SCISA 4A: Four Teams That Could Test Heathwood Hall in February

For the past couple of years, any SCISA 4A competitor that had state championship aspirations had to go through a blue and green-clad team that plays due south of downtown Columbia.    That team is, of course, Heathwood Hall. Last season at the Sumter County Civic Center, the Highlanders were given everything they could handle and then some thanks to a valiant effort from Northwood Academy.    It still resulted in a win for the Highlanders but it was a 58-56 result that came down to the final seconds.    Heathwood Hall's veteran core four is still putting up big numbers, led – per usual – by [player_tooltip player_id='185040' first='Lauren' last='Jacobs']. The Ole Miss commit is averaging 26 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.8 steals a game. [player_tooltip player_id='216959' first='Sabreya' last='Monsanto'] is continuing to do [player_tooltip player_id='216959' first='Sabreya' last='Monsanto'] things as the East Tennessee State commit is the team's leading rebounder averaging 12 a contest. Monsanto is also averaging 11.5 points, 4.8 assists and 3.7 steals. [player_tooltip player_id='185041' first='Camillea' last='Gore'] has also put up impressive numbers in her swan song season. She is averaging 8.3 points and six rebounds (tied for second on the team to Monsanto). As for [player_tooltip player_id='452092' first='Shamarie' last='Hayes'], she has posted numbers of 7.3 points, six rebounds and 1.5 steals a game.    As of this writing, Heathwood Hall stands at 3-3. It can be easy to look at that topline record and think that the Highlanders seniors are getting a case of senioritis. But those three losses have come against tough teams in Dutch Fork, Andrew Jackson and, most recently, Trinity Collegiate (at the Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach).    Ask any coach and they will say the Highlanders are still the team to beat in the SCISA 4A ranks – but here are four teams that could give Heathwood Hall problems when we get to February.   Northside Christian (14-0)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/IMG_0873.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1090671" style="width:507px;height:auto" /></figure>   Following its 14-9 season in 2023-24, Northside Christian has entered the contenders' chat in a big way with its move to SCISA 4A. The Crusaders have began the 2024-25 season with an unblemished record after 14 games. Its closest victory was on Dec. 13 vs. Laurence Manning Academy.    What particularly makes this team dangerous is its relative youth. Northside Christian will only graduate three seniors following this season and its core is relatively young. That core includes [player_tooltip player_id='560668' first='Evie' last='Godfrey'], the transfer from Lexington, who has averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 steals and five assists a game. It also includes another area transfer in [player_tooltip player_id='520657' first='Chaelyn' last='Tifre'] who previously wore River Bluff's colors. Tifre is averaging a double-double of 12.6 points and 10.7 boards a contest along with 4.5 steals.    Northside Christian's scoring depth is also bolstered by eighth grader [player_tooltip player_id='831289' first='Campbell' last='Childers'] (9.6 points, 4.1 steals, 3.9 assists a game) and sophomore Maddie Coker (7.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.2 steals a game).    It will not take us long to see how the Crusaders stack up with the Highlanders as they play each other on January 10 at Heathwood Hall. The scene for these two teams shifts to Northside Christian on Feb. 4.   Trinity Collegiate (9-1)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_23-12-2024_10-43-12-6660AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1119273" style="width:535px;height:auto" /></figure>   We go from a team that has two upcoming matchups vs. the Highlanders in region play to one that already has a head-to-head win this season over Heathwood Hall.    The Titans have started the season with a 9-1 showing with the lone loss coming against the 2A juggernaut that is Andrew Jackson. And that loss to the Volunteers was only a six-point defeat.    When looks at the teams Trinity Collegiate has earned victories over so far this season, one can see that this is a team that will be well-prepared when we get to state play in February. Northwood Academy, Gray Collegiate, Camden and Wilson have been teams the Titans have defeated thus far.   Trinity Collegiate is also spearheaded by seniors who would love to finish their high school careers with state hardware. Those include [player_tooltip player_id='258135' first='Makayla' last='Legette'] at the two, [player_tooltip player_id='355927' first='Saleese' last='Kind'] playing the three and [player_tooltip player_id='496272' first='Natalie' last='Pitts'] who alternates between playing at the three and the four. [player_tooltip player_id='369800' first='Autumn' last='Kind']   First Baptist (13-2)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_16-12-2024_08-55-26-4630PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1111429" style="width:514px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Hurricanes were who Heathwood Hall matched up against in the semifinals of last year's SCISA 4A tournament. First Baptist gave the Highlanders everything they could handle but still suffered a narrow 66-61 defeat.    First Baptist knows it belongs on the same court as Heathwood Hall – or any other top-tier team in the state. Coach Presley Singleton's team is at it again by beginning the 2024-25 campaign with a 13-2 mark. The two losses? North Augusta and Berkeley.    The Hurricanes do have good teams in its region – including Northwood Academy and Palmetto Christian. As stacked as First Baptist's roster is, it should be the favorite to win said region.    First Baptist has some of the most formidable interior height in the state between juniors [player_tooltip player_id='451803' first='AVA' last='RUSH'] and [player_tooltip player_id='387006' first='Dyarri' last='Braddick']. A key addition to the Hurricanes has been junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='257989' first='Paige' last='Pouyat'] who previously won back-to-back SCISA 2A championships with Cathedral Academy. Pouyat adds to a First Baptist backcourt that already had sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='403039' first='Gabby' last='Moore'] as one of its mainstays.    A pair of freshman guards in [player_tooltip player_id='748211' first='Madison' last='Pojani'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1092419' first='Dora' last='Jones'] will be names to watch in coming years.    John Paul II (10-1)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/IMG_7730.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-837032" style="width:539px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Golden Warriors put together a runner-up effort last season in SCISA 3A play only for its championship aspirations to be dashed by the juggernaut that was Hilton Head Christian.    Thus far, John Paul II is compiling yet another impressive season. The team is 10-1 with the lone loss coming courtesy of Cross Schools on Dec. 2 (pre-coach Matthew Fisher Davis firing).    Just as Heathwood Hall and Northside Christian are in the same region, the Golden Warriors are in the same region with Trinity Collegiate. The two teams will do battle first on Jan. 10 at Trinity Collegiate then on Jan. 28 at the Warriors home court.    Leading the efforts for the Golden Warriors is junior small forward [player_tooltip player_id='429825' first='Lily' last='Termini'] who is averaging 11.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game. John Paul II also has a wealth of young talent that includes freshman [player_tooltip player_id='987448' first='Savannah' last='Washington'] who is averaging 6.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.4 steals in 10 games. [player_tooltip player_id='987447' first='Domonique' last='Jones'] who taken to the court on nine occasions this season for the Golden Warriors. She is averaging six points and 2.6 steals this season. [player_tooltip player_id='987449' first='Gia' last='Sakowicz'] is a transfer from Thomas Heyward Academy.

For the past couple of years, any SCISA 4A competitor that had state championship aspirations had to go through a blue and green-clad team that plays due south of downtown Columbia.