First Baptist vs. Northwood Academy: SCISA 4A Championship

This year's 4A SCISA championship featured two teams that suffered near misses the last time they competed in their respective state games at the Sumter County Civic Center.    Two years ago, Northwood Academy was on the wrong end of a 58-56 decision to Heathwood Hall. Last season, First Baptist's bid for 4A state was thwarted by way of Trinity Collegiate.    The Chargers, which have not dropped a game against an in-state opponent all season, earned wins over Laurence Manning Academy and John Paul II to earn a berth to Friday's championship contest. The Hurricanes scored victories against Heathwood Hall and Ben Lippen to ensure it would be playing in Sumter on Friday.    The all-Lowcountry clash would go the way of First Baptist as the final score read 64-60 over Northwood Academy.    “We got here, we kind of had to change the culture,” Hurricanes coach Presley Singleton says. “Turn it into a culture that works outside of the season. We have seven kids that either play travel ball or, just, live in the gym. And it makes a difference. I mean, they were hungry. We got upset last year and they were hungry.”    Records   Along with 4A state hardware, First Baptist's season concludes with a 24-12 record along with an 8-2 region mark. Runner-up status would go to Northwood Academy in addition to the 28-2 overall showing and that of 10-0 against region foes.    Remember What Happened Last Time?    Friday's contest between Hurricanes and Chargers was the third time this season these two teams have met. The first two went the way of Northwood Academy. On Jan. 16, the Chargers defended its home court by way of a 67-59 victory. The scene shifted to First Baptist on Feb. 6 and Northwood Academy would be victorious by a margin of 62-44.    Quarter-By-Quarter   An up-tempo exchange would tilt in the direction of First Baptist in the first eight minutes. The conclusion of the first quarter would see the Hurricanes build a 21-12 advantage over Northwood Academy.    Similar to what happened in the earlier 1A state game between Wardlaw Academy and Richard Winn Academy, the Chargers would chip away at the deficit. At the half, First Baptist's lead over Northwood Academy was 33-29.    As time ticked off the clock in the third quarter, it became clear that both teams were evenly matched. A nail-biter was ensuing in Sumter with First Baptist clinging to a 46-45 edge over Northwood Academy.    Close contests between two elite teams typically come down to who makes the plays in the closing moments. First Baptist made the plays and exercised its demons from last season's loss to Trinity Collegiate.    “It really means a lot,” Singletary says. “I'm excited for my kids. I'm so excited because, last year we were in (the locker room) crying and this year, if we're crying, they're happy tears.”    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/IMG_8837-crop-2002x1314-1772243816.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1786395" style="width:500px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='748211' first='Madison' last='Pojani'] further solidified her status as one of the state's elite 2028s with her performance at the Sumter County Civic Center. Pojani led the way for First Baptist with 22 points and also showcased that she is an accurate passer as she is a scorer.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/IMG_8757-crop-2351x1544-1772244050.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1786405" style="width:503px;height:auto" /></figure>   Pojani could not get it done alone. Fittingly, [player_tooltip player_id='1318986' first='Ellie' last='Blitch'] – who was last season's hero for the Hurricanes in the 4A semifinals against Heathwood Hall – added 12 points to the First Baptist cause.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/IMG_8852-crop-2184x1434-1772244443.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1786410" style="width:505px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='387006' first='Dyarri' last='Braddick'] can proudly say that her final game in Hurricanes purple before she heads to the Division I collegiate ranks resulted in a state championship. Braddick contributed 10 points. She will now transition to life as a Clemson Tiger.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/IMG_8868-crop-2306x1514-1772244529.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1786414" style="width:498px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Hurricanes were also the beneficiaries of nine points that were delivered courtesy of [player_tooltip player_id='403039' first='Gabby' last='Moore']. She is another of the stalwarts of First Baptist's backcourt. Moore is one of four juniors on this season's Hurricanes assembling.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/IMG_8799-crop-2184x1434-1772244652.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1786416" style="width:495px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='257989' first='Paige' last='Pouyat'] has experience playing in state championship games. That expertise proved to be crucial for the Hurricanes as she added eight points in what was her final game at the high school level. Pouyat is one of two team captains for First Baptist.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/IMG_8762-crop-2798x1837-1772244739.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1786418" style="width:500px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='324560' first='Maliyah' last='Birch'] stepped up to give one of the signature performances of her career even in defeat. She led Northwood Academy's efforts with 20 points. Birch is one of two team captains for the Chargers.    Singleton had praise for her team's primary scorer – Pojani – on how she was able to key the offense and take on a tough defensive assignment.    “She's our go-to scorer and she's guarding [player_tooltip player_id='324560' first='Maliyah' last='Birch'] all night,” she says. And she played 32 minutes. She did everything that you want and then some.”    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/IMG_8813-crop-2898x1903-1772244821.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1786420" style="width:505px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='981028' first='Jada' last='Bates'] would add 13 points to the Chargers' cause. Unfortunately for Bates, she suffered an injury late in the second quarter and did not return to Friday's contest. She is the second of Northwood Academy's two team co-captains.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/IMG_8830-crop-3094x2031-1772245540.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1786426" style="width:509px;height:auto" /></figure>   A 12-point effort by way of [player_tooltip player_id='1606166' first='Isabella' last='Heaton'] also was key to Northwood Academy's game plan. Out of the 12 she did score, eight occurred in the first half of play. Heaton is a multi-sport athlete who also excels as a volleyball standout.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/IMG_8794-crop-2296x1508-1772245685.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1786430" style="width:498px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='280465' first='Alyvia' last='Tocco'] would conclude her evening at the Sumter County Civic Center having placed seven points on the scoreboard. Tocco only had one field goal for the game but made things happen at the free throw line.    All-Tournament Team   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/IMG_8921-crop-4570x3001-1772246415.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1786439" style="width:496px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='748211' first='Madison' last='Pojani'] – First Baptist   [player_tooltip player_id='403039' first='Gabby' last='Moore'] – First Baptist   [player_tooltip player_id='387006' first='Dyarri' last='Braddick'] – First Baptist    [player_tooltip player_id='324560' first='Maliyah' last='Birch'] – Northwood Academy   [player_tooltip player_id='981028' first='Jada' last='Bates'] – Northwood Academy   [player_tooltip player_id='1173311' first='Lauren' last='Majorkiewicz'] – John Paul II   So Long, Seniors   [player_tooltip player_id='981028' first='Jada' last='Bates'], [player_tooltip player_id='280465' first='Alyvia' last='Tocco'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1606166' first='Isabella' last='Heaton'] are the three seniors that are part of Northwood Academy's 2026 graduating class. Clemson commit [player_tooltip player_id='387006' first='Dyarri' last='Braddick'], [player_tooltip player_id='257989' first='Paige' last='Pouyat'], [player_tooltip player_id='1318986' first='Ellie' last='Blitch'] and Reagan Conrad will soon call it a time at First Baptist.

This year's 4A SCISA championship featured two teams that suffered near misses the last time they competed in their respective state games at the Sumter County Civic Center.