Region 7-AAAAA: Lucy Beckham vs. Stratford

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5A classification is currently divided into two divisions. That distinction will no longer be the case beginning with the 2026-27 season, but 5A having its Division 1 and Division 2 splits created plenty of examples where region rivals were in different divisions.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of those is in Region 7-AAAAA where the Knights of Stratford hosted Lucy Beckham's Bengals. Both Bengals and Knights dropped their initial region contests of the schedule.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lucy Beckham dropped a 60-21 decision to defending 5A Division 2 champion Berkeley on Jan. 9 and Stratford was on the wrong end of a 67-22 result to 5A Division 1 Wando the same day.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We at Prep Girls Hoops made the trip down to the Lowcountry for the contest where a team was guaranteed to claim its first region win of the season. Here are a few notable names from Tuesday's play.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1654872"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6967af28c3571"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Bengals of 5A Lucy Beckham brought a strong interior attack to The Castle. One of the key elements to that effort was Dews who is one of three team co-captains on this year's Bengals team. Her performance was not only defined by the 22 points she placed on the scoreboard for Lucy Beckham but also by her stellar playmaking abilities and high basketball IQ. Dews also had a highlight at the conclusion at the first half when she drained a buzzer-beating 3-pointer that allowed the Bengals to head into halftime ahead by a six-point, 36-30 margin. Dews is one of seven seniors on this year's team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1060696"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1654873,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6967af28c3635"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Also among the 2026 graduating class at 5A Division 2 Lucy Beckham was Meslow. She also greatly boosted what the Bengals were looking to get accomplished in the interior to the tune of 15 points. Early in the second half, it appeared as if the momentum was on the side of the homestanding Knights. Meslow keyed a scoring binge that turned the tide back in favor of the Bengals. She presents the characteristics of a “point-forward” considering she has the interior scoring abilities of a four or five with the ball-handling attributes of a point guard. Meslow stands at 5-foot-10. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1654884"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6967af28c36ce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If the first few minutes of 5A Division 1 Stratford's contest with 5A Division 2 Lucy Beckham were any indication, it appeared the Knights would fall to the Bengals in a rout. The sharpshooting heroics of Johnson brought a massive lift to Stratford and ensured Tuesday's matchup would be competitive. Johnson led all Knights point-getters with 13. Out of the eight 3-pointers that the Knights connected on, three of them departed from Johnson's hands. She also understands that drawing contact and getting to the free throw line can also increase her team's chances of winning. Johnson is one of three sophomores on this year's Stratford team and also brings plenty of toughness with her to the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1654889"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6967af28c373c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Knights of 5A Division 1 Stratford may have entered Tuesday's region matchup against 5A Division 2 Lucy Beckham with only two wins (2A Eau Claire, 5A Division 1 Stall). The seven points Davis scored against the tough region foe are an indication that the Knights are better than their topline record. Defensively, she will keep her hands outstretched on defense. Davis is another of the three sophomores on this season's Knights team. She understands the concept of playing with her back to the basket as well as that of being ready to box out in case of an opponent's missed free throw attempt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1654897"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6967af28c37aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Bengals' presence in the interior that it included depth off the bench. Ciesar helped those efforts as 5A Division 2 Lucy Beckham's sixth woman as her 11 points helped the Bengals claim its first region victory of 2025-26. Out of the 11 she placed on the board, eight occurred in the second half of play. Ciesar is another 5-foot-10 standout that is as potent a rebounder as she can be a scorer. She is a multi-sport athlete who has also competed in tennis throughout her career. Ciesar is one of the five sophomores that are on this year's Lucy Beckham squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1654905"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6967af28c387a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Even though 5A Division 1 Stratford was on the receiving end of a 20-point loss to Lucy Beckham, Boyd put forth a winning effort as she contributed 11 points to the Knights' cause. Out of the 11 points she did score, six took place in the second half. Boyd's 11 points actually helped Stratford to its second-best offensive performance this season – the Knights scored 60 points earlier in the season against 5A Division1 Stall. Boyd plays with a heads-up attitude at all times while on the court which enable her to take advantage of an opposing team's miscues. She is one of five seniors on this year's Knights team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1654910"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6967af28c3919"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tuesday's contest between the Bengals and Knights featured contrasting strategies. Where interior play was what made things happen for 5A Division 2 Lucy Beckham, Stratford of the 5A Division 1 ranks, countered with exceptional guard play. Porto-Cesca's eight points was part of that backcourt strategy that powered the Knights to its second-best offensive output of the season. While her accuracy from distance is a key element to her skillset, she also has no issues with finding driving lanes to the rim and finishing strong at the cup. Porto-Cesca is one of three 2027s on this year's Stratford roster. Five of her eight points occurred in the second half. She also has competed in the track and field realm throughout her athletic career. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->