SCISA 3A Quarterfinals: Post Players

Tuesday’s SCISA 3A quarterfinals slate at Sumter County Civic Center included a pair of games that were routs and two others that were close. All in all, it was an exciting day and night of basketball as the state playoffs continued. Prep Girls Hoops was on hand for all four games on Tuesday. Here is a look at who shined near the rim. Who were some Post Players that took center stage today from the SCISA 3A State Tourney ? <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="124089" first="Ashlyn" last="Watkins"] – 2022 – Cardinal Newman School</strong> – Any basketball team can be very effective when arguably its best player can get things done near the rim. Cardinal Newman displayed on Tuesday afternoon that it has at least two – and that is why the team has another state championship on the brains. Watkins, fittingly, had the first points of the game and is not afraid to take her fair share of shots. She is a rebounder and will play defense in transition or half court situations. Watkins had at least two field goals in every quarter and had 20 points. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-257784" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/02/EA50FBDD-D042-41F9-A18B-22258E37A4D9.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="234749" first="Mary" last="Ashley Groot"] – 2023 – Cardinal Newman School</strong> – She was another for the Cardinals that was very effective in the low post. Groot will get up and down the floor, will be at the right place and right time for teammates to find where she is on the court and will collect rebounds as well. Look out for her because trying to score on her may result in a rejected shot. She will also pass the ball as well. Groot had a 17-point outing with 15 of those occurring in the first half and eight in the first quarter. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-257790" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/02/320A6ABE-AEF8-4A9F-8C8B-80C59350D972.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="124074" first="Anaya" last="Manigault"] – 2021 – Northwood Academy</strong> – The Chargers also had themselves a commanding performance against its opponent, Augusta Christian, Tuesday night – and establishing Manigault early was key in that. While her bread and butter may be what she does around the rim, she also displayed long range by draining a 3-pointer early in the game. It was one of only two triples the Chargers had all game. Manigault plays defense all over the floor, but will block shots from anywhere on said floor. She is strong to the rim and will attract her fair share of contact. She finished with 11. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-257788" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/02/EF49A206-0230-42B3-A520-133B36748BDF.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="124084" first="KeAirra" last="Gregory"] – 2021 – Northwood Academy</strong> – Coach Ginnell Curtis had to particularly be proud of Gregory’s defense as she was one of two of the Chargers starting five that did not have a foul called on her the entire game. Beyond that, Gregory is a proficient rebounder, will block shots and possesses range with her jump shot. The consistency of her scoring is something else to highlight as that was seem from start to finish with their bigs. Gregory will find her way to the line as well and added 14 points. Gregory recently signed with Johnson &amp; Wales (NC) for next year.