SCISA 1A Championship: Curtis Baptist vs. Wardlaw Academy

The eight-day card of championship contests at the Sumter County Civic Center got underway on Friday with the 1A girls final.    Because of the 1A girls field only featuring six teams – and Curtis Baptist receiving an automatic bye to the semifinals, the Crusaders only had to win one game. That contest was against Holly Hill Academy to punch its ticket to the championship contest.    The same applied to Wardlaw Academy. The Patriots also earned an automatic bye and won only one game – against Richard Winn Academy – to earn the privilege of playing on championship Friday in Sumter.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_9320-crop-4032x2648-1740229811.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1200998" style="width:695px;height:auto" /></figure>   The first team to claim state hardware would be Curtis Baptist as it defeated Wardlaw Academy with the final score being 56-36.    Records   Along with the spoils of being crowned 1A SCISA champions, Curtis Baptist concludes the 2024-25 season with a record of 19-5 in addition to finishing 4-0 in its region. As 1A runners-up, Wardlaw Academy finishes with a 13-9 mark and a region record of 4-0.    Remember What Happened Last Time?   What likely had backers of the Crusaders feeling confident heading into Friday's championship tilt was the result of an earlier contest between these two teams. That matchup would see Curtis Baptist take care of home by defeating Wardlaw Academy with the final score being 36-24.   Quarter-By-Quarter   Things began auspiciously for Curtis Baptist as it jumped out to a 5-0 run only for Wardlaw Academy to close the gap to one at 7-6. The Crusaders extended the lead to 12-6 and had a 14-10 advantage over the Patriots after one.   It was in the second quarter when Curtis Baptist expanded its advantage to double digits. As both teams would go into their respective locker rooms to discuss second half strategy, the Crusaders led the Patriots by a margin of 33-19.   That Curtis Baptist lead would grow from the teens in the second quarter into the twenties in the third. One quarter remained to determine the first of eight SCISA state champions with the Crusaders leading by a margin of 49-29.   Unless Wardlaw Academy was to embark on an extended run, this one became a matter of what the final margin of victory for Curtis Baptist would be as opposed to if the Crusaders would prevail. There was no run, the Crusaders would look forward to a jubilant trip back on Interstate 20 celebrating its state championship.   Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_9182-crop-2282x1499-1740228915.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1200907" style="width:566px;height:auto" /></figure>   There is no sweeter feeling for a high school athlete than to go out a champion – and that was the case for [player_tooltip player_id='1005150' first='Jaliyah' last='Terry']. She would lead all point-getters with 20. Terry did the bulk of her damage in the first half tallying 16.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_9183-crop-3777x2480-1740229050.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1200940" style="width:566px;height:auto" /></figure>   The 20 of Terry was complimented by a 12-point effort courtesy of Maci Butler. At 5-foot-10, Butler creates a matchup problem that Wardlaw Academy's defense had very few answers for. Butler is one of three juniors on this season's team.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_9235-crop-3596x2361-1740229291.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1200957" style="width:565px;height:auto" /></figure>   Curtis Baptist also benefitted from a 3-point shooting dimension to its efforts courtesy of Lily Kilroy. She added 11 points to the Crusaders' efforts. Curtis Baptist connected on five 3-pointers on Friday afternoon. Three were Kilroy's.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_9290-crop-3010x1976-1740229423.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1200975" style="width:564px;height:auto" /></figure>   Wardlaw Academy's attack was spearheaded by junior Taylor Hill. She finished with 13 points. Hill is a multi-sport athlete who also competes in volleyball alongside her basketball accomplishments.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_9311-crop-1833x1204-1740229549.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1200984" style="width:568px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Patriots would get a lift from senior Maddie DeLoach. Her final occasion sporting the signature colors of Wardlaw Academy would see her place nine points on the board. She also had three of the team's four 3-pointers.   All-Tournament Team   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_9329-crop-3226x2118-1740230054.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1201035" style="width:570px;height:auto" /></figure>   Charlotte Lewis – Richard Winn   Taylor Hill – Wardlaw Academy   Maddie DeLoach – Wardlaw Academy   Lily Kilroy – Curtis Baptist   Maci Butler – Curtis Baptist   [player_tooltip player_id='1005150' first='Jaliyah' last='Terry'] – Curtis Baptist   So Long, Seniors   Lily Kilroy, [player_tooltip player_id='1005150' first='Jaliyah' last='Terry'] and Chloe Prescott are the three seniors that will soon call it a time at Curtis Baptist. The same applies to Maddie DeLoach, Hailey Holmes and Liz Park at Wardlaw Academy.

The eight-day card of championship contests at the Sumter County Civic Center got underway on Friday with the 1A girls final.