She Got Next Thanksgiving: Day One Nightcaps
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At this point on Friday, the bulk of the Friday slate for this year’s She Got Next Thanksgiving Tournament has taken place. In addition, White Knoll HS was also a focal point for many Palmetto State football fans given the…
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Continue ReadingAt this point on Friday, the bulk of the Friday slate for this year’s She Got Next Thanksgiving Tournament has taken place. In addition, White Knoll HS was also a focal point for many Palmetto State football fans given the Lower State championship game against Summerville – one that the Timberwolves won – took place.
Hosted by A1 Hoops Report out of Greenville, the She Got Next Thanksgiving Classic once again returned to the home of the 5A Timberwolves for the second consecutive year.
We at Prep Girls Hoops made the trek out to Red Bank for this year’s festivities. Without further adieu, here is a recap of the last two contests we had the chance to observe.
Lower Richland vs. South Pointe
Remaining in the North Bracket for this one as one of the next matchups of Friday’s schedule would see a 3A combatant against one from the 4A ranks.
Both the Diamond Hornets and Stallions were part of last year’s She Got Next festivities as well. Lower Richland was sorted into the South Bracket last year and earned a win over Fort Dorchester before losing by one point to Heathwood Hall.
As for South Pointe, they won last year’s East Bracket by virtue of wins over Military Magnet and North Augusta – two eventual state champions from last season.
This time, it would be the Stallions prevailing over the Diamond Hornets with the scoreboard reading 62-41 at the triple zeroes.
Remember What Happened Last Time?
The last time the Stallions and Diamond Hornets did battle also took place during a midseason tournament. At last year’s Skyhawk Holiday Classic at Hammond HS, South Pointe earned a 59-46 victory over Lower Richland.
How Things Progressed
The first quarter of this contest between top 3A team and top 4A team went the way of the 4A team. South Pointe dictated the pace for much of the opening minutes and it translated to a 18-7 advantage following the first quarter.
The ensuing frame would see more of the same as the South Pointe lead would increase to 18 when the clock hit zero to conclude the second quarter. It was a 32-14 lead over their adversaries from Lower Richland.
The women of The Creek then gave the Stallions the “not so fast” treatment in the third quarter. The Diamond Hornets embarked on a 9-0 run to begin the stanza and clawed their way back into the game. Lower Richland’s deficit was only single-digits – nine to be exact – as the South Pointe lead was only 42-33 entering the fourth.
Whatever momentum the Diamond Hornets had in the third quarter was taken back by South Pointe throughout the fourth quarter. The lead for the Stallions grew back to 20 en route to a 21-point(e) victory.
Primetime Performers
The Diamond Hornets defense had zero answers for JaNyia Cunningham JaNyia Cunningham 6'1" | SF South Pointe | 2027 State SC . The transfer from Northwestern introduced herself to South Pointe fans in resounding fashion with a 27-point display.
“Little Mama” continues to make a big impact for the 4A Stallions. Kaleigh Lucas Kaleigh Lucas 5'4" | PG Saluda Trail M.S / South Pointe | 2028 SC concluded her evening having scored 15 points. All of her scoring came by way of the 3-pointer as she sank five from downtown.
The leading point-getter for the Diamond Hornets was Mikayla Foster Mikayla Foster 5'8" | CG Lower Richland | 2027 SC . She finished with 13 points. Foster particularly led Lower Richland’s efforts from behind the 3-point line as she had two of the team’s three from behind the arc.
Jhnai Sumter Jhnai Sumter 5'9" | SF Lower Richland | 2026 State SC assisted the Diamond Hornets cause having scored 10 points of her own. She is listed at 5-foot-9 on the Lower Richland roster and primarily operates as a guard. Sumter was playing varsity with the Diamond Hornets before she was a freshman.
What’s Next?
With this result, the championship and consolation games for the North Bracket were set. Mauldin vs. South Pointe for the championship and Ridge View vs. Lower Richland for third place. Those matchups would go the way of the Mavericks and Blazers, respectively.
Heathwood Hall vs. Military Magnet
Fourteen out of the 16 games that were set for Friday’s all-day slate at White Knoll HS had taken place. Only two remained.
One of those featured the SCISA 4A team to beat in Heathwood Hall against a team that has been the class of the 1A ranks the last three seasons in Military Magnet.
Both were participants in last year’s She Got Next Thanksgiving Tournament. The Eagles began their schedule last season at She Got Next – and it got started on the wrong foot by virtue of East Bracket losses to 4A South Pointe and 2A Keenan.
The Highlanders, of course, won last year’s South Bracket with victories over J.L. Mann and Lower Richland.
The last game on the main gym at the home of the 5A Timberwolves would go the way of the Highlanders as they earned a 72-54 win to dispatch of Military Magnet.
How The Game Progressed
At least year’s She Got Next, Heathwood Hall faced a stiff test thanks to Lower Richland. The Highlanders dominated much of the first quarter against Military Magnet. The Eagles began to show signs of life by consistently drawing contact and getting to the free throw line. With one in the books, the score was 26-8 in favor of the Highlanders.
The two teams looked to be on more equal ground in the second quarter as Heathwood Hall only outscored Military Magnet by a margin of 13-9. As halftime commenced, the Highlanders lead over the Eagles was 39-17.
Period No. 3 appeared to be offensively dictated for both teams – but slightly more for Heathwood Hall than for Military Magnet. The Highlanders’ advantage grew to 57-32 with three complete.
Quarter No. 4 would be the only frame that would see the Eagles outscore the Highlanders. But with the gap that was already established in the first three quarters, Heathwood Hall had plenty of breathing room on their way to another win.
Primetime Performers
What makes Heathwood Hall so difficult to defeat is any one of four players could be the leading scorer. On Friday night against Military Magnet, that leading scorer was Sabreya Monsanto Sabreya Monsanto 5'11" | SF Heathwood Hall | 2025 State SC who concluded her evening with 26 points.
Lauren Jacobs Lauren Jacobs 5'9" | PG Heathwood Hall | 2025 State SC also had herself another productive game on the court. She aided the Highlanders cause with 15 points. Among Jacobs’ many strong points is getting out in transition, attacking the rim and establishing herself as a vocal leader.
Camillea Gore Camillea Gore 6'0" | SG Heathwood Hall | 2025 State SC also had another productive evening for Heathwood Hall. The junior guard scored 14 points. Gore also ended with three of the 10 3-pointers that the Highlanders made for the contest.
With 11 points, Shamarie Hayes Shamarie Hayes 5'8" | CG Heathwood Hall | 2025 State SC made sure she joined what was yet another Heathwood Hall points barrage. Included in that points barrage for the 5-foot-7 junior combo guard were three made free throws.
With 14 points, Dream Watson Dream Watson 5'3" | PG Military Magnet | 2025 State SC led all Eagles point-getters on what was an uncharacteristically tough evening for Military Magnet. One must particularly watch out for the junior guard when attacking the basket.
It was a 13-point performance for junior Sabri Mitchell Sabri Mitchell 5'9" | SF Military Magnet Academy | 2025 State SC . While the 5-foot-10 veteran primarily plays at the two, she will also play worthwhile minutes as a wing. Mitchell is also an effective rebounder and is a tough defender.
What’s Next?
The Highlanders looked forward to a Saturday contest against Camden for the West Bracket crown – one won by the Bulldogs. As for Military Magnet, the Eagles redeemed themselves by defeating North Augusta for third place on Saturday.