Wren vs. Camden: 3A Championship Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When championship play at the USC-Aiken Convocation Center commences on Friday, two teams in the 4A classification will have departed from the Pacers' stable with championship hardware.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four more champions will be determined that Friday. The first of which would be the 3A South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) girls champion. But would that champion be the Hurricanes from Wren or the Bulldogs from Camden?&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When the 2022-23 campaign first tipped off in November, both the Hurricanes and Bulldogs were picked among the class of the 3A field. From start to finish, both Wren and Camden have lived up to these expectations.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Wren (26-5, 9-1)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":603246,"width":319,"height":208,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/IMG_3583-crop-3226x2118-1677099647.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-603246" width="319" height="208" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hurricanes fans have become used to winning basketball during the seven years that Pam McGowens (120-60 record) has been head coach and this season has been no exception. The thrill of victory Wren experienced following its Upper State Final win over Southside had to feel exceptionally gratifying given the 2-AAA region rival Tigers had defeated the Hurricanes in both of their regular season get-togethers this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 2021-22, Wren was eliminated from the 3A playoffs in the second round at the hands of Blue Ridge.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Hurricanes' Road to Aiken</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Feb. 16: 49-17 vs. Crescent</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Feb. 18: 59-18 vs. Broome</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Feb. 21: 49-41 vs. Blue Ridge</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Feb. 25: 62-41 vs. Southside (Upper State Final)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Key Players</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>There is a reason as to why <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='175308' first='Raina' last='McGowens']</strong> landed an offer from Ivy League School Penn in addition to her previous offers from Oakland, Appalachian State, UNC-Asheville and Presbyterian College. She is averaging 20.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.1 steals a game. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='124113' first='Riley' last='Stack']</strong> was previously said to be unavailable for the season but gave the Hurricanes a lift in the Upper State final vs. Southside. The Coastal Carolina Chanticleer-to-be has averaged 14.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.</em> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='268139' first='Deyana' last='Hayes']</strong> has given Wren 8.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 12 games. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='175339' first='Olivia' last='Randolph']</strong> is used to USC-Aiken as she was with Westside for both of its 4A championship runs the last pair of seasons. She brings down 5.9 rebounds per game.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Camden (28-2, 10-0)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":605364,"width":384,"height":288,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/99A50B9D-C707-4E08-8508-7A4C0E7F8EC1.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-605364" width="384" height="288" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Is there much more to say about the Bulldogs? Prior to the start of the season, coach Natalie Jeffcoat-Norris' group was regarded by many as the favorite to win the 3A crown in 2022-23. After all, Camden has not lost a single game this season to a Palmetto State opponent and since it last loss – which came against Winston-Salem Christian National, the Bulldogs have reeled off 26 consecutive victories.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Camden's return to USC-Aiken is a reminder of the unfinished business mindset the team has had all season. The Bulldogs were in last season's 3A final but lost a 60-58 heartbreaker to Keenan.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Bulldogs' Road to Aiken:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Feb. 16: 67-21 vs. Dillon</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Feb. 18: 84-33 vs. Battery Creek</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Feb. 21: 82-47 vs. Loris</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Feb. 24: 50-24 vs. Lower Richland (Lower State Final)&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Key Players</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Of course, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='171798' first='Joyce' last='Edwards']</strong> is the focal point for all things Camden. In the 29 games she has played, Edwards, who had 24 points in last season's 3A final, has averaged 28.7 points, 13.7 rebounds and 3.6 steals a game in addition to 2.6 blocks. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='324555' first='Braylin' last='Mungo']</strong> is proving why she already has Division I offers as an eighth grader. She is averaging 10 points and 3.6 steals per game. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='175325' first='Morgan' last='Champion']</strong> is a potent 3-point shooting threat who has averaged 9.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.9 steals a contest. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='171806' first='Zyasia' last='Carter']</strong>, a junior, is averaging 7.1&nbsp;&nbsp;points, 3.6 assists and 2.5 steals per game. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='254155' first='Tateyoina' last='Harris']</strong>, a Mars Hill commit, has averaged 8.7 rebounds in addition to 6.6 points and 1.5 steals per game.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Storylines</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The lofty expectations that has been placed on Camden has made it where anything less than a 3A state championship will be an unexpected result. The Bulldogs are looking to exercise its demons from last season's 3A state final.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='171798' first='Joyce' last='Edwards'] is already a Division I Power Five prospect given she is one of the top 2024s in the nation. Winning a state championship will certainly do wonders for her legacy. In addition, she is only 17 points shy of 3,000 for her career. One would think she gets that on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As for Wren, it will be the final time that she will sport the blue and gold colors of the Hurricanes before she takes her talents to the beach where she will join coach Kevin Pederson's roster at Coastal Carolina. The Hurricanes are also in search of its first girls basketball championship in about 60 years. In addition, Wren's boys team will also vie for a state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>When and Where? </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday, Mar. 2 at 12 noon, USC-Aiken Convocation Center</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->