Region Play: Mid-Carolina vs. Saluda, Wade Hampton vs. Eastside

Region 2-AA: Mid-Carolina vs. Saluda   February is, of course, a huge month on the high school sports calendar given it is the start of basketball tournaments. Aficionados of their respective teams are looking ahead to who their assemblings will match up with in the first round.    The results of region matchups go a long way in determining those first-round contests. Region 2-AA was no exception and on Feb. 8, its region championship saw Mid-Carolina and Saluda vie for the top spot in said region.    The Rebels have not had a season this successful since 2006-07 when they won 19 contests. The Tigers have had another campaign where they have been one of the top 2A teams to beat across the state.    If Mid-Carolina had won, it would claim the region championship for the Rebels. Unfortunately for Mid-Carolina, they were only one point shy on Thursday evening as Saluda eked out a 42-41 victory.    Remember What Happened Last Time?   The last time these two teams shared the same court, it was in late January at Mid-Carolina. The Rebels earned a 48-43 win over the Tigers. Saluda has had its fair share of close contests in region lately.   “Tuesday night was a big win for us against Ninety Six,” Tigers coach Jeanette Wilder says. “So, to put us in the position that we're to get to play Mid-Carolina (for the region championship) – we lost a close game to them the first time by five."   Quarter-By-Quarter   A bevy of success the Tigers found with getting out in transition enabled them to hold a six-point edge over the Rebels with one quarter in the books. It was Saluda 16 and Mid-Carolina 10 after the first eight.   Mid-Carolina began finding success on their end of the floor with offensive rebounding early in the second quarter. Saluda went to the free throw line often later that period – but with not much success. At the half, the Tigers' lead over the Rebels was 22-15.   An improved defensive effort from the Rebels translated to a brief lead in the third quarter, but the Tigers were clinging to the slimmest of leads with three complete. That advantage? 30-29 in Saluda's razor-thin favor.   Saluda had a 42-41 going into the final seconds of the fourth quarter. Mid-Carolina managed to corral several offensive rebounds on its final offensive possessions. Fortunately for the Tigers, none of the Rebels attempts hit paydirt.    “We went over a couple scenarios and we didn't do any of the things that we talked about in the timeout,” Wilder says. “So, it's a little bit frustrating, but at the same time, the ball bounced our way tonight. So we can just be thankful for that.”   Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/IMG_0609.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-851971" style="width:473px;height:auto" /></figure>   The name [player_tooltip player_id='1092422' first='Ceddrianna' last='Springs'] will have to be added to many eighth grade watchlists across the Palmetto State. Big time players step up in big time games and Springs did so with a 22-point performance. Ten of her 22 came in the first quarter. Wilder described her as a “natural leader.”   “We affectionately call her ‘girl.' She's a twin (sibling) – a girl and boy,” Wilder says,” She has really stepped up in the last few games.”   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/IMG_0607.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-851972" style="width:467px;height:auto" /></figure>   Saluda had the correct mix of youth and experience to lift them to victory. The experience came in the form of senior forward Jana Pou. She added 13 to the Tigers' total. Pou made tough shots in the interior and also grabbed a number of rebounds.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/IMG_0505-crop-3017x1981-1707450005.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-851974" style="width:466px;height:auto" /></figure>   The leading point-getter for Mid-Carolina was Brea Boyd who finished with 11 points. Defenses have to particularly watch out for her when she attacks the basket as she delivers strong finishes at the rim and will draw contact 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/4/2024/02/IMG_0508-crop-3226x2118-1707450105.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-851976" style="width:465px;height:auto" /></figure>   Mid-Carolina also benefitted from the 10 points that were placed on the scoreboard courtesy of junior Addie Bowers. Her 5-foot-10 stature certainly gives the Rebels a height advantage in many a matchup and can play productive minutes in either the frontcourt or backcourt.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/IMG_0516-crop-2514x1651-1707450178.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-851978" style="width:460px;height:auto" /></figure>   What gives the Rebels even more of a height advantage is the six feet of junior Callie Wilbanks. She contributed nine points to the Mid-Carolina cause. Wilbanks also plays volleyball alongside her hoops accomplishments.   Up Next…   With both teams claiming one game apiece, this meant that Mid-Carolina and Saluda would meet one more time for the Region 2-AA crown. The day was Friday and the site was Newberry HS.    “Obviously we have to play again tomorrow (to decide the region), but at least we have a chance to do that.” Wilder says.   Saluda defeated Mid-Carolina by a final of 33-26 the following day at Newberry to claim Region 2-AA.   Region 2-AAAA: Wade Hampton vs. Eastside   Friday Feb. 9 was the final day of the 2023-24 regular season. While many teams with tournament hopes understand at this point their postseason future is virtually secure, where those teams will start the playoffs was yet to be determined.    Two of those teams that should earn bids to the tournament are Wade Hampton (last year's 4A Upper State finalists) and Eastside. The Generals entered Friday's matchup having only dropped one region matchup – to Riverside on Jan. 19.    As for the Eagles, their two previous region victories were against the same team – Laurens.    Eastside would finish the 2023-24 regular season in the win column by virtue of its 67-54 dispatching of Wade Hampton.    Remember What Happened Last Time?   The Generals do. They remember the 57-46 victory earned by Wade Hampton on Jan. 23.    Movin' On Up   The contest between Eastside and Wade Hampton was not only a matchup of current region rivals, but a battle between two teams who will move up to the 5A classification beginning next season.    Eastside and Wade Hampton will remain in the same region – Region 2-AAAAA that will also include Boiling Springs, Dorman, Gaffney, Byrnes, Riverside (also moving up from 4A) and Spartanburg.   Quarter-By-Quarter   Wade Hampton started quickly out of the gate by assuming an early 7-2 advantage. Eastside caught a wave of momentum as the first quarter elapsed by embarking on a 13-0 scoring binge. With one in the books, the Eagles built an eight-point, 17-9 advantage over the Generals.    Eastside's lead would balloon to as much as 15 in the second quarter before Wade Hampton successfully trimmed its deficit to single digits. As both teams entered their respective locker rooms to discuss second half strategy, the Eagles led the Generals by a tally of 28-19 at the break.   One had to know that a team as solid as Wade Hampton would have a run in them – and they did. The Generals managed to briefly grab the momentum – and the lead – in the third. Eastside managed to put points on the board late in the frame to go back in front. It was 45-39 in the Eagles' favor with eight minutes remaining.   Given it was also Senior Night at Eastside, the Eagles were hoping to close out its regular season home slate in the win column. Eastside did just that with a big region victory over Wade Hampton.   Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/IMG_0736-crop-3558x2336-1707557874.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-852602" style="width:471px;height:auto" /></figure>   Four for the Eagles would finish in double digits. One of those was [player_tooltip player_id='380651' first='Ginny' last='Anne Dumont']. She led all Eastside point-getters with a 16-point performance. Nine of her 16 occurred in the first half of play.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/IMG_0779-crop-2236x1469-1707557981.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-852604" style="width:470px;height:auto" /></figure>   Eastside also benefitted from the 13 points that were placed on the scoreboard courtesy of freshman [player_tooltip player_id='781438' first='Kaylan' last='Hickman']. She played the role of closer for the Eagles as eight of her 13 were tallied in the fourth quarter.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/IMG_0805-2-crop-2596x1705-1707557330.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-852597" style="width:468px;height:auto" /></figure>   Speaking of youngsters, fans will want to pay attention to the name [player_tooltip player_id='567024' first='Miracle' last='Cheeks']. The eighth grade standout for Eastside finished with 12 points – all of 12 of which occurred in the second half.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/IMG_0669-crop-2236x1469-1707558112.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-852606" style="width:470px;height:auto" /></figure>   Starting things off for Eastside was a sophomore – [player_tooltip player_id='850202' first='Laila' last='Harvey']. She placed 10 points on the scoreboard. All 10 occurred in the first half and eight of those were put on the board in the first quarter alone.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/IMG_0832-crop-2236x1469-1707558201.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-852608" style="width:473px;height:auto" /></figure>   Even though the Generals ended up on the losing end of the decision, its usual stars came ready to play. Including [player_tooltip player_id='280575' first='Quinasia' last='Abercrombie']. The star (unsigned) senior finished with 22 points – including 18 in the second quarter as one of the catalysts of the Wade Hampton comeback effort.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/IMG_0835-crop-3124x2051-1707558289.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-852610" style="width:467px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='375908' first='Reagan' last='Buff'] added 20 to the Generals' total. She only had one made field goal in the second half – and as anyone who has watched her career can guess, it was a 3-pointer. Buff then drained four triples in the second half.   Up Next..   As both Eastside and Wade Hampton finished in the top four of Region 2-AAAA, both will await their tournament matchups. The 4A state tournament will commence on Tuesday.

Region 2-AA: Mid-Carolina vs. Saluda