Class 5A Lower State Final: Wando HS vs Sumter HS

With this year’s state championship games right around the corner, it was time for a few more teams to punch its tickets to Aiken. One of the latest was Sumter as a defensively-charged 5A Lower State final went the way of the Gamecocks. Sumter earned a 34-27 victory over Wando at Lake Marion High School. The win sets up a 5A final contest between Sumter and Clover on Friday at 12 noon. Clover defeated Rock Hill in its 5A Upper State Final. Prep Girls Hoops was back at Lake Marion High School on Monday night for what was another entertaining game. Here is a look at who showed up and showed out. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/03/7F60FD1C-0A9B-4B69-B366-4C0A72669792-scaled-crop-1668x1095-1614687560.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-259377" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/03/7F60FD1C-0A9B-4B69-B366-4C0A72669792-scaled-crop-1668x1095-1614687560-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="171802" first="Kiara" last="Croskey"] – 2024 – Sumter High School</strong> – Even though she turned out to be the Gamecocks’ leading scorer (as well as the leading scorer for the game), this was really a contest where one cannot look at the stat sheet to get the full picture given points came at a premium. Croskey can set up an offense in half-court situations where traditionally or if she in iso and has ability to drain baskets from long range. Croskey is a tough defender and tough defensive assignment for anyone who guards her as her ability to take care of the ball always makes her a potent threat. She will also make plenty of hustle plays. Croskey finished with 12 points. <strong>Taitum Maxwell – 2022 – Wando High School</strong> – Maxwell delivers max effort every game she plays. She has a talent for being in the right place at right times as she can and will make plays away from the ball. Maxwell will defend and will find situations to get open and knock down 3-point shots. Wherever a ball handler goes, Maxwell will stay with that ball handler. Forcing opponents into turnovers, hauling in rebounds and passing the ball are also key elements of her game. Maxwell finished her evening with five points with all five coming by way of the third quarter. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-259371" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/03/2A056453-26E4-445B-A8B3-943C698AD72C.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="195517" first="Keziyah" last="Sanders"] – 2024 – Sumter High School</strong> – Another of the three freshmen that comprise the Gamecocks which signals a very bright future for head coach Jeff Schaffer’s team. Listed at an even five feet, Sanders is another, similar to Croskey, that displays impressive handles when dribbling the basketball. She too displays passing ability along with an ability to find her way to the line and then sink her free throws. Sanders provided depth to Sumter on Monday night coming off the bench and she made more than the most of her playing time by aiding the Gamecocks’ effort with nine points. <strong>Miriam Berle – 2021 – Wando High School</strong> – Even in a contest where points were not easy to come by, Berle still came within one first quarter field goal away from having at least one made shot from the field in every frame. She puts herself in position to receive passes near the rim. Also when she is near the rim, she provides a rebounding element to head coach Jeffrey Emory’s team. Berle also knows how to make shots from mid range as well and will do her best to stay with a defender while on defense. Berle finished her evening with six points. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="124080" first="Layken" last="Cox"] – 2021 – Sumter High School</strong> – Cox rocks and her presence on the interior makes her a threat to get blocks. She had the first points of the game for Sumter and has a knack for patrolling the area around the rim – either on offense or defense. Cox will make tough shots near the basket against multiple defenders and will get to the free throw line if need be. She also kept herself out of foul trouble in a game where the Gamecocks committed very few personals. Cox concluded the game with nine points – five of which came in the third quarter. Cox is headed off to Gardner Webb University next fall. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/03/55969EB6-0CF7-4AE7-89F6-62A46B1D8A2F-scaled-crop-1701x1117-1614687635.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-259378" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/03/55969EB6-0CF7-4AE7-89F6-62A46B1D8A2F-scaled-crop-1701x1117-1614687635-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="124098" first="Dylan" last="Silber"] – 2022 – Wando High School</strong> – Silber is one of the many for the Warriors that brings experience to the team given she is one of many juniors/seniors that comprise the Wando roster. Silber will play tough defense on a ball carrier regardless of what the offensive set may be as she knows if said ball carrier makes a mistake, she is going the other way with it. She is not afraid to take 3-point shots and will make efficient passes. Silber is a consistent threat to score and rebound as well in addition to being a formidable free throw shooter. Silber scored seven points in the game tonight.