SCISA First-Round Playoffs at Wilson Hall: Top Eight Performers

With the South Carolina Independent Schools Association (SCISA) releasing its playoff schedule recently, the road to the Sumter County Civic Center has once again commenced for many a team in the private school circuit.    A few of those first-round contests actually took place at the Civic Center itself – in addition to utilizing sites at Orangeburg Prep and Wilson Hall.    We at Prep Girls Hoops made the drive out to the home of the 4A Barons as a litany of first-round girls contest was taking place at the school that hosts the Baron Classic at the start of every season.    Among the teams that were at Wilson Hall were Patrick Henry Academy, Williamsburg, Thomas Sumter Academy, St. Joseph's Christian, Colleton Prep, defending 3A champion Pee Dee Academy, Carolina Academy, Andrew Jackson Academy, Conway Christian, Our Lady of the Rosary, Charleston Collegiate and The King's Academy.    Here are our top eight performers from the day's play.     Through two quarters, it appeared that St. John's Christian would suffer an early SCISA 3A playoff exit at the hands of Thomas Sumter Academy. Thanks to a 21-point performance from the Cavaliers' star senior, St. John's Christian punched its ticket to the quarterfinals where a get-together with First Presbyterian awaits. Finley is one of two team co-captains on this year's Cavaliers team and has played at the varsity level since she was an eighth grader. She is a skilled rebounder and scorer that can place points on the board from all three levels. Finley has maintained a very busy athletic schedule during her Cavs career as she has also excelled in the volleyball and softball disciplines as well.     Carrigg and her Andrew Jackson Academy team was locked in what turned out to be a close contest with Carolina Academy in the final game at Wilson Hall. The Warriors pulled off the 42-39 victory in large part because of the 18 points placed on the board by Carrigg. She established herself early and often with her 3-point shooting. Andrew Jackson Academy was successful on five of its attempts from distance that game. Four of those were from Carrigg. She is a multi-sport athlete who also participates in volleyball. The win sends the Warriors to the 2A quarterfinals where they will meet up with Dorchester Academy.     Hasty originally played on the junior varsity team at Pee Dee Academy and displayed on Friday night exactly why she was more than worthy of the varsity call-up. Defending its 3A SCISA championship from last season, Hasty led her Pee Dee Academy assembling with 17 points in a defensive-minded 30-18 victory over Colleton Prep. She is more of a point guard than a shooting guard as she places plenty of emphasis on attacking the rim, finding driving lanes and finishing strong at the cup. Hasty can display her ball-handling capabilities with either her left or her right hand and has plenty of speed and quickness. She has no problems attempting tough shots and the all-out effort she gives shows itself in how she will play through the whistle. Next up for Hasty and her Golden Eagles will be a quarterfinal contest with Florence Christian.     Williamsburg Academy had to battle through two overtimes and overcome plenty of adversity in its hard-fought matchup with Patrick Henry Academy. Ward's 16 points she scored helped the Stallions to a victory – and a date with Orangeburg Prep in the SCISA 3A quarterfinals. As a frontcourt player, getting buckets near the rim is central to her game, but she has no problems displaying guard-like skills – including the ability to get downhill quickly with the ball in her hands and displaying superb ball-handling capabilities. Out of the 16 that she placed on the scoreboard, 10 occurred between the second half and the two overtimes. Her willingness to call for the ball showcases how much confidence she has in her abilities and she puts herself in the right places at the right times to make the right plays.     Sexton and her Patrick Henry Academy team may not have achieved the result it was looking for as the Patriots fell to the Stallions of Williamsburg Academy in two overtimes. She still led all scorers for the contest with 19 points. It appeared if she had the ball in close proximity to the rim, it would be an automatic two points for the Patriots. Her Patriots teammates ran a number of plays meant for her to receive the rock near the rim and she would do the rest. As a seasoned veteran, Sexton understands the art of drawing contact to get to the free throw line as well as being as effective a scorer as she is a rebounder. She is one of three seniors that is part of this year's Patrick Henry Academy graduating class and has also played soccer throughout her career.     The Generals of Thomas Sumter Academy will likely be wondering what went wrong in its SCISA 3A opening round matchup with St. John's Christian. What went right for the Generals was Stines' performance as she contributed 13 points to the Thomas Sumter Academy cause. Stines displayed excellent ball-handling skills as she was able to get downhill quickly while in possession. She understands how to read a defense and how to get around said defense to attack the basket. A 3-point shot is part of her overall offensive arsenal as is the ability to draw contact and find her way to the free throw line. She put forth a valiant effort for what was a shorthanded Generals group. The defeat brings a close to Stines' junior season at Thomas Sumter Academy. Stines has maintained a busy athletic slate throughout her career as she has also competed in softball, cheerleading and gymnastics.     Colleton Prep's season may have come to a close in the first round of the SCISA 3A tournament via a 30-18 decision to defending champion Pee Dee Academy. Williams still led the War Hawks' charge with a six-point effort. Williams previously played on the junior varsity team at Colleton Prep as recently as her freshman season. She has more than earned the varsity call up which she received last season as a sophomore. Williams is a multi-sport athlete who has also thrived on the varsity volleyball team at Colleton Prep as a middle blocker. As a forward, her specialty is successfully converting on attempts in relatively close proximity to the rim and utilizing her length to compliment her height.     While the 2025-26 season for Carolina Academy may have ended with a 42-39 defeat to Andrew Jackson Academy in the SCISA 2A tournament, Amos' play ensured the contest was not more lopsided. She concluded Friday's matchup having contributed 16 points to the Bobcats' cause. Carolina Academy entered the fourth quarter trailing by double digits, but a pair of clutch 3-pointers by Amos late in the frame made it appear as if the Bobcats would complete its ferocious come-from-behind bid. Amos is another who not only wears Carolina Academy's basketball uniform but its volleyball threads as well.

With the South Carolina Independent Schools Association (SCISA) releasing its playoff schedule recently, the road to the Sumter County Civic Center has once again commenced for many a team in the private school circuit.