St. John’s HS vs. Cross HS

It is only fitting that one of the final games of the regular season in the 1A ranks occur between regional rivals Cross and St. John's. After all, the Trojans and Islanders had one of the better games of the season earlier this year.    Cross and St. John's renewed pleasantries on Wednesday night in what was their final contests of the 2022-23 regular season. The Trojans were successful in defending its home court in what was another hard-fought matchup with the Islanders and the final result being 48-42.    The win improves Cross' record to 13-8 – along with going 10-4 against regional opponents. As for St. John's, the Islanders finish the 2022-23 regular season at 12-10 and 8-6 against regional foes.    Regional Ramifications   The Trojans finish second in Region 8-A to two-time defending 1A state champion Military Magnet which went a perfect 14-0 against regional opponents. St. John's finishes third in said region.    January 17   This was when the Trojans and Islanders first did battle this season. Cross managed to pull off a victory by the slimmest of margins on the St. John's home court as they triumphed over the Islanders in what was a defensive-minded 36-35 finish.    Quarter-By-Quarter   Midway through the first quarter, on what was also senior night at Cross HS, only one field goal was successful between the two teams. Eventually, the Trojans and Islanders battled each other to stay knotted up at seven points apiece with one frame in the books.    With over six minutes to play in the second quarter, a technical foul was assessed against the Trojans resulting in a pair of successful free throws for the Islanders. Those two foul shots proved to be the difference between another tie and a two-point St. John's advantage as the road team led 23-21 going into halftime.    In the third quarter, the referee's whistle proved to be as much a nemesis of the Islanders as the Trojans themselves were. A total of 12 fouls were called in the third frame with eight personals being booked against St. John's. Where it mattered most was on the scoreboard, which read 34-31 in Cross' favor.    The Islanders managed to keep themselves within striking distance from start to finish. When all was said and done, Cross managed to finish the regular season with a six-point victory over St. John's.    Downtown? More like Frown-town   On Wednesday evening, 3-point land was more like no woman's land for the Trojans and Islanders. Between the two teams, only one triple attempt was successful.    Three's A Crowd   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/IMG_0743-crop-2207x1449-1675977159.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-596355" width="327" height="213" /></figure>   Fittingly enough, a senior on senior night was the Trojans' leading point-getter. [player_tooltip player_id='531132' first='Tranice' last='Smalls'], a 2023 guard and team captain, placed 17 points on the board to spearhead a winning effort for Cross.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/IMG_0737-crop-2141x1406-1675977240.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-596361" width="333" height="217" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='175391' first='Lauren' last='Middleton'] had herself another stellar evening at the office. She aided the Trojans' efforts with a 15-point outing. Middleton made a few clutch free throws late to solidify Cross' victory.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/IMG_0797-crop-3107x2041-1675977342.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-596364" width="333" height="219" /></figure>   Zhania Frederick also had herself a big game as she finished with 10 points. Frederick can play productive minutes either as a wing or at the two. She had the lone made 3-pointer for the game.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/IMG_0805-crop-3387x2224-1675977475.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-596379" width="339" height="222" /></figure>   With 12 points, Kaniya Smith led a valiant charge for the Islanders. She was effective in running point and managed to display what she can particularly get accomplished from both mid-range and long range.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/IMG_0806-crop-2570x1688-1675977691.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-596381" width="342" height="224" /></figure>   Dashia Buford, a 2026, concluded her evening with 11 points. Buford managed to get out in transition on numerous occasions and impressed with her speed, quickness and ability to finish at the rim.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/IMG_0811-crop-2284x1500-1675977802.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-596386" width="340" height="223" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='531131' first='Josalyn' last='Robinson'], speaking of seniors, ended up with a 10-point game. How she accomplished those 10 points was notable because how often she drew contact to get to the free throw line. Six of her 10 points came courtesy of the charity stripe.   A Tough Opponent   The Trojans had both of their closest victories this season against the Islanders. In fact, Cross' only single-digit victories this season were against St. John's.    Up Next…   With both of their regular seasons having come to a close, Cross and St. John's await this weekend when the official SCHSL tournament brackets are unveiled.    Last season, the Trojans were eliminated in the second round of the 1A playoffs at the hands of Lake View. The Islanders suffered a first-round playoff exit to High Point Academy.

It is only fitting that one of the final games of the regular season in the 1A ranks occur between regional rivals Cross and St. John's. After all, the Trojans and Islanders had one of the better games of the season earlier this year.