Dillon Wildcats at the 2024 HSSR Media Day.

By Billy G. Baker Publisher Columbia —In this Modern Turf recruiting article we will focus on Gray Collegiate rising junior softball player Aspen Boulware , her highly regarded rising senior football playing brother Michael Boulware , Jr., and Southside Christian junior left-handed pitcher Carson Boleman who struck-out 19 batters in his team’s state championship win over Oceanside Collegiate . As always, we would like to extend our appreciation to Mark Grainger and the fine folks at Modern Turf, in Irmo and Rembert, for sponsoring our monthly recruiting feature page. Having covered two recent Gray Collegiate softball games, this writer of 52 years, truly feels like rising junior Aspen Boulware, who plays shortstop for the War Eagles, was the best softball player in the state of South Carolina this past season, from any grade level. In all honesty, I think she may have been the top prep sophomore player in the United States, and that covers a whole lot of ground. This past season Boulware led the state of South Carolina in home runs (22), RBI’s (44), and runs scored (67). She hit .573 and was easily chosen the AAAA Player of the Year by the South Carolina Softball Coaches Association . She was the Region Player of the Year also.  And if we can all keep this a secret, due to the fact the HSSR, will not officially release our Spring Sports all-state teams until Monday, June, 16, Boulware was the top vote getter on all-state ballots returned from head softball coaches all around the state for 2025 Miss Softball honors. She will indeed be named Miss Softball in the state of South Carolina when the lists of honorees are made public by the HSSR at hssr.com in mid-June. After watching her play “live” on May, 6 in an early round play-off 15-0 win over Bluffton, it was time to meet this truly gifted athlete, and have her share some of her hopes and dreams she has as a softball player. “Absolutely, my number one goal right now is to help my team win a state title,” said Boulware after the Bluffton win. “My role is to help carry the team offensively and defensively. We are not a one- person team. It takes all of us playing together to have success. “I love being a part of this team, and we are all focused on competing hard, and hopefully winning a state title,” she said. “I have been playing softball competitively since I was 8 years old, and softball is the only varsity sport I play. I take a lot of pride in trying to lift up, and support my teammates. “One of my strong goals is to be on the USA softball team in the 2028 Olympics,” said Boulware. “That would be a dream come true if I could accomplish that goal.” Boulware has already played on the USA National 16-U softball team, and she has been promoted to the 18-U USA National team this summer, and this group of the best-of-best will play against other top teams for a three- week period over the summer. Less than 24 hours after helping her team defeat York 5-2, to capture the state title, with a towering home run over the right field fence in the first inning, Boulware has joined her elite travel team known as the Thunder Bolts based in Alabama. In that game she blasted another home run! By the way, after her first inning bomb against York she was walked the next two times she came to bat. In fact, Boulware was walked 35 times during her sophomore season, making her stats even more impressive. How many more home runs and RBI’s might she have had if teams were willing to pitch to her? Doug Frye is the highly regarded head softball coach at Gray Collegiate . He is an old school coach who rarely gets carried away talking about any one player he coaches. He breaks his own rule when talking about Aspen Boulware. “Her work ethic is what blows me away,” said Coach Frye. “Who gets in a car with her mother (former Florida State Softball Hall of Fame member Jessica van der Linden , who was named the National Softball Player of the Year in 2004), and drives 250 miles to Alabama to play with her travel team the next day? “Last year, the day after we won the AA state title, she and mother went to a local rec field and Boulware asked her mother to hit her 500 ground balls as hard as she could,” said Coach Frye. “I can say with confidence that she is the best high school softball player in South Carolina. With everything she brings to the table I do not think any other player can match her all around play. “She could easily play center field for us, and she can throw a softball 64 miles per hour, but she would rather play shortstop,” said Coach Frye. “You might say there is a little competition between she and her mother. Aspen studies pitchers like no player I’ve been around. She takes pride in knowing when the change-up is coming for example. “Well, one day her mother is pitching to her during one of their many practice routines, and Aspen tells her Mom (who won 67 games in the circle at FSU) that she could hit a home run against her best pitching,” said Coach Frye. “Well, the competition between the two began and after 30 pitches, or so, the Mom was winning the challenge. “Aspen figured out that her Mom’s next pitch would be a change-up and she guessed right,” said Coach Frye. “She blasted the ball over the fence, and deep into the woods, and I don’t even think they even went to look for the ball, as that was the end of that batting practice.” In conclusion, Coach Frye says Aspen is the fastest player he has ever coached. “Teams that walk her have to deal with the fact she will be on third base before they know it,” said Coach Frye. “As a shortstop she can get to balls hit deep into the hole, that few other shortstops can get to. She can make a very challenging play look routine and she throws many batters out by two steps from deep short.” The HSSR considers the top junior baseball prospect in South Carolina to be Carson Boleman a 6-3 LHP pitcher from Southside Christian who recently stuck-out 19 batters against Oceanside Collegiate to lead the Sabre’s to the AAA state title. Boleman is a commitment to Wake Forest but the Deacons could be competing with major league baseball for his services after he graduates next year. Southside Christian is head coached by Scott Freeman , and he was just appointed the athletic director for the Sabres as well. Coach Freeman has won five baseball state titles and he finished the 2025 with 307-110-1 career record. He has help develop numerous major college prospects, particularly when he heads coached Mauldin baseball for six years, earlier in his career. When asked if he had ever coached anyone better than Boleman, Freeman had a quick response, “No, I have not and I doubt that I ever will.” In the first inning of the state finals second game with Oceanside Collegiate, Coach Freeman said Boleman’s fastball was clocked at 95 mph. “Carson just doesn’t over power you on the mound because he has command of several pitches and he is very effective with his off-speed pitches as well. “He throws a slider, curve ball, and change-up and he is just a student of the game,” said Coach Freeman. “He began pitching for our varsity in the 8 th grade when he pitched game one against Johnsonville in the state championship series. He had elbow surgery his 9 th grade year and he returned to hit some late in the season, but he did not pitch at all his freshman year. “He came on strong his sophomore year on the mound and has been even better as a junior,” said Coach Freeman. “Coaches love it when their top player is also the hardest worker on the team. Carson never lets anything go to his head. The day after he had 19 strike-outs in the championship game he was back in the gym the next day working out.” As a junior, Boleman finished 12-0 on the mound. He had an unreal 135 strike-outs in 55 innings of work. He had an ERA of 0.00. Teams batted .039 against him. These are some impressive stats for any baseball pitcher. Boleman is a first baseman when he is not on the mound. He hit .352 with seven home runs and 38 RBI’s this season. He is under serious consideration for the Gatorade SC Player of the Year according to Coach Freeman. “I knew Carson was going to be a special player when I first heard about him in like the fourth grade,” said Coach Freeman. “You will never meet a more humble kid. He does not let success go to his head. He is a great team mate. In the class room he carries like a 4.65 GPA. “I would use adjectives like focused and confident when he is on the mound,” said Coach Freeman. ”He is smart on the mound and he is always thinking ahead of the batters he is facing. He is a kid that was born to play baseball at a very high level. If he does not get early round consideration for the major league draft, after next season, there should not even be a draft. He is everything you are looking for in a pitcher and he has been a pleasure to coach.” Boleman plays on a well-respected National Showcase travel team known as the Canes and his coach says he will be active with the canes this summer where he is surely to get scouted by numerous major league teams. “Honestly, Carson is really committed to Wake Forest and he loves the coaching staff in place in Winston Salem,” said Coach Freeman. “His family has ties to the Winston Salem area also. “”Carson has had interest from many major colleges like Clemon and South Carolina,” said Coach Freeman. “He has been to a lot of prospect camps over the past two summers but he fell in love with Wake Forest and the baseball staff and it would be hard for any college to get him away from Wake Forest right now.” When you watch film of Gray Collegiate 2026 linebacker Michael Boulware (6-2, 220), or watch him play on Friday night, it’s like a flash-back to the days his father ( Michael , Sr .) and uncle ( Peter ) played at Spring Valley, back in the 1990’s. Peter and Michael, Sr. went on to play at Florida State and both brothers went on to play in the NFL after college. The younger Boulware had 155 tackles, 8 TFL, two sacks, 11 hurries, and four interceptions as a sophomore when he helped lead Gray Collegiate to the AA state title. He followed up those outstanding accomplishments with 103 tackles, five sacks, 9.5 TFL, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and two blocked kicks as a junior. Unfortunately, his team was put out of the play-offs by the SCHSL for using an ineligible player so he only played in 10 games as a junior. The question this writer has is likely the same questions the Boulware family has, now that the off-campus Spring evaluation period has come and gone. Despite his hard-work as a sophomore and junior, Boulware is yet to receive a major college football offer. He was even left off the 247 2026 in-state watch list for South Carolina. This writer had an in-depth conversation with Boulware’s high school coach DeAngelo Bryant and he is little disappointed also. After graduation from Silver Bluff Coach Bryant went on to enjoy a college career at Wake Forest . In fact, he played against Michael’s father in college. “Back in February I watched Michael play in a junior all-star showcase game at Airport High School with most of the top rising seniors involved in the game,” said Coach Bryant. “Michael had 12 tackles and he was the best linebacker in the game, on either team, hands down. “A couple months later he attends a Coaches Combine at Woodland High and he runs a 4.25 shuttle that measures how well at athlete runs from side-to-side and in all directions,” said Bryant. “When you run a shuttle that fast, carrying 218 pounds of weight, that is really separating you from the pack. No one at that event came close to that shuttle time.” Boulware runs a 4.65 laser times forty. He dead lifts 500 pounds with a 425 squat. He powers cleans 290 with a vertical of 32 inches. He has a 295- pound bench press. Having reported on top football players in South Carolina for nearly 40 years I companion with the Boulware family in asking this question. What else does Michale Boulware need to do on a football field to merit an offer from a major college football program? During the May evaluation period Coach Bryant said 32 different colleges came by to see him and he said several came by only to talk to him about Boulware. “I got the impression that while a lot of major colleges said they like the sheer athleticism of Michael, they have yet to elevate liking him, to loving him” said Coach Bryant. “There is no doubt in my mind that he is a power five football player. On a football field he has a high motor that all coaches love. “I think what has been lost by major college coaches is the fact that no one is going to out-work Michael Boulware, and I mean no one when I say this,” said Coach Bryant. “Trust me, this will be verified by the college that is fortunate to sign in.” At the present time Boulware has serious interest from Wake Forest , Virginia Tech , and Coastal Carolina . South Carolina has told him that he is on their radar and to date Clemson has not shown little interest but he did camp with the Tigers recently. He will be attending numerous one day prospect camps over the summer. The HSSR currently ranks Boulware as the 15 th over-all 2026 prospect in South Carolina. He is expected to have a monster senior season at Gray Collegiate and we wish him well. With football scholarships increasing from a total of 105, compared to the old allotment of 85 one would hope there is an opportunity for a truly talented player like Boulware to land a spot in a power five program. So, in this Modern Turf recruiting feature we have talked in-depth about top sophomore softball prospect Aspen Boulware of Gray Collegiate, rising senior football prospect Michael Boulware also of gray Collegiate, and Carson Boleman , one of the nation’s top junior pitchers this past season. The state of South Carolina continues to be a hotbed for next level prep talent as exemplified by these three outstanding athletes.

By Billy G. Baker HSSR Publisher Moncks Corner —Including the time I wrote for the Hanahan News (at the time the largest weekly paper in the state) between 1971 and 1975, and the four years I served as Sports Editor on high school newspapers at Summerville and Goose Creek High Schools, (1969-1973); the conclusion of the 2024-25 prep sports year in the Palmetto State marks 56 years of keeping up with some awesomely great kids, mentored by some outstanding coaches, and the future looks even brighter! Actually, the best four years of my sustaining journalism career, came about between 1973 and 1977, when an act of God, landed me at the School of Journalism at the University of South Carolina . The following is a true story, and hopefully one day, I can share more stories like this if I find the time to write a Memoir book with 12,000 names in the index! Here is the story:  As I was putting the key in the dorm room door, as I checked in at USC in August of 1973, I thought it was odd that the phone was ringing. Did a dorm room in the Woodrow Tenements actually come with a phone I asked myself? Who in the world would be calling me? How did they even get a phone number to call me? Answering the phone, after it rang 8 times, the caller stated, “I am Bill Mitchell , the Prep Editor at The State Newspaper and I hope that I am speaking to Billy Baker who recently wrote an article in the Hanahan News about visiting Hanahan football Coach Billy Seigler as he laid dying in his hospital bed at Roper Hospital in Charleston; is this you?” I replied: “Yes sir, I got a call from Coach Seigler’s wife (Angela) and she said that he had requested to see me before he passed away, and that he felt like it was very important for us to have one last visit together. Mrs. Seigler said that while only close family members were allowed to visit with him, Coach had got it cleared for me to visit with him, and she asked me to come right away, and to bring a tape recorder.” Mr. Mitchell replied, “I was at football camp in Laurinburg, NC and the Hanahan team was there for a week, and one of their fans gave me the story you had written about your final visit with Coach Seigler. You were put in a tough situation. I enjoyed reading the article and I would like to hire you as a stringer to cover local high school football games on Thursday and Friday nights.” Six days later, there I was at Wildcat Hollow covering Lexington versus Goose Creek for The State, and the Wildcats won the game 14-0. It was great to meet Cecil Woolbright , the head coach of Lexington and Simon Lewis , who coached the Gators. Although the pay was $15, I would have covered that game for free. Having just graduated from Goose Creek High in 1973, my girl friend was a senior and a member of the Pep Squad, so she was going to be at the game cheering for the Gators. My plan was to drive back to The State paper after interviews, file the story, and then drive back to Goose Creek with my girl- friend. Her Mom had told me at least five times, “Have her home by 1 a.m. or you die!” Not ever being on a deadline, at a daily newspaper before, I was about to have a very hallowing experience, to say the least. It was just after 11 p.m. by the time I arrived at the newspaper Mr. Mitchell pointed me to a “type writer” and said, “You have 30 minutes to knock out your story and it needs to be 10 inches long.” While Coach Mitchell was busy talking to a few local high school coaches about their games, for his round-up, he ignored me until 11:25. “Son, you getting close to wrapping it up and who is that girl with you?” This might have been one of those “Come To Jesus” moments in my life. My reply: “Sir, she is my girlfriend from Goose Creek High. She was at the game tonight with the Pep Squad, and her mother said she could ride back to Goose Creek with me tonight, but only if I promised to have her home by 1 a.m., or die! I have the story written out long hand and it just needs to be typed in.” Mr. Mitchell, and I, became close friends that night when he replied: “It’s almost 11:30 now and you have to have her back in Goose Creek by 1 a. m! I will type your story in, but you need to get out of here now! Go!” I put the pedal to the medal driving a six-year-old used Mazda coupe; flying down I-26 as fast as I could push it. At about mile marker 187, the Ridgeville exit, black smoke started coming up from the floor board, the engine light came on, and we rolled to a stop with a blown engine! It was 12:39 and my life was on the line, or I thought it might be. We got out of the car, thinking it might catch on fire. I began waving my arms at passing cars and a man and his wife headed to Charleston from Atlanta stopped. I explained the dire situation and the man replied, “Jump in, time is wasting.” At 12:59 a.m. Libby Goldman was already at the front door when we pulled in the drive way of my girlfriend’s house. I lived on the next street, so I thanked the good Samaritans and went home immediately! I took a city bus to high school football games at near-by Memorial Stadium for the rest of the football season. It took me several months to find a used engine I could afford for the car. Nearly 25 years later, “Coach Mitchell” called me one day and said he had retired from The State, and he wanted to write 8 to 10 stories a month for “The High School Sports Report” to be able to stay in touch with coaches. I felt honored to have his by-line in the HSSR for a couple years until health issues forced him to give it up.

New Transfer Rules Approved At same Time Of Increase In NCAA Div. I Athletic Scholarships Moncks Corner —I regret missing Dr . Jerome Singleton’s recent zoom call webinar to talk about the recent approval of the athletic directors in South Carolina to grant a one-time transfer of a middle school athlete; a one- time transfer of a high school athlete to the school of their choice without a penalty, or without having to literally move from one house to the next at great expense to your family. Is writer being on a deadline helping get this 72-page publication/website (hssr.com) researched, written, and to press on time. There can no worse pressure then a deadline. The penalty for the HSSR not having the files to our printer by 6 a.m. on Monday of each month is that we have to wait another whole week to print! Fortunately, we have never missed a deadline in the nearly forty years we have been in business. I was able to talk with several athletic directors when I was interviewing a few athletic directors who just happen to also be head baseball coaches. This issue is focused mainly on the sports of baseball and softball. One athletic director told me that it was now going to technically possible for one athlete to transfer to four different schools over a four-year period without leaving his house, or losing edibility. My reply was, “Okay, that sure is a major change of events concerning the transfer rule in South Carolina!” Once I get this 100 -hour deadline week out of my system, and get some sleep, I might actually have an opinion to express. At the moment I am just pleased that this baseball/softball issue is going to get to the press on time early Monday morning. What I do think is great news for baseball and softball players across South Carolina, and the United States also, is that on April, 15 a federal judge is going to rap the gavel in favor of increased athletic scholarships for all sports at the Div. I level of college athletics.  Football is going to increases from 85 to 105 scholarships. In baseball scholarships will increase from 11.7 to 35 scholarships a din softball there will be an increase from 12 scholarships to 25 full scholarships! (Can I get an Amen to this wonderful news!) What I hope happens is that our two power five major colleges of Clemson and South Carolina will look at this opportunity to put a few more eyes on the hard-working prep athletes in South Carolina with the goal of having more in-state athletes on their rosters. It is a great opportunity for both Clemson and South Carolina to recruit more softball players in all honesty. Right now, the disparity between senior baseball players in South Carolina getting offers to play baseball at Clemson and South Carolina, versus how many softball players get opportunities is way out of balance. In the 2025 Class alone, Clemson and South Carolina have signed right at 10 baseball players to scholarships while softball is signees number two from Clemson and one for South Carolina . Hopefully, with the doubling of scholarships available starting with the 2025-26 school year in August, things will improve for hard-working softball players in the palmetto State. Let’s hope so anyway!

By Billy G. Baker Publisher Moncks Corner —The High School Sports Report is proud to release our 37 th consecutive all-state basketball teams, from both the SCHSL and SCISA, for the recently completed 2024-25 season. Despite there being no signings of boy’s or girls’ basketball players to either South Carolina or Clemson from the 2025 class, it was a solid year for in-state talent none-the-less. The staff of the HSSR attended every SCHSL play-off game held the Florence Center this past season, and the majority of the post-season games held in Sumter, involving SCISA competition. Over the past three seasons, the HSSR has literally witnessed 70 per cent of these players chosen for our 2024-25 all-state teams play in person, logging thousands of miles to see these players in action first-hand. Abijah Franklin, the recent MVP of the Carolina’s Classic all-star game versus North Carolina, after he scored a team high 24 points in the game, has been named the HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 Mr. Basketball . The Furman signee led the state in scoring this season at 33 points, 8 rebounds, three assists and two steals a game. Franklin is a two-time all-state pick. After leading Andrew Jackson to their second straight AA basketball title this season, Elon signee Tamia Watkins, has been named the HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 Miss Basketball . Watkins, closed out an outstanding six-year career by averaging 30.1 points and 4 rebounds a game her senior season. She recently led the South Carolina Select team with 14 points against North Carolina in that annual all-star game between the two states. From the SCISA ranks Heathwood Hall senior point guard Lauren Jacobs was almost a unanimous choice for the HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 Miss Basketball honors. The Ole Miss signee averaged 25.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.7 steals a game this past season closing out an outstanding career with the Highlanders. The HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 Mr. SCISA Basketball is Porter-Gaud senior John Michael Jenkins . Jenkins was among the fastest moving players in recent memory on the court and he averaged nearly 20 points a game, with seven assists, and four steals a game this season. Jenkins scored 21 points in the Cyclones state title win over Agusta Christian recently. He is currently entertaining college offers after transferring to P-G from Oceanside Collegiate two years ago. HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 Mr. Basketball - Abijah Franklin-Wren HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - Statewide Boys Player of Year-Josh Leonard-Wilson HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - Div. I AAAAA Boys Player of Year-Korie Corbett-Ridge View HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - Div. II AAAAA Boy’s Player of Year---Caden Coleman-Greenville HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - AAAA Boys Player of Year-Jordan Watford-Lancaster HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - AAA Boys Player of Year—Brian Sumpter-Keenan HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - AA Boys Player of Year—Jamie Brooks-Atlantic Collegiate HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - Class A Boys Player of Year—Joshua Goodman-Denmark-Olar HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - Div. I AAAAA Boys Coach of Year—Josh Staley-Ridge View HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - Div. II AAAAA Boys Coach of Year—Mike Anderson-Greenville HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - AAAA Boys Coach of Year—Jerron Cauthen-Lancaster HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - AAA Boys Coach of Year-Zach Norris-Keenan HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - AA Boys Coach of Year—Tanner Massey-Atlantic Collegiate HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 – Class A Boys Coach of Year-Hercules Davis -Denmark-Olar HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 Div. I AAAAA All-State Boys Basketball TJ Lewis-Blythewood Evan Enos-Byrnes Melvin Teal-Summerville Gavin Ward-James Island Yasir Cromer-River Bluff Colt Fowler-Byrnes Rex Walter-Boiling Springs Keenan Whiteside-Dorman Kaleb Evans-Lexington Ethan Crews-Easley Dontez Walker-JL Mann HSSR 2024-25 Div. II AAAAA All-State Boys Basketball Damien Kinloch-Berkeley John Cleveland-Berkeley Roman Cooley-Greenville Franklin Whitley-Greenville Shane Potts-Goose Creek Ja’Quell Brown-Goose Creek Sebi Boyogueno-Riverside Logan Parker-Fort Mill Nas Berry-Fort Mill CJ Terrell-Greenwood Thomas Rouse-Eastside Rickey Littlejohn-Gaffney James Watson-Myrtle Beach HSSR 2024-25 All-State AAAA Boys Basketball Lamont Britt-Gray Collegiate Levi Ball-Gray Collegiate Columbus Parker-Lancaster Malik Tinsley-Lancaster Jacarey Ballard-Lancaster Amare Anderson-Greer Malik Tinsley-Lancaster Da’Ron Dunbar-North Augusta Quh’mareon Webb-North Augusta Brock Cherry-Wren Kmajay Jenkins-Westside Tristian Thompson-Wilson Shannon Davis-Crestwood Johnathan Perry-Christ Church HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 All-State AAA Boys Basketball Eric Gray-Union County Antoine Caughman-Keenan Khalid Sherman-Loris Zay Robertson-Dillon Jordan McGahee-Orangeburg-Wilkinson Justin Vining-Fox Creek Quan Burton-Powdersville Jaleel McGee-Powdersville Von Burton-Powdersville Johnathan Perry-Christ Church Adam Bown-Christ Church AJ Edwards-Brookland-Cayce Grayson Patterson-Woodruff Blayne Edwards-Lake City Brelin Davis-BHP HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 All-State AA Boys Basketball Jaylen Bellamy-Atlantic Collegiate CJ Hemingway-Atlantic Collegiate Bryce Peterson-Andrew Jackson Zeke Clyburn-Andrew Jackson J’Sean Sanders-High Point Academy Chonci Miller-High Point Academy Jaden McNeil-High Point Academy Eli Brown-Chesnee Tushawn Richardson-Clinton Manny Davis-Eau Claire Darius Brooks-Hampton County Deyon Ford-Mullins Dakarai Worley-Mullins Charles White-Marion Jeffrey Ceasar-Manning Caden Edmond-Central Amarion Wilson-Bridges Prep HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 All-State Class A Boys Basketball Gavin Hood-Great Falls Tykeem Ross-Denmark-Olar Terrence Hinton-Denmark-Olar Terence McFadden-Bethune Bowman Bryson Robinson-Bethune-Bowman Jayden Baylor-Abbeville Darius Riley-Abbeville Cayden Ramsey-Cross Stetson Stacks-North Tylin Jenkins-Hannah-Pamplico Kenard Heyward-Carvers Bay Tyrek Wright-McBee Darius Houston-McCormick Jayden Crawford-Green Sea-Floyds Nasir Brooks-Hemingway HSSR 2024-25 Boys All-Rookie Basketball Nathaniel Freeman-Bridges Prep Huck Flynn-Riverside Judah Lee-Green Sea-Floyds Riggs Savage-Powdersville Zay Harris-North Augusta Anton Daniels-Atlantic Collegiate Brice Wiersma-TL Hanna James Gamble-East Clarendon Beau Hite-Emerald HSSR- SCHSL 2024-25 -Miss Basketball— Tamia Watkins-Andrew Jackson HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 -Div. I AAAAA Girls Player Of Year- Chase Thomas-Blythewood HSSR SCHSL 2024-25 – Div. II AAAAA Girls Player Of Year—Amani McCray-Berkeley HSSR SCHSL 2024-25 – AAAA Girls Player Of Year-Celena Grant-North Augusta HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 -- AAA Girls Player Of Year—Kami Roach-Walhalla HSSR SCHSL 2024-25 - AA Girls Player of Year— Ni’Yonna Asbelle-Andrew Jackson HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - Class A Girls Player of Year—Dream Watson-Military Magnet HSSR SCHSL 2024-25 Div. I -Statewide Girls Coach Of Year-- HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 -Div. I AAAAA Girls Coach Of Year—Emily McElveen-Schaffer-Blythewood HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 Div. II AAAAA Girls Coach of Year-Crystal Peace-Berkeley High HSSR SCHSL 2024-25 - AAAA Girls Coach Of Year-Al Young-North Augusta HSSR SCHSL 2024-25 - AAA Girls Coach Of Year-Bryon Wimphrie-Walhalla HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 -AA Girls Coach of Year—Steven Fair-Andrew Jackson HSSR SCHSL 2024-25 – Class A Girls Coach Of Year-Nathaniel Taylor-Military Magnet HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 Div. I Girl’s All-State Basketball Jade Hailstock-JL Mann Skyla Tuthill-Ashley Ridge Jahzara Leamon-Mauldin India Williams-Blythewood Hayley Hightower-Blythewood Molly Daugherty-Summerville Cailah Tucker-Summerville Emma Daugherty-Summerville Morgan White-Dorman Aubrey Stevenson-Rock Hill Chole Hudson-Rock Hill Ashlyn Evans-Byrnes Clara Mustapher-Stratford Breah Franks-JL Mann Anasia Harvey-Ridge View HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 Div. II Girl’s All-State Basketball Alaina Carter-Berkeley Madison Thomas-Berkeley Tamera Wynn-TL Hanna Faith Farmer-North Myrtle Beach Danielle Oliver-Greenwood TyKirea Johnson-Greenwood Cameron Oliver-Greenwood Elly Trickett-Riverside Shiriah Harris-Gaffney Tianah “TT” Hopper-Gaffney Ava Owens-Greenville Madeline Dates-Goose Creek Michaela Fairwell-Dutch Fork Shaelyn Hayes-White Knoll Aneya Britt-Westwood HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 All-State AAAA Girls Basketball Ashley Walker-North Augusta Kenedi Wright-North Augusta Khalia Hartwell-Westside Asia Clinksales-Westside Kaleigh Lucas-South Pointe Janiya Cunningham-South Pointe Hannah Rosato-Bishop England Braylin Mungo-Camden Lila Mann-Daniel Shala Williams-Daniel Jhnai Sumpter-Lower Richland Chi’Nya Isaac-Lower Richland Malasia Jamison-Aiken Logan Murray-Wilson Kadence Walker-Lee-Gray Collegiate HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 All-State AAA Girls Basketball Miley White-Walhalla Gianna Ortiz-Walhalla Miley White-Walhalla Treasure Davis-Dillon Khw’Nylaha McKinnon-Dillon Taylor Lee-Sutton-Keenan Janiya Richburg-Loris Marisa Moody-Loris Ella Mae Schepp-Oceanside Collegiate Sadie Burnette-Woodruff Krislyn Wilder-Chapman Reagan Mobley-West Oak Devyn Blackwell-Southside Christian Janiya Cunningham-South Pointe HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 All-State AA Girls Basketball Janiyah Squire-Ninety-Six Essence Rodgers-Blacksburg Jazzlyn McMillan-Fairfield Central Emily McCall-Andrew Jackson Jaeda Davis-Marion Maliyah Williams-Marion Kylie Fortner-Landrum Destinee Tiller-Eau Claire Milaysha Chisolm-Eau Claire Aimarika Moorer-Lake Marion Hannah Riles-Lake City Naydia Shaw-Kingstree HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 All-State Class A Girls Basketball Autumn Thomas-Calhoun Falls DeNiriyah Williams-Military Magnet Sabri Mitchell-Military Magnet Serenity Williams-Lee Central Hannah Reames-Lee Central My’Keriyah Holmes-Lee Central Kalen Mayes-Denmark-Olar Aveion Walker-Denmark-Olar Tiffany Helmer-St. Joseph’s Catholic Kailen Parks-North Lauren Middleton-Cross Aysiah Bonaparte-Hunter-Kinard-Tylar Tilayzia Youmans-Hunter- Kinard-Tyler D’Essence Graham-Carver’s Bay Jasmyn Jenkins-Carver’s Bay Raven Brown-Bamberg-Ehrhardt HSSR-2024-25 All-Rookie Girls Basketball Tiana Marshall - Westside (8 th ) Imani Levey - Berkeley Miracle Cheeks - Greenville Jaiden McKnight - Kingstree Maddie Pojani - First Baptist CoCo Charley - North Evie Adams - St. Joseph’s Catholic Campbell Delaney - Orangeburg Prep Lauren Willis - Military Magnet HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 SCISA Boys Basketball HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 Mr. SCISA Basketball - John Michael Jenkins - Porter-Gaud HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 AAAA Boys Player Of Year - Bryce Reyierson - Augusta Christian HSSR-SCISA 2024-25- AAA Boys Player Of Year - Ty Harping - Hilton Head Prep HSSR-SCISA 2024-25-AA Boys Player Of Year - Bryce Ward - Cathedral Academy HSSR-SCISA 2024-25- Class A Boys Player of Year - Kavontay Rose - Ragin Prep HSSR-SCISA 2024-25- AAAA Boys Coach of Year - John Pearson - Porter-Gaud HSSR-SCISA 2024-25- AAA Boys Coach Of Year - Richard Barron - Hilton Head Prep HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 -AA Boys Coach of the Year - Blake Ferguson - Cathedral Academy HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 -Class A Boys Coach of the Year - Anthony Jackson- Ragin Prep HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 All-State AAAA Boys Griffin Ferrano-Porter-Gaud Banks Butler-Porter Gaud Kateaux Miller-Porter Gaud Kais Parris-Pinewood Prep Tre Green-Pinewood Prep Tripp Eidson -Pinewood Prep Jonathan Slawson-Pinewood Prep Braysen Stockman-Ben Lippen Ty Shine-Augusta Christian Aamere Tolbert-Augusta Christian Hugh Humphries-Wilson Hall KJ Allen-Trinity Collegiate JY’Ell Preston-Trinity Collegiate Tristen McCleary-Heath Jaiden Haltiwanger-Hammond Kamari Hunter-Heathwood Hall Tristen McCleary-Heathwood Hall Jackson Ross-Hammond Luis Echevanna-Cardinal Newman Scoop Dennis-Laurence Manning HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 All-State AAA Boys Billy Barron-Hilton Head Prep Brenden Moore-Hilton Head Prep T Riley-Orangeburg Prep Avery Ravenell-Orangeburg Prep Colby Richardson-Pee Dee Academy Bennett Causey-Pee Dee Academy Payne Wood-Spartanburg Day Ron Rank-Spartanburg Day Ty Kennedy-Greenwood Christian Crews Felder-Calhoun Academy Taylor Greene-Florence Christian Thomas Hester-St. Johns Christian Mateo Costello-Colleton Prep Thompson Stone-Dillon Christian Jackson Outlar-Dillon Christian Tucker Shealey-First Presbryterian Rowen Croft-Patrick Henry Mikell Tucker Mathis-Patrick Henry HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 All-State AA Boys Kadan Whitledge-Cathedral Academy Ajani Gresham-Cathedral Academy Dominic Felis-Cathedral Academy Gage Dicks-Andrew Jackson Academy Hayden McClung-Andrew Jackson Academy Hall Sease-Andrew Jackson Academy Vashahd Schofield-Andrew Jackson Academy Tony O’Banner-Thomas Heyward Academy Kelan Fripp-Thomas Heyward Israel Wright-Bethesda Academy Abe Shuler-Dorchester Academy Landon Turner-Carolina Academy Walker McCutchen-Carolina Academy Trace June-Lee Academy John Quattlebaum-Dorchester Academy Daniel Shetley-Oakbrook Prep Yannick Huelsmeyer-Faith Christian HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 All-State Class A Boys Jody Gillam-Holly Hill Academy Ashton Soles-Holly Hill Academy Omarai Myers-Ragin Prep Zymir Robinson-Hill-Ragin Prep Kayshaun Rutherford-Ragin Prep Trez Mincey-Curtis Baptist Treivan Wright-Curtis Baptist Charlie Bonds-Richard Winn Bennett Nicholson-Richard Winn Colson Loadholt-Jefferson Davis Nasir Void-Jefferson Davis Reece Still-Jefferson Davis Academy Caleb Wilbanks-Newberry Academy HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 Girls Basketball Awards: HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 Miss SCISA Basketball - Lauren Jacobs-Heathwood Hall HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 AAAA Girls Player Of Year - Makayla Leggette-Trinity Collegiate HSSR-SCISA 2024-25- AAA Girls Player Of Year - Rebecca Hammond-Pee Dee Academy HSSR-SCISA 2024-25- AA Girls Player Of Year - Ryan Mayers-Cross Schools HSSR- SCISA 2024-25- Class A Girls Player of Year - Jaliyah Terry-Curtis Baptist HSSR- SCISA 2024-25- AAAA Girls Coach of Year - Bree Goodson-Trinity Collegiate HSSR-SCISA 2024-25- AAA Girls Coach Of Year - Meagan Thomas-Pee Dee Academy HSSR- SCISA 2024-25 -AA Girls Coach of the Yea- Doc Archibald-Cross Schools HSSR-SCISA 2022-23-Class A Girls Coach of the Yea- Tim Johnson-Curtis Baptist HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 AAAA Girl’s All-State Salease Kind-Trinity-Collegiate Natalie Pitts-Trinity Collegiate Cokey Suddeth-Palmetto Christian Maliyah Birch-Northwood Academy Rylan Dundon-Northwood Academy Ava Rush-First Baptist Gabby Moore-First Baptist Paige Pouyat-First Baptist SaBreya Monsanto-Heathwood Hall Camillea Gore-Heathwood Hall Avery Schwarz-Augusta Christian Lyza Pricklemyer-Laurence Manning Logan Mims-Wilson Hall Lauren Majorkiewicz-John Paul II Makenna Ellis-Augusta Christian Evie Godfrey-Northside Christian Chaelyn Tifre-Northside Christian Elaina Whalen-Ben Lippen Perry Chambers-Porter-Gaud HSSR 2024--25 All-State SCISA AAA Girls Courtney Campbell-Hilton Head Prep Erin Cleary-Hilton Head Prep Claire Owens-Pee Dee Academy Claire Eskridge-Pee Dee Academy Jane Walker Yonce-Orangeburg Prep Hannah Lambrecht-Orangeburg Prep Annabelle Hunter-Orangeburg Prep Anne Hatcher White-Colleton Prep Ava Murray-Colleton Prep Kylie Finley-St. Johns Christian Audrey Fredere-Greenwood Christian Emma Hudgens-Greenwood Christian Emerson Poston-Florence Christian Lillian Lucas-Patrick Henry Laney Futch-Patrick Henry Kaytlin McJimpsey-Spartanburg Day Mandy Wells-Clarendon Hall Ashlee Berry-Clarendon Hall Layla Walker-Calhoun Academy HSSR 2024--25 All-State SCISA AA Girls Lexann Maldonado-Cross Schools Sydney Hollings-Cross Schools McKinnley Beard-Andrew Jackson Academy Bella Carrigg-Andrew Jackson Academy Braylee Burke-Laurens Academy Madisyn Graham-Laurens Academy Rylee Weathers-Dorchester Academy Emery McClure-Dorchester Academy Emma Amos-Carolina Academy Mazie Tomlinson-Lee Academy Karagan Melton-Lee Academy Caro Chmura-Charleston Collegiate Madison Williams-Cathedral Raven Williams-Cathedral HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 All-State Class A Girls Macy Butler-Curtis Baptist Lily Kilroy-Curtis Baptist Charlotte Lewis-Richard Winn Abby Lewis-Richard Winn Milly Kate Prescott-Holly Hill Academy Taylor Hill-Wardlaw Academy Maddie Deloach-Wardlaw Academy Milly Kate Prescott-Holly Hill Academy Rileigh York-Jefferson Davis Academy Riley Williams-Jefferson Davis Academy Payton Hutto-Jefferson Davis Academy McKenzie Glanton-Mead Hall Carolina Wiedenman-Mead Hall Kenzie Morse-WW King

Saluting The Outstanding Basketball State Champions In SC For The 2024-25 Season Moncks Corner —As we transition into Spring sports, by far the busiest period in high school athletics in South Carolina, the HSSR would like to salute all the basketball state champions from both the SCISA and the SCHSL. The HSSR was there for every championship game. In most cases, we observed first-hand the SCHSL lower and upper state championship games played in Florence at the Florence Center. We also took in numerous SCISA play-off games at Wilson Hall and the Sumter Civic Center as well. Please enjoy of our in-depth coverage of all the state basketball games played on pages four through 13 of this issue! We happen to believe this was the most in-depth coverage of all the games by any one media source in Soth Carolina. The SCHSL boy’s champions were Ridge View in Div. I AAAAA, in Div. II AAAAA we salute champion Greenville High , while the AAAA boy’s title was won by Lancaster High . The Keenan boys became only the second SCHSL team to win 10 state titles with their AAA crown. Atlantic Collegiate Academy won the AA boy’s state title in just their second year as a program. In Class A boy’s competition, Denmark - Olar sent head coach Hercules Davis into retirement by winning the school’s first ever basketball state title. In SCHSL girl’s action, we salute Div. I AAAAA champion Blythewood, Div. II AAAA state champion Berkeley along with AAAA champion North Augusta who won their sixth state title. In AAA, the Walhalla took gold. In AA, Andrew Jackson took top honors and Military Magnet won their third-Class A state title in four years at the Florence Center. In SCISA state championship action, the HSSR salutes AAAA state champion Porter - Gaud . The Hilton Head Prep boy’s won their third straight AAA state title . Cathedral Academy won their third AA boy’s title in four years and newcomer Ragin Prep win the Class A boy’s state championship. In SCISA girl’s championship action, the HSSR salutes AAAA winner Trinity Collegiate. Pee Dee Academy is saluted for winning the AAA state title while the Cross School took top honors in winning the AA girl’s state championship. We congratulate Curtis Baptist for winning the Class A SCISA girl’s championship. One thing we particularly enjoy about attending SCISA basketball championships is witnessing the boy’s and girl’s state title winners, in each classification, cutting down the nets, at opposite ends of the court after their games. In the back ground the song expressing “We are The Champions” rings loud and proud as players and coaches take turns on the ladder cutting a portion of the net. Often you can see SCISA head basketball coaches, like Blake Ferguson of Cathedral, actually wearing the net around his neck, as he was leaving the Sumter Civic Center after the championship win. The head coach is always the last member of a championship team to cut down, what is left of the net. This ceremony of victory adds a nice touch to the great accomplishment. While numerous players got the attention of the HSSR during the championships, Tamia Watson, a 6-2 forward from Andrew Jackson has a bright future ahead of her. She is our choice for the 2024-25 Miss basketball in the state of South Carolina. All we can say is that Elon College better enjoy her freshman year on their team. We strongly predict, Watkins, and her 6-2 frame, will likely be in the transfer portal at the conclusion of her freshman year. How a major college like Clemson passed up on signing her is a mystery to the HSSR. The HSSR also predicts that Clemson will be one of her first offers should she enter the portal after her freshman year at Elon. Watkins can dribble with either hand, and she has equal dexterity even in her feet. She can play all five positions on a basketball court! In her six- year career at Andrew Jackson she averaged 22.2 points a game, over 124 games, for a career points total of 2,752, ranking her the number 11 all-time scorer among girl basketball players in South Carolina! She also had 1,500 career rebounds, 496 steals, 260 blocked shots, and 310 assists during her career. On the boy’s side, we are still debating the HSSR 2024-25 Mr. Basketball as we were going to press with this issue. The HSSR has never named a sophomore as a Mr. Basketball in South Carolina, not even Zion Williamson. We can say with confidence that the best-all-around boy player we saw at the Florence Center, over a week-long period of watching games was sophomore Josh Leonard (6-6,200) a big-man from Wilson High . Leonard possesses all the ball skills of a future NBA player. Leonard averaged 21.7 points a game while shooting 56 per cent from the field. He also averaged 10 rebounds a game along with 2.7 assists and 2.3 steals a game. He is one confident looking super prospect on the hardwood for sure. There is a great possibility that Leonard will join Zion Williamson, who was named the HSSR Mr. Basketball in both his junior and senior years, by winning Mr. Basketball honors over the next two years of his career at Wilson High. We should have our 2024-25 HSSR all-state basketball teams posted at hssr.com in the very near future! Now we are moving on to Spring Sports!

2024 State Champions Lake View at the Florence Civic Center

Hammond's Michael Tyler laying out for the TD catch in the SCISA AAAA title game.

SCHSL Commissioner -Dr Jerome Singleton