Westside's Khalia Hartwell named South Carolina girls basketball Gatorade Player of Year

The 6-foot-4 center led her team to the Class 4A state championship game.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 5:08pm

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Khalia Hartwell, a junior at Westside High School, has been named the 2026 South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year for girls basketball. Hartwell, a highly-touted 6-foot-4 center, averaged 12.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game as she led her team to the Class 4A state championship game, where they fell short to North Augusta.

Why it matters

Hartwell's recognition as the Gatorade Player of the Year highlights her exceptional talent and potential. As the No. 16 overall prospect in the Class of 2027, she has already received offers from several top college programs, making her one of the most sought-after high school basketball players in the state.

The details

Hartwell was also named to the Class 4A all-state team for the second straight year. She is the first girls Upstate player to win the Gatorade Player of the Year award in 11 years, with the last recipient being Kionna Jeter of Spartanburg in 2015.

  • Hartwell was named the 2026 South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year on March 13, 2026.
  • Hartwell led Westside to the Class 4A state championship game in the 2026 season.

The players

Khalia Hartwell

A 6-foot-4 junior center at Westside High School, Hartwell is the No. 16 overall prospect in the Class of 2027 and has received offers from several top college programs.

Kionna Jeter

The last Upstate player to win the Gatorade Player of the Year award for girls basketball in South Carolina, Jeter won the award in 2015 while playing for Spartanburg High School.

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The takeaway

Khalia Hartwell's recognition as the Gatorade Player of the Year solidifies her status as one of the top high school basketball players in South Carolina, and her college recruitment will likely intensify as she enters her senior season.