Augusta-area girls high school basketball: 2023-24 region outlooks for each team

Basketball season is in full swing and region schedules are beginning as early as this week.

Highlighted by defending South Carolina High School League Class 4A state champ North Augusta, there are a number of area programs with eyes on deep playoff runs. Josey (Final Four), Thomson (Elite Eight) and Cross Creek (Elite Eight) haven't taken a step back and are looking to build upon last season's success.

First, however, they must get through their region schedules before setting eyes on the prize. There are no guarantees as to how these incredibly deep regions will play out, specifically looking at several local Georgia High School Association groups.

This is also an opportunity to look at programs quietly making moves. Your favorite team might be a reigning region champ looking to defend its title, or it could be a team looking for its first state playoff berth in some time. Both situations play into the intrigue around early-season discourse.

Augusta-area high school basketball: 2023-24 region outlooks for each boys' team

Sweet 16: Top Augusta-area girls high school basketball players for the 2023-24 season

2023-24 Augusta-area girls' high school basketball region outlooks

GHSA Region 2-AAAAAA

2022-23 standings:

Brunswick (27-4, 12-0)

South Effingham (20-8, 10-2)

Grovetown (14-14, 7-5)

Lakeside (14-11, 6-6)

Glynn Academy (8-20, 5-7)

Evans (3-23, 1-11)

Effingham County (4-22, 1-11)

Favorites: Brunswick, Lakeside

Contender: South Effingham

Darkhorse: Glynn Academy

Lakeside outlook: Coach Matt Scott takes over the Lakeside program with all of the arrows pointed up. Junior guard Asunti Porter is back where her high school hoops career began after one season at Grovetown, and she’s been on fire through the first part of the season. Paired with sophomore double-double machine Kobi Barnes, this is a scary team that we’ll be talking about well into February.

Evans outlook: Coach KJ Kenny continues building Evans into a hopeful contender in his third year at the helm. Coming off just six wins over the last two seasons, there are positives to look at for the Lady Knights this season. Sophomore Kimariya Hinton has shown the ability to make plays on both sides of the court. Coupled with players like freshman Deedee Brooks and improvements from junior Harmony Skinner, Evans hopes to take a huge leap this season.

Grovetown outlook: Grovetown received a tough draw, losing top scorers Asunti Porter (Lakeside) and Miyah Holmes (Carrollton) to transfer. In the young season, however, junior Kenna Middleton has been a consistent offensive performer for the Lady Warriors. Unfortunately, it may be tough sledding for Grovetown once region play begins.

Region 1-AAAAA

2022-23 standings:

Bradwell Institute (23-5, 9-1)

Greenbrier (19-9, 7-3)

Ware County (19-8, 7-4)

Statesboro (19-10, 6-4)

Coffee (10-15, 2-8)

Jenkins (4-20, 0-11)

Favorite: Bradwell Institute

Contenders: Ware County, Statesboro

Greenbrier outlook: Greenbrier enters into a rebuild this season under new coach Travis Keels. The Lady Pack features a young roster that is coming off one of the most talented senior classes in program history. Keels and company will likely take some lumps early on, but we’ll likely look back on this season as the first layer of bricks into a castle.

Region 3-AAAA

2022-23 standings:

Wayne County (19-6, 7-1)

Burke County (12-11, 5-3)

Islands (14-14, 4-4)

Southeast Bulloch (11-14, 3-5)

New Hampstead (11-13, 1-7)

Favorite: Wayne County

Contenders: Burke County, New Hampstead

Burke County outlook: Senior guard Treyonna Jones leads the Lady Bears, who made a state playoff appearance last season before falling to Troup County 66-54 in the opening round. This region is competitive from top to bottom, so there aren't really any easy games here. Burke County’s non-region schedule is loaded with opponents from higher classifications, so that could serve the Lady Bears well ahead of the region slate.

Region 4-AAA

2022-23 standings:

Cross Creek (24-5, 10-0)

Morgan County (20-8, 7-3)

Hephzibah (18-8, 7-3)

Salem (5-17, 3-7)

Harlem (8-16, 2-8)

Richmond Academy (5-15, 1-9)

Favorite: Cross Creek

Contenders: Morgan County, Hephzibah

Cross Creek outlook: In a trend many in the area have grown accustomed to, Cross Creek looks as dominant as ever. The senior duo of Micheala Bogans and Tahjae Hawes will likely once again carry this squad to a potential state championship. Junior Ja’Nya Wiley has also emerged as a No. 3 scoring option. What’s remarkable is they’ve been able to stay in dominant form despite the loss of Brayla Harris to transfer. Coach Kim Schlein and company are once again setting themselves up for greatness.

Hephzibah outlook: Senior captain Za’Nyah Mullins leads a young Rebels squad that is looking to return to the GHSA 3A state playoffs. With the loss to Jaliyah Terry to Westminster Schools of Augusta, Hephzibah is looking to further build on an 18-win season and state playoff berth just a year ago.

Harlem outlook: Harlem is looking for its first GHSA state playoff berth since the 2012-13 season, back when the Lady Dogs were in Class 2A.

Richmond Academy outlook: Richmond Academy will turn to its senior duo of Serenity Jackson, Ciyanna Grant and junior Na’Cja Johnson to lead this relatively young roster through a difficult region. The Musketeers are looking for their first state playoff berth since falling to Sandy Creek in the second round during the 2016-17 season.

Region 4-AA

2022-23 standings:

Thomson (22-6, 13-1)

Josey (25-5, 13-1)

Butler (20-10, 9-5)

Laney (18-11, 8-6)

Washington County (12-13, 7-7)

Westside (10-16, 4-10)

Putnam County (6-16, 2-12)

Glenn Hills (0-18, 0-14)

Favorites: Thomson, Josey

Contenders: Butler, Laney

Thomson outlook: Thomson stunned Josey in the Region 4-AA championship game a year ago and translated that success into a GHSA 2A Elite Eight appearance. Junior duo Jada Kendrick and Ty’Leishiah Latimore have proven themselves as a dynamic scoring backcourt and expect the Lady Dogs to be right there at the end again.

Josey outlook: Josey capped off last season as Region 4-AA runner-up and an appearance in the GHSA Class 2A Final Four before falling to Banks County 48-44. Coach Nichelle Chapman proved in her first year that she has everything it takes to lead the Lady Eagles to a state championship. That experience along with playmakers like senior Kayla McCord, juniors Shaniyah Sanders and Ke’Asia Henderson, sophomore Kerri Fluellen and a host of others is why this team is one of the favorites in Class 2A.

Butler outlook: For a team to go into Cross Creek’s house and nearly come away with a win, Butler is a force to be reckoned with this season. Eboni Fields’ squad built on last year’s success and brought in transfers Brayla Harris (Cross Creek) and Rania Curry (Carver), adding two key playmakers to an already talented young roster. Add in seniors Logan Davis and Kam Gresham and sophomore Paris Floyd and there are a lot of ways this Lady Dogs team can win each night.

Laney outlook: Laney made it to the second round of the GHSA 2A state playoffs before falling to Central 73-54 on the road. The Lady Wildcats return a young roster this time around led by junior guard Raina Burns, looking to bounce back against several rivals in the region.

Westside outlook: Westside is without last year’s leading scorer Kennedy Armisted after the senior transferred to North Augusta. The Patriots are also in a rebuilding phase and looking for their first state playoff appearance since the 2013-14 season.

Glenn Hills outlook: Glenn Hills is coming off a hot start since finishing last season with an 0-18 record. Considering the Lady Spartans barely had enough players to run a varsity and JV program two years ago, the improvement from last year has been impressive. While contending for a region title this season may be a bit premature, Glenn Hills isn't far off from being competitive.

Region 8-A DII

2022-23 standings:

Lake Oconee Academy (28-3, 11-1)

Towns County (21-9, 11-1)

Warren County (15-10, 7-5)

Greene County (15-14, 6-6)

Washington-Wilkes (8-12, 3-8)

Aquinas (9-17, 3-9)

Lincoln County (0-22, 0-11)

Favorites: Lake Oconee Academy, Towns County

Contenders: Warren County, Greene County

Darkhorses: Washington-Wilkes, Aquinas

Aquinas outlook: Aquinas returns experience with players like senior Emma Kate Noegel and junior Anna Kate White. Even though they finished toward the bottom of a tough region last season, there are plenty of reasons to believe the Fightin’ Irish can compete for their first state playoff berth in two years.

SCHSL Region 4-AAAA

2022-23 standings:

North Augusta (26-3, 8-0)

Aiken (15-11, 5-3)

Airport (9-16, 3-5)

South Aiken (4-17, 2-6)

Midland Valley (7-17, 2-6)

Favorite: North Augusta

Contenders: Aiken, Airport

North Augusta outlook: Coming off a state championship, North Augusta remains as good as ever. Young players like sophomore Celena Grant and freshman Ashley Walker were able to cut their varsity teeth on the biggest stage, now they’re acclimated as the Lady Jackets gear up for another run. Bringing in former Westside leading scorer Kennedy Armistead adds to the potential of an already-talented team. Five state titles over seven seasons and North Augusta likely isn’t done yet.

SCISA Region 1-AAAA

2022-23 standings:

Heathwood Hall Episcopal (26-1, 8-0)

Hammond (13-8, 6-2)

Augusta Christian (11-15, 4-4)

Ben Lippen (12-11, 2-6)

Cardinal Newman (1-18, 0-8)

Favorite: Heathwood Hall Episcopal

Contenders: Hammond, Augusta Christian

Darkhorse: Ben Lippen

Augusta Christian outlook: There are real reasons to believe Augusta Christian can make a deep state playoff run. Having a healthy Kaylee Jackson for the first time in two years is a big part of that. Jackson and fellow senior Ryley Jolly serve as a formidable 1-2 punch in the backcourt. Add in freshman Taylor Booker averaging nearly 10 rebounds per game so far, and this team can be a tough draw for anyone once they get into the thick of the region schedule.

GIAA AAAA/AAA District 2

2022-23 standings:

Bulloch Academy (21-7, 8-0)

Pinewood Christian (17-12, 5-3)

Frederica Academy (16-11, 5-3)

Westminster Schools of Augusta (14-14, 2-6)

St. Andrews (5-21, 0-8)

Favorites: Bulloch Academy

Contenders: Pinewood Christian, Frederica Academy, Westminster Schools of Augusta

Westminster Schools of Augusta outlook: This Westminster team is legit. Sophomore guard India Williams (20 points per game) may be one of the best pure scorers in the state, and she’s one of three Lady Wildcats in double-digit scoring per game. Hephzibah transfer Jaliyah Terry has been as good as advertised and senior Aimee Spurlock is getting it done on a nightly basis. If that wasn’t good enough, each of those players is averaging six or more rebounds per game, as well. There could be a state title in the works in the near future.

GIAA Region 4-AA

2022-23 standings:

Edmund Burke Academy (15-12, 3-1)

Briarwood Academy (23-6, 3-1)

Augusta Prep (1-17, 0-4)

Contenders: Edmund Burke Academy, Briarwood Academy

Augusta Prep outlook: Coming off a one-win season a year ago, Augusta Prep is looking to improve in a big way. Senior Sara Beth Trotter is the returning leading scorer for a Cavaliers’ team that basically brought everyone back from last season. The good news is they will be able to grow as a unit, which is often an underrated aspect of building a team and a program. The improvements will keep coming for this group.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: North Augusta, Josey 2023-24 girls basketball region outlooks