SCHSL 3A Upper/Lower State Championships: Tuesday’s Results
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The order of this year’s Upper and Lower State championship schedule unfolded in this manner in 2023-24 – 5A, 2A, 1A, 3A and 4A. With the 5A, 2A and 1A classifications determining which schools would play into the second day…
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Continue ReadingThe order of this year’s Upper and Lower State championship schedule unfolded in this manner in 2023-24 – 5A, 2A, 1A, 3A and 4A.
With the 5A, 2A and 1A classifications determining which schools would play into the second day of March, it was time for the 3A teams to have their turn.
Upper State teams went first followed by those from the Lower State end of the ledger. Not to mention a potential rematch of last season’s 3A final was a possibility.
Another distinct characteristic of all four teams is all four will move to 4A beginning next season. But which team would leave 3A with something to remember it by?
Upper State Final – Daniel vs. Wren
One of these teams were on the radars of many when the season began. The other is emerging as a rising force to be reckoned with.
The Hurricanes were in last year’s 3A final but were defeated by Camden. Going into Tuesday’s matchup, Wren has only lost once to a South Carolina opponent – 4A Pickens in mid-November. Chester, Walhalla and West-Oak have been eliminated during the Hurricanes run.
As for the Lions, they were absent from last season’s tournament only to qualify this season. Since a mid-January loss to region rival West-Oak, Daniel has reeled off 11 consecutive victories – including Broome, Powdersville and Blue Ridge in the tournament.
The first team in 3A to earn their berth to Mar. 2 was Wren with a 47-31 victory over Daniel.
Remember What Happened Last Time?
Feb. 4 of 2022 was the last time these two teams did battle. It resulted in a 56-37 win for the Hurricanes.
Quarter-By-Quarter
Wren jumped out to a 10-4 run to open the frame which prompted a timeout from Daniel. The Lions responded by closing the first quarter with a 5-0 scoring binge. At the end of one, the Hurricanes had the slimmest of leads – 10-9 – over the Lions.
Daniel continued to match Wren nearly point for point and only trailed by two at the half. As both teams entered their respective locker rooms for halftime, the Hurricanes’ advantage was only 20-18 over the Lions.
Offense and defense clicked together for Wren as they outscored Daniel by a margin of 13-4 in the third quarter. The Hurricanes were eight minutes shy of one more trip to the 3A championship game, leading the Lions 33-22 through three.
That third quarter proved to be the difference maker as the Hurricanes managed to keep the distance between themselves and the Lions. Wren knew it would return to the Florence Center on Saturday for that day’s 3A championship game.
Primetime Performers
Following some first-half struggles, Raina McGowens Raina McGowens 5'10" | CG Wren | 2024 State SC began resembling the UNC-Asheville commit that she is. She led the way for Wren once again with 20 points. Sixteen of those 20 occurred in the second half.
Olivia Randolph Olivia Randolph 6'2" | PF Wren | 2024 State SC also resembled the Claflin commit that she is. She also encountered first-half struggles but managed to finish with 12 points. Randolph is making, yet, another trip to a state championship contest.
Pacing the offensive attack for the Lions was junior Colleen DiMaio Colleen DiMaio 5'7" | SG Daniel | 2025 State SC . She concluded her afternoon with 13 points to lead all scorers for Daniel. DiMaio also had the lone 3-pointer of the day for the Lions.
The Lions also benefitted from the eight points that were placed on the board courtesy of freshman Shala Williams Shala Williams 5'9" | SF Daniel | 2027 State SC . She primarily plays at the three and is listed at 5-foot-7 on Daniel’s roster.
Up Next…
Wren advanced to Saturday’s 3A championship game. The Hurricanes would learn its opponent later that day.
So Long, Senior (and so long, 3A)
Dulcie Mohr is the lone senior listed on Daniel’s roster. The Lions are also saying goodbye for now to the 3A ranks as Daniel will compete in 4A next season.
Lower State Final: Darlington vs. Camden
This year’s 3A Lower State final would feature a pair of teams located right off the easternmost portions of Interstate 20 – not to mention a pair of region foes.
The Bulldogs getting back to this point is not much of a surprise. Camden was the 3A favorite going into this season and they have played like it all season long. No South Carolina teams have defeated the Bulldogs this season and Swansea, Waccamaw and Lower Richland have also been dispatched from the tournament thanks to Camden.
As for the Falcons, one would believe they would have a home court advantage given Darlington is only a hop, skip and jump shy of the Florence Center. Orangeburg-Wilkinson, Philip Simmons and Crestwood have all been vanquished by Darlington.
And it would be the Falcons who would be vanquished by Camden. The 71-35 win set up a Camden vs. Wren rematch for the 3A girls state crown.
Remember What Happened Last Time?
Camden won both of the previous matchups in lopsided fashion. The Bulldogs defended their home court in emphatic fashion with a 98-36 win on Jan. 26 and earned a 62-44 victory at Darlington on Jan. 31.
Quarter-By-Quarter
The first eight minutes would see Camden do what it has done all season long – make great teams look otherwise feeble. The Bulldogs were once again in cruise control mode in the first quarter, building an 18-4 lead on Darlington with one complete.
Camden once again appeared to be in cruise control through much of the second quarter prior to a late run by the Falcons. As halftime commenced, the Bulldogs’ advantage over Darlington would be 32-18.
The Bulldogs looked like the Bulldogs again as they began the third quarter with a 6-2 scoring binge which prompted a timeout from Darlington. When the third quarter completed, another championship date with Wren was in sights for Camden as they assumed a 58-33 lead through three.
As has been common with many a Bulldogs contest, it became no longer a matter of if they would win, but what they final margin of victory would be. That final margin of victory would be a 36-point clincher to make it Hurricanes and Bulldogs once again in the 3A championship game.
Primetime Performers
Joyce Edwards Joyce Edwards 6'3" | PF Camden | 2024 State SC at this point needs no introduction. With 34 points to lead all scorers, the South Carolina Gamecock-to-be and McDonald’s All-American is one win away from closing her Camden days with the most emphatic of exclamation points.
The Bulldogs attack can be summed up in two words – present and future. Edwards represented the present and Braylin Mungo Braylin Mungo 5'7" | PG Camden | 2027 State SC represents the future of the Camden program. The freshman star for the Bulldogs added 17 points to Camden’s total.
Addison Howle put together a spirited effort as she led all Falcons scorers with nine points. Darlington as a team was successful on five of its tries from behind the 3-point arc. Three of those were courtesy of Howle.
Darlington also got eight points from its rising star guard Camille McAlister. She is one of five sophomores that is listed on the Falcons roster. Ball handling and attacking the rim are among the strong points of her game.
Up Next…
Wren vs. Camden for the 3A girls championship on Saturday at the Florence Center.
So Long, Seniors
Aukeyonna Sims, Kabreyia Davis, Kaliyah Grant, Nyisha Moses and Lachelle McBride-Dixon are among the seniors that will soon sport caps and gowns at Darlington’s graduation ceremony.