SCHSL Playoffs: Class 4A Quarterfinal Recaps
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It was two seasons ago when a pair of premier squads from the 4A ranks met at USC-Aiken’s Convocation Center for the privilege of calling themselves state champions. Two years later, those same teams renewed pleasantries once again for the…
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Continue ReadingIt was two seasons ago when a pair of premier squads from the 4A ranks met at USC-Aiken’s Convocation Center for the privilege of calling themselves state champions.
Two years later, those same teams renewed pleasantries once again for the chance to claim one of the Upper State berths at the Florence Center.
Both North Augusta and Westside won their first round matchups via rout – the Yellow Jackets at the expense of Greenville and the Rams to the chagrin of Airport. Their second-round contests were a bit closer as Westside only defeated Wade Hampton by nine and North Augusta’s victory over Greer was only by eight.
North Augusta’s defense of last season’s 4A state championship came to an end as the Rams became the latest team to claim a trip to Florence because of a 44-30 win over the Yellow Jackets.
Remember What Happened Last Time?
One must also remember that these two teams met in the first round of last year’s tournament. The Yellow Jackets scored a lopsided 47-28 victory over the Rams.
Quarter-By-Quarter
The first five points of the contest were tallied by North Augusta before their adversaries from Westside responded with a 7-1 run. The Rams would exit the first quarter with the slimmest of leads – 12-11 over the Yellow Jackets.
With the large contingent of Rams fans that made the trip to the CSRA, the matchup had more of a neutral site feel as opposed to a North Augusta home contest. Those Westside backers had plenty to cheer about as, at the half, their team led the defending 4A champions by a margin of 24-19.
Those Westside fans continued to have plenty to be happy about as the Rams lead increased to seven with one frame left to play. With a trip to Florence up for grabs, Westside was eight minutes away via its 34-27 lead.
A late triple from the Yellow Jackets accounted for their only points of the fourth quarter. At the close of this contest, the Rams knew they would be bound for Florence. The only question remained was who would be their opponent in the Upper State final.
Primetime Performers
Westside’s Monasia Clinkscales Monasia Clinkscales 5'6" | PG Westside | 2026 State SC concluded her evening with a 15-point performance. She particularly found plenty of success from behind the 3-point line as she had three of the Rams’ four triples.
It was a 17-point outing for Celena Grant Celena Grant 5'9" | SF North Augusta | 2026 State SC on an evening that was, otherwise, a rough night offensively for the Yellow Jackets. Grant consistently displayed toughness and a willingness to play hard-nosed basketball in the interior.
Up Next…
With Riverside earning a 63-61 victory over top-ranked South Pointe, it sets up an Upper State final get-together between the Rams and Warriors on Wednesday.
So Long, Seniors
Kennedy Armistead and Genelle Jackson are the two seniors on this year’s North Augusta roster.
Lower State 4A
Ridge View defeats Bluffton 50-49
A.C. Flora defeats Wilson 50-37