SCHSL Week 1 Playoff Roundup

The regular season is in the books across South Carolina. That means only one thing – 32 teams from each class have advanced to the next stage of the 2021-22 postseason – the opportunity to compete for a state championship. With playoff basketball in full effect across the Palmetto State, Prep Girls Hoops hit the road to several postseason contests in the first week of play – and will do so as well the ensuing week as well as when it is time to crown state champions at the USC-Aiken Convocation Center. Here are rundowns from the contests we had a chance to watch over the previous week. 3A Second Round: Oceanside Collegiate Academy vs. Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS Second-round competition in the SCHSL playoffs began on Friday then continued into Saturday with plenty of the 3A and 5A teams playing to determine which teams would earn berths into the upcoming week's round of eight matchups. Coach Mandy Harrison's Landsharks already faced stiff competition in its first-round contest by defeating Marlboro County by only one point with the final score being 46-45. While a closely competitive game, Oceanside Collegiate's win streak did extend to six games with the last defeat they suffered being in late January against Bishop England. As for coach Cedrick Simpson's Bruins, Orangeburg-Wilkinson has once again established itself as one of the teams to beat in the 3A ranks this season. Going into Saturday evening's game, the Bruins were in the throes of an 11-game win streak with the last blemish on its 2021-22 slate being at the hands of defending 3A state champions Keenan in early January. The Bruins emphatically defeated Aynor by a score of 63-14 in the first round – without one of its best players on the floor for the maroon and orange. Something had to give on Saturday – and what gave was the Landsharks' season as Orangeburg-Wilkinson defended its home court by eliminating Oceanside Collegiate from the playoffs by a final score of 68-44. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/IMG_9588-scaled-crop-1350x887-1645369125.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-390139" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/IMG_9588-scaled-crop-1350x887-1645369125-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> With 24 points, senior team captain [player_tooltip player_id="190146" first="Deondra" last="Darby"] led all point-getters on Saturday night. She was very effective shooting from 3-point range and managed to find herself near the rim on many occasions to convert on high-percentage shot opportunities. Defensively, she collected steals and also helped to swarm Landsharks ball carriers and putting them in precarious double-team scenarios. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/IMG_9576-scaled-crop-1725x1133-1645369236.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-390141" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/IMG_9576-scaled-crop-1725x1133-1645369236-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Returning for the Bruins after not playing against Aynor was another star senior in [player_tooltip player_id="124099" first="Shar'dasia" last="Zeigler"] who added 17 points to the Orangeburg-Wilkinson winning effort. She will organize the halfcourt offense for the Bruins and displays an ability to shoot the ball from either midrange or long range. Her scoring prowess also includes getting to the rim and converting on high-percentage shot chances. Zeigler is as much a passer as she is a scorer and can get creative with her ball distribution. The Bruins also got veteran help off the bench in the form of Stephany Brailey (2022) who had six points. Brailey did plenty with the minutes coach Simpson gave her – she is a heads-up player and had no problem absorbing contact which placed her at the line. Brailey would, at least on one occasion, deflect a Landsharks inbounds pass and remained active on offense away from the ball. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/IMG_9653-scaled-crop-1806x1186-1645369493.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-390143" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/IMG_9653-scaled-crop-1806x1186-1645369493-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> On the Oceanside side, freshman [player_tooltip player_id="390982" first="Kaylin" last="Brown"] (2025) led all Landsharks scorers with 12. With Oceanside Collegiate trailing 20-9 after one quarter, Brown drained a big 3-pointer to close that deficit to eight. She was able to draw contact and get to the free throw line. Brown showcased that she can get from one end of the floor to the other with the ball in her hand and proved what she can do as a rebounder. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/IMG_9610-scaled-crop-1350x887-1645369596.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-390145" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/IMG_9610-scaled-crop-1350x887-1645369596-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="261908" first="Tynasjia" last="Ford"] (2024) with 10 points was one of three Landsharks with double-digit point totals. With a 5-foot-11 point presence, she presents a challenge for low post defenders as a scorer and rebounder. Ford also possesses a midrange jump shot plus an ability to sink her free throws after drawing contact. She wins many battles on the boards, will set screens and can also defend on the perimeter. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-390146" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/IMG_9651.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> [player_tooltip player_id="390983" first="Teagan" last="Scott"] (2025) also chimed in with 10. She too can shoot from midrange and keeps her arms outstretched as a defender. Scott also drew fouls and got to the free throw line and was confident in her abilities to shoot from midrange, make plays near the rim and win rebounding battles. The Bruins will have its hands full this upcoming Thursday. While Orangeburg-Wilkinson will once again be at home, they will be at home to host a Camden team that completed one of the most lopsided victories of these playoffs in its second-round triumph over Waccamaw. Coach Simpson mentioned to Prep Girls Hoops that his team is ready for the challenge the Bulldogs will present. The Landsharks' season concludes with a 15-5 record and an 8-2 mark in Region 8-AAA play. It is the most successful season for Oceanside Collegiate Academy girls' basketball. since the school first opened its doors in 2016. 5A First Round: Fort Mill HS vs Spring Valley HS On Wednesday, the playoffs began mostly for 1A, 2A and 4A teams. The following day was when the postseason commenced for teams in the 3A and 5A classes. Spring Valley and Fort Mill are two of those teams that managed to make it from the 5A ranks and it was the Vikings that got themselves to the next round after earning a 49-36 victory over the visiting Yellow Jackets. The Vikings already defeated coach Heather Klipa's Yellow Jackets earlier in the season – last month on the 26th when Fort Mill visited Spring Valley HS and departed suffering defeat with the final of that contest being 54-31. Vikings coach Megan Assey mentioned to Prep Girls Hoops why her Spring Valley team was without one of its key players in freshman [player_tooltip player_id="268138" first="Zie'l" last="Ratchford"]. It was because of a concussion from late last week. She called Ratchford a “spark plug” for her team. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/IMG_9085-scaled-crop-1350x887-1645369993.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-390149" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/IMG_9085-scaled-crop-1350x887-1645369993-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Spring Valley did have another of its key players in [player_tooltip player_id="185433" first="Jaidah" last="Liebert"]. The 5-foot-7 junior guard led all scorers with 20 points. Liebert showed as she usually does that she can score from anywhere on the court – including from 3-point range and by slicing through defenders and finding her way to the basket. In addition, she provides rebounding, hustle and on-court leadership for the Vikings. Liebert scored 16 of her 20 points in the first half. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/IMG_9004-scaled-crop-1350x887-1645370217.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-390152" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/IMG_9004-scaled-crop-1350x887-1645370217-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Speaking of juniors, the 20 points Liebert tallied was complimented by the 14 points the Vikings were the beneficiary of courtesy of 5-foot 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="264040" first="Madison" last="Entzminger"]. She made tough shots and managed to draw contact which found herself at the free throw line. Entzminger will also organize the Spring Valley offense in the halfcourt and will either penetrate to the rim or pass the ball to one of her open teammates. She is quick in transition, will come seemingly from out of nowhere to make defensive plays and will also be in iso offensive scenarios. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/IMG_9020-scaled-crop-2050x1346-1645370349.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-390156" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/IMG_9020-scaled-crop-2050x1346-1645370349-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="266086" first="Nadia" last="Dial"], in what turned out to be the final basketball game of her high school career, finished said career with an 11-point effort. Dial is a 6-foot senior that does not give up on any plays and is willing to shoot the ball from either midrange or long range. She will grab plenty of rebounds and also has shown herself to be a proficient shot blocker. Dial announced prior to the season that she will continue her athletic and academic career at Army in West Point. Spring Valley would take to the road to face Dorman in the round of 16 but suffered a 48-45 defeat to the Cavaliers to end its season. The Vikings finished with a 16-10 record and a 5-3 showing in Region 4-AAAAA play. The season is also in the books for the Yellow Jackets as they will conclude the 2021-22 campaign with a 9-18 record along with a 3-5 mark in its Region 3-AAAAA play. 1A First Round: Branchville HS vs. McBee HS The 4-11 Branchville Yellow Jackets faced a tall task taking on a McBee team that was ranked ninth in Prep Girls Hoops' recent rankings of 1A teams going into the playoffs. Things looked promising for the Yellow Jackets at the outset, but eventually the Panthers proved exactly why they are worthy of that top-10 ranking by virtue of its dominant 64-27 win to eliminate Branchville. It was in the second quarter when a cold reality was setting in for the Yellow Jackets. McBee claimed a 13-7 after the first quarter, but the second stanza was all Panthers as the lead for coach Yolanda McDonald's team ballooned to 25 – 41-16 at the half. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/IMG_8979-scaled-crop-2408x1581-1645370703.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-390163" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/IMG_8979-scaled-crop-2408x1581-1645370703-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Diana Williams (2024) finished with 16 points. She did all of her scoring in the first three frames of play – including connecting on a couple of 3-pointers in the second quarter. If she gets fouled, she also will connect on her free throws. Williams is a threat to make defensive plays as well as she will collect steals and come from out of nowhere to force opponents into turnovers. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/IMG_8977-scaled-crop-2521x1656-1645370829.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-390165" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/IMG_8977-scaled-crop-2521x1656-1645370829-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="391032" first="Stormy" last="Harper"] (2024) also tallied 16 points. Both Williams and Harper have also participated in track and field events during their time with the Panthers. Harper made four 3-pointers in a game where McBee had plenty of success shooting the ball from deep. She will also cut to the rim, score off inbounds passes, can dish the rock out to her teammates and particularly will shoot the corner triple. Harper also can deflect passes as a defender. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/IMG_8975-scaled-crop-2317x1522-1645370973.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-390169" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/IMG_8975-scaled-crop-2317x1522-1645370973-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="185232" first="Tyneisha" last="Hickman"] (2022) added 10 points to the Panthers effort. She was kept off the scoreboard in the first quarter but eventually put points on the scoreboard – including a pair of 3-pointers. She is a quick passer, will organize an offense in the halfcourt, and can make accurate passes to teammates. Hickman is particularly a problem for opponents on defenses as she is a consistent threat to steal the ball and go the other way with it. She had a steal and made a 3-pointer near halfcourt to close out the first half – a microcosm of how the game went for McBee. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-390172" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/IMG_8918-scaled-crop-1930x1268-1645371139-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> For Branchville, Margo Riser (2022) concluded her game – and her Yellow Jackets career – with a 14-point outing. Listed at 5-foot-5, she takes care of the ball, can get from one end of the floor to the other with the ball and can sink her free throws at the line. Defensively, she plays tough defense, keeps her arms stretched and will help with her teammates to trap opposing ball carriers. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-390175" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/IMG_8957-scaled-crop-2048x1345-1645371261-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Riley Shuler (2024) added seven points. She had plenty of occasions where she called for the ball in transition. She would also draw fouls and find her way to the free throw line. Shuler managed to find her shot in the second half as she made a couple of 3-point tries. McBee's season has continued into the 1A round of eight after earning a 62-55 victory over Calhoun Falls Charter on Friday in the second round. Up next for the Panthers is High Point Academy at home on Monday. The Yellow Jackets will finish its season with a 4-12 record.