SCISA 3A Final: Northwood Academy vs Cardinal Newman
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Sometimes, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Even with all of the abnormalities of this season, the SCISA 3A slate still reached the same conclusion as the last couple of years with Northwood Academy and Cardinal…
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Continue ReadingSometimes, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Even with all of the abnormalities of this season, the SCISA 3A slate still reached the same conclusion as the last couple of years with Northwood Academy and Cardinal Newman meeting for the 3A state championship.
The game was the same as the last two years as well as the result as the Cardinals proved once again their status as the class of SCISA 3A by virtue of its 53-43 victory over the Chargers.
“It wasn’t anything we took for granted. We were amped up, ready to play for it. And yeah, overcoming everything that we overcame it’s even definitely makes this even that much more satisfying,” Cardinals coach Asia Dozier said.
Prep Girls Hoops was on hand at Sumter Civic Center to take in the proceedings as well as the postgame celebration for Cardinal Newman’s 3-peat. Here is a look at who showed up with a championship up for grabs.
Ashlyn Watkins Ashlyn Watkins 6'4" | PF Cardinal Newman | 2022 State #11 Nation SC – 2022 – Cardinal Newman High School – It was a given that Watkins was going to show up big for the Cardinals with a state championship up for grabs. The question was how big. The answer was very big. On defense, she makes things difficult for offenses not only because of her shot-blocking abilities, but her rebounding gives opposing teams very few opportunities at layups and second-chance points. Watkins will also switch from guarding in the low post to defending on the perimeter when necessary. She made two of three from the line in the fourth quarter, finished with 23 points and all-tournament honors.
Alayah Birch Alayah Birch 5'9" | CG Northwood Academy | 2024 State SC – 2024 – Northwood Academy – Birch was one of two all-tournament members from the Chargers. She displayed why for the entirety of the postseason by making plays on both offense and defense such as intercepting inbounds passes and still converting on tough shots even after attracting contact. Birch’s court vision also allows her to make efficient passes to her teammates and put them in position to score. She also got to the line on plenty of occasions in the fourth quarter, a common trait coaches look for in signature players. Birch finished the game – and her 2020-21 season – with a 12-point effort.
Lauren Jacobs Lauren Jacobs 5'9" | PG Heathwood Hall | 2025 State SC – 2025 – Cardinal Newman High School – It is not every championship game that one expects one of a team’s most impact players coming from the eighth grade class. Jacobs will collect her fair share of rebounds and will put in defensive work that gets other teams to cough up the ball. She will also get out in transition and receive passes that can turn into layups as well as turn offensive rebounds into put-backs in case another teammate misses. She had eight points (all in the second half) including six in the third quarter. If Jacobs was not already on the radars of South Carolina high school basketball fans, she should definitely be now.
Amiyah Ferguson Amiyah Ferguson 5'9" | CG Timberland | 2023 State SC – 2023 – Northwood Academy – What more could be said? Actually, a lot more in the coming seasons will be said and written about Ferguson because has two years before she wears the cap and gown. In the Northwood colors, she will make efficient passes to her teammates, displays great court vision and will also pry the ball from opponents. Ferguson will even come out of seemingly nowhere to surprise opposing offenses setting up half court schemes to intercept passes and go the other way for a transition layup. She was fouled shooting a three-point attempt at the end of the third and made all three free throws. Ferguson scored 10 points – with six coming by way of freebies.
Tanaja Kennedy Tanaja Kennedy 5'2" | PG Keenan | 2023 State SC – 2023 – Cardinal Newman High School – Another standout that concluded the tournament not only with a state championship, but with all-tourney honors. If the plan is to score, Kennedy will do so even if she has to weave her way through defenders en route to the rim. She will make plenty of hustle plays and her creativity and craftiness with the ball keep opposing defenses on their heels. Kennedy will find her way to the line if need be as well and is very adept at upping her assists. She closed out the game and her season with a six-point effort.
Rachel Ambroise Rachel Ambroise 5'7" | SG Northwood Academy | 2022 State SC – 2022 – Northwood Academy – Listed as a combination guard and forward and has a game indicative of both. Ambroise will find her way to the rim and will attract a great deal of contact to put her at the line. At times, she will be guarding whoever has the ball whenever said dribbler is in iso-mode. Ambroise displays hustle and toughness as she will have no problem going for the ball when on defense. She made a huge 3-pointer in the fourth quarter that trimmed what was a 10-point deficit for the Chargers to seven when it appeared Northwood was blazing a comeback trail. Ambroise would score seven.