SCISA 4A Quarterfinals at Sumter Civic Center
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The SCISA playoffs in all classifications are down to their final eight teams. Given that it is also the home of the SCISA finals, eight 4A teams that took to the court on Monday are hoping to see plenty of…
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Continue ReadingThe SCISA playoffs in all classifications are down to their final eight teams. Given that it is also the home of the SCISA finals, eight 4A teams that took to the court on Monday are hoping to see plenty of the Sumter Civic Center over the next few days.
This weekend determined which teams would take on the four teams – Porter-Gaud, Trinity Collegiate, Heathwood Hall and Northwood Academy – that earned byes to the quarterfinals.
We are inching closer and closer to determining this season’s champions and four teams on Monday took steps towards being recognized as such. Without further adieu, here is which four teams advanced to SCISA’s 4A semifinals.
First Baptist vs. Porter-Gaud
The Hurricanes earned its place in the quarterfinals following a commanding victory over Cardinal Newman on Friday at Cathedral Academy. The Cyclones were one of the four teams that earned automatic byes.
It is always a question of if those byes create a case of rest or rust. In the case of Porter-Gaud, it was indeed rest, but despite its valiant effort, First Baptist claimed its berth in the semifinals after defeating the Cyclones with the final score being 56-45.
The result also improved First Baptist’s record to 11-12 while that of Porter-Gaud now stands at 9-12 as their 2022-23 season comes to a close.
What Happened Last Time?
It was during the 2020 quarterfinals when these two teams last exchanged pleasantries. That matchup resulted in a close Porter-Gaud victory – 55-52 over First Baptist.
How Things Progressed?
A fresh and rested Porter-Gaud team looked like a fresh Porter-Gaud team early in the first half as the Cyclones began the contest with an 8-0 run. With one quarter in the books, Porter-Gaud’s lead over First Baptist was 8-4.
The Hurricanes responded to the Cyclones’ 8-0 run with a scoring binge of their own as 9-1 run that spanned the first and second quarters knotted the two teams up at nine apiece. When both teams went into their respective rooms for halftime, it was 22-18 in favor of the Cyclones.
First Baptist began the third period with a 14-2 run before Porter-Gaud responded to stay in the game. One quarter loomed to determine the first of the 4A semifinal participants with both Hurricanes and Cyclones all knotted up at 38 apiece.
With timely offense and clutch free throw shooting, the Hurricanes managed to put the game away in the fourth quarter. An 11-point victory for First Baptist clinched the team’s ticket to the 4A semifinals.
Primetime Performers
Yannah Seaberry Yannah Seaberry 5'6" | CG First Baptist | 2024 State SC was scoreless in the first half, but finished the game with a 17-point effort. She managed to find her shot by attacking the rim and converting on shot opportunities close to the basket. She also hit clutch free throws.
Gabby Moore Gabby Moore 5'4" | PG First Baptist | 2027 State SC , an eighth grader, contributed 15 points to the Hurricanes’ efforts. Even though she may be a 2027, one may think she is a seasoned veteran with how she plays. Eight of Moore’s 15 points came courtesy of the free throw line.
Dior Brown Dior Brown 5'2" | CG First Baptist | 2024 State SC also had herself a productive game with 11 points. First Baptist made a total of three 3-pointers for the game with two of them departing from Brown’s hands. She also found success from the free throw line.
In what turned out to be her final game sporting the Porter-Gaud colors, senior Asa Snyder Asa Snyder 5'7" | SG Porter Gaud | 2023 State SC led all scorers with a 25-point effort. She was not shy about attempting 3-pointers from very long range and is an effective on-court leader for her team.
Perry Chambers Perry Chambers 6'3" | C Porter Gaud | 2025 State SC , a 2025, managed a nine-point outing. Chambers adds not only height but plenty of length. She stands at 6-foot-2 and had plenty of success with her midrange jump shots.
So Long, Seniors
Snyder and Madison Hicks are the seniors graduating from Porter-Gaud.
Augusta Christian vs. Heathwood Hall
SCISA fans are familiar with the name Augusta Christian as it relates to the Sumter Civic Center as its boys team were 3A champions last season. They have become very familiar with Heathwood Hall’s girls team this season as the Highlanders have been an assembling many are looking at as this season’s 4A favorites.
The Highlanders did indeed resemble 4A favorites late Monday afternoon as they were the second team to earn a win at the day’s quarterfinals. The final score turned out to be 73-28.
With the win, Heathwood Hall’s record became 24-1. That of Augusta Christian finishes at 11-15. The first semifinals contest was set – First Baptist vs. Heathwood Hall.
What Happened Last Time?
The Highlanders have already scored two dominant victories over the Lions this season. It was Heathwood Hall by a margin of 70-32 of its home court on Jan. 10 and a 60-18 score roughly two weeks ago when the scene shifted to Martinez, Georgia.
How Things Progressed
Heathwood Hall did indeed look like the same Heathwood Hall we have seen all season long. The Highlanders scored early and often and overwhelmed the Lions with high-percentage shots and the transition game. It was 20-4 after one quarter.
The second quarter saw more of the same – an offensive onslaught by the Highlanders that displayed exactly why they earned the automatic bye to the quarterfinals. The score was 38-5 in favor of the Highlanders at the half.
At this point, it was not a matter of if Heathwood Hall would come away as victors, but what the point margin would be. That point margin was 42 after three quarters as the Highlanders’ lead was 53-11.
Eight minutes was all that remained between the Highlanders and a berth in the semifinals where First Baptist awaited. The score was so lopsided it featured a running clock except for timeouts and free throws. The final margin of victory – 45 points.
Primetime Performers
If one is to defeat the Highlanders, a team has to find answers for Lauren Jacobs Lauren Jacobs 5'9" | PG Heathwood Hall | 2025 State SC . As her 19 points on Monday suggested, the Lions could not find those answers. Whether it was in transition, at the free throw line or once from deep, Jacobs put points often on the scoreboard.
With 18 points, Sabreya Monsanto Sabreya Monsanto 5'11" | SF Heathwood Hall | 2025 State SC had herself another productive outing for the Highlanders. Monsanto provides plenty of height for Heathwood Hall as she stands at 5-foot-11. That comes in useful particularly when making plays near the rim.
Sophomores make up Heathwood Hall’s core – and another of those 2025s came up big off the bench. Shamarie Hayes Shamarie Hayes 5'8" | CG Heathwood Hall | 2025 State SC finished with 14 points. She proved to very efficient from the field with the minutes she logged.
Camillea Gore Camillea Gore 6'0" | SG Heathwood Hall | 2025 State SC concluded her game with 11 points. Gore showed a willingness to absorb contact and get to the free throw line. Defensively, she is a threat to create additional possessions with the steals she collects.
With 12 points, Makenna Ellis, a sophomore, led the scoring charge for Augusta Christian. She managed to drain a couple of 3-pointers towards the tail end of the game and can collect her fair share of steals.
Ryley Jolly also was a key scorer for the Lions as she placed nine points on the scoreboard. Jolly particularly found plenty of success from the free throw line as five of her nine points came courtesy of the charity stripe.
So Long, Seniors
Lydia Thomas, Ava Smith and Ruby Arthur are among the seniors graduating for the Lions.
Pinewood Prep vs. Trinity Collegiate
With half of the semifinal field determined, it was time to determine the other half.
The Panthers of Pinewood Prep were involved in what had to be the best game of Friday’s slate at Cathedral Academy when they earned a hard-fought victory over Ben Lippen. The Titans made the trek over to Sumter Civic Center after a bye to the quarterfinals.
Three-fourths of the semifinal field were determined following this one and it would include Trinity Collegiate by virtue of its 65-23 victory over Pinewood Prep.
The Titans’ record improved to 10-3 with the win while the 2022-23 book closes on Pinewood Prep with a 12-15 showing.
What Happened Last Time?
It was the first meeting between these two teams since the 2015 rendition of the Carolina Invitational. That game resulted in a 55-34 win for Pinewood Prep.
How Things Progressed
Trinity Collegiate looked to dictate the pace of the game early and they did as it was up-tempo with a number of transition plays. The Titans assumed a 15-5 advantage with one quarter in the books.
Whistles were aplenty in the first half. The Titans were already in the double bonus late in the second quarter and the Panthers were in the single bonus a bit later. Where it mattered was on the scoreboard – and it said 32-12 in favor of Trinity Collegiate.
The Titans managed to outscore the Panthers by a margin of 15-9 in the third quarter – and with it, their lead increased as the third stanza concluded. With three frames in the books, it was 47-21 in favor of Trinity Collegiate.
When the fourth quarter commenced, all that stood between the Titans and a berth to the semifinals were eight minutes. When those eight minutes elapsed, Trinity Collegiate knew it would be playing basketball on Thursday.
Primetime Performers
Kenzie Feagin Kenzie Feagin 5'5" | SG Trinity Collegiate | 2023 State SC , a commit to Francis Marion, led the way for Trinity Collegiate with 22 points. Among those 22 points were five successful 3-pointers. Feagin also displayed her ability to run point and make plays in transition.
A’Zaria Knox A’Zaria Knox 5'7" | CG Trinity Collegiate | 2023 State SC also had a big game for the Titans as she dropped 21 points. Knox particularly was instrumental in Trinity Collegiate’s first half point-getting efforts. She is also a skilled ball handler and rim attacker.
Four for the Panthers finished with four points each – including Marissa Mangas, Danyell Sanders, Cheyenne Goodwine and Marissa Bulford Marissa Bulford 5'7" | SG Pinewood Prep | 2024 State SC . Mangas, Sanders and Goodwine are all seniors who played their last games sporting Pinewood Prep colors.
Hammond vs. Northwood Academy
Trinity Collegiate was determined as the winner of the last game. This one would determine who its opponent would be in the semifinals.
This one would be a matchup of Midlands vs. Lowcountry. The Skyhawks may not have compiled the wins they did last season, but Hammond has still had a season worthy of getting into this year’s 4A tournament. The Chargers had one of its best players injured for the season and have still compiled an impressive 18-win season.
Would Northwood Academy run its win total to 19? Or Hammond’s to 12. The answer would be the former as the Chargers eliminated the Skyhawks with the final score being 45-28.
Northwood Academy’s record improves to 19-7 while that of Hammond ends at 11-7.
What Happened Last Time?
These two teams last got together on Dec. 6 of 2021. The Skyhawks got the better of the Chargers on that day as they picked up a 57-48 victory at Hammond.
How Things Progressed?
The first quarter could be described as one of runs. Hammond began the contest with a 5-0 run prior to Northwood Academy responded with an 8-0 scoring binge of their own. The Skyhawks then threw an 8-0 run at the Chargers, but Northwood Academy led 15-14 with one in the books.
Up-tempo might as well have been the middle name of this contest with the quickened pace both Skyhawks and Chargers presented. As both teams entered their respective locker rooms for halftime, Northwood Academy had a four-point, 26-22 edge.
The Chargers managed to increase its lead over Hammond as the third quarter elapsed. Northwood Academy’s lead was eight at the conclusion of stanza No. 3 with the scoreboard reading 35-27.
Northwood Academy left little doubt in the fourth quarter as its defense managed to not allow a Hammond field goal in the fourth quarter. The 4A semifinals were set as the Chargers defeated the Skyhawks by 17 points.
Primetime Performers
A balanced scoring effort was spearheaded on Monday by Virginia Byrd Virginia Byrd 5'5" | PG Northwood Academy | 2024 State SC , who tallied nine points for the Chargers. Northwood Academy as a team made a pair of 3-pointers and both of them departed from Byrd’s hands.
Giving the Chargers a boost off of the bench was Alyvia Tocco Alyvia Tocco 5'9" | PF Northwood Academy | 2026 State SC who is the lone freshman listed on Northwood Academy’s roster. She finished with eight points and primarily operates as a three forward.
Speaking of the number eight, two other Chargers also had eight-point performances. One of them was their resident big Ryian Howard Ryian Howard 5'10" | PF Northwood Academy | 2023 State SC . She stands at 5-foot-10 and displayed her ball handling abilities at times.
The other was Maliyah Birch Maliyah Birch 5'3" | PG Northwood Academy | 2027 State SC . The eighth grade guard had three made field goals – all of the 2-point variety. Birch also managed to draw contact and take her opportunities at the free throw line.
With nine points, Samira Khalil Samira Khalil 5'8" | CG Hammond | 2024 State SC led the scoring efforts for the Skyhawks. Khalil is anything but shy about taking her opportunities from behind the 3-point line, but can throw defenses for a loop with her ability to drive to the rim and – at times – draw contact.
Kayce Hyman Kayce Hyman 5'10" | SF Hammond | 2024 State SC finished her evening – and her season, with a seven-point performance. As effective as the 5-foot-11 wing can be for the Skyhawks as a scorer, she can also make plays on defense as a shot blocker and on either end of the floor as a rebounder. Hyman also plays volleyball.
So, Long Seniors
Eliza Davies is among the seniors who will trade in their red and blue Hammond colors for a cap and gown at the conclusion of the academic semester.