SCHSL Playoffs: Class 3A Second Round Roundup

Purple, purple everywhere. Which 3A playoff team would continue its postseason tear?   For much of the season, it appeared playoffs would be more of a question mark than a certainty for this year's rendition of Philip Simmons At one point, the Iron Horses were 3-9 (3A Georgetown, 5A Stratford, Portland out of Tennessee) and questions from pundits began to rise about the team graduating its Big Three from last season.    A 10-game win streak – including a first-round triumph over Aynor later and the Iron Horses are back in midseason form.    As for Darlington's Falcons, they have established themselves firmly among the class of 3A girls basketball this season. Darlington has followed up its eight-win season from 2022-23 with a 17-win campaign this year plus a bit of Top 10 recognition in coaches' polls. Among those 17 wins? A first-round win over Orangeburg-Wilkinson.    Darlington's purple would outdo Philip Simmons' purple as the Falcons defeated the Iron Horses by a final of 42-33 to advance to the Lower State semifinals.    Fun Fact…   This is the first-ever meeting between Darlington and Philip Simmons given the Lowcountry school was founded in 2017.    Quarter-By-Quarter   The first few minutes of the game would yield auspicious results for Philip Simmons as the Iron Horses had leads of 4-0 and 6-2. The Falcons closed the frame with a 9-2 run and would bring an 11-8 lead into the second quarter.    As eight more minutes ticked off of the game clock, Darlington vs. Philip Simmons had all the makings of a contest that could come down to the wire. As halftime commenced, the Falcons only had a two-point, 19-17 lead on the Iron Horses.    Darlington began the third quarter by putting a bit of distance between it and Philip Simmons. By the close of the stanza, the Falcons lead would be in double-digits. The scoreboard read Darlington 34 and Philip Simmons 24 with three in the books.   The Iron Horses had one more run in them. They trimmed their deficit to 37-33 which prompted a timeout from Darlington. The Falcons displayed in the closing minutes exactly why they have been tabbed as one of the top 10 3A teams as they staved off the Philip Simmons comeback bid.   Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/IMG_1838.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-856552" style="width:480px;height:auto" /></figure>   What spearheaded Darlington's victorious efforts was a 15-point performance courtesy of Camille McAllister. The sophomore was difficult for the Philip Simmons defense to contain – particularly when she had the ball in transition.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/IMG_1837.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-856553" style="width:479px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Falcons were also powered by the 13 points of senior Aukeyonna Sims. On more than one occasion, the stifling defense she threw the Iron Horses' way often turned to effective offense – including a number of strong finishes at the rim.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/IMG_1657-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-856554" style="width:478px;height:auto" /></figure>   Philip Simmons' leading point-getter also was a sophomore. That was forward [player_tooltip player_id='1045318' first='Kenira' last='Holmes'] who tallied 11 points. Holmes is the tallest person listed on the Iron Horses' roster as she 5-foot-11.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/IMG_1748-crop-3404x2235-1708219873.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-856557" style="width:475px;height:auto" /></figure>   Harper Cohen added eight points to the Iron Horses' total output. She was particularly successful in converting on a number of midrange floaters. Cohen is one of two freshmen listed on Philip Simmons' roster.   Realignment   Both teams were affected by the SCHSL's new realignment which goes into effect the beginning of next season. Philip Simmons will drop down from 3A to 2A while Darlington will move up to 4A – and will share a region with archrival Hartsville.    Up Next…   Crestwood defeated Dillon in its second-round get-together which sets up a Lower State semifinal between the Knights and Falcons. Philip Simmons' 2023-24 season finishes with a 13-10 record.    So Long, Seniors   Three Philip Simmons 2024s will soon sport caps and gowns at the conclusion of the spring semester. Those three are Regan Baker, [player_tooltip player_id='555432' first='Tia' last='Chaney'] and Eva Poch.    Other 3A Scores   Daniel defeats Powdersville 56-37   Blue Ridge defeats Fountain Inn 67-55   Wren defeats Walhalla 57-35   West-Oak defeats Clinton 47-39   Lower Richland defeats Hanahan 47-20   Camden defeats Waccamaw 73-29 ([player_tooltip player_id='171798' first='Joyce' last='Edwards'] 35 pts, [player_tooltip player_id='195518' first='Deanna' last='Jeffcoat'] 12 pts, [player_tooltip player_id='324555' first='Braylin' last='Mungo'] 11 pts, [player_tooltip player_id='376018' first='Harmony' last='Jefferson'] 8 pts, [player_tooltip player_id='175325' first='Morgan' last='Champion'] 2 pts, [player_tooltip player_id='171806' first='Zyasia' last='Carter'] 2 pts)

Purple, purple everywhere. Which 3A playoff team would continue its postseason tear?