Class 2A Quarterfinals Preview
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It was just last week when all tournament brackets were unveiled – and that includes the one for girls teams in Class 2A. What was a 32-team field has been quickly reduced to eight as we are getting ever closer…
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Continue ReadingIt was just last week when all tournament brackets were unveiled – and that includes the one for girls teams in Class 2A.
What was a 32-team field has been quickly reduced to eight as we are getting ever closer to crowning a state champion.
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.
Here is a look at the upcoming 2A quarterfinal matchups.
Fairfield Central (12-12) vs. Gray Collegiate (19-6)
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.
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.
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.
Kadence Walker-Lee Kadence Walker-Lee 5'10" | PF Gray Collegiate | 2025 State SC 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. Maliyiah Mason Maliyiah Mason 6'0" | SF Gray Collegiate | 2023 State SC is one of the state’s premier unsigned seniors. She is averaging 9.3 points and 7.5 rebounds. As for Jordan Mintz Jordan Mintz 5'3" | PG Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC , she is averaging 8.2 points and 1.4 steals per game. Alyssa Woodlock Alyssa Woodlock 5'10" | SF Gray Collegiate | 2023 State SC , also a senior, has averaged 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and three steals in 24 games. Karlee Phelps Karlee Phelps 6'2" | C Gray Collegiate | 2025 State SC gives Gray Collegiate interior depth. She is averaging 5.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and one steal. Diamond Tatum Diamond Tatum 5'0" | PG Gray Collegiate | 2025 State SC is also averaging 5.8 points in her sophomore season – along with 3.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.
As for the Griffins, Jordyn Adams Jordyn Adams 5'6" | PG Fairfield Central | 2025 State SC is averaging 22.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 steals as a sophomore. Zanariah Yarborough Zanariah Yarborough 6'0" | PF Legacy Early College | 2025 State SC , also a sophomore, is putting up numbers of 10.7 rebounds, 9.5 points and two steals a game. In her eighth grade season, Jazzlyn McMillan Jazzlyn McMillan 5'9" | SF Fairfield Central | 2027 State SC is averaging 9.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.
Silver Bluff (19-3) vs. Keenan (17-6)
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.
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.
Milaysia Fulwiley Milaysia Fulwiley 5'8" | PG Keenan | 2023 State #9 Nation SC 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. Tanaja Kennedy Tanaja Kennedy 5'2" | PG Keenan | 2023 State SC has been a worthwhile addition for Keenan as she has averaged 12.6 points, 3.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Tierra Griffin in 19 games has averaged 9.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 steals a game. Samaya Johnson Samaya Johnson 6'2" | C Keenan | 2023 State SC 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.
Aaliyah Lawrence Aaliyah Lawrence 5'9" | SF Silver Bluff | 2023 State SC 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. Ahminah Taylor Ahminah Taylor 5'5" | PG Silver Bluff | 2024 State SC is a backcourt stalwart for Silver Bluff. She has averaged 13.1 points and 2.4 steals per game. MaKya Bing has also had a productive season for the Bulldogs. She is averaging six points and 2.5 steals per game.
Andrew Jackson (21-5) vs. Kingstree (16-6)
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.
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.
Ayona Alexander Ayona Alexander 6'0" | PF Andrew Jackson | 2026 State SC has averaged 17.3 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.2 blocks in 26 games. Ni’yonna Asbelle Ni’yonna Asbelle 5'11" | SF Andrew Jackson | 2026 State SC in her freshman campaign is averaging 14.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.2 steals per game. Emiley McCall Emiley McCall 5'2" | PG Andrew Jackson | 2025 State SC 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. Trinity Delly Trinity Delly 5'8" | SG Andrew Jackson | 2027 State SC is also part of the Volunteers’ young core. She is averaging 8.7 points, 3.7 steals and 3.3 rebounds per game.
Takiyah McGee Takiyah McGee 5'5" | SG Kingstree | 2023 State SC in her senior season has averaged 15 points, 3.2 assists and 2.7 steals per game in 18 contests. Malaysia Felder 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 Makayla Dukes Makayla Dukes 5'3" | PG Kingstree | 2024 State SC , she has averaged 9.2 steals, 7.6 points, seven assists and 3.1 rebounds. Naydia Shaw Naydia Shaw 6'0" | PF Kingstree | 2027 State SC is averaging 11.1 rebounds 6.9 points and 2.9 steals per game.
Timberland (18-10) vs. Bishop England (17-11)
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.
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.
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.
Amiyah Ferguson Amiyah Ferguson 5'9" | CG Timberland | 2023 State SC , a Cal State-Northridge commit, has averaged 19.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.2 steals in 27 games. Zion Prioleau Zion Prioleau 5'6" | SG Timberland | 2026 State SC as a freshman is averaging 11.2 points, four rebounds and 1.6 steals per contest. Dasani Kinlaw has played in 28 games while averaging 9.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals.
The Bishops have been the recipient of worthwhile contributions from many players including Isabella Woods Isabella Woods 5'5" | PG Bishop England | 2024 State SC , Evelyn Kitchin and Lissie Van De Erve.