1/3 Weekly Roundup
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With the new calendar year now having arrived, emphasis for the high school basketball seasons across the Palmetto State will now shift from the midseason tournament schedule to the stretch runs that teams will make in January and early February. …
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Continue ReadingWith the new calendar year now having arrived, emphasis for the high school basketball seasons across the Palmetto State will now shift from the midseason tournament schedule to the stretch runs that teams will make in January and early February.
For a number of teams across the state, this month will be that month that can make all of the difference as far as their aspirations to earn a tournament berth.
There were a few games that when looking at the schedule really caught our attention as far as how fascinating they had the potential to be. Here are those games we had the privilege of attending this week.
Spartanburg HS vs. Clover HS
This early-January get-together between the Vikings and Blue Eagles could have been brought to us by the number 10. As in one of these 5A squads who have put together stellar 2022-23s up to this point would be the latest team to reach the 10-win plateau.
Spartanburg already earned a win earlier in the season against Clover on the Vikings’ home floor, so coach Shakkia Walker’s team had the opportunity to even the score – and win No. 10 on its mind.
That objective was reached by the Blue Eagles on Wednesday evening as they defended its own home court by virtue of its 64-44 win over the Vikings.
All the Difference
Clover saved its best for last in Wednesday’s night’s contest with Spartanburg. It was close between the two teams for three out of the four quarters, but it was in the fourth quarter where the Blue Eagles put together an offensive and defensive clinic that overwhelmed the Vikings.
The homestanding Clover group outscored Spartanburg by a margin of 18-7 en route to what turned out to be an emphatic victory.
What Happened Last Time?
As mentioned a bit earlier, the Vikings got the better of the Blue Eagles earlier in the season on Dec. 2 when Spartanburg got in the win column with the margin being 48-43.
Primetime Performers
Samara Lucas Samara Lucas 5'11" | PF Clover | 2025 State SC , Clover’s sophomore forward, was the leading scorer among all players. The standout forward who has played travel ball with Charlotte Dream Elite, finished with 15 points. Along with what she did as an interior scorer, she showcased her rebounding capabilities and also managed to connect on her free throw attempts.
Brooke Taylor, a junior guard, scored 12 points. The Blue Eagles drained home four 3-pointers for the game and two of those left her hands.
Marcia Watt Marcia Watt 5'6" | CG Clover | 2024 State SC , another junior in the backcourt, contributed 11 points to the victorious Clover effort. Watt had another of the team’s successful 3-point attempts.
The leading scorer for Spartanburg was junior big Genesis Young Genesis Young 5'10" | PF Spartanburg | 2024 State SC . She finished with 10 points and, in vintage Genesis Young Genesis Young 5'10" | PF Spartanburg | 2024 State SC fashion, was difficult for the Blue Eagles defense to contain close to the basket.
Up Next…
Up next for Clover would be a matchup against another tough 5A out in Gaffney – on the road. It resulted in a 63-59 win for the Blue Eagles over the Indians. Spartanburg also continued non-region play the following Friday. They returned home to host Northwestern.
Byrnes HS vs Mauldin HS
The 2022-23 season thus far has been a down season for a 5A Rebels team that initially had a promising start to the season. Following a 4-1 start, Byrnes entered Thursday’s contest at another 5A competitor in Mauldin having lost its last seven consecutive games.
Coach Angel McGowan’s Mavericks themselves have gone through a bit of a rough stretch entering Thursday’s matchup as well. Mauldin had dropped only one game in its first seven with that defeat coming at the hands of 3A power Camden. Since then, the Mavericks had dropped four of its previous games even though only one of those was against a South Carolina opponent in Gray Collegiate.
Mauldin managed to defend its home court as the Mavericks claimed its latest victory by a margin of 65-34 over Byrnes.
What Happened Last Time?
This was not the first time Mauldin and Byrnes exchanged pleasantries this season. The two teams faced off against each other on the Rebels’ home court back in mid-December. Mauldin came away with the victory with the final being 54-42.
From Start to Finish
The Mavericks never trailed at any point this game. Mauldin opened the get-together with a 6-0 run and at one point led by a score of 13-2 in the first quarter. It was a 16-6 advantage for the Mavericks with one in the books.
The Rebels showed signs of perhaps making it a game in the second quarter, but a team such as Mauldin simply possessed too much offense for Byrnes to handle. At halftime, the lead for the Mavericks increased to 13 at 29-16 then it was a 40-19 score with three quarters having completed.
Primetime Performers
Sophomore star Trinity Jones Trinity Jones 5'7" | PG Desert Vista | 2025 State AZ , who dropped 25 points on Byrnes in the December matchup, had another big game for the Mavericks as she finished with 18 points to lead Mauldin’s scoring stampede. Between her rim attacking and free throw shooting, the Rebels’ defense had no answers for Jones.
That scoring binge was also aided by junior center Timya Grice. The 6-foot-5 big contributed 10 points in the Mavericks’ winning effort.
For Byrnes, its scoring efforts were spearheaded by junior guard Chassidy Rookard. The veteran backcourt stalwart tallied nine points for the Rebels – including a made 3-pointer in the fourth quarter.
Up Next
Mauldin will stage the second game of its four-game homestand on Tuesday Jan. 10 when the Mavericks host T.L. Hanna. It will also be the first region game for both Region 1-5A squads. As for the Rebels, they would return home to host a tough 4A team in Wade Hampton.
Oceanside Collegiate Academy vs. Woodland HS
Friday night in the Lowcountry would see a pair of noteworthy 2A teams take to the court in Dorchester County, even if it was not a region contest.
It featured a homestanding Woodland team that had recently suffered a lopsided loss to 5A Cane Bay. It also featured an Oceanside College assembling that was in the throes of a three-game losing streak – including a road defeat at another 5A foe in Sumter.
One may have expected Friday evening’s tilt to be somewhat competitive. It was anything but as the Landsharks used offense and defense to cruise to a 54-15 victory over the Wolverines.
In terms of point margin, the Landsharks handed the Wolverines its worst loss of the season.
Leading and Never Looking Back
The Wolverines managed to muster little offense as well as few offensive possessions as Oceanside Collegiate’s defense stifled any opportunity Woodland may have had to establish itself early. The score was a very lopsided 20-2 in favor of the Landsharks at the conclusion of the first quarter.
There was little improvement for the Wolverines’ fortunes in the second quarter as the Oceanside Collegiate attack continued to pour on the points. The Landsharks’ lead had grown from 18 at the end of the first quarter to 28 (35-7) at the halfway point.
Oceanside Collegiate managed to hold Woodland to single digits on the scoreboard even with three frames having been completed. In the second half, it was not a matter of if the Landsharks would be in the win column, but what the point margin would be.
Primetime Performers
The leading scorer for the Landsharks happened to come off of its bench. AVA RUSH AVA RUSH 6'2" | SF First Baptist | 2026 State SC , the team’s 6-footer forward and guard, finished with 12 points to lead all scorers. Rush made a 3-pointer late in the game and also had plenty of opportunities to connect on shots at the free throw line.
Oceanside Collegiate was also the beneficiary of a big game from another 2026 in 5-foot-7 guard Josie Hanks Josie Hanks 5'7" | CG Oceanside Collegiate Academy | 2026 State SC . She finished with 11 points.
Tynasjia Ford Tynasjia Ford 6'0" | C Oceanside Collegiate | 2024 State SC , the Landsharks’ star big, added 10 points to the effort for the Landsharks. She managed to plays in the interior along with converting on free throw attempts as well as showcasing her ball handling capabilities and ability to create extra possessions with her defense.
Lyniah Kitt Lyniah Kitt 6'0" | PF Woodland | 2024 State SC proved to be a bright spot for the Wolverines on what was otherwise a rough Friday night at the office. Kitt led all Woodland scorers with seven points.
Up Next
On Tuesday, the Landsharks will continue its road trip and begin region play when they face off against Academic Magnet. The Wolverines hope to regroup from Friday evening’s defeat as they continue its road trip that same day to take on Porter-Gaud.