Lower State 2A Final: Andrew Jackson HS vs Silver Bluff HS

The Andrew Jackson HS Lady Volunteers from Kershaw County came down to the Florence Center with one thing goal on their mind. That was to get to USC-Aiken later this week to play in the Class 2A State Championship Game. The Lady Volunteers were able to come out on top with a 45-40 victory over Silver Bluff HS today. <em><strong>Double-Double in the Middle</strong></em> <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/3865E5C0-BA77-4B54-834B-665A476C31FE-crop-1082x710-1646225665.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-395229" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/3865E5C0-BA77-4B54-834B-665A476C31FE-crop-1082x710-1646225665-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="175322" first="Tamia" last="Watkins"]</strong> is just a freshman but seems like she has been around for quite a while. Watkins was too much for the Lady Bulldogs down in the paint tonight. Tamia finished with 18 points and 16 rebounds according to my unofficial stats. Watkins is ranked #2 player in the 2025 Palmetto State (Hint, Hint) not published yet - stay tuned. Tamia came up time after time with big rebounds on both ends of the floor when she wasn’t finishing on contact around the cup. <em><strong>8th Grader Making Strong Contributions</strong></em> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="383418" first="Ni’yonna" last="Asbelle"]</strong> really made a name for herself today playing in the Lower State Championship Game. Asbelle finished the game with 16 points after making some timely buckets at the rim and short mid-range jumpers. Ni’yonna has good body control to the basket and showed a lot of poise on the floor for her young age. <em><strong>The Lady Bulldogs Will Be Back </strong></em> <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/59E7156A-82C5-49AD-82C6-BC4F6B9F1579-crop-1033x679-1646225596.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-395228" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/59E7156A-82C5-49AD-82C6-BC4F6B9F1579-crop-1033x679-1646225596-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> The Silver Bluff HS Lady Bulldogs finished the season at (17-3) under Head Coach Chasen Redd. The Lady Bulldogs will look to return <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="175386" first="Aaliyah" last="Lawrence"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="243448" first="Ahminah" last="Taylor"]</strong>. Lawrence finished the game with 11 points while Taylor added 12 points. Taylor a very aggressive and feisty point guard fouled out with 2:08 left when the game was tied up at 40-40. Ahminah plays every minute to the fullest when she’s on the floor. Taylor averaged 13.1 ppg this season. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-395224" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/A17693AD-F0EC-4CC6-A5D7-B9B2DD90C206.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> Lawrence who came into the game averaging 15.7 ppg and 11.6 rebounds really brings good versatility to the floor. Aaliyah was able to drive to the cup while putting the ball on the deck or knockdown the perimeter jumper. <em><strong>Clutch Down the Stretch </strong></em> <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/B4F3E21F-C3F4-4F91-A1D1-CBB2EEBAC32E-crop-1119x735-1646225540.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-395227" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/B4F3E21F-C3F4-4F91-A1D1-CBB2EEBAC32E-crop-1119x735-1646225540-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="395216" first="Emiley" last="McCall"]</strong> another freshman on the Lady Volunteers roster stands just 5’2. McCall was able to make some big free throws with 0:27 seconds left to secure the victory. McCall a vocal leader for the Lady Volunteers rarely went off the floor just like Watkins and Asbelle. <em><strong>What’s Next? </strong></em> The Lady Volunteers (23-3) will now play Christ Church in the Class 2A State Championship Game at USC-Aiken later this week. &nbsp;