate
Class A Girls Preview:
The SCHSL Class A Girl’s basketball finals will take place on Saturday March 7 at noon inside the USC Colonial Life Arean.
The big question right now is what the team from the upper state will be challenging Lower State Power Military Magnet (14-4) who are heavily favored to defend and claim their 5th state title in six seasons.
Military Magnet has played an extra tough schedule against teams like Goose Creek, Ridge View, Ashley Ridge, Keenan and several out of state power houses. Two of their top three players are 8th graders so the future is very bright. The team is led by senior F prospect Da’Nariyah Williams who led all scorers in last year’s title game with 18 points. She is currently (16.2 pts & 9.8 R) per game. Mariah Brown is a talented 8th grade PG (13.2 pts) along with 8th grade guard Deaury Smith (10.9 pts) a game.
Number two ranked Great Falls (12-2) is led by one of the top 7th graders in the state in Makenzie Beatty (24.3 pts & 4.3 R) a game. Grace page is a 9th grader averaging (11.2 pts) a game.
The North High (14-3) girls could emerge as a team to beat in the upper state led by senior PG Kailen Parks (18.9 pts) and 5-10 junior W Jailyn Williams (14.6 pts & 7.9 R) per game.
Latta (14-3) is a likely team to meet Military Magnet in the Lower State Class A finals in Florence. The Lady Vikings are led by three players in double figures. They include soph F Aliyah Tisdale (14.5 pts), senior guard Kaliya Herman (13 pts), and junior G Jeziyah Page (11 pts) a game.
HSSR Prediction For Gold Medal Round: North vs Military Magnet
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