She Got Next Thanksgiving: Day One Afternoon

This past weekend was a busy one at White Knoll HS to say the least.    The football team hosted - <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/11/what-we-saw-white-knoll-21-summerville-14/">and won</a> - the 5A Lower State championship game against Summerville. The annual She Got Next Thanksgiving Classic returned to the home of the Timberwolves for the second consecutive year.    Needless to say, Red Bank was the focal point of many Palmetto State high school sports fans. Hosted by A1 Hoops Report out of Greenville, it is one of the state's signature early season tournaments.    We at Prep Girls Hoops were once again at White Knoll for this year's festivities. At this point, the early games had already taken place. Now, we transition to the afternoon schedule.    Lancaster vs. J.L. Mann   We remained on at the main gym for this contest as this one pitted a 4A team against a 5A looking to once again make an ascent.    Lancaster was not a participant in last year's She Got Next Thanksgiving Classic. J.L. Mann, however, was – and it was a time the Patriots would probably rather forget given they were on the receiving end of South Bracket defeats to Fort Dorchester and Heathwood Hall.    The Bruins and Patriots were part of the Northeast Bracket this go round and this one went the way of J.L. Mann as they defeated Lancaster with the final tally reading a resounding 67-22.    How Things Progressed   Period No. 1 gave the indication that this was not the same J.L. Mann team that showed up to last season's She Got Next. It gave an indication that it was not the same 5A Patriots team period. J.L. Mann put together an offensive clinic that Lancaster had few answers for. The score was 21-8 Patriots with one in the books.    Could the Patriots continue what they did in the first quarter? The answer was a resounding yes. As both teams went into their respective locker rooms for the 10 minutes of halftime, J.L. Mann's lead was 42-14.    The Patriots continued to apply maximum pressure on both offense and defense that continued to give the Bruins problems. With eight minutes left to play, J.L. Mann was cruising to a victory leading 60-19.    J.L. Mann vs. Lancaster became another example of a game that was a matter of how large would the margin of victory be – not exactly who would be the victor. The answer to that question was 67-22 for the Patriots.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5471.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812491" style="width:316px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='610464' first='Imari' last='Richardson'] is looking to follow up her freshman campaign with a stellar sophomore season. Richardson got off to a good start on Friday afternoon by finishing with 20 points. She scored early and often – including 15 in the first half.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5480.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812496" style="width:309px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='610424' first='Jade' last='Hailstock'] is another one of the noteworthy standouts for the Patriots. She concluded her game with 11 points. Hailstock anchored the Patriots' attack from the backcourt as Richardson did in the frontcourt.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5481.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812499" style="width:309px;height:auto" /></figure>   After making a name for herself as an up-and-comer with 1A Calhoun Falls Charter, [player_tooltip player_id='387003' first='Anastasia' last='Gillam'] is poised to make waves among the 5A ranks. She came off the bench for the Patriots and tallied nine points.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5483.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812500" style="width:313px;height:auto" /></figure>   Adding to the frontcourt depth that was posed by J.L. Mann was the presence of [player_tooltip player_id='196052' first='Breah' last='Franks']. The junior big for the Patriots added seven points to J.L. Mann's cause as the team's starting center.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5477.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812495" style="width:328px;height:auto" /></figure>   Lancaster had a pair of eight-point scorers that were the nucleus of the team's offensive efforts. The first was Angel Cousar, the team's senior one guard. Among what she gets accomplished on the court is the ability to get to the free throw line.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5475.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812494" style="width:334px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Bruins also received plenty of production from one of the team's 2025s. That 2025 was [player_tooltip player_id='562066' first='Eliza' last='Baskins'] – also with eight points. Baskins led the team's efforts from behind the 3-point line with a pair of triples.   What's Next?    Ironically, the other Northeast Bracket contest (Northwood Academy vs. Westside) occurred at the same time as Lancaster vs. J.L. Mann. The Patriots advanced to the championship bracket where they would take on (and eventually defeat) the Rams on Saturday while the result meant the Bruins would play the Chargers in the consolation bracket. Northwood Academy would win that contest by a margin of 55-40.   Camden vs. North Augusta   One of the many attributes of She Got Next that has been advertised is that all five SCHSL state champions from last season (as well as last season's SCISA 4A titleholders) were converging on White Knoll HS.    In the middle portion of the afternoon, two of those defending state champions in 3A Camden and 4A North Augusta met on the same court. Fittingly, both are in the West Bracket with defending 1A champions Military Magnet and SCISA 4A defending champion Heathwood Hall.    Both teams also participated in She Got Next last year. The Bulldogs picked up victories over 4A A.C. Flora and eventual 5A state champion Mauldin to win last year's West Bracket. The Yellow Jackets earned a win over Keenan before losing to South Pointe in the East Bracket.    North Augusta, of course, got its revenge on the Stallions in the second round of last season's 4A state tournament.    In what was arguably the game of the day, at least on paper, it went the way of the Bulldogs with the final score being 44-36 over the Yellow Jackets.    Remember What Happened Last Time?    Last year on Valentine's Day, Camden made it their prime director to break the hearts of Yellow Jackets nation. North Augusta paid a visit to the Bulldogs' home court – and the result was a 63-27 drubbing by Camden.   How Things Progressed   North Augusta got on the board first – but Camden got on the board more often in the first eight minutes. The Bulldogs exited the first quarter with a 10-5 advantage over the Yellow Jackets.    The second quarter began to resemble more of what one could expect when two defending state champions get together on the same court. The defending 3A champions – Camden – held a 21-17 advantage over the the defending 4A champions from North Augusta.    Camden managed to put a bit of distance between themselves and North Augusta throughout the course of the third quarter. As the fourth quarter commenced, the Bulldogs' lead was 35-24 over the Yellow Jackets.    The Yellow Jackets could have used a late run to potentially change the course of this contest. Except that run did not come and Camden would become one of the latest teams to earn its way into the win column at this year's She Got Next.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5495.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812501" style="width:367px;height:auto" /></figure>   At this point, [player_tooltip player_id='171798' first='Joyce' last='Edwards'] needs no introduction. She had herself another productive game with a 22-point performance. Edwards showcased what she will bring in the college ranks to South Carolina after this season.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5498.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812502" style="width:361px;height:auto" /></figure>   It would be an 11-point game for Camden's No. 11 - [player_tooltip player_id='175325' first='Morgan' last='Champion']. Whereas a lot of the Bulldogs' interior efforts would be headlined by Edwards, the 5-foot-7 junior standout guard anchored the backcourt efforts for Camden.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5503.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812504" style="width:373px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='350281' first='Celena' last='Grant'] continued to display exactly why she was on Dawn Staley's radar as well. Grant led the Yellow Jackets attack with a 14-point performance. If there was one word that could be used to describe Grant, it would be tough.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5501.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812503" style="width:375px;height:auto" /></figure>   With nine points, [player_tooltip player_id='444371' first='Ashley' last='Walker'] was also a key part of North Augusta's efforts. Walker is beginning her freshman season with the Yellow Jackets, can play productive minutes at either the one, two or three and also plays volleyball.    What's Next?   Camden advanced to a West Bracket championship contest against Heathwood Hall - one the Bulldogs won 93-61 while North Augusta awaited the consolation bracket where a get-together with Military Magnet awaited. The Eagles got the better of the Yellow Jackets in that contest by a close final of 45-42.    Riverside vs. Andrew Jackson   It was back to the auxiliary gym for our next matchup – the fifth we had the chance to watch - and, perhaps, the best of the day's matchups.    It featured a 4A Riverside team that has seen it rise up South Carolina's high school hoops ranks – change in classification from 5A to 4A and all. On the other end, the Volunteers have been one of the premier teams in the 2A realm and may now be the 2A team to beat.    Neither team was part of last season's She Got Next Thanksgiving Tournament, but both were in the East Bracket for this year's rendition. Riverside had a tough time attempting to beat Andrew Jackson, but ultimately got the job done by virtue of a 77-75 overtime win over the Volunteers.   How The Game Progressed   Whereas other matchups such as Camden vs. North Augusta and Heathwood Hall vs. Military Magnet looked like the games to watch on paper, Riverside vs. Andrew Jackson was one to witness once the two superb squads took to the auxiliary court. Following one quarter, the Warriors had a 17-14 lead over the Volunteers.    The two teams continued to match each other point for point as the second quarter elapsed. As both teams went into their respective locker rooms for halftime, 4A Riverside still was holding onto to the lead which was 28-26.   One may have been hard pressed to find two teams that were more evenly matched than the Warriors and Vols. Twenty four of the Thirty two minutes had given way and Riverside still led Andrew Jackson – the score being 50-46.    In the early moments of the fourth quarter, the Warriors upped their lead to 55-48. The seven-point edge prompted an Andrew Jackson timeout. It appeared Riverside had it won in the final seconds before clutch Vols plays made it 67-67 at the conclusion of regulation.    The Volunteers appeared to be going into the four minutes of free basketball with all the momentum. They had a 71-69 lead early in overtime before back-to-back Warriors triples made it a 75-71 game. Riverside needed every one of the points they scored en route to a 77-75 win over Andrew Jackson.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5513.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812505" style="width:366px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='371196' first='Kyndal' last='Haroski'] had herself not only a banner game but a milestone one. Haroski scored 30 points to pave the way to a victory for Riverside. In addition to draining seven 3-pointers, Haroski also crossed the 1,000-point plateau for her career.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5523.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812510" style="width:370px;height:auto" /></figure>   With 17 points, the Warriors were the beneficiaries of a big game courtesy of star junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='682871' first='Madison' last='Garrido']. A good bit of the point-getting production Garrido had came at the free throw line.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5520.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812509" style="width:366px;height:auto" /></figure>   Where Haroski and Garrido did plenty of work to stabilize the Riverside backcourt, [player_tooltip player_id='414178' first='Elly' last='Trickett'] was clutch in the frontcourt. The 5-foot-8 junior forward finished her day with a 12-point performance.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5519.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812508" style="width:360px;height:auto" /></figure>   Speaking of 12, No. 12 also played productive minutes for the Warriors. The No. 12 in question is senior Miah Johnson. Out of the eight she scored, six of those occurred in the second half of action.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5514.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812506" style="width:356px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='175322' first='Tamia' last='Watkins'], one of the state's premier 2025s, did everything she could to ensure the Volunteers would get into the win column. While Andrew Jackson were dealt the loss, she led all scorers with an eye-opening 35-point showing.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5517.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812507" style="width:359px;height:auto" /></figure>   The interior of the Volunteers looks to be the strength of the team all season. [player_tooltip player_id='496215' first='Ayona' last='Alexander'] did her part in proving that late Friday afternoon. Alexander finished the game with 28 points to help the Andrew Jackson cause.    What's Next?    The Warriors would advance to the East Bracket championship game where First Baptist awaited after their victory over Lexington. Riverside would ultimately defeat the Hurricanes to claim the East Bracket championship. The Volunteers would look forward to a consolation bracket contest with the Wildcats on Saturday - one that went the way of Andrew Jackson over Lexington.   Mauldin vs. Ridge View   The final three matchups we took in all took place at White Knoll HS's main gym – and this also occurred around the same time that the football crowd began filing in for the Lower State final against the Green Wave.    One of the basketball teams taking to the court around this time has experience in championship games. That would be Mauldin – defending 5A state champions. Their opponent would be 4A Ridge View, a Midlands team looking to establish itself as among its classification's upper echelon.    Both the Mavericks and Blazers are back for another go-round through the She Got Next Thanksgiving Tournament. Mauldin was part of the West Bracket and earned a win over Gray Collegiate before losing to Camden. Ridge View went 0-2 in the Southeast Bracket with losses to Northwood Academy and Lexington.    This go-round, the Mavs and Blazers are in the North Bracket – and this one went the way of Mauldin with the final score being 51-45 over Ridge View.    How Things Progressed   As evenly matched as Riverside and Andrew Jackson were, Ridge View and Mauldin appeared to be just as evenly matched. With eight minutes in the books, the Blazers held on to a 14-13 advantage.    Ridge View began to expand its lead as the second quarter wore on. The free throw line was a sixth woman for the Blazers as they were 5-7 from the charity stripe. As the first half segued into the 10 minutes of halftime, the Blazers' lead expanded to seven – 27-20.    The contest changed in the third quarter as the Mavericks began the frame with a 10-0 run. Now, it was Mauldin who had the upper hand in what continued to be a highly competitive contest heading to the fourth quarter.    The Mavericks managed to maintain their lead throughout the remainder of the game. Mauldin's first contest since their state championship victory was a winning one with Ridge View being on the receiving end.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5534-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812514" style="width:387px;height:auto" /></figure>   The 13 points that were placed on the scoreboard courtesy of [player_tooltip player_id='468191' first='Zara' last='Leamon'] proved to be pivotal in Mauldin's victory. Leamon had plenty of success behind the 3-point line as she made a trio of triples.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5533.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812513" style="width:381px;height:auto" /></figure>   The 11-point performance courtesy of [player_tooltip player_id='185426' first='Delilah' last='Soltys'] was a reason why she was a Preseason SCBCA 5A Girls Pick. Among the many positive attributes of Soltys' game is toughness and the ability to find her way to the line in addition to rebounding.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5537-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812515" style="width:387px;height:auto" /></figure>   Speaking of the number 11, a bit of recognition for the Mavericks' No. 11 is in order. That would be freshman Imani McIver who contributed 10 points to Mauldin's cause. McIver, after a productive season on the AAU circuit, looks to step up and stabilize the Mavericks' efforts near the basket. She has played at the varsity level since she was a seventh grader.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5528.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812511" style="width:387px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Blazers' leading scorer also chimed in with 13 points. Those came by way of senior [player_tooltip player_id='358290' first='Lucia' last='Bailey']. She too found a great deal of success from downtown with a trio successful 3-point attempts.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/IMG_5531-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812512" style="width:388px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='323653' first='Anasia' last='Harvey'] did what she does best as a stalwart for the Ridge View frontcourt. She finished her game with an 11-point outing. Expect Harvey to do plenty of work converting on high-percentage shots and plenty of work on the boards as well.    What Was Next?   Mauldin would await the championship game of the North Bracket the next day. Ridge View would be placed in the consolation bracket. Ironically, their respective opponents would be determined in the next matchup at the main gym between Lower Richland and South Pointe.

This past weekend was a busy one at White Knoll HS to say the least.