SCISA’s Potential Breakout Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every season, new stars emerge and reshape the landscape of South Carolina high school basketball. This year's SCISA group is full of players ready to break out as they step into bigger roles, sharpen their skills, and put their schools in the mix for a state championship. Here are six players who could do just that this season:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2148633' first='James' last='Pojani'] (First Baptist) - [player_tooltip player_id='2148633' first='James' last='Pojani'] is a player who most people within SCISA know and respect, but I think this is the year where he could make a push as a College Prospect and fringe SCISA All-Star. Because of the reconstructed First Baptist roster, Pojani will be able to play off the ball much more, freeing him up to do what he is best at - make threes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3067621' first='DJ' last='Slaughter'] (Ben Lippen) - Slaughter has quietly been coming along as a nice Forward prospect at 6'5", but playing alongside some elite talent could help boost DJ to a breakout sophomore season. He is a big presence around the rim and on the boards on both ends of the floor, and controlling those two departments could be crucial in the team success of theFalcons in 2025-26.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3067624' first='Jonah' last='Gardner'] (Heathwood Hall) - Jonah has shown flashes over the past year as a Freshman on Varsity with Heathwood Hall and on the AAU Circuit with [program_tooltip program_id='2078753' first='Upward' last='Stars Columbia']. Gardner is a knockdown three-point shooter - one of the best in his class at an early stage - but he can also pull up off one or two dribbles in the mid-range and contribute with activity on the defensive end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3067625' first='Paul' last='Felder'] (Cathedral Academy) - Although just an 8th Grader, Felder is a guy who could break out in his first season on Varsity for the Generals. Paul averaged a team-high 11.0 points in eight games on JV in 2024-25, and that scoring ability should translate pretty quickly once he returns from injury. It's still a long way away from projecting what he could be, but getting minutes this early should show just how high Felder's ceiling is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wiltrez Mincey</strong> (Curtis Baptist) - Last year's SCISA 1A runners-up were led by two elite freshmen. However, despite being one of those two players, there's still not a ton of buzz around Mincey's name. He has some intriguing size at 6'4" and not only finishes around the rim, but also dominates on the glass. Curtis Baptist was my preseason pick for Class 1A Champions, and the development of Wiltrez was a key reason why.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cholly Williams</strong> (Orangeburg Prep) - Rounding out my potential breakout players in SCISA this season is Cholly Williams. The Indians will lose a key player to early enrollment for College Football, but I think they have another multi-sport star who can step in and help replace him on the hardwood. Williams didn't put up major stats in his Freshman Year, but his athleticism alone will make him an important piece for OP this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->