SCISA 2A Quarterfinals at Cardinal Newman: Monday’s Results

Cardinal Newman in the Midlands played host to three SCISA opening round playoff games on Valentine's Day. One of those was a 3A matchup featuring Greenwood Christian and Thomas Sumter. The others were of the 4A variety as Northside Christian took on Laurence Manning Academy and Augusta Christian took on Wilson Hall.    On Monday, the Cardinals' nest once again became a focal point of many Palmetto State high school basketball fans as the entire 2A second round girls slate emanated from Cardinal Newman.    We at Prep Girls Hoops were on hand for Monday's games. Here is a look at how the day's play unfolded.    Andrew Jackson Academy vs. Dorchester Academy   This past Friday at Wilson Hall, Andrew Jackson Academy was locked in a tight contest with Conway Christian – one that resulted in a 34-33 victory for the Warriors.    Dorchester Academy was one of the four teams that earned an automatic bye into the second round of the playoffs. The narrow win for the Warriors meant a date with the Raiders in said second round.    Monday's play meant it was time to fill the semifinals portion of the bracket – and the first team who put its name in that portion would be Dorchester Academy by virtue of its dominant 51-19 win over Andrew Jackson Academy.    Remember What Happened Last Time?   Dorchester Academy fans remember what happened last time – and the result surely puts smiles on those Raiders aficionados to this day. The two teams met at Dorchester Academy only a week ago with the Raiders prevailing by a final of 50-32.   In fact, the two teams have split the two games they have played this season. Andrew Jackson Academy got the better of Dorchester Academy on Dec. 10 in a 45-40 decision.   Quarter-By-Quarter   Dorchester Academy got the better end of what was a defensive-minded opening stanza between the two teams. At the end of one frame, the Raiders would establish a 10-4 edge over Andrew Jackson Academy.   An “all Raiders, all the time” quarter ensued in the second quarter. Not only did Dorchester Academy execute a sound game plan on offense, but it held Andrew Jackson Academy scoreless from the field. At the half, the Raiders would be ahead by a commanding tally of 24-7.   Andrew Jackson Academy began the third quarter with a 5-0 run that had the Warriors faithful at Cardinal Newman brimming with renewed hope. That scoring binge became a 10-4 run but Dorchester Academy closed the third quarter with an 8-1 run of their own. The Raiders had doubled up on the Warriors with the score being 36-18 after three.   As the fourth quarter elapsed, it became clear that it was no longer a matter of if Dorchester Academy would win, but what the final margin of victory would be. The Raiders knew, when the clock hit the triple zeroes, that they would head to Wilson Hall fresh off of a 32-point win over the Warriors.   Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_7922-crop-1833x1204-1739884889.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1195277" style="width:468px;height:auto" /></figure>   Dorchester Academy's offensive onslaught was spearheaded by [player_tooltip player_id='1197027' first='Emery' last='McClure']. She tallied 16 points which led all scorers. The 5-foot-8 Raiders standout is one of two freshman on this season's Raiders rendition.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_7918-crop-3024x1986-1739885124.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1195280" style="width:474px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Raiders also greatly benefitted from the 13 points placed on the scoreboard courtesy of Rylee Weathers. Her athletic career has featured a stacked plate as she has also competed in volleyball and softball.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_7900-crop-2138x1404-1739885267.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1195290" style="width:479px;height:auto" /></figure>   On most occasions, a bright spot emerges even on what was a rough game for a team. For the Warriors, that bright spot turned out to be [player_tooltip player_id='582735' first='McKinley' last='Beard']. She concluded her afternoon with eight points.   Up Next   Dorchester Academy will return to action on Thursday when the 2A semifinals emanate from Wilson Hall. Its opponent in that matchup was one game away.   So Long, Seniors   [player_tooltip player_id='582738' first='Rileigh' last='Barnes'] and Ryleigh Trivette are the two 2025s whose high school careers came to a close on Monday afternoon.   Charleston Collegiate vs. Laurens Academy   After Dorchester Academy's win over Andrew Jackson Academy, it was time to determine which team would match up against the Raiders in Thursday's semifinal at Wilson Hall.    Would that team be Charleston Collegiate? The Sundevils, for the most part, have had an underwhelming season, but did earn a victory over Holy Trinity Classical Christian in the first round of the playoffs.    What awaited the Sundevils in the second round was Laurens Academy – one of the premier teams in the SCISA realm. A 1A semifinalist from last season, the Crusaders moved up to 2A and compiled a 17-7 record in spite of plenty of roster turnover this past offseason.   Dorchester Academy would learn that its semifinal opponent on Thursday at Wilson Hall would be Laurens Academy as it earned the hard-fought 49-43 win over Charleston Collegiate.    Quarter-By-Quarter   Charleston Collegiate began the day's second contest with a 6-0 run only for Laurens Academy to answer with a scoring binge of their own. With one in the books, the Crusaders would assume a lead of 8-7 over the Sundevils.   It appeared that the Crusaders would head into halftime having widened the gap between them and the Sundevils before back-to-back Charleston Collegiate 3-pointers made it a one-point game following the first 16 minutes. Laurens Academy's lead would be 18-17 at the break.   The Crusaders did put a bit more distance between themselves and the Sundevils in the third quarter – but Charleston Collegiate was still in striking distance. With one quarter remaining, it was a 36-30 lead for Laurens Academy.   Once again, as it seemed that the Crusaders would pull away, clutch 3-point shooting from the Sundevils would keep them in the contest. Laurens Academy managed to hold of Charleston Collegiate and punch its ticket to Wilson Hall on Thursday.   Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_8017-crop-3226x2118-1739885466.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1195313" style="width:534px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1197033' first='Sadie' last='Bruyere'] made her presence known particularly in the second half. Bruyere would lead all scorers with 22 points. Bruyere is listed as a two guard but managed to get herself in position to connect on high-percentage shots close to the rim.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_8044-crop-2112x1387-1739885626.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1195315" style="width:532px;height:auto" /></figure>   Spearheading much of the early efforts for the Crusaders was [player_tooltip player_id='1197055' first='Braylee' last='Burke']. The seventh-grader finished with 12 points – eight of which occurred in the first half. Accurate 3-point shooting is one of the many strong points of her game.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_7943-crop-2431x1596-1739885763.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1195321" style="width:533px;height:auto" /></figure>   A huge reason for why the Sundevils were in it from start to finish was the play of sophomore guard Vika Vuyiv. She tallied 17 points to fuel the Charleston Collegiate attack. She had a highlight with her first bucket of the game to put her at the 1,000-point plateau for her career.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_7964-crop-1966x1291-1739885891.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1195325" style="width:524px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Sundevils also benefitted greatly from the 10 points that were tallied by junior guard Zoe Vanderwelle. She came through with clutch 3-pointers throughout the contest. Vanderwelle has the height of a four or five but the shooting ability of a two.   Oakbrook Prep vs. Cross Schools   With one half of Thursday's semifinal slate set in stone, it was time to determine which teams would comprise the other half of said slate for Wilson Hall.   The two teams that would win the following two contests at Cardinal Newman would go head-to-head in the first game of Thursday's play. Would one of those teams be Oakbrook Prep? The Knights opened SCISA play on Friday with a 38-26 victory over Carolina Academy.    Would that team be Cross Schools? The Stingrays went through plenty of well-documented turmoil midway through the season, but have re-entered the contender's chat in emphatic fashion. Since the start of the calendar year, Cross Schools have only dropped one contest against an in-state opponent – 4A John Paul II on Feb. 5.    Cross Schools would ensure it would have at least one more game on its schedule as it defeated Oakbrook Prep by an emphatic final score of 62-24.    Quarter-By-Quarter   Cross Schools began the contest strong offensively with a 6-0 run. The Stingrays' defense also made plays as well as it held Oakbrook Prep to only one field goal in the opening frame. It was 11-3 in favor of Cross Schools after one.   For the opening moments of the second half, both Knights and Stingrays struggled offensively but that changed as the frame wore on. Cross Schools connected on a half-court, buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the second quarter which would allow the Stingrays to go into halftime leading 22-12 on Oakbrook Prep.    As the Stingrays put together its strongest offensive quarter of the game, it became clearer and clear that a Thursday contest at Wilson Hall was in Cross Schools' crystal basketball. The Stingrays would lead by a margin of 45-19 at the end of three frames.   The first contest between Dorchester Academy and Andrew Jackson Academy was a matter of what the point margin would be as opposed to which team would win by the fourth quarter. Cross Schools vs. Oakbrook Prep would follow a similar theme as the Stingrays would prevail in dominant fashion by 38 points.   Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_8145-crop-2077x1364-1739886069.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1195328" style="width:541px;height:auto" /></figure>   The overwhelming majority of offensive production came from Cross Schools' starting five. That included the 19 points that were placed on the scoreboard by Reyannah Maldonado. Her performance included connecting on three of the team's five 3-pointers.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_8071-crop-1840x1208-1739886203.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1195330" style="width:551px;height:auto" /></figure>   It also included an 18-point effort courtesy of [player_tooltip player_id='856288' first='Ryan' last='Mayers']. The Stingrays' junior not only gives a boost to her team as a scorer, but also as a rebounder. Mayers is listed at 5-foot-9 on the Cross Schools roster.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_8121.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1195332" style="width:554px;height:auto" /></figure>   Contributing 12 points to the Cross Schools cause was senior Genesis Wilson. She had a highlight moment at the conclusion of the first half when she connected on that buzzer-beating 3-pointer from halfcourt.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_8058-crop-1833x1204-1739886626.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1195357" style="width:556px;height:auto" /></figure>   Mya Wilkins finished the game – and her 2024-25 season – with an 11-point performance which led all point-getters for Oakbrook Prep. Wilkins is a proficient rebounder – including on the offensive glass.   Up Next   Cross Schools will vie for a berth in the 2A championship game. Its opponent? One of the two teams that were to take part in the last game of Monday's four-game card at Cardinal Newman.   So Long, Seniors   Avery O'Sullivan, Katherine Jones and Tamilla Rebekeh Lyles are about to call it a time at Oakbrook Prep.   Our Lady of the Rosary vs. Lee Academy   Following Cross Schools' win, the only question that remained is who would be its opponent on Thursday at Wilson Hall to determine one of the berths in the 2A championship game.    Our Lady of the Rosary has had an underwhelming season but did manage a first-round victory over Cathedral Academy. The final score of that contest was 33-29.    Lee Academy was one of the four teams that earned a bye to the second round. This season has been a massive improvement for the Cavaliers over last year which saw Lee Academy suffer a narrow defeat to St. John's Christian in the first round of last season's 2A playoffs.   The first matchup for Thursday's schedule at Wilson Hall would see Cross Schools take on Lee Academy as it prevailed over Our Lady of the Rosary with the final score being 38-28.    Quarter-By-Quarter   Lee Academy would jump out to a quick start as the game got underway. The Cavaliers would build a double-digit advantage on Our Lady of the Rosary and the scoreboard read Cavaliers 18 and Lions five with one in the books.   The second quarter would see both teams a bit more evenly matched with the gap between the two teams slightly becoming narrower. As halftime commenced, Lee Academy would lead Our Lady of the Rosary by a score of 26-14.   A grand total of four points were placed on the scoreboard between Lions and Cavaliers in the third quarter – and they were split evenly between the two teams at two apiece. Entering the fourth quarter, it was Lee Academy 28 and Our Lady of the Rosary 16.   The Lions would outscore the Cavaliers in the fourth quarter just as they did in the second – but the big lead that was built by Lee Academy was too much for Our Lady of the Rosary to counter. When all was said and done, Lee Academy could look forward to a Thursday matchup with Cross Schools with a berth in the 2A state championship game at the Sumter County Civic Center up for grabs.   Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_8240-crop-1833x1204-1739886828.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1195359" style="width:556px;height:auto" /></figure>   A 14-point performance from freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1197030' first='Karagan' last='Melton'] made a massive difference in what proved to be a defensive-minded get-together. Melton was injured in the first quarter but managed to re-enter the game.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_8342-crop-1833x1204-1739887050.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1195364" style="width:550px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Cavaliers were also greatly helped from the nine points that came from junior [player_tooltip player_id='1199457' first='Mazie' last='Tomlinson']. A nucleus of Lee Academy's efforts on the interior, Tomlinson is one of the premier rebounders in the state.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_8278-crop-1847x1213-1739887210.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1195399" style="width:554px;height:auto" /></figure>   Our Lady of the Rosary was in the contest from start to finish in large part because of the performance of junior guard Kate Strelow. She led all scorers for Monday's matchup with 16 points.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/IMG_8292-crop-2196x1442-1739887445.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1195455" style="width:549px;height:auto" /></figure>   Also keeping hope alive for the Lions was the play of freshman Sophia Sisk. She contributed 10 points to the Our Lady of the Rosary cause. Sisk proved to be a formidable sixth woman for the Lions as she added depth off the bench.

Cardinal Newman in the Midlands played host to three SCISA opening round playoff games on Valentine's Day. One of those was a 3A matchup featuring Greenwood Christian and Thomas Sumter. The others were of the 4A variety as Northside Christian took on Laurence Manning Academy and Augusta Christian took on Wilson Hall.