South Carolina occupies a huge space in women’s basketball – the USC women’s basketball team is one of the most dominant forces in women’s sports – but over the years, much of the state’s high school talent has reached the same caliber.
From current stars to past legends, who would be the 10 best South Carolina girls high school basketball players of all time?
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As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, that’s the question USA TODAY Sports is looking to answer in celebration of the greatest American sports figures of all time, including the high school athletes who shaped communities and defined their states.
More: Who is all-time greatest South Carolina high school football player?
With that in mind, here are our selections for the girls basketball players who defined South Carolina. The 10 players (listed in alphabetical order) were all standouts in high school before going on to play at both the college and professional ranks.
Did we miss someone? There’s a spot for you to write in your own candidate who wasn’t included on our list of 10.
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Alaina Coates, Dutch Fork
South Carolina Gamecocks center Alaina Coates (41) looks to shoot over Syracuse Orange center Amber Witherspoon (44) in the the second round of the women’s NCAA Tournament.
Coates was dominant during her years as a Silver Fox. She led Dutch Fork to a second-straight state title with a 29-0 record her senior year, before staying in-state to star at the University of South Carolina and go second overall in the 2017 WNBA draft.
South Carolina Gamecocks forward Joyce Edwards (8) shoots the ball over UCLA Bruins guard Gianna Kneepkens (8) during their NCAA women’s basketball national championship game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 5, 2026.
Edwards is a very fresh face on this list, but she’s earned her place. In a high school career in which she starred on the basketball, volleyball and soccer teams, she is second only to legend Ivory Latta in the state record books for all-time career points with 3,966. She joined the University of South Carolina as one of the nation’s top recruits and recently finished her sophomore season there, averaging 19.2 points per game.
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Allison Feaster, Chester
19 Jun 2001: Allison Feaster#21 of the Charlotte Sting looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Sparks at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. The Sparks defeated the Sting 73-69. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Jeff Gross /Allsport
Feaster’s 3,427 high school career points land her at third overall in South Carolina girls high school basketball history. After moving on to play professionally domestically and internationally, she took on a front-office executive role with the Boston Celtics. (And as an extra accolade, she is the mother of Sarah Strong, a former North Carolina high school standout and current UConn star.)
Sheila Foster, Boiling Springs
Many know Foster as a legend at the University of South Carolina, but her high school years were impressive, too. She led Boiling Springs to their first (and sole) state basketball title in 1978, and was an All-State and All-American selection.
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Ivory Latta, York Comprehensive
To many, Latta’s name is synonymous with South Carolina girls high school basketball. Her 4,319 career points are the most by any girl or boy in state history, and her name is atop many of the girls state record book entries. She went on to become the University of North Carolina’s leading all-time scorer and a two-time WNBA All-Star.
Katrina McClain, St. Andrews
McClain has stacked accolades on every level of the game. After leading St. Andrews to an undefeated 30-0 season her senior year, she went on to be named the National College Player of the year during her time at Georgia and has since been elected to the Women’s and Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. The NCAA’s annual award for the top women’s power forward is named after her.
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Pearl Moore, Wilson
An early trailblazer for women’s basketball, Moore was a four-year starter at Wilson and earned national attention at the AAU Junior Olympic Games. She technically became the all-time leading scorer in women’s college basketball with 4,061 points during her career at Francis Marion College, but the record is often challenged because it occurred before the NCAA took control of women’s sports in 1982.
Martha Parker Hester, Hammond
Parker led Hammond to five straight state titles during her time there, averaging 28.7 points and 10 rebounds. She, like many on this list, went on to become a star at the University of South Carolina, where she was a two-time All-American.
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Direne Thomas, Blackville-Hilda
Thomas is all over the South Carolina record books. Landing in the top five all-time for most points in a career, most points in a season and most 30-point games in a season (17 games lands her in third place) to name a few, she cemented herself as a Blackville-Hilda – and South Carolina – legend.
Las Vegas Aces forward Aja Wilson (22) reacts during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Sparks at Michelob Ultra Arena.
South Carolina gave the basketball world one of its most dominant stars in Wilson. The No. 1 national prospect coming out of high school, Wilson averaged 24.7 points, 13.9 rebounds and 4.3 blocks during her high school career before becoming a legend at the University of South Carolina and a four-time WNBA MVP.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vote for South Carolina’s all-time best girls basketball player
