SCISA 4A Championship: Heathwood Hall vs. Northwood Academy
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In 2014, Heathwood Hall matched up against Northwood Academy in the 3A championship game that season. That rendition of the Highlanders was keyed by a young A’ja Wilson who, of course, went on to achieve superstardom at South Carolina and…
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Continue ReadingIn 2014, Heathwood Hall matched up against Northwood Academy in the 3A championship game that season. That rendition of the Highlanders was keyed by a young A’ja Wilson who, of course, went on to achieve superstardom at South Carolina and in the WNBA at the Las Vegas Aces.
In 2022, the Highlanders and Chargers renewed pleasantries for the first time since that 2013-14 3A final to decide the champion of SCISA’s new 4A classification. When the final buzzer sounded, that victor was Heathwood Hall as they defeated Northwood Academy by a final score of 79-49.
The Highlanders’ record concludes with a 26-1 mark while that of the Chargers concludes at 20-8.
How Things Progressed
It was a very un-Heathwood Hall start to the game as Northwood Academy placed the first six points on the scoreboard. The Highlanders began to start looking like the Highlanders the state’s basketball landscape has seen all season as they embarked on a run that led to them leading 25-15 with one complete.
Heathwood Hall began to leave no doubt about this one in the second quarter as they began resembling the juggernaut they have been all season long. The Highlanders had a 53-26 lead on the Chargers at the half.
It became a game of not if the Highlanders would win – but by how much the Highlanders would win. If basketball were only three periods ala hockey, that answers would have been 36 as Heathwood Hall’s lead was 68-32 after three frames.
The Highlanders were tabbed as 4A championship favorites when the season began. Games like Wednesday evening’s matchup with Northwood Academy proved exactly why. Heathwood Hall closed out their impressive season with a 30-point exclamation mark.
And guess who was there to greet this season’s triumphant Highlanders? A’ja Wilson herself.
Primetime Performers
The defense for the Chargers had very few answers for Lauren Jacobs Lauren Jacobs 5'9" | PG Heathwood Hall | 2025 State SC at any point her sneakers made contact with the hardwood. She finished with 28 points and especially excelled in converting on high-percentage shots in transition.
With a 16-point effort, Sabreya Monsanto Sabreya Monsanto 5'11" | SF Heathwood Hall | 2025 State SC brought a stirring close to her sophomore campaign. She stands at 5-foot-11 and not only bolsters the Highlanders’ scoring efforts but also their rebounding efforts.
Speaking of sophomores, Shamarie Hayes Shamarie Hayes 5'8" | CG Heathwood Hall | 2025 State SC had herself another impressive game off the bench. Hayes finished with 10 points and also managed to finish on a number of her attempts close to the rim.
Morgan Jones Morgan Jones 5'6" | SG Northwood Academy | 2024 State SC paced Northwood Academy with a 12-point performance. The junior guard for the Chargers primarily operates at the two and she can be accurate with her 3-point shooting. Jones also bolsters the team’s rebounding efforts.
The high school career of Ryian Howard Ryian Howard 5'10" | PF Northwood Academy | 2023 State SC came to a close on Saturday evening as she placed 11 points on the board. One of her successful attempts was a 3-pointer. Howard presents plenty of height at 5-foot-10.
With a 10-point game, the eighth grade campaign of Maliyah Birch Maliyah Birch 5'3" | PG Northwood Academy | 2027 State SC came to a close. In addition to Birch putting points on the board from the field, she can also be an accurate free throw shooter, corral rebounds and create extra possessions with the steals she collects.
So Long, Seniors
Emily Frick, Abby Mullins and Virginia Bowers Virginia Bowers 5'11" | C Heathwood Hall | 2023 State SC are the seniors graduating from Heathwood Hall. Ryian Howard Ryian Howard 5'10" | PF Northwood Academy | 2023 State SC , Avery Ishie, Jessica Stoney-Patterson and Christian Gray will do the same from Northwood Academy
All-Tournament Team
Lauren Jacobs Lauren Jacobs 5'9" | PG Heathwood Hall | 2025 State SC – Heathwood Hall
Sabreya Monsanto Sabreya Monsanto 5'11" | SF Heathwood Hall | 2025 State SC – Heathwood Hall
Maliyah Birch Maliyah Birch 5'3" | PG Northwood Academy | 2027 State SC – Northwood Academy
Ryian Howard Ryian Howard 5'10" | PF Northwood Academy | 2023 State SC – Northwood Academy
Yannah Seaberry Yannah Seaberry 5'6" | CG First Baptist | 2024 State SC – First Baptist
A’Zaria Knox A’Zaria Knox 5'7" | CG Trinity Collegiate | 2023 State SC – Trinity Collegiate