Battle at the Border: Friday’s Results

One of the final mid-season tournaments of the calendar year, the Battle at the Border is always a must-see event for aficionados of South Carolina high school basketball – particularly for those residing in the Upstate.    This season's rendition once again featured a competitive eight-team field. It is also a tournament that draws plenty of eyes because it is seen as a test run for the potential use of a shot clock in high school basketball.    We at Prep Girls Hoops made our annual trip to The Cage at Landrum for this year's event. Here is how the day's four girls games unfolded.   Woodruff vs. Blue Ridge   The first game of the day at the mountain foothills featured two teams that are typically mainstays of Battle at the Border.    The Wolverines would rather forget how last season's tournament went – Woodruff lost all three of its games at that rendition – to Shannon Forest, West Henderson out of North Carolina and to Boiling Springs. Woodruff, to its credit, has begun the 2024-25 season with a 10-1 showing with the lone loss coming to Laurens at its own Varner Tip-Off.    Blue Ridge was not at last season's Battle at the Border, but has made its transition to 4A status look awfully smooth. The Tigers have begun this season with a 7-3 record with Woodmont, Landrum and Sumter responsible for their only blemishes.    Battle at the Border girls play commenced this time with the Tigers earning an emphatic 54-24 victory over the Wolverines.    Remember What Happened Last Time?    Friday's get-together between the Wolverines and Tigers was the first matchup between these two schools since late December of 2008. Blue Ridge scored the 66-50 victory 16 years ago.    Quarter-By-Quarter   Blue Ridge found an early offensive rhythm as it raced out to an early 7-0 advantage which prompted a timeout from Woodruff. With one quarter having elapsed, the Tigers built a 10-2 lead on the Wolverines.   In the second quarter, it was Woodruff which had Blue Ridge on the ropes for a good portion of those eight minutes, but the Tigers still went into halftime with the lead. With 16 minutes having been played, Blue Ridge led the Wolverines by a score of 20-14.   The Tigers opened things up in the third quarter as they outscored the Wolverines by a margin of 22-7. Those two numbers when combined together are popular in geometry classes and had to be popular for those supporting red and black at Landrum. It was Tigers 42 and Wolverines 21 with three frames complete.    What looked to be a back-and-forth matchup on paper became a laugher at its conclusion. When all was said and done, Blue Ridge opened Battle at the Border play with an impressive 30-point win over one of 3A's premier teams.   Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2914.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1121429" style="width:442px;height:auto" /></figure>   Spearheading Blue Ridge's dominant performance was [player_tooltip player_id='1098652' first='Kaydin' last='Sullivan'] who scored 18 points on Friday morning. She had 10 of her 18 in the second half and gave Woodruff problems all game long when going at the basket.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2916.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1121430" style="width:439px;height:auto" /></figure>   Also giving the Wolverines problems all game long was [player_tooltip player_id='1098651' first='Opal' last='Maralit']. She added 16 points to the Tigers total. She too showcased her effectiveness in attacking the basket in addition to what she got accomplished in transition.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2917.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1121431" style="width:437px;height:auto" /></figure>   Blue Ridge also threw an effective deep threat at Woodruff in the form of junior Aubrey Harkins. She had nine points for the game – but all of her scoring came bay way of the 3-point shot. The Tigers had four triples as a team.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2912-crop-1179x775-1735413190.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1121433" style="width:429px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='496240' first='Jensyn' last='Turner'] still had herself a productive morning at the Landrum office. Turner was Woodruff's leading point-getter with 10. The junior point guard is one of six 2026s on this year's Wolverines rendition.   Up Next   With the Blue Ridge win, the Tigers headed to the Gold Bracket while Woodruff would be in the Silver Bracket. Their respective opponents would be determined in the ensuing contest.    High Point vs. Chapman   The earlier contest between Woodruff and Blue Ridge was the lone girls contest that featured a team from outside of Spartanburg County.    High Point Academy was not part of last season's Battle at the Border. This season, the Grizzlies were 3-4 heading into the tournament (including victories over both of its region foes in Brashier Middle College and Greenville Tech Charter).    Chapman is a mainstay at the Battle at the Border. The 3A Panthers began last season's event in inauspicious fashion via its defeat to St. Joseph's Catholic. Chapman then picked up victories in the Silver Bracket to Boiling Springs and Hoop State foe West Henderson.    Blue Ridge learned its opponent on Saturday would be Chapman as the Panthers were 31 points (52-21) better than the Grizzlies.   Remember What Happened Last Time?    High Point and Chapman last faced off in November of 2022 during mid-season tournament play. A competitive battle between Grizzlies and Panthers resulted in a 65-62 win for High Point.    Quarter-By-Quarter   Just as Blue Ridge did in its matchup with Woodruff, Chapman also jumped out to a quick start out of the gate. After those eight minutes ticked off the clock, the Panthers led the Grizzles by a score of 9-2.   High Point managed to get some important production off of its bench which enabled the Grizzlies to stay within striking distance of the Panthers. As both teams went into their respective locker rooms to mull over second half strategy, Chapman had a 21-12 edge on High Point.   As Chapman continued to pour on the points in the third quarter, it became more clear what one of the matchups in the Gold Bracket would be. The Panthers were in firm command, leading 40-18 with three complete.    Just as was the case with the first girls victor of the day, the second girls victor would also win its matchup going away. At the final buzzer, the Panthers ran its record to 6-5 on the season with a dominant win over High Point.   Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2920.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1121434" style="width:438px;height:auto" /></figure>   Ironically, the three leading scorers for the Panthers were the three players who share team captaincy duties. It was a 13-point performance for [player_tooltip player_id='490794' first='Kara' last='Twitty']. Chapman's frontcourt force has made versatility a part of her game and it was on display once again on Friday.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2923.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1121435" style="width:439px;height:auto" /></figure>   Rylan Ivey finished with 12 points. Chapman had plenty of success from deep as the Panthers connected on seven 3-point attempts. Two of those makes came courtesy of Ivey – a talented veteran guard.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2922.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1121436" style="width:431px;height:auto" /></figure>   Speaking of talented veteran guards, [player_tooltip player_id='249923' first='Krislyn' last='Wilder'] is another in her final go-round with the Panthers. She added 11 points to Chapman's total. After this season, Wilder will bring her talents to Columbia College for softball and basketball.   Up Next   Chapman would look ahead to a Saturday contest in the Gold Bracket with Blue Ridge. The Silver Bracket will see High Point match up against Woodruff.   Broome vs. Boiling Springs   Following the Broome vs. Chapman and Spartanburg Christian vs. Chesnee boys games, the girls had their turn at the mic once again.    Broome was not part of last season's Battle at the Border field, but entered play at this year's tournament with a 6-5 record. Four of those victories have come at the expense of Chesnee and High Point Academy with the other two coming against Boiling Springs and Landrum.    The Bulldogs are typically on the bill for Battle at the Border. Last season, Boiling Springs opened play at the tournament with defeats to Landrum and Chapman but departed The Cage with a win over Woodruff.    The third team to fill up the Gold Bracket was the Centurions. Broome dispatched Boiling Springs with the 43-38 win.   Remember What Happened Last Time?    Broome and Boiling Springs already exchanged pleasantries last month at the Varner Tip-Off at Woodruff. The Centurions gained the 49-37 victory over the Bulldogs.    Quarter-By-Quarter   Earlier in the day, Broome's boys team was defeated by Chapman. The Centurions girls were looking to ensure Broome would not go 0-2 for Friday's play. It was a 10-6 game for the Centurions over Boiling Springs after one.    A combination of accurate 3-point shooting and making plays in transition allowed Broome to up its lead to double digits. Late in the frame, the Centurions' lead ballooned to 28-15 which prompted a timeout from the Bulldogs. As halftime arrived, Broome's advantage over Boiling Springs was 28-15.   Improved defense towards the end of the third quarter was what paved the way for Boiling Springs to trim that 13-point deficit down to single digits. At the end of three, Broome's lead was only five – 32-27 to be exact.   For much of the second half, the Bulldogs defense was causing problems for the Centurions, but Broome made just enough plays to earn the victory over Boiling Springs and advance to the Gold Bracket.   Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_3091.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1121437" style="width:429px;height:auto" /></figure>   For much of the game – particularly in the first half, [player_tooltip player_id='847519' first='Kourtney' last='Wofford'] was causing plenty of problems for Boiling Springs. She finished with a game-high 22 points. Wofford had 13 of those 22 in the first half.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_3088.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1121438" style="width:427px;height:auto" /></figure>   The nine points that were placed on the scoreboard by Chelsea Fleming also were pivotal to get Broome the victory. Fleming connected on two of the team's five 3-pointers and also made some clutch free throws down the stretch.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_3054-crop-2152x1413-1735414271.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1121441" style="width:432px;height:auto" /></figure>   The starting five for Boiling Springs was responsible for much of its offensive production. That included rising star seventh grader [player_tooltip player_id='1068009' first='Makenzie' last='Kinard'] who had herself another impressive performance with 11 points.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_3060-crop-2133x1401-1735414492.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1121443" style="width:430px;height:auto" /></figure>   Team co-captain Brynn Tipton aided the Boiling Springs effort with 10 points. The Bulldogs as a team were true on a pair of 3-pointers throughout the game. Both of those triples departed from Tipton's hands.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_3079-crop-1833x1204-1735414596.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1121445" style="width:445px;height:auto" /></figure>   Boiling Springs also had a formidable interior presence in the form of Karina Tsisun. She too finished with 10 points. Tsisun wins many battles in the interior and has no issues drawing contact and getting to the free throw line.    Up Next   Broome and Boiling Springs would head to Gold Bracket and Silver Bracket contests, respectively. Their opponents for Saturday's matchups would be decided in the final girls game of Friday's play.    Spartanburg Christian vs. Landrum   That final game featured the host team against a squad that last participated in the Battle at the Border in 2021.    Fans of Spartanburg Christian would probably rather not remember how that time at The Cage went. The Warriors that year faced Riverside, Chapman and Boiling Springs. All three contests resulted in losses. Spartanburg Christian is improved this season, going into Battle at the Border with a 6-3 record (one more win that last season and four more than the previous two campaigns combined).    Of course, Landrum is the defending 2A Upper State champion, but is a new-look Cardinals assembling. Landrum even has a first-year head coach in Kali Koenig. The Cardinals at last season's Battle at the Border prevailed over Boiling Springs and St. Joseph's Catholic but suffered defeat at the hands of Gaffney.   The schedule for Saturday's girls slate was fully crystalized when homestanding Landrum defeated Spartanburg Christian by an emphatic final score of 63-32.    Remember What Happened Last Time?    Among the many things that happened during the 2018-19 season, December of said season was the last time Landrum and Spartanburg Christian matched up on the court. That contest went the way of the Cardinals in a 62-57 decision.    Quarter-By-Quarter   Landrum jumped out to an early 6-0 advantage only for Spartanburg Christian to respond with a run of their own. At the end of one at The Cage, the Cardinals led the Warriors by a score of 15-11.    The second stanza was all Landrum, all the time. The Cardinals began the second frame with another 6-0 scoring binge which prompted a timeout from Spartanburg Christian. At halftime, it was Cardinals 27 and Warriors 14.   Landrum concluded the second quarter with 27 points. Spartanburg Christian concluded the third quarter with 27 points. With the eight minutes of fourth quarter lurking, the Cardinals were in full command, leading the Warriors by margin of 63-32.   Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_7364-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-829219" style="width:469px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='587300' first='Kylie' last='Fortner'] had herself a game and then some against Spartanburg Christian. The star Cardinals guard concluded her evening with 31 points. Included in that were 16 points in the third quarter alone.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_3125-crop-2445x1605-1735414838.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1121447" style="width:459px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Warriors benefitted from a big game courtesy of freshman guard Delaney Caldwell. She led all Spartanburg Christian point-getters with 16. Nine of her 16 were in the first half. Caldwell is an efficient scorer, rebounder, passer and defender.   Up Next   That meant Landrum would face Broome in the Gold Bracket and Spartanburg Christian would face off against Boiling Springs in the Silver Bracket.

One of the final mid-season tournaments of the calendar year, the Battle at the Border is always a must-see event for aficionados of South Carolina high school basketball – particularly for those residing in the Upstate.