Class 3A Quarterfinals Preview
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It was guaranteed at the start of the season that there would be a brand new 3A state champion given that the previous titleholders – Keenan – moved from 3A to 2A. This was part of the intrigue around Class…
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Continue ReadingIt was guaranteed at the start of the season that there would be a brand new 3A state champion given that the previous titleholders – Keenan – moved from 3A to 2A.
This was part of the intrigue around Class 3A entering the 2022-23 season and it has continued to this point as we have narrowed down the tournament field from 32 to the final eight.
Tuesday is when the 3A tournament resumes to determine which teams will earn berths to the Upper State and Lower State finals and which teams will vie for an opportunity at a state championship at the USC-Aiken Convocation Center.
Here is a look at the upcoming four matchups.
Southside (26-3) vs. Walhalla (16-9)
Milton Parks’ Tigers squad were 3A Upper State Finalists from last season and have their eyes on an even bigger prize as this season nears its close. Southside’s victories so far have come against Seneca and Chapman.
As for Walhalla, the Byron Wimphrey-coached Razorbacks earned a victory over Fountain Inn in the first round before following that up with a thrilling overtime triumph to dispatch of Travelers Rest.
For teams looking to defeat Southside, they have to find a way to keep Kamari Thompson Kamari Thompson 6'0" | PF Southside | 2023 State SC in check as she is one of the state’s premier veteran bigs. Kamya Hatten Kamya Hatten 6'0" | SF Southside | 2023 State SC adds to the Tigers’ frontcourt depth and Lauren Wearbon Lauren Wearbon 5'6" | CG Southside | 2023 State SC is one of the team’s backcourt stalwarts. Jakayla Lorick Jakayla Lorick 5'8" | SG Greenville | 2024 State SC and Quayla Nolan Quayla Nolan 5'5" | CG Southside | 2023 State SC have also had productive seasons for Southside.
For the Razorbacks, Marnie Baxter Marnie Baxter 5'4" | PG Walhalla | 2024 State SC has been the team’s leading scorer. The junior guard is averaging 14.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. Kami Roach Kami Roach 5'4" | PG Walhalla | 2026 State SC in her 23 games has averaged 11.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.5 steals. Whitney Winstead Whitney Winstead 5'10" | PF Walhalla | 2023 State SC is in her senior season and has played in 22 games while averaging 9.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals. Gianna Ortiz Gianna Ortiz 5'11" | PF Walhalla | 2025 State SC is a sophomore who has averaged 8.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.
Wren (24-5) vs. Blue Ridge (24-4)
There is a good chance this one will be the best game of the four quarterfinal 3A contests.
These two teams met in a second-round matchup from last season with the Tigers coming away with a 49-41 victory over the Hurricanes.
This season, Wren and Blue Ridge have once again been among the class of Class 3A. The Hurricanes have earned victories over Crescent and Broome to earn its berth into this season’s 3A quarterfinals.
The Tigers were also the team that last season gave a scare to Keenan in last season’s playoffs. This season, Blue Ridge’s victories have come at the expense of Chester and West-Oak to set up Tuesday vs. Wren.
Raina McGowens Raina McGowens 5'10" | CG Wren | 2024 State SC has been difficult for opposing defenses to contain all season long – and the same holds true for Riley Stack Riley Stack 6'5" | SF Wren | 2023 State SC , Wren’s resident 6-foot-4 big who will play Division I ball at Coastal Carolina next season. Deyana Hayes Deyana Hayes 6'1" | PF Wren | 2024 State SC is another one of the Hurricanes’ key players.
Zikira Henderson Zikira Henderson 5'7" | SG Blue Ridge | 2024 State SC has averaged 17 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 28 games for Blue Ridge. Anyah Henderson Anyah Henderson 5'7" | SG Legacy Early College | 2025 State SC has chimed in with 10.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 3.1 steals per contest. Claire Skinner gives the Tigers a presence in the frontcourt as she has averaged 8.2 rebounds, 7.3 points and 1.5 steals per game. Alla Hutchins gives Blue Ridge frontcourt depth. She has averaged 5.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
Camden (26-2) vs. Loris (18-9)
If there was ever an avatar for the phrase “Unfinished Business,” the 2022-23 rendition of Camden girls basketball would be just that. The Bulldogs came so close in last season’s 3A final and coach Natalie Jeffcoat-Norris’ team is looking to finish the job this season. Camden has defeated Dillon and Battery Creek so far these playoffs.
As for Loris, they have compiled 18 wins so far this season – only two off of their total from the 2021-22 when they won 20 games. The Lions earned wins over Darlington and Orangeburg-Wilkinson to earn berths to the quarterfinals.
Camden presents a stacked roster led by Joyce Edwards Joyce Edwards 6'3" | PF Camden | 2024 State SC – one of the premier 2024s in the nation. She has averaged 28.6 points, 13.5 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 2.5 blocks per game. Braylin Mungo Braylin Mungo 5'7" | PG Camden | 2027 State SC , an eighth grader already with Division I offers, represents the future of the Bulldogs program. She has averaged 10.1 points and 3.6 steals per game. Morgan Champion Morgan Champion 5'6" | CG Camden | 2025 State SC has also played in all 28 games having averaged 9.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 steals a game. Zyasia Carter Zyasia Carter 5'5" | PG Camden | 2024 State SC has chimed in with seven points, 3.6 assists and 2.5 steals per game. As for Tateyoina Harris Tateyoina Harris 5'11" | PF Camden | 2023 State SC , the recent Mars Hill commit, she has averaged 8.8 rebounds, 6.6 points, 1.7 blocks and 1.5 steals in 22 games.
For the Lions, Janiya Richburg Janiya Richburg 5'9" | SF Loris | 2025 State SC has played in 27 games while averaging 12.3 points, 12.2 rebounds and 3.7 steals as a sophomore. MariAsia Moody MariAsia Moody 5'6" | CG Loris | 2025 State SC has also played in all 27 Loris contests having averaged 10.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists. Another 2025, Teanna Perry Teanna Perry 5'1" | PG Loris | 2025 NC has posted number of 8.6 points, 4.9 steals and 4.5 rebounds per game. Zamara Wilson, a junior, has averaged 6.2 points and 3.3 steals per game while KeAsia Smith is another of the team’s leading rebounders averaging 7.8 boards per game.
Crestwood (20-6) vs. Lower Richland (18-6)
The Knights have already succeeding in ensuring this season would see a deeper playoff run that last season. Crestwood was eliminated in the second round last season and now is a quarterfinal team this season. The Knights have scored wins over Manning and Philip Simmons to get to this point.
As for the Diamond Hornets, coach Aaron Lucas once again has his team prepared for tournament play. Lower Richland’s wins have come against Hanahan and Marlboro County – and both wins were by double-digits.
The Knights and Diamond Hornets last met up in early February of 2020 when both were Region 4 rivals as part of Class 4A. Crestwood got the better of Lower Richland with the final score being 52-41.
A senior, a junior and a sophomore have been key players in the Knights’ success this season. The senior is Tashiana Farmer Tashiana Farmer 6'0" | PF Crestwood | 2023 State SC – a six foot forward. The junior in question is Taliya Harris Taliya Harris 6'0" | PF Crestwood | 2024 SC who adds to Crestwood’s frontcourt depth. The sophomore is London Vaughn London Vaughn 5'3" | PG Crestwood | 2025 State SC , a 5-foot-5 point guard.
Jhnai Sumter Jhnai Sumter 5'9" | SF Lower Richland | 2026 State SC has been the team’s leading scorer as she has averaged 14.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.1 steals and three assists per game. Chi’nya Isaac Chi’nya Isaac 5'8" | CG Lower Richland | 2025 State SC recently had a 30-point performance against Marlboro County. She has averaged 12.4 points, 3.6 assists and 3.1 steals a game. Claflin commit Tyra Floyd Tyra Floyd 5'6" | SG Lower Richland | 2023 State SC has averaged 11.6 points and 2.9 steals per game. Taniyah Weston Taniyah Weston 5'11" | C Lower Richland | 2023 State SC has also played in 23 games averaging 6.5 points and 4.9 rebounds. Chanyse Green Chanyse Green 5'8" | SF Lower Richland | 2024 State SC has been one of the team’s leading rebounders averaging 5.3 per contest.