The growth and talent emerging in the South Carolina Lowcountry basketball scene is nothing short of impressive this year. After catching some fall league action and speaking with a few head coaches, it’s clear that South Carolina basketball is heading in an exciting direction, with the Lowcountry producing standout players ready to make an impact.
With college prospects in the mix, the drive and determination these players are showing could very well carry them to the next level. Throughout the season, I’ll be following these athletes closely, watching their development as they continue to refine their skills and elevate their games.
Here are some of the key players to keep an eye on:
Cathedral Academy has a dynamic left-handed guard in Bryce Ward. His speed and agility make him a nightmare for defenders in both open-court and half-court situations. Ward excels at attacking the basket with a relentless mentality, consistently challenging defenders at the rim. While his jump shot is solid, his true strength lies in his ability to get past defenders and finish strong.
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A standout moment came when he sank a buzzer-beating half-court shot, capping off a game-winning performance and showcasing his clutch ability. With his work ethic and natural talent, the future looks extremely bright for Bryce Ward.
One of Berkeley County’s rising stars, Jahleel Sanders, is shaping up to be a key player for Cane Bay. As a sophomore, Sanders already displays the poise and confidence of a seasoned player. He’s aggressive when driving to the basket but also dangerous from beyond the arc, making him a dual threat that keeps defenses on their heels.
With three more seasons ahead of him, Sanders is only scratching the surface of his potential. He has shown glimpses of a mature, polished game, and it will be exciting to see his continued development under the Cane Bay program.
Jackson Terrell is another young player with significant upside. During his fall league games, Terrell displayed a soft touch around the basket, particularly shining in transition. He confidently stepped into a pull-up three-pointer, hitting it with impressive form—a rare skill for a player of his size.
In addition to his shooting, Terrell’s rebounding stood out. He consistently fought for boards and used his height to make an impact. As a versatile wing with strong interior presence and emerging perimeter skills, Terrell has the potential to be a key contributor for West Ashley for years to come.
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Parker Renault is a deep-range sniper with a smooth shooting stroke, especially for someone his size. At 6’8”, Renault’s ability to stretch the floor makes him a potent weapon, particularly in pick-and-pop situations. He’s not just a shooter, though—his effectiveness on cuts to the basket and his rebounding ability provide his team with valuable versatility.
Renault’s confidence in his shot and his all-around play suggest that his best basketball is still ahead of him. If he continues on this path, his recruitment is likely to heat up significantly as he enters his final high school seasons.
Berkeley High’s success this season will largely depend on the contributions of Deuce Kinloch, a player who’s making an impact on both ends of the court. Known for his shot-blocking and rim protection, Kinloch’s length allows him to challenge shots and be a defensive anchor. Offensively, he’s equally dangerous, whether stepping out to hit a three or using his athleticism to drive and finish at the rim.
His all-around play elevates Berkeley’s competitiveness, filling crucial roles both offensively and defensively. As Kinloch continues to develop, he’s expected to play a pivotal role in his team’s success, contributing big plays in critical moments.
A truck driver from suburban Oak Lawn was charged after a bomb threat led authorities to shut down a South Carolina interstate for hours, law enforcement said.
Ahmad Jamal Khamees Alhendi, 28, was charged with breach of peace of high and aggravated nature, conveying false information about a bomb threat and no vehicle license.
At around 2:45 p.m. on Thursday, a South Carolina State Transport Police officer pulled over a tractor-trailer on Interstate 85 in Greenville County due to a missing license plate, WYFF, the NBC affiliate in Greenville, South Carolina, reported. During the stop, the driver, identified as Alhendi, indicated there was an explosive device inside the vehicle, officials said.
All lanes of the highway were shut down while law enforcement investigated the threat.
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Following the incident, Alhendi was placed on a detainer by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Alhendi failed to comply with the terms of his legal admittance and now has a hearing scheduled for Aug. 6, 2026, before an immigration judge, WYFF reported.
South Carolina running back Rocket Sanders has accepted an invitation to play in the 100th East-West Shrine Bowl. The Shrine Bowl announced the news on social media.
The East-West Shrine Bowl gives seniors the opportunity to perform in an all-star showcase environment. Practices, combines, and other professional evaluations will help players like Sanders while they prepare for the NFL Draft.
Sanders has earned NFL Draft projections following his strong senior season. Now, at the East-West Shrine Bowl, he will have the opportunity to perform in front of professional scouts, coaches, and decision-makers. Dallas’ AT&T Stadium will host the January 30th exhibition.
He joins fellow Gamecock NFL Draft-hopeful Kai Kroeger as South Carolina alums participating in the Shrine Bowl. Several other USC seniors with professional aspirations will play in other all-star showcases.
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In just one year with the Gamecocks, Sanders left a mark. He brought stability and big-play ability to a running game that was the worst in school history the previous season. His rushing totals were the highest in garnet and black since Kevin Harris’ SEC-leading 2020 campaign.
An All-SEC performer this fall, Sanders posted just under 1200 yards of offense and 13 touchdowns despite missing the Citrus Bowl, most of the Akron contest, and parts of the Ole Miss game. He also made one of the best run-after-catch plays in Gamecock history in the team’s last-minute win over the Missouri Tigers in the Mayor’s Cup.
Sanders’ NFL Draft future is difficult to read because of the position he plays. Outside of the top few running backs, the NFL often doesn’t use high draft picks on ball carriers. Because of that, Sanders’ draft grades have been all over the place. A strong showing at the East-West Shrine Bowl would help solidify his place for next April.
South Carolina State Bulldogs (6-9) at Morgan State Bears (6-10)
Baltimore; Saturday, 4 p.m. EST
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BOTTOM LINE: Morgan State takes on South Carolina State after Kameron Hobbs scored 25 points in Morgan State’s 90-68 loss to the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
The Bears have gone 6-2 at home. Morgan State is second in the MEAC in rebounding averaging 32.9 rebounds. Daniel Akitoby paces the Bears with 6.2 boards.
The Bulldogs are 2-8 on the road. South Carolina State is second in the MEAC giving up 69.7 points while holding opponents to 44.0% shooting.
Morgan State makes 49.9% of its shots from the field this season, which is 5.9 percentage points higher than South Carolina State has allowed to its opponents (44.0%). South Carolina State averages 6.7 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.3 fewer made shots on average than the 8.0 per game Morgan State allows.
The Bears and Bulldogs face off Saturday for the first time in MEAC play this season.
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TOP PERFORMERS: Akitoby is averaging 7.5 points and 6.2 rebounds for the Bears.
Drayton Jones is averaging 12.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks for the Bulldogs.
LAST 10 GAMES: Bears: 3-7, averaging 81.4 points, 32.8 rebounds, 15.4 assists, 7.6 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 49.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 85.1 points per game.
Bulldogs: 4-6, averaging 70.6 points, 29.2 rebounds, 14.1 assists, 8.2 steals and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 43.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 71.1 points.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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