Lowcountry Showcase: Saturday’s Results
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The second primary month of basketball season – December – means the onset of the holidays. It also means that the midseason tournament portion of the high school hoops schedule is about to kick into high gear. This year’s rendition…
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Continue ReadingThe second primary month of basketball season – December – means the onset of the holidays. It also means that the midseason tournament portion of the high school hoops schedule is about to kick into high gear.
This year’s rendition of the Lowcountry Showcase once again returned to the North Charleston Athletic Center. A grand total of 16 teams all participated with the girls having the morning and early afternoon portions of the schedule before it was the boys’ turn at the court in the later afternoon and evening.
We at Prep Girls Hoops were on hand for the day’s festivities. Without further adieu, here is a rundown of how Saturday’s girls contests unfolded.
Timberland vs. North Charleston
All 16 teams that were on hand at the North Charleston Athletic Center, as one can expect, all call the Lowcountry home. First up on the card was a team that was part of last year’s event vs. a newcomer.
The Wolves of 2A Timberland suffered defeat at last season’s Lowcountry Showcase to SCISA 4A First Baptist. They also have had somewhat of a start to the season which has seen them play a few tough opponents – resulting in their 2-4 record. As for the Cougars, they have had a particularly rough go of things as they have began the 2023-24 campaign with a 0-4 showing.
The first matchup of the day went the way of the Wolves as they dispatched of the Cougars with the final score being an emphatic 73-24.
Remember What Happened Last Time?
The last meeting between these two teams occurred during the 2019-20 season when North Charleston defeated Timberland in a rout – 64-31 in late January of that year.
How Things Progressed
As the first quarter progressed, it transpired exactly how such a frame would transpire between these two teams. Timberland eventually amassed a bevy of points while North Charleston appeared to struggle from the field. It was 20-26 in the Wolves’ favor with one complete.
Things continued to go the Wolves way as the next eight minutes elapsed as Timberland outscored North Charleston 15-5 in the second quarter. As halftime commenced, it was 35-11 – Wolves leading the Cougars.
As the third quarter continued to wind down, it was not a matter of if the Wolves would win – but a matter of what the point margin would be. With three in the books, that point margin was 35 for Timberland.
The Wolves eventually would make up for last year’s Lowcountry Showcase defeat to First Baptist with what was a dominant showing against North Charleston. Timberland’s final margin of victory would be 49 points.
Primetime Performers
With 22 points, China Greene China Greene 5'3" | PG Timberland | 2026 State SC led the scoring barrage that completely overwhelmed North Charleston. She particularly had success with draining her 3-point attempts and with getting out in transition.
Kennahdi Murrell managed to also place points on the board early and often. She finished Saturday morning’s contest with 14 points. Out of those 14 points, 10 were put on the board in the first quarter.
As can be expected with Wolves contests, DaSani Kinlaw had herself another productive day at the office. She concluded her game with 12 points. All of Kinlaw’s scores were of the two-point variety.
While the Cougars had a rough game against the Wolves overall, a bright spot did emerge in the form of a star senior. With an 11-point outing, upperclassman Devan’taja Porcher led the scoring efforts for North Charleston.
What’s Next?
Next on the Timberland schedule is a rematch at home against 1A Cross – who defeated the Wolves in a 46-37 result the first of the month. As for North Charleston, their next contest will be on Wednesday at home vs. 4A Colleton County.
First Baptist vs. Goose Creek
The next matchup on this year’s larger Lowcountry Showcase schedule included two teams that were part of last year’s festivities.
The SCISA 4A Hurricanes claimed a 65-57 win over Timberland in last year’s Lowcountry Showcase. The Gators of 5A Goose Creek encountered plenty of hard luck last season as they were on the receiving end of a 56-35 decision to 1A Military Magnet.
First Baptist has once again resembled one of the premier teams in the SCISA ranks as their only defeat of the season came against 4A Riverside at the She Got Next Thanksgiving Tournament. Meanwhile, Goose Creek is on track to have a potentially improved season from last year’s 10-15 record.
The next team to find its way into the win column at this year’s Lowcountry Showcase was the Hurricanes as they dispatched of the Gators with the final score being 62-50.
Quarter-By-Quarter
Unlike the first matchup which had the makings of a rout from the opening tip, the opening stanza of First Baptist vs. Goose Creek appeared to foretell a competitive contest. The Hurricanes were getting the better of that contest through the first eight minutes as it was 15-7 with one in the books.
The second quarter was much more offensively dictated than the first quarter is. A grand total of 42 points were placed on the board between the two teams. First Baptist had 26 of those to 16 for Goose Creek. The Hurricanes had a 41-23 lead at the half.
Quarter number three would see a more evenly contested game between the two teams. The Gators would outscore the Hurricanes by one – 13-12. First Baptist still maintained a 53-36 advantage.
The Hurricanes would continue the good fortunes they have encountered at the two Lowcountry Showcases that have taken place. First Baptist’s margin of victory over Goose Creek would be 12.
Primetime Performers
With 21 points, AVA RUSH AVA RUSH 6'2" | SF First Baptist | 2026 State SC led all First Baptist scorers. Rush stands at a tall 6-foot-2 and is listed as a three. While only a sophomore, she plays the game with a high basketball IQ. Ball handling and offensive rebounding are among the strong elements to her game.
Yannah Seaberry Yannah Seaberry 5'6" | CG First Baptist | 2024 State SC had another Yannah Seaberry Yannah Seaberry 5'6" | CG First Baptist | 2024 State SC -esque performance as she contributed 20 points to the Hurricanes’ cause. Her 3-point shooting strength was once again on display at North Charleston Athletic Center. Limestone is getting a good one starting next year.
With 17 points, sophomore guard Demi Gray Demi Gray 5'7" | PG Goose Creek | 2026 State SC led all point-getters for Goose Creek. Gray tallied 13 of those points in the second half. Gray was also called for only one personal foul for Saturday’s game.
Aiyanna Moses Aiyanna Moses 5'2" | PG Goose Creek | 2026 State SC , another sophomore guard, would score 10 points to aid the Gators’ cause. Unfortunately for her and her team, she was taken out of the contest in the second half due to a left shoulder injury.
What’s Next?
Both teams’ ensuing contests have one thing in common – they will be both against at a struggling 2A Woodland assembling. The Hurricanes return to the court this Friday at the Wolverines while the Gators will travel to Woodland on Tuesday.
Northwood Academy vs. Fort Dorchester
Both the SCHSL and SCISA ranks were well-represented this past weekend at the North Charleston Athletic Center. The third matchup on the eight-game card was another indication of well both were.
The SCISA 4A Chargers and 5A Patriots were two other teams that also took part in last season’s Lowcountry Showcase. These were also two teams that played each other during last year’s rendition and battled each other to a 57-55 result that went the way of Fort Dorchester.
Both have also had intriguing starts to this season. Northwood Academy’s lone defeat so far has come at the hands of what looks to be a much improved 4A Westside squad while the Patriots have began the 2023-24 with wins over Colleton County, Stratford and Cane Bay but defeats to Military Magnet and an improved 5A Berkeley group.
The rematch between these two teams went the way of the Chargers as Northwood Academy was victorious over Fort Dorchester by a margin of 53-20.
Quarter-By-Quarter
A theme was starting to develop – the further we progressed in the day, the quality of play improved as well. That was the case between the Chargers and Patriots. At the end of one frame, it was Northwood Academy with a 14-8 lead over Fort Dorchester.
As the second quarter elapsed, the Chargers began to extend their lead. Northwood Academy’s advantage at one point in the second frame was 12 points. When both teams went into their respective locker rooms for halftime, it was 33-14 in the Chargers’ favor.
Nearly four minutes had ticked off the clock in the third quarter before either team scored a point. Unfortunately for Fort Dorchester, it went the entire third quarter without scoring. Northwood Academy held the Patriots off the scoreboard in the third and the Chargers took a commanding lead into the fourth.
The Chargers ensured that the girls’ SCISA 4A contingency would go 2-0 for the day in North Charleston. At the sounding of the final buzzer, Northwood Academy improved its 2023-24 record to 7-1.
Primetime Performers
Leading all scorers with 15 points was Northwood Academy’s senior guard Morgan Jones Morgan Jones 5'6" | SG Northwood Academy | 2024 State SC . She concluded her scoring with a pair of triples that upped her point total into the double-digits. Jones is listed at 5-foot-6.
Alayah Birch Alayah Birch 5'9" | CG Northwood Academy | 2024 State SC has returned for her senior season with the Chargers. With 12 points, she also played a key role in another Northwood Academy victory. Birch was particularly effective from the line with four made free throws. She recently received her first volleyball offer from Shaw University.
Cailah Tucker Cailah Tucker 5'8" | SF Fort Dorchester | 2025 State SC led all Fort Dorchester scorers with six points on what was a rough game for the Patriots. The 5-foot-8 2025 will display her versatility with her ability to play a number of positions – including either of the guard spots or as a three.
What’s Next?
It does not get any easier for either Northwood Academy or Fort Dorchester in their next contests. The Chargers will be at 5A Ashley Ridge while the Patriots will host 4A A.C. Flora. Both games will occur on Monday.
James Island vs. Military Magnet
When closing out an event (or a portion of said event) one hopes that it will be a marquee matchup that will indeed finish things. The Lowcountry Showcase understood the assignment.
Military Magnet, the defending three-time 1A state champions, were part of last season’s Lowcountry Showcase and scored a 56-35 win over Goose Creek. The Eagles entered this season’s gathering with a 5-2 record (including a recent blowout of 4A Bluffton) while the Trojans’ only defeat came at the hands of a region rival in Lucy Beckham at the Battle of the Lowcountry at Cathedral Academy.
The final girls game of this season’s Lowcountry Showcase would see Military Magnet find its way into the win column as they defeated James Island with the scoreboard reading a 58-29 doubling up on the Trojans.
Remember What Happened Last Time?
It was nearly a decade ago since the last time the Trojans and Eagles were on the same court. That contest was one Military Magnet supporters would rather forget at James Island thrashed the Eagles by a final of 70-11.
Quarter-By-Quarter
If one is a fan of defense, the first eight minutes between the Trojans and Eagles were a delight to witness. The concluding tally of the first quarter resembled more a softball or baseball score than a basketball get-together. Military Magnet got the better of those first few minutes as they led James Island 8-7 with one in the books.
Both Military Magnet and James Island seemed to be locked in a defensive stalemate until the Eagles got a few shots to fall in the latter portions of the second. With both teams knotted up at 10, Military Magnet finished the frame with a 12-2 run to bring a 22-12 lead into the half.
The Trojans may have been within striking distance at the outset of the third, but the Eagles made sure that was no longer the case when the frame concluded. An offensive and defensive clinic combined to turn a close contest into a rout – with Military Magnet leading following three quarters.
The Eagles already claimed one commanding victory over a Region 7-4A opponent the previous night. Military Magnet closed out the girls portion of the Lowcountry Showcase slate with a commanding win over another.
Primetime Performers
Dream Watson Dream Watson 5'3" | PG Military Magnet | 2025 State SC would lead all Eagles point-getters with 12 points. In Watson’s case, it was not only how she scored but when. When Military Magnet went on its second-quarter scoring binge, Watson keyed the Eagles’ effort.
With 11 points, Dejamari Pugh Dejamari Pugh 5'6" | CG Military Magnet | 2025 State SC proved to once again be a key piece off of the Eagles’ bench. She particularly had success with draining the 3-pointer in the third quarter when she sank three triples.
The Eagles were also the beneficiaries of another productive contest courtesy of Sabri Mitchell Sabri Mitchell 5'9" | SF Military Magnet Academy | 2025 State SC . It was a 10-point outing for the star junior. Mitchell has worn the S.H.O.T.S. United 16U uniform.
Teamwise, it was a tough game for James Island. Andrea Duncan Andrea Duncan 5'7" | PG James Island | 2024 State SC , however, still did everything she could to get her Trojans in the win column. Duncan contributed 16 points to the James Island cause which led all scorers.
What’s Next?
The Eagles will have week off before a matchup of defending champion vs. defending champion in the Midlands as 3A Camden awaits Military Magnet. The Trojans on Tuesday will be back in action at 5A Wando.