Non-Region: Swansea vs. Saluda

While January is typically the month where region contests make up the bulk of team schedules, non-region contests still appear occasionally on a team's slate for the first month of the calendar year.    An example of this happened on Thursday when teams from different classifications – yet, similar logos - did battle.    One could call this the Block S classic as 3A Swansea traveled for a matchup with 2A Saluda. We at Prep Girls Hoops were on hand as well for the day's festivities. Without further ado, here are a few names that caught our attention from Thursday night at the Tigers' home court.     The calendar year of 2026 has commenced in grand fashion for 2A Saluda's star sophomore guard. Springs led her team with 19 points as Saluda's Tigers proved to be more ferocious than those of 3A Swansea by virtue of a 52-26 decision. Following Thursday evening's contest, Springs was honored for reaching the 1,000-point plateau in a matchup against fellow 2A combatant Clinton on Jan. 3. Out of the 19 points she tallied on Thursday evening, Springs had 12 in the second half of play. She has worn Saluda's signature purple at the varsity level since she was a seventh grader.     Also helping 2A Saluda double up on 3A Swansea was the offensive and defensive playmaking abilities of Saluda's junior guard. Brunson's 13 points were part of Saluda's offensive onslaught that overwhelmed Swansea. Brunson did the bulk of her damage in the first half as she placed nine of her 13 on the board. A good chunk of Brunson's offense is a byproduct of her defense. Her activity on the defensive end can leave many ball-handlers prone to turning the rock over. Offensively, Brunson maintains a high degree of activity away from the ball and displays her fearlessness, toughness and confidence by going directly at a sea of opposing defenders when attacking the rim.     When thinking about 2A Saluda, one may automatically consider its stellar backcourt play. Wilder, with seven points, made it be known that her Tigers are developing a formidable threat in its interior as well. The freshman Saluda big got the start for her Tigers and aided her team's efforts by converting on high-percentage buckets. Wilder is a multi-sport athlete who also excels as a volleyball standout as an outside hitter in addition to her basketball achievements. Out of the seven points Wilder placed on the scoreboard on Thursday evening, five occurred in the first half.     The Tigers of 3A Swansea had a rough evening on the road at 2A Saluda, but even the roughest of contests feature their bright spots. Washington was that for Swansea who finished with 14 of her team's 26 points. Out of the 14 that she scored, eight occurred in the second half of play. Washington will handle the rock with either her right or her left hand and understands the art of going directly at a defense when attacking the basket. She stands at 5-foot-4 and primarily operates at the two. Collecting steals as a defender is another of the many strengths she has to her game.     On what was an inauspicious evening for 3A Swansea on the road at 2A Saluda, things began inauspiciously for Jackson as she encountered early foul trouble. Jackson compiled three early fouls but battled through those early difficulties to provide plenty of interior production for her Tigers. Jackson is listed as a power forward but has the skills to operate in a team's lineup as a big – including her ability to play with her back to the basket. Her heads-up play enables her to corral many steals and she excels even more as a rebounder. Jackson is one of two sophomores on this year's Swansea roster.

While January is typically the month where region contests make up the bulk of team schedules, non-region contests still appear occasionally on a team's slate for the first month of the calendar year.