Is there a wide range 8 speed cassette that would work with a diy 1x conversion?

So I’m trying to slightly modernize my old specialized for my spouse to ride, the front derailleur got messed up at a skate park ( my bad 😂 ) so I put a narrow wide chainring on the front, is there a wide range cassette 8 speed I could put on the back? It’s a shimano hyper glide hx cassette.

I am trying to keep it on kind of a budget I just want more range, the bike is also getting some AliExpress hydraulic brake calipers and I will be replacing the rear derailleur and shifter with a cheap set with a clutch.

Specs of the bike / /
https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?item=16601