Class 2A Quarterfinals Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was just last week when all tournament brackets were unveiled – and that includes the one for girls teams in Class 2A.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What was a 32-team field has been quickly reduced to eight as we are getting ever closer to crowning a state champion.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We were guaranteed to have a new champion this season when Christ Church, the 2021-22 champion, became a 1A school. All that remains now between state title glory in Aiken are three more victories. Tuesday will be when we know exactly which teams will be represented in the Upper State and Lower State Finals.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at the upcoming 2A quarterfinal matchups.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Fairfield Central (12-12) vs. Gray Collegiate (19-6)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One may not have expected the Griffins to be in the 2A field of eight, but that is what has happened for Fairfield Central following victories over Strom Thurmond and a Blacksburg team that was surging into the tournament.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As for Gray Collegiate, the War Eagles have been among the elite teams of 2A from start to finish. This team has earned dominant victories over Greer Middle College and Mid-Carolina to begin this season's 2A tournament.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The War Eagles and Griffins are also regional rivals. Both games – on Jan. 10 at Fairfield Central (54-37) and on Jan. 13 at Gray Collegiate's new arena (dubbed the “War Zone”) went in favor of the War Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":589635,"width":277,"height":181,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/IMG_9500-crop-3552x2333-1674702408.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-589635" width="277" height="181" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='242933' first='Kadence' last='Walker-Lee']</strong> has been the team's leading scorer and has played in 23 games. She is averaging 10.1 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='124108' first='Maliyiah' last='Mason']</strong> is one of the state's premier unsigned seniors. She is averaging 9.3 points and 7.5 rebounds. As for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='185424' first='Jordan' last='Mintz']</strong>, she is averaging 8.2 points and 1.4 steals per game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='471892' first='Alyssa' last='Woodlock']</strong>, also a senior, has averaged 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and three steals in 24 games. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='207409' first='Karlee' last='Phelps']</strong> gives Gray Collegiate interior depth. She is averaging 5.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and one steal. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401008' first='Diamond' last='Tatum']</strong> is also averaging 5.8 points in her sophomore season – along with 3.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":593210,"width":283,"height":185,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/IMG_0027-crop-2965x1947-1675245168.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-593210" width="283" height="185" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As for the Griffins, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='276129' first='Jordyn' last='Adams']</strong> is averaging 22.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 steals as a sophomore. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='252632' first='Zanariah' last='Yarborough']</strong>, also a sophomore, is putting up numbers of 10.7 rebounds, 9.5 points and two steals a game. In her eighth grade season, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324559' first='Jazzlyn' last='McMillan']</strong> is averaging 9.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Silver Bluff (19-3) vs. Keenan (17-6)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams are used to playing in big games. Two seasons ago, the Bulldogs were participants in the 2A Final and were Lower State Final participants last season. Eau Claire and Landrum have been on the receiving end of Silver Bluff victories in this season's tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was been well-documented the success that Keenan has had the last several seasons. They were winners of four of five state championships and moved from 3A to 2A this season. The Raiders have earned dominant wins over Liberty and Saluda to earn its berth into the final eight. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":587679,"width":310,"height":232,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/C9D88F33-869F-442D-9CFF-4CE9D65F77F7.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-587679" width="310" height="232" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='124104' first='Milaysia' last='Fulwiley']</strong> recently reached the 3,000-point plateau for her illustrious career. The South Carolina commit and McDonald's All-American honoree is averaging 25.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 5.7 steals and 2.7 blocks per game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='124109' first='Tanaja' last='Kennedy']</strong> has been a worthwhile addition for Keenan as she has averaged 12.6 points, 3.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game. <strong>Tierra Griffin</strong> in 19 games has averaged 9.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 steals a game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='187999' first='Samaya' last='Johnson']</strong> has been integral in the Raiders' rebounding efforts as she has averaged 7.6 rebounds, 5.5 points, 1.3 blocks and 1.1 steals a game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":568701,"width":317,"height":207,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/12/IMG_3663-crop-3045x1999-1671359566.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-568701" width="317" height="207" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='175386' first='Aaliyah' last='Lawrence']</strong> is an unsigned senior for the Bulldogs. She has averaged 18.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and 2.3 steals a game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='243448' first='Ahminah' last='Taylor']</strong> is a backcourt stalwart for Silver Bluff. She has averaged 13.1 points and 2.4 steals per game. <strong>MaKya Bing</strong> has also had a productive season for the Bulldogs. She is averaging six points and 2.5 steals per game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Andrew Jackson (21-5) vs. Kingstree (16-6)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Volunteers were 2A finalists last season – and its young core suggests that Andrew Jackson will give the rest of the 2A field problems for quite some time. Ridgeland-Hardeeville and Oceanside Collegiate have been on the receiving end of Andrew Jackson victories in these playoffs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As for Kingstree, they too have consistently been among the class of the 2A field this season. The Blazers have scored victories over Buford and Wade Hampton to begin this season's playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":582822,"width":301,"height":197,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/IMG_7931-crop-3812x2503-1673805092.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-582822" width="301" height="197" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='496215' first='Ayona' last='Alexander']</strong> has averaged 17.3 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.2 blocks in 26 games. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='383418' first='Ni'yonna' last='Asbelle']</strong> in her freshman campaign is averaging 14.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.2 steals per game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='395216' first='Emiley' last='McCall']</strong> has played in 22 games as a sophomore and she has averaged 10.1 points, 4.6 steals and 4.5 assists per game along with 3.3 rebounds. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587310' first='Trinity' last='Delly']</strong> is also part of the Volunteers' young core. She is averaging 8.7 points, 3.7 steals and 3.3 rebounds per game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":549438,"width":305,"height":199,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/11/IMG_0904-2-scaled-crop-2496x1639-1668630872.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-549438" width="305" height="199" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='185225' first='Takiyah' last='McGee']</strong> in her senior season has averaged 15 points, 3.2 assists and 2.7 steals per game in 18 contests. <strong>Malaysia Felder</strong> is another senior that has had a productive season. She is averaging 9.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game. As for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490769' first='Makayla' last='Dukes']</strong>, she has averaged 9.2 steals, 7.6 points, seven assists and 3.1 rebounds. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490767' first='Naydia' last='Shaw']</strong> is averaging 11.1 rebounds 6.9 points and 2.9 steals per game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Timberland (18-10) vs. Bishop England (17-11)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolves were quarterfinalists from last season's 2A playoffs. Thus far, Timberland has scored victories over Andrews and Barnwell to continue its season into February's final full week.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop England lost a bevy of seniors from last season's rendition. But Paul Runey-coached teams seemingly are always in the thick of things and this season is no exception. Woodland and Lee Central have been on the receiving end of Bishops victories.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Timberland and Bishop England have split their two games this season as region rivals. The Bishops defeated the Wolves by a final of 40-38 on Timberland's home floor while Bishop England suffered a 58-46 defeat to Timberland at the home court of the Bishops. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":570780,"width":334,"height":218,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/12/IMG_4817-crop-3568x2343-1671803275.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-570780" width="334" height="218" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='158943' first='Amiyah' last='Ferguson']</strong>, a Cal State-Northridge commit, has averaged 19.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.2 steals in 27 games. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='254257' first='Zion' last='Prioleau']</strong> as a freshman is averaging 11.2 points, four rebounds and 1.6 steals per contest. <strong>Dasani Kinlaw</strong> has played in 28 games while averaging 9.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":599034,"width":343,"height":225,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/IMG_1514-crop-3984x2616-1676536775.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-599034" width="343" height="225" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bishops have been the recipient of worthwhile contributions from many players including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='206616' first='Isabella' last='Woods']</strong>, <strong>Evelyn Kitchin</strong> and <strong>Lissie Van De Erve</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->