Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS vs Strom Thurmond HS

The long trip for Orangeburg-Wilkinson to Strom Thurmond was a productive one for the Bruins as they picked up a 47-33 victory over the Rebels in Johnston. With the Bruins having built a 27-10 lead at halftime, it looked as if a blowout sort of game was inevitable. The Rebels made things interesting in the third quarter, but Orangeburg-Wilkinson managed to gain a win at the conclusion of Wednesday night’s game. Prep Girls Hoops was on hand at Strom Thurmond High School to take in the proceedings. Here is a look at who stood out from both teams on Wednesday evening. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-254238" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/02/1A3F7F90-5E79-4D4F-92C6-CE5E649150EF-scaled-crop-2560x1681-1613048924-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="241662" first="Deondra" last="Jones"] – 2022 – Strom Thurmond High School</strong> – As she went, so did the Rebels. When Jones began finding her rhythm in the second and third quarters, it looked as if it had a domino effect and allowed the rest of the team to feel more confident as well that it could scratch its way back into the game. It all starts with rebounding for Jones and that work she puts in on the glass can translate into another thing she does effectively – find her way to the free throw line. She is also very strong to the rim and can defend as well. Jones concluded her evening with 11 points. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="124099" first="Shar’dasia" last="Zeigler"] – 2022 – Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School</strong> – Zeigler kept the Strom Thurmond defense (and offense) on its heels all game long. If she was not scoring in the half court offense, she was defending and getting her Bruins in position to cause Rebels turnovers. On lots of occasions, those turnovers enabled her to get out in transition for easy layups – something coach Cedrick Simpson’s team was doing all game. Zeigler is also an effective passer and plays with lots of quickness. Zeigler tallied 20 points. Zeigler has given a early pledge to play at South Carolina State University after high school. <strong>Makayla Ralls – 2022 – Strom Thurmond High School</strong> – Ralls can ball, and in this game, she was doing so after coming off the bench. Ralls actually provided the first basket for the Rebels when she drained a 3-pointer which snapped an 11-0 scoring run which Orangeburg-Wilkinson began the game with. Taking shots from behind the arc is a central element of her game – as is rebounding. It was the only made 3 for the Rebels until the fourth quarter. She can and will also get to the free throw line as well. Ralls scored five points on Wednesday night – including a pair of made free throws. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-254239" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/02/769F2A9D-B914-41B8-B09D-78FAE78D2E5B.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="190146" first="Deondra" last="Darby"] – 2022 – Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School</strong> – Darby is another for the Bruins that is also adept at the transition offense as there was plenty of that from her all game. When Orangeburg-Wilkinson began the game with its 11-0 run, she was one of the primary catalysts for getting her team going early. Darby was also one of the defensive stalwarts that enabled the Bruins to make things happen on the other end of the floor. And on plenty of occasions on the opposite end, it involved Darby putting points on the board from the line. She scored 14 points. <strong>Ella Stone – 2022 – Strom Thurmond High School</strong> – Stone was as solid as a rock for the Rebels – and this was shown particularly in the third quarter when coach Landon Booker’s team had, arguably, its best frame of the game between it and the fourth. She was one of two players who spearheaded Strom’s efforts to fight its way back in the game – particularly from the free throw line. Stone also can collect rebounds and can be effective with her ball handling skills as well as with those as a passer. And some of Stone’s occasions where she passes or takes care of the basketball can occur after she managed to get the ball from the other team. Stone finished with eight points. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-254243" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/02/EF475B9E-2AF9-49AD-976F-6C86C2170123-scaled-crop-1586x1041-1613049273-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="190147" first="Asia" last="Graves"] – 2022 – Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School</strong> – It may have been Senior Night at Strom Thurmond High School, but it might as well have been Junior Night given how many from the class of 2022 showed up and showed out. Graves displayed defensive prowess and was another who aided the Bruins’ transition game. Graves also was an integral piece in the Bruins’ ability to move the ball and was one of two Orangeburg-Wilkinson starters who only committed one foul for the game. One personal and 11 points equates to an effective evening at the office.