Richard Winn Academy vs. Wardlaw Academy: SCISA 1A Championship

One of two girls crowns that was to be decided on championship Friday at the Sumter County Civic Center, the 1A classification had its turn at the mic first.    On one bench was Richard Winn Academy. The Eagles had earned an automatic bye into the semifinals and clinched its berth to Friday's state game following a 50-42 victory over Holly Hill Academy.    On the other was Wardlaw Academy. The Patriots were state runners-up last season but earned victories over Jefferson Davis Academy and Curtis Baptist – the team that defeated them for the state championship last season – to punch its ticket to Friday's championship get-together.    The first bit of SCISA girls championship hardware would be bestowed upon Wardlaw Academy as it rallied from behind to claim a 43-39 victory over Richard Winn Academy.    “It means everything,” Wardlaw Academy coach Kristina Spurlock says. “God is so good. I told them in the locker room, brick by brick, we have built this foundation of a solid program.”    Records   With the victory, Wardlaw Academy concludes its season with a 14-7 record on top of a state championship. The Patriots also finished 5-2 in its region. As for Richard Winn Academy, its season wraps up with a 12-7 record plus a region mark of 6-1.    Remember What Happened Last Time?    Richard Winn Academy and Wardlaw Academy, as region rivals, have become well-acquainted. The last three matchups have gone in favor of the Eagles – including a 41-38 decision at Wardlaw Academy on Valentine's Day.    Quarter-By-Quarter   As the first quarter elapsed, things were more and more to Richard Winn's liking as it grew a double-digit edge over its Wardlaw Academy adversaries. With one frame complete, the Eagles built a 16-4 edge over the Patriots.    “If that run would've kept going, we would've lost by 50,” Spurlock says.   Wardlaw Academy turned the tide in the second quarter with heightened defensive intensity allowing the Patriots to trim its deficit to single digits. As both teams entered their respective locker rooms to discuss second half strategy, Richard Winn's lead was narrowed down to 24-17.   “We had a hard start but, man, those girls, they work so hard and they gave it all and that's what I needed from them,” Spurlock says. “I told them basketball's a game of runs and Richard Winn had a strong, solid run. But we ended it and we came out strong.”    Timely offense and stifling defense continued to equal positive fortunes for the Patriots in the third quarter – and it allowed Wardlaw Academy to take the lead. With one quarter remaining to determine a state champion, the Patriots led the Eagles by a margin of 30-27.   “I think nerves came into play,” Spurlock says. “We were nervous. We were rattled at first and and (the Eagles) were hitting everything. So … basketball's a game of runs. So we just had to stop the run and we had to settle down."   The Patriots managed to do enough to hold off the Eagles in the fourth quarter – and claim SCISA's 1A top prize after coming up short last season. The final score would be 43-39 with Wardlaw Academy prevailing over Richard Winn.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/IMG_8610-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1786330" style="width:472px;height:auto" /></figure>   Fittingly enough, in their final games in a Wardlaw Academy uniform, its seniors led the charge. One of those 2026s was Katherine Trotter. She not only led the Patriots efforts with 17 points, but she also earned All-Tournament honors.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/IMG_8585-crop-4168x2737-1772238132.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1786332" style="width:472px;height:auto" /></figure>   Another of the three from the Patriots who earned All-Tournament honors was Taylor Hill. She concluded her afternoon at the Sumter County Civic Center with a 15-point performance. Out of the 15 she scored, eight occurred in the second half.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/IMG_8707-crop-1959x1286-1772238270.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1786334" style="width:481px;height:auto" /></figure>   Another of Wardlaw Academy's 2026 tallied seven points. That senior was Brianna McNeil – also the third of the Patriots standouts who would depart from the Sumter County Civic Center with All-Tournament honors.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/IMG_8598-2-crop-3452x2267-1772238558.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1786338" style="width:478px;height:auto" /></figure>   In her final time in a Richard Winn uniform, Abby Lewis would place 13 points on the scoreboard. Out of the 13 she scored, eight of them would occur in the first half. Lewis was one of two for the Eagles who earned All-Tournament honors.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/IMG_8719-crop-1861x1222-1772238672.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1786341" style="width:480px;height:auto" /></figure>   Two Richard Winn Academy eighth graders would be in the Eagles' starting five. One of those was Ada Bass – the second Eagle who earned All-Tournament honors. Bass concluded the day with nine points.    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_8746-crop-3226x2118-1772240062.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1786347" style="width:525px;height:auto" /></figure>   Taylor Hill – Wardlaw Academy   Katherine Trotter – Wardlaw Academy   Brianna McNeil – Wardlaw Academy    Abby Lewis – Richard Winn Academy   Ada Bass – Richard Winn Academy   [player_tooltip player_id='1318843' first='Milly' last='Kate Prescott'] – Holly Hill Academy   So Long, Seniors   Abby Lewis is the lone 2026 preparing to wear a cap and gown for Richard Winn Academy. Three seniors – Taylor Hill, Katherine Trotter and Brianna McNeil will soon call it a time at Wardlaw Academy.

One of two girls crowns that was to be decided on championship Friday at the Sumter County Civic Center, the 1A classification had its turn at the mic first.