Class 5A State Championship: Clover HS vs Sumter HS

The 5A state championship may have been scheduled to occur the same week as the other four girls title games, but the multiweek-long delay had a happy ending for the Clover Blue Eagles. They came from behind late to defeat the Sumter Gamecocks by a final score of 40-38 at the USC Aiken Convocation Center. Sumter jumped out to a 10-1 in the game’s opening minutes and had assumed a 33-23 lead with just over four minutes to play in the game. Clover stormed back, took the lead and made history with its first ever state title. “We just knew that we had to stay with our game plan,” Blue Eagles coach Sherer Hopkins said of her team’s play in the fourth quarter. “We knew that was the time that we really had to turn it up defensively. So, I think our girls really responded to that and fortunately we came out on the winning end.” <strong>Wade for the Win</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-264780" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/03/F56D4D75-4D26-4C89-A194-0514604877A2.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> In the closing moments of the fourth quarter, senior Blue Eagles captain (and Charlotte commit) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="124069" first="Aylesha" last="Wade"]</strong> hit, arguably, the signature basket of her high school career – a pull-up jumper that gave Clover a 40-38 lead. The Gamecocks had an opportunity to either tie or take the lead, but Sumter’s ensuing try was unsuccessful and celebration ensued from those donning Blue Eagles colors. “She’s an amazing player,” Hopkins said. “And (I’m) so proud of her and all she’s accomplished, but she has a really good group around her that … really play into her game too and are there and ready to knock down shots.” Wade played all 32 minutes and scored 12 points (nine in the second half). <strong>Key Performers</strong> Complimenting Wade’s 12 was the 13 points scored by <strong>Janelle Carter</strong> – including her 11 she tallied in the second half. Carter also added eight rebounds and three steals to the Blue Eagles’ cause. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="188008" first="La’Destiny" last="Worthy"]</strong> finished with 11 points and nine rebounds. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="188009" first="Taylor" last="Thomas"]</strong> led Clover’s efforts on the glass with 10. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-264779" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/03/48C0C230-C5F4-4A52-85B5-B77E455A6FE2.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> For Sumter, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="171802" first="Kiara" last="Croskey"]</strong> led Gamecocks scorers with 12 points and also added seven points, four assists and four rebounds. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-264781" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/03/759B6932-7317-41D1-B24F-55040102A565.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="124080" first="Layken" last="Cox"]</strong> tallied seven points and hauled in five rebounds, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="195517" first="Keziyah" last="Sanders"]</strong> scored six points off the bench in addition to three boards. <strong>Shamira Andrews</strong> also grabbed five off the glass. <strong>Redemption</strong> The thrill of victory for Clover had the feel of the ending to a dramatic sports movie, filled with twists and turns. One of those was advancing to last year’s 5A final before enduring a painful 42-38 defeat to Goose Creek. Another plot point in that movie? The rescheduling to March 20 because of COVID-19 issues. The game was Clover’s fifth appearance in a state title game but the Blue Eagles had yet to reach championship paydirt - until Saturday. <strong>Seniors</strong> For the Blue Eagles, in addition to Wade – Carter, Worthy, Thomas and <strong>Lauren Deal</strong> are the seniors that closed out their college careers by bringing a state championship to Clover. <strong>Tajanique Johnson</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="124079" first="Inga" last="Colclough"]</strong> and <strong>TyMya Myers</strong> are the seniors listed that are graduating from Sumter. <strong>Closing the Book</strong> Clover finishes the 2020-21 season with a record of 18-1 along with going a perfect 8-0 in Region 3-5A play. Sumter’s season concludes at 13-4 with a 6-2 showing in Region 6-5A competition.