M-Town Showdown: Day One Recap

Friday proved itself to be a very busy day athletically at now 2A Manning HS.    Along with hosting a second-round football playoff game against fellow Lower State foe Hampton County, the basketball courts at both Manning HS and Manning Junior HS both played host to the M-Town Showdown.    Along with the host Monarchs, five other teams participated. Given where the event was on the calendar, it was also the first occasion where those who grace the basketball courts of the Palmetto State had an opportunity to put academics on the backburner.    We at Prep Girls Hoops made the trek to Manning for Friday's festivities. Here is a recap of the games that took place on the main Manning HS court.    Palmetto vs. Manning   While most tournaments and invitationals feature the host school taking to the court last, Manning decided to buck traditional and take to the court first.    First up on the Monarchs' docket for 2024-25 was the Mustangs from Palmetto. One thing both Palmetto and Manning have in common is that both teams had forgettable 2023-24 seasons. Between both the Monarchs and Mustangs, the two teams only combined to win six games total in all of 2023-24. Four of those victories were Palmetto wins and two of them were vs. Greer Middle College.    Both of Manning's victories in 2023-24 came at the expense of Georgetown.    One of the first victors of the 2024-25 season would be Manning with its entertaining 40-38 win over Palmetto.    Last Season's Records   Palmetto's 2023-24 mark was 4-18 (0-10 in region). That of Manning was 2-22 (2-8 in its previous 3A region).    Quarter By Quarter   In the opening minutes of the first quarter, both Palmetto and Manning looked as if they were shaking off a bit of early season rust. Things picked up – primarily for the Mustangs – as the opening frame elapsed with Palmetto building up a 10-3 advantage at one point in the first quarter. Timely free throw shooting enabled the Monarchs to trim the gap. It was 10-8 in favor of the Mustangs with one in the books.    Manning managed to pull ahead of Palmetto by a margin of 13-12 midway through the second quarter which prompted a timeout from the Mustangs. At the halfway point, the homestanding Monarchs had a 21-18 advantage over their adversaries from Palmetto.    The defensive-minded feel of this contest would continue into the third quarter and it remained close as 24 minutes had ticked off the clock. Following those 24 minutes, Palmetto had 24 points – to Manning's 26.   With both teams all knotted up at 38 late in the fourth quarter, the final seconds would decide this one. The Monarchs connected on a go-ahead bucket late which proved to be the deciding score of this contest.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/IMG_0258.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1067133" style="width:471px;height:auto" /></figure>   It was a 15-point performance for No. 15. [player_tooltip player_id='992816' first='Ameerah' last='Conyers'] got the start for the Monarchs and utilized every bit of her 5-foot-11 stature to her advantage playing the pure five. Did we mention she is an eighth grader.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/IMG_0246-crop-3303x2169-1732348470.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1067135" style="width:462px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='281053' first='Skyler' last='Ellison'] did everything she could to get her team in the win column. Ellison led all scorers with a 17-point performance. Unfortunately for Palmetto, her stellar performance was cut short due to her fouling out in the fourth quarter.   What's Next?    Manning on Saturday would face the winner of a matchup between Ben Lippen and St. James. Palmetto would be placed into the consolation bracket.   Loris vs. Westwood   There are some tournaments, invitationals and jamborees that even tailor themselves to schools in a specific classification. That was not the case for this year's M-Town Showdown.    Following the get-together between the Mustangs and the Monarchs, the next matchup on the main court at Manning HS would feature 3A Loris vs. a Westwood team that moved up from 4A to 5A beginning this year.    Both the Lions and Redhawks received plenty of recognition from the South Carolina Basketball Coaches' Association. Two from Loris received Preseason 3A All-Senior nods as well as one from Westwood in the 5A category. Also, the Lions were in the SCBCA's 3A Top 10 and the Redhawks made the Top 10 for 5A Division II.    3A got the better of 5A on Friday night as the Lions prevailed over the Redhawks with the final tally being 60-53.    Last Season's Records   Loris had an overall mark of 13-14 but did really well in its region (7-3). Westwood was seven games over .500 at 17-10 and were also 6-4 in its previous 4A region.    Remember What Happened Last Time?    It was also during early-season tournament play last year that the Lions and Redhawks exchanged pleasantries. Westwood was on the winning end of that get-together with Loris in a 47-36 decision at the Hoopin' In the Ville invite at Hartsville HS.    Quarter-By-Quarter   While the first quarter of the previous matchup between Palmetto and Manning was defensive-minded, the opening stanza of Loris vs. Westwood was anything but. An up-tempo, high energy frame between one of 3A's premier teams and one of 5A's premier teams concluded in a 21-19 advantage for the Lions.   The second quarter was a bit more defensively sound, but the Lions maintained their slight advantage. As both teams entered their respective locker rooms to discuss second half strategy, the Lions led the Redhawks by a margin of 35-32.    For much of the third quarter, defense did rule in the land of Monarchs. Both Lions and Redhawks were all knotted up at 41 into the final seconds of the third frame prior to Westwood converting on an old-fashioned 3-point play to finish the stanza. It was 44-41 Redhawks with eight minutes left to play.    Good things happen when one is able to combine offense and defense. For Loris, that was certainly the case in the fourth quarter. A strong close where the Lions outscored the Redhawks by a margin of 19-9 sealed the victory for Loris.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/IMG_0262-crop-3150x2069-1732348616.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1067137" style="width:426px;height:auto" /></figure>   Four for the Lions concluded Friday's matchup in double figures for points. One of those was senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='552624' first='MariAsia' last='Moody'] who led all point getters with 21. She tallied 14 of those 21 in the first half.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/IMG_0351-2-crop-1854x1218-1732348787.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1067139" style="width:423px;height:auto" /></figure>   Loris also presented a stellar interior presence in the form of LaKeya Martin. She added 13 points to the Lions' total. The junior big for Loris stands at 5-foot-10 and can play at either the five or at the four.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/IMG_0362-crop-3032x1991-1732348882.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1067141" style="width:425px;height:auto" /></figure>   Typically, [player_tooltip player_id='342513' first='Janiya' last='Richburg'] is another of the key players mentioned following Lions contests. Friday night in Manning was no exception. She contributed 11 points to the Loris cause – including 10 in the first half.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/IMG_0267.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1067143" style="width:420px;height:auto" /></figure>   All four Lions who had double-digit point efforts were part of the team's starting five. This included freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='824826' first='Dazena' last='Capers']. The 2028 who stands at an even five feet finished her evening with 10 points.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/IMG_0342-2-crop-2216x1455-1732349144.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1067145" style="width:417px;height:auto" /></figure>   Pacing Westwood was sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='407242' first='Aneya' last='Britt']. The 5-foot-9 Redhawks standout led all Westwood scorers with 18 points. Among the 18 she placed on the scoreboard were 11 in the second half of play.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/IMG_0336-crop-3648x2395-1732349244.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1067147" style="width:414px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Redhawks' efforts also got a lift from senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='356925' first='Destiny' last='Omeire']. She added 11 points to Westwood's total. Omeire stands at 5-foot-8 and is every bit as gifted as a rebounder and ball handler as she is a scorer.    What's Next?    By virtue of its win, Loris got the winner on Saturday of the Carolina Forest vs. West Florence contest that took place around the same time at Manning Junior HS.    Sumter vs. Marion   Once the Lions and Redhawks had departed from the Manning HS court, the day's action concluded with a new regional rival of the Monarchs matching up against one of the state's defending champions.    Region realignment saw Marion placed in a Lower State region along with Manning a year after the Swamp Foxes compiled 11 victories in 2023-24. As for Sumter, coach Jeff Schaeffer's team is entering this season as 5A defending champions but lost its veteran core from last season's run where the Gamecocks were the last 5A team standing.   The final victor of the day would be the Swamp Foxes as they defeated the Gamecocks by a final score of 50-49 – which also snapped Sumter's 25-game winning streak dating back to last season's championship run.    Last Season's Records   While Sumter finished with an unblemished 25-0 (8-0) record en route to last season's 5A championship, Marion concluded 2023-24 with an 11-10 mark (5-3 in its region).    Remember What Happened Last Time?   Sumter and Marion last were on the same court at last season's Hoopin' In The Ville tournament at 4A Hartsville HS last season. The contest was all Gamecocks all the time as Sumter thrashed Marion with the final being 76-20.    Quarter-By-Quarter   The opening moments of Gamecocks vs. Swamp Foxes saw a good bit of both teams' offensive production occurring at the free throw line. Where it counted the most was on the main scoreboard – and that read Sumter 14 and Marion 12 at the conclusion of the first.    Gamecocks vs. Swamp Foxes was not shaping up to be the offensive clinic that the previous contest between Loris and Westwood was. It was shaping up to be a bit less dominated by defense than Palmetto vs. Manning was. At the midway point, Marion had an advantage of 26-22 over the defending 5A champions.    Both teams were evenly matched throughout the first two periods – and that continued into the third. With one quarter remaining in the day's play at Manning HS, Marion held onto the slimmest of leads – 40-39 over Sumter.   Late in the fourth quarter it appeared as if a go-ahead basket from the Gamecocks would put this one in the win column for Sumter as it was 49-48 with less than a minute to play. Except, the Swamp Foxes responded by going ahead by 50-49 with one second remaining in the game – and after that final second had elapsed.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/IMG_0417-2-crop-3192x2096-1732349412.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1067151" style="width:448px;height:auto" /></figure>   With 21 points, junior [player_tooltip player_id='569794' first='Maliyah' last='Williams'] paved the way to victory for the Swamp Foxes. A good bit of her early scores came via the free throw line, but she found more success from the field as the game wore on.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/IMG_0452-crop-2636x1731-1732349513.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1067153" style="width:454px;height:auto" /></figure>   Leading all efforts for the Gamecocks was their star freshman [player_tooltip player_id='553681' first='A'raina' last='Ross']. She finished Friday evening's game with 18 points. Eleven of those 18 points were placed on the scoreboard in the second half.    What's Next?    Marion's win on Friday earned them a Saturday contest against the winner of the Socastee vs. Beaufort matchup that occurred at Manning Junior HS. The Braves defeated the Eagles by a final score of 36-30.

Friday proved itself to be a very busy day athletically at now 2A Manning HS.