Blackville-Hilda Hawk Invitational: First Day Recap – Part 1

With Christmas in the rear view mirror and a new year on the horizon, the midseason tournament portion of the schedule is nearing its conclusion and teams around the state will be engulfed in matchups against region foes.    One of the last tournaments of this holiday season occurred in the CSRA at Blackville-Hilda HS. The 1A school annually hosts the Hawk Invitational right between Christmas and the new year.    This year's rendition was larger on the girls side than in previous years. Typically, eight games (four girls, four boys) occur the first day at Blackville-Hilda, but six emanated from the Hawks nest this time around.   We at Prep Girls Hoops made the trip to Blackville-Hilda for the day's games. Here is our recap of the first three that took place.    Pelion vs. Williston-Elko   The tournament – which began at 8 a.m. that Wednesday, featured a pair of teams that are mainstays at the event.    Those two were 2A Pelion and 1A Williston-Elko. At last year's Hawk Invitational, the Panthers began with a loss to Blackville-Hilda only to score wins over the Blue Devils and Hawks to close said tournament. In addition to the loss against Pelion, Williston-Elko was also on the losing end of a decision to 2A Barnwell.    Would things change or would they remain the same? Pelion wanted to ensure they remained the same, but they did change via a Williston-Elko 56-29 decision over the Panthers.    Remember What Happened Last Time?   Even after the game at last year's Blackville-Hilda event, Pelion and Williston-Elko exchanged pleasantries one other time last season. It was a close contest with the Panthers getting the better of the Blue Devils in a 42-38 result.    Quarter-By-Quarter   Williston-Elko came out strong out the gate with a sound game plan that caused problems for Pelion both on offense and defense. After the first eight minutes had elapsed, the Blue Devils amassed a 19-6 edge over the Panthers.   Pelion displayed signs of life early in the second quarter but any semblance of a rally was quickly stopped in its tracks by Williston-Elko. As halftime commenced, the Blue Devils assumed a commanding 32-15 advantage.   By the standards of this contest, the Blue Devils and Panthers were engaged in a relatively evenly matched third quarter that still saw Williston-Elko's lead balloon into the 20s. One frame in the game remained with the Blue Devils' lead being 46-25.   The point margin of the game meant many bench for both teams saw plenty of playing time in the fourth quarter. When the final buzzer sounded, Williston-Elko knew they would be playing a second game later in the day.   Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_7001-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-828638" style="width:379px;height:auto" /></figure>   An 18-point outing by [player_tooltip player_id='843526' first='Jada' last='Wilson'] led all point-getters for the day. Wilson did the vast majority of her damage in the first half as she had 15 of her 18 points. Wilson stands at 5-foot-7 and converts on many a high-percentage shot.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_6999.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-828639" style="width:374px;height:auto" /></figure>   Complimenting Wilson's 18 were the 10 points that were put on the board by Ashaunna Hosey. She particularly made a great deal of transition plays midway through the contest that continued to keep the game out of reach.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_7003.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-828640" style="width:374px;height:auto" /></figure>   With eight points, Madison Wright also bolstered Williston-Elko's offensive onslaught. All of her scores were also of the two-point variety. The Blue Devils' three leading point-scorers from this game are all 2025s.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_6997-crop-2766x1816-1703756019.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-828642" style="width:370px;height:auto" /></figure>   The leading scorer for the Panthers was also a junior – guard Kalani Tolen. She finished with nine points to key the offensive attack for the Panthers. Tolen also ha the only 3-pointer Pelion made that game.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_6993-crop-2947x1935-1703756190.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-828644" style="width:377px;height:auto" /></figure>   Pelion was also the beneficiary of an eight-point game courtesy of senior Kierra Gordon. While she is listed as a guard on the Panthers' roster, she spent much of her time converting on baskets close to the rim.   What's Next?    Williston-Elko would do battle later that day against Blackville-Hilda while Pelion would be involved in a consolation bracket contest the following day with Ridge Spring-Monetta.    White Knoll vs. Swansea   Typically, the teams that take part in the Blackville-Hilda Christmas Tournament are smaller schools from the 1A and 2A ranks. This contest provided a bit of a difference.    Swansea is a 3A school and White Knoll competes in the 5A ranks. Both also are Midlands schools. While the Tigers have steered clear of any midseason tournaments, the Timberwolves have already been involved in two. One was the She Got Next Thanksgiving Classic – which emanated from White Knoll – and the Battle of I-20 at Paine College in Augusta.    Swansea took part in last season's Blackville-Hilda Hawk Invitational and scored wins over Ridge Spring-Monetta and Edisto but a loss to Denmark-Olar.   The second girls game of the day went the way of the Timberwolves. The final was a very football-esque 30-14 over the Tigers.    Remember What Happened Last Time?   Swansea and White Knoll's get-together at Blackville-Hilda represented the first time these two schools shared the same court together since 2019. In that matchup, the Timberwolves prevailed with the final being 42-38.    Quarter-By-Quarter   With Swansea's boys having taken the court the game prior, the Swansea girls were looking to have better fortunes against the Timberwolves than the boys did with Barnwell. With one quarter in the books, White Knoll built a 12-6 lead.    The phrase “points at a premium” certainly applied in the second quarter as defense ruled the roost at the Hawks' nest. As the 10 minutes of halftime commenced, White Knoll had a 16-7 lead over Swansea.    And that theme persisted into the third quarter. It was the lowest scoring game up to that point of the day. For those who are fans of defense, White Knoll vs. Swansea was that game. The Timberwolves' lead was 24-12 going into the fourth.    The game may not have been exactly a well-played contest on either side, but many coaches will say that they will prefer an “ugly” win over a “pretty” loss. White Knoll was on the better end of that “ugly” victory.    Primetime Performer   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_7036.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-828645" style="width:400px;height:auto" /></figure>   Who knows how White Knoll would have performed if it were not for the heroics of [player_tooltip player_id='558730' first='Shaelyn' last='Hayes']. The junior shooting guard and captain for the Timberwolves by far led all scorers with 22 points.    What's Next?   White Knoll advanced to the winner's bracket where they played Blackville-Hilda. As for Swansea, next up for it was a consolation bracket matchup with 2A Edisto.    Hunter-Kinard-Tyler vs. Ridge Spring-Monetta   The third girls game of the day featured a pair of teams that are very familiar with one another given that both are not only 1A teams – but region rivals.    Hunter-Kinard-Tyler may not have been involved in last season's Hawk Invitational, but they are on their way to another impressive season through the 1A ranks. Ridge Spring-Monetta was involved in last season's event and came fact to face with plenty of hard luck – losses to Denmark-Olar, Swansea and Edisto.    Hunter-Kinard-Tyler's Trojans were better than Ridge Spring-Monetta's Trojans on that day at the Hawk's nest by virtue of a 62-30 victory.   Remember What Happened Last Time   The scene was at Ridge Spring-Monetta the last time these two schools exchanged pleasantries. Hunter-Kinard-Tyler got the better of the 50-34 decision in late January.    Quarter-By-Quarter   At first, it appeared this game would be all Ridge Spring-Monetta all the time before Hunter-Kinard-Tyler made plays late in the first quarter to get back in it. With one in the books, it was 12-6 in favor of Ridge Spring-Monetta.    Ultimately, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler would briefly pull ahead late in the second quarter only for another lead change to take place right before halftime. At the break, Ridge Spring-Monetta had the slimmest of leads – 22-21.   In the third quarter, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler began resembling the team that was four games in the green of .500 to start the season. They outscored Ridge Spring-Monetta by an opening 25-2 in the third quarter and were ahead 46-24 with eight minutes left to play.   When all was said and done, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler outscored Ridge Spring-Monetta by a margin of 41-8. What seemed to be a competitive game at the half was all Hunter-Kinard-Tyler all the time at the conclusion.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_7093.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-828646" style="width:405px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='589678' first='Tilayiza' last='Youmans'] nearly scored as many points as the entire Ridge Spring-Monetta team. It was a 26-point outburst for the Hunter-Kinard-Tyler star junior guard. Youmans is one of the team's captains.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_7096.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-828647" style="width:409px;height:auto" /></figure>   Another of the team's captains – [player_tooltip player_id='838330' first='Aysiah' last='Bonaparte'] – finished with 17 points. Bonaparte, a 2028, is listed at 5-foot-4 on the Hunter-Kinard-Tyler roster and can play at either the one or two guard spots in the backcourt.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_7092-2-crop-3022x1984-1703756743.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-828649" style="width:396px;height:auto" /></figure>   With eight points, [player_tooltip player_id='766375' first='Taylah' last='Leaphart'] would lead all point-getters for Ridge Spring-Monetta. Leaphart is a 2026. All of Leaphart's scores happened to be of the two-point variety. She is also a gifted rebounder.   What's Next   Hunter-Kinard-Tyler would advance to a matchup with Allendale-Fairfax later on in the day. As for Ridge Spring-Monetta, they moved to a consolation matchup with the following day against Pelion.

With Christmas in the rear view mirror and a new year on the horizon, the midseason tournament portion of the schedule is nearing its conclusion and teams around the state will be engulfed in matchups against region foes.