Rock Hill reloaded. So did South Pointe. An early look at SC girls basketball in 2021-22

The 2021-22 high school girls’ basketball campaign is underway, and several of the area teams have already started playing. Thus far most of the games played have been in tournaments.

Here’s a look at each region involving teams from York, Chester and Lancaster counties — and here’s who you should expect to rise above the rest.

Region 4-5A: Rock Hill remains king

In 5A, the Rock Hill Bearcats have enjoyed a strong start.

As of this past Sunday, the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association preseason second-ranked Bearcats are 5-3 in the early going and won the Milltown Classic and the Hartsville Tipoff tournaments. In addition, Jada Jones was named as one of the top eight Elite Players in the state by the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association.

Jones leads a solid group of returnees as the ‘Cats look to build on last year’s 7-1 Region 4-5A record. They went 2-1 in the playoffs a year ago and completed the season with an overall mark of 18-2. They ultimately fell one game short of a state championship appearance — when they lost to eventual state champion Clover.

But the Bearcats have returned a bulk of last year’s talent and have reloaded, too: Junior Laila Hankerson, senior Gracie Wilson and freshman Alyssa Hankerson (Laila’s sister) were all named to the 2021 Milltown Classic All-Tournament team.

“We have solid leadership again this season,” said Orr. “We try to groom our leaders each year, and they know what we want and what we expect.”

Suffice to say, the Bearcats are going to be good. Who else should you be aware of?

Last season, the Northwestern Trojans were 5-11 overall a year ago, just barely missing the playoffs. They finished fourth in Region 4-5A with a record of 2-6. With some veteran players returning (junior Darby Grigg and any of the five seniors) — and even an addition from the middle school level (seventh-grader JaNyia Cunningham) — the Trojans should be in for a productive season. They showed that potential with an impressive win against Spartanburg in the season opener.

Rock Hill and Northwestern join Spring Valley, Ridge View and Blythewood in Region 4-5A. Like usual, it looks to be very competitive.

“The region will be very demanding again this year,” added Orr. “Every team in our region will be improved over last year.”

Last year region finishes: 1. Rock Hill 7-1/18-2, 2. Ridge View 7-1/9-3. Blythewood 3-5/4-5, 4. Northwestern 2-6/5-11, 5. Spring Valley 1-7/3-7.

Region 3-5A: Clover tries to reload after state championship season

The Clover Blue Eagles won the 5A state title last year with a 40-38 thrilling-finish-of-a-victory over Sumter. The Blue Eagles finished with an overall record of 14-1 and were 8-0 in Region 3-5A play.

Veteran head coach Sherer Hopkins is looking for new leadership after losing some productive players from last year’s team. Most notably: Aylesha Wade, the leading scorer in school history who is now playing at UNC Charlotte, and tall forwards Janelle Carter, La’Destiny Worthy and Taylor Thomas.

The Blue Eagles will return several players who made an impact on last year’s state championship run. Among them: senior forward Tegan Bertwell and senior guard Ashley Farmer.

“I feel we have good leaders, but every season is different,” said Hopkins. “However, our expectations are the same, and we prepare the same. We lost some excellent players from last year, but we have made tremendous strides thus far this year.”

The Blue Eagles are 3-2 on the year in the early going. They split a pair of games in the Bob Dillon Classic in Spartanburg, and then went 2-1 in regular season play.

The Fort Mill Yellow Jackets and Nation Ford Falcons, both of whom are in Region 3-5A, missed the playoffs a year ago. Both teams should be improved this time around.

Fort Mill was 4-4 in the region and 8-8 overall last year. Nation Ford finished 3-5 in region play and 6-13 in all games a year ago. Both teams went 1-2 in the Milltown Classic. Nation Ford is currently 2-4, while Fort Mill is 1-4.

Gaffney and Boiling Springs complete that region, and it looks to be more balanced than ever this time around.

“This region has a great group of coaches, “ said Hopkins. “The region will be very tough. You will have to be ready to play in every game.”

Last year region finishes: 1. Clover 8-0/14-1, 2. Gaffney 5-3/10-6, 3. Fort Mill 4-4/8-8, 4. Nation Ford 3-5/6-13, 5. Boiling Spring 0-8/0-11.

Region 3-4A: South Pointe is still strong in girls’ basketball

In 4A, the South Pointe Stallions, who ranked fourth in the preseason poll, are hoping to continue their winning ways.

South Pointe was 7-1 in Region 3-4A last year and 12-3 in all games. They lost in the second round of the playoffs.

The Stallions split a pair of games in the “She Got Next” tournament. After that they went 2-1 and are 3-2 on the year. Head coach Stephanie Butler-Graham is looking to make her third state championship game appearance in four years with the Stallions — a group with a lot of returning talent, including senior guard Najah Lane who was named a Top-5 elite player in this year’s preseason awards.

”We have some excellent leaders, and they are already leading by example,” said Butler-Graham. “We have established a very good tradition here, and our coaches have been together for quite a while. I like that consistency, and the players know what being in our program means.”

The Catawba Ridge Copperheads, who were picked sixth in the preseason poll, were 14-2 overall a year in their second year of existence. They were 7-1 in Region 3-4A play, and they earned a playoff spot, where they lost in the first round.

The Copperheads, under new head coach Sheridan Pressley, are currently 4-1 on the year. They won two of three and finished third in the Milltown Classic.

The Indian Land Warriors, the Lancaster Bruins and the York Cougars complete the region. Indian Land finished third a year ago at 4-4 in region play and 6-5 overall. Lancaster was 2-6 in the league and 2-8 in all games, while York failed to win in eight tries in the region and was 3-14 overall.

Indian Land and Lancaster are currently 2-1 in the early going, while York is 1-1.

With all five teams in the region being from the area, it has created some very intense rivalries.

“You cannot take anyone in the region lightly,” added Butler-Graham. “I think that every team in the region has the potential to be better this year.”

Last year region finishes: 1. Catawba Ridge 7-1/14-2, 2. South Pointe 7-1/12-3, 3. Indian Land 4-4/6-5, 4. Lancaster 2-6/2-8, 5. York 0-8/3-14.

Region 4-3A: Chester looks to improve

In 3A, the Chester Cyclones are hoping to improve on last year’s performance. The Cyclones finished 1-11 overall. They were last in Region 4-3A with a mark of 0-8. They must contend with Keenan, Lower Richland, Fairfield Central and Mid-Carolina in region play again this winter.

The Cyclones struggled coming out of the gate this year as they have lost all three of their games.

Last year region finishes: 1. Keenan 8-0/14-2, 2. Lower Richland 6-2/9-2, 3. Fairfield Central 4-4/5-5, 4. Mid-Carolina 2-6/4-7, 5. Chester 0-8/1-11.

Region 4-2A: Andrew Jackson, York Prep have plenty to prove

In 2A, the Andrew Jackson Volunteers, who were selected fifth in the preseason poll, look to build on last year’s excellent season. They were first in Region 4-2A with a COVID-19 shortened perfect record of 7-0. They lost in the second round of the playoffs and finished with an overall record of 8-3.

The York Prep Patriots finished 5-5 in Region 4-2A a year ago, and look to be improved this time around. They made the postseason last year, where they lost in the first round and finished 6-9 overall. Buford, Chesterfield, Cheraw, North Central, and Pageland Central complete that seven-team region.

Andrew Jackson started quickly this year as they have won all three of their contests. York Prep has yet to play this season.

Last year region finishes: 1. Andrew Jackson 7-0/8-3, 2. Buford 9-3/11-3, 3. Chesterfield 6-3/7-5, 4. York Prep 5-5/6-9, 5. Cheraw 3-6/3-12, 6. North Central 2-6/2-9, 7. Pageland Central 0-9/0-13.

Region 2-1A: Lewisville, Great Falls reach for playoff berths

In 1A, both the Lewisville Lions and the Great Falls Red Devils are working to improve on last year’s season. Both missed the playoffs. The Lions were 2-4 in Region 2-1A and 3-6 in all games. The Red Devils were 1-10 overall and did not win a region game in six tries.

Those two teams will battle CA Johnson and McBee for the title in that region.

Lewisville is 0-2 thus far, while Great Falls lost its only game to date.

Last year region finishes: 1. CA Johnson 5-1/5-2, 2. McBee 5-1/7-2, Lewisville 2-4/3-6, 4. Great Falls 0-6/1-10.

No COVID-19 threat opens basketball season back up again

One thing that all of the coaches agree on is the hopeful return to a more normal season after COVID-19 disrupted parts of the last two seasons. Here’s what they said.

Rock Hill coach Kenny Orr: “Every team was able to schedule more games this year, and play in more tournaments. That gives all of us more time to get our teams ready.”

Clover coach Sherer Hopkins: “We have not had a normal season for the past two years. It means a lot to the players to get back to a more normal setting. Hopefully, that will let us make game preparations without disruptions.”

South Pointe coach Stephanie Butler-Graham: “Getting to play tough non-region competition in tournaments or home-and-home develops your team for the playoffs. Hopefully, we are getting back to that this year. Those games are really important, and they have been missing for the most part for the past two years.”

This story was originally published December 6, 2021 at 5:00 AM.