SCISA Class 2A: Top 5 Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The majority of the season in the SCISA girls basketball ranks has been completed. That means we are getting closer and closer to the start of the playoffs with teams in the Palmetto State's independent league having their eyes on the <em>#RoadtoSumter</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022-23 season has seen another stellar season in the SCISA ranks – including in Class 2A. There have been a few teams that have set themselves as head and shoulders above the fray and will be teams to keep a real close eye on as we get closer to crowning a champion.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who are those teams that have established themselves as teams to beat? Without further adieu, here are our top five teams for SCISA's Class 2A. <strong><em>#RecruitThePalmettoState</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Cathedral Academy (17-6, 8-0)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":551499,"width":372,"height":279,"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/CE4010DA-271E-4A42-9E83-FBF090C2CCAF-scaled.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-551499" width="372" height="279" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Generals were 1A finalists last season before SCISA's reclassification prior to the start of this season moved Cathedral Academy to the 2A ranks. Coach Chris Pouyat's team has not missed a beat as the Generals are in the throes of a six-game winning streak as of this writing.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cathedral Academy's noteworthy wins this season have included victories over Beaufort Academy, Porter-Gaud and Crescent.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='185223' first='Jalyn' last='Almeida']</strong> has played in 23 games averaging 15.3 points and 2.5 steals per game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='315513' first='Claire' last='Griffin']</strong> is a junior as is Almeida and has averaged 11.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals per contest. The Generals have been the recipients of 8.8 points per game from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='257989' first='Paige' last='Pouyat']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493653' first='Saniya' last='Sanders']</strong>, a sophomore, has averaged 7.8 points and 1.8 steals per matchup. Sophomore<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='594748' first='Cailyn' last='Webber']</strong> is another one of the team's top board-getters, averaging 5.7 points and 5.1 rebounds a game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Beaufort Academy (12-9, 6-0)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":553251,"width":345,"height":259,"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/F2D9FD1F-025A-4FE0-A17F-F10314B32B21-scaled.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-553251" width="345" height="259" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles were one of the few teams that maintained its classification in the midst of the SCISA realignment. Beaufort Academy made the semifinals of last season's 2A playoffs. This year's Eagles rendition started off as their schedule was filled with tough SCISA and SCHSL opponents. Things have changed drastically since then.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beaufort Academy's noteworthy wins include defeating Patrick Henry Academy and John Paul II.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='255897' first='Tahleea' last='Heyward']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='175382' first='Mike'Ala' last='Washington']</strong> are both in their senior seasons and are looking to close out their high school careers with a a championship. The Eagles have also received valuable contributions from junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='256832' first='Kamirah' last='Freeman']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Patrick Henry Academy (16-5, 5-1)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":258485,"width":341,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/02/0C1BE670-0571-43F0-8D0C-D40A00174B39-scaled.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-258485" width="341" height="256" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Belinda McCoy's Patriots bunch graduated five seniors from last season's rendition that went 19-2. Patrick Henry Academy, who last season was in the 1A ranks, has put together another standout season – including going 6-1 at home.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Patriots have scored notable wins this season over Andrew Jackson Academy (twice).&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season's Patrick Henry Academy squad has a good mix of youngsters and veterans – including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='258141' first='Harper' last='Rice']</strong>, who also plays soccer and on the Patriots' state championship-winning volleyball team. Rice has also reached the 1,000-point plateau for her career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>King's Academy (10-5, 6-0)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One would be hard pressed to find a bigger rags to riches story anywhere in South Carolina high school hoops than the Lions. Last season, King's Academy went 0-8. In 2022-23, the Lions have won 10 games while maintaining its 2A classification from last season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the team's signature wins this season occurred against Clarendon Hall back in mid-December.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teams looking to defeat the Lions have to find a way to contain senior <strong>Meredith Hoover</strong> who has also played volleyball and soccer throughout her career. She has averaged 12.8 points and 3.5 assists this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='431341' first='Kate' last='Buckley']</strong>, a 2026, has nearly averaged a double-double with 10.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game along with 5.4 blocks a contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Andrew Jackson Academy (9-12, 3-5)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":582753,"width":292,"height":219,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/9B84A4A9-ACF7-4419-867D-E12512B898AB.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-582753" width="292" height="219" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season's version of the Warriors has been particularly tough to defeat on their home floor. Andrew Jackson Academy has picked up six of its nine victories in front of its home fans. The Warriors moved up from 1A to 2A with the SCISA realignment.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Among the Warriors' signature victories of this season is a home victory against 12-win Colleton Prep Academy back in November.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Andrew Jackson Academy's 5-foot-11 senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='323979' first='McKenzie' last='Beard']</strong> has averaged 14.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game. The Warriors have also received noteworthy contributions from a pair of eighth grade standouts in 5-foot-9 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='582735' first='McKinley' last='Beard']</strong> as well as 5-foot-2 guard <strong>Bella Carrigg</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->