Weekly Top Performers for Feb. 10-14

The final week of the regular season is always an important one as teams across the Palmetto State are looking to make one final push to the postseason – and carry momentum with them going into their respective state tournaments.     A number of teams have their tournament standings solidified by winning their respective regions. Then there are squads that look to earn berths into postseason play by finishing strong against region foes.    The talents mentioned here are among the many that did just that for their teams as the 2024-25 regular season draws to a close and segues to the playoffs.    The old adage is that big time players step up in big time games. Another is that they also show up in big time moments. Thomas did so on Monday evening in a hotly contested matchup at Abbeville by scoring 20 points to lift her Calhoun Falls Charter assembling over the Panthers with the final being 36-33. Thomas – in the Blue Flashes' final possession of the contest – connected on a game-winning 3-pointer. Even throughout the game when she struggled to find ways around Abbeville's tough defense, Thomas still managed to find driving lanes in addition to drawing contact to get to the free throw line.     The sophomore Blue Flashes big was a force to be reckoned with all game long in the interior. Paul bolstered Calhoun Falls' efforts with nine points which were instrumental in picking up the huge region win over Abbeville. In addition to her ability to connect on high-percentage shots close to the rim, her rebounding abilities managed to limit second-chance point opportunities for the Panthers. Paul also understands that playing in the paint means physicality and that contact she absorbs will have her at the free throw line on many occasions. Paul is the only sophomore on this season's Blue Flashes roster.     It has been some years since Abbeville has been considered a girls basketball power. That appears to be changing thanks to the emergence of a rising young star sporting its colors. McManus' Panthers may not have picked up the win on Monday night against a tough Calhoun Falls Charter bunch, but she did everything she could – particularly later in the game – by tallying nine points. Those nine may not seem like much, but the final score was only 36-33 in favor of the Blue Flashes – a low-scoring contest where every bucket counted. What particularly can impress onlookers about her play is the speed she has when attacking the rim along with her ability to find those driving lanes through and around an opposing team's defense. McManus is simply getting started and she is a name we are sure to hear more about as her career continues to blossom.     Brooke came to cook. As a senior, she only has a few games left in her career sporting the blue of 4A May River, so she might as well save her best for last. Dalton led all point-getters in Tuesday's contest with region rival Bluffton with 22 points en route to the 40-34 win. Among Dalton's skillset is the ability to set up an offense in the halfcourt and she is lethal in the midrange game. Dalton is also unafraid of absorbing contact which can place her at the free throw line. She is a two-sport athlete as her athletic plate also includes soccer alongside her basketball accomplishments. The efficient veteran guard will be one of a large senior class May River will graduate – eight 2025s are on this season's Sharks rendition.     A combination of youth and experience were integral in May River prevailing over Bluffton for the first time since 2020. The “youth” half of that equation occurred in the form of Duncan who added nine points to May River's total. Duncan was anything but shy about attempting 3-pointers – she attempted several and connected on the lone triple the Sharks had on Tuesday night. Duncan is an efficient from the field and is strong on the boards as one of the team's leading rebounders. She is listed at 5-foot-5 on May River's roster and is one of only two from the class of 2027 on this season's Sharks rendition.     Brown's Bluffton assembling may not have achieved the result it was looking for by virtue of the 40-34 defeat to May River. She still put together a winning performance by tallying 19 points to lead all Bobcats scorers. Her ball handling skills and ability to organize an offense in a halfcourt set are attributes of a one and her willingness to attempt long-range jumpers means she can be placed in a lineup as a two. Opponents have to game plan for Brown not only on offense but also on defense. Brown is a ferocious defender who can certainly reject plenty of opponent's shots in the paint.     How appropriate was it that on Senior Night at Oceanside Collegiate, a pair of seniors led the way to a Landsharks victory – and a region championship – against a Hanahan assembling that has made plenty of 3A waves this season. Schepp had herself a Senior Night to remember as she tallied 20 points in what was a Landsharks drubbing of the Hawks. Early on in the contest, Schepp found plenty of success from 3-point range – she had four triples in the first half and already had 16 points at halftime. Her veteran presence and versatility were on full display on Thursday evening and that will surely be the case for a deep Oceanside run through the 3A playoffs.     The other 2025 that played an integral role in that Oceanside Collegiate rout of Hanahan was Scott. She overcame a bit of first-half struggles to eventually finish with 12 points for the game. Ten of her 12 were placed on the scoreboard in the second half. One of the taller players on the team at 5-foot-10, converting on high-percentage attempts close to the rim is a hallmark of her overall skillset. Another element to said skillset is grabbing rebounds and – as one of the two team captains – she also is a valuable on-court leader for the rest of the team. Scott also plays lacrosse alongside what she does on the court.     As a team, Tyson and the rest of her 3A Hanahan group would probably rather forget about that Thursday matchup with Oceanside Collegiate – one where the Hawks suffered a 52-21 decision at the hands of the Landsharks that won a region title for Oceanside. The Hawks had a rough evening on Thursday but Tyson still managed to put forth a productive evening with nine points. Interestingly enough, every field goal the Hawks connected on was from 3-point range. Accurate passing and effective defense are two other areas of her game she is excelling in. Tyson is one of four sophomores that comprise this season's rendition of Hanahan. She particularly thrives when the 3-point attempts happen to come from the wing.

The final week of the regular season is always an important one as teams across the Palmetto State are looking to make one final push to the postseason – and carry momentum with them going into their respective state tournaments.