Region 5-AA Game Recap: Lake Marion vs. Hampton County

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It may be cold outside of the many South Carolina high school basketball gyms. But the push to the postseason is anything but.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the marquee girls contests across the state featured two teams atop the Region 5-AA standings. Homestanding Lake Marion entered Friday's play with a 15-1 record with the lone loss occurring back in mid-December against county rival 3A Orangeburg-Wilkinson. Since then, the Gators had reeled off 12 consecutive wins.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As for Hampton County, it entered into Friday's contest with a 14-4 mark. Two of those four defeats came by way of 4A May River with Hilton Head Prep and another 4A combatant in Colleton County responsible for the other blemishes on the Hurricanes' 2024-25 campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Something had to give – and what gave was Hampton County's perfect region mark. The Gators assumed the outright region lead by virtue of the 52-43 win over the Hurricanes.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Records</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The win increased Lake Marion's mark to 16-0 and the team also upped its mark in Region 5-AA play to 5-0. As for Hampton County, its region mark drops to 4-1 and its overall 2024-25 showing dips to a still robust 14-5.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Quarter-By-Quarter</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things began in auspicious fashion for Lake Marion as the Gators embarked on an 8-0 run. Hampton County battled back into the contest to trim the deficit to 11-9. As the first eight minutes elapsed at Phil Strather Court, the Gators had a 15-9 lead on the Hurricanes.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both Lake Marion and Hampton County continued their up-tempo play in the second quarter. It was a high-octane contest that featured plenty of big plays – and plenty of turnovers. As both teams entered their respective locker rooms to discuss second half strategy, the Gators led the Hurricanes by a tally of 26-18.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third frame appeared to be a continuation of the second where both Lake Marion and Hampton County were evenly matched. With one quarter to go, the Gators' lead on the Hurricanes was 39-32.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It got interesting late in the fourth quarter as the Hurricanes' deficit against the Gators was only five (48-43) late. Free throws enabled Lake Marion to hold off a tough challenge from Hampton County to assume the outright lead in its region.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Saving The Best For Last</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two teams were slated to do battle at Lake Marion on Friday, Jan. 24 but that contest was rescheduled for Feb. 13 - the season finale - due to the inclement weather that left portions of the Palmetto State in a deep freeze. That contest is sure to be every bit as entertaining as the first one was. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Primetime Performers</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1172588,"width":"522px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/IMG_4842-crop-2072x1360-1738378020.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1172588" style="width:522px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816495' first='Zimarika' last='Moorer']</strong> led the charge – particularly early – for the Gators. She concluded Friday night's game with a 13-point effort. Moorer stands at 5-foot-9 and her versatility is one of her game's many strong points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1172593,"width":"528px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/IMG_4833-crop-2072x1360-1738378651.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1172593" style="width:528px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Marion also benefitted from the 10 points that were placed on the scoreboard courtesy of senior <strong>Jimyria Green</strong>. The 5-foot-7 veteran, who played effectively as a true big, is one of three seniors that comprise this year's Gators rendition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1172597,"width":"531px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/IMG_4761-crop-3155x2072-1738379028.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1172597" style="width:531px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leading all scorers for the contest would be Hampton County's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='599148' first='Lyric' last='Jones']</strong> who concluded her evening having tallied 17 points. When watching her play, one can see why the sophomore Jones has excelled at the varsity level since she was a seventh grader. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1172600,"width":"529px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/IMG_4819-crop-3945x2590-1738379530.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1172600" style="width:529px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another sophomore provided a late spark for the Hurricanes. That 2027 was <strong>Serenity Jackson</strong> who would finish the game having tallied 11 points. The 5-foot-6 standout is one of six sophomores on this year's team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Up Next</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both Hampton County and Lake Marion will play their ensuing region contests at home this Tuesday. The Hurricanes will host Barnwell and the Gators will await Edisto.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Other Region 5-AA Scores</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bridges Prep def. Barnwell 50-46</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->