Stratford vs. Mauldin: 5A Championship Preview

Last season's 5A state championship game featured two teams from opposite ends of the Palmetto State when Rock Hill proved victorious over Summerville. The 2022-23 rendition of the 5A state championship follows a similar template with a Lowcountry team taking on a bunch from the Upstate.    The Lowcountry team in question? The Knights out of Stratford. The Upstate team in question? The Mavericks from Mauldin.    If one were to predict at the start of the season back in November that these would be the last two teams standing when championship week arrived in early March, it would be an apt prognostication.    Stratford (25-4, 7-1)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/11/IMG_1016-scaled-crop-2000x1313-1668633013.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-549509" width="362" height="237" /></figure>   The Kelly McNeil era at Stratford got off to a rocky start prior to last season when the Knights finished 2021-22 with a 19-7 record. It was a sign that these were not one's older sister's Knights. This season's rendition of Stratford began the season with two losses against a pair of tough outs in Woodmont and Summerville before reeling off win after win after win.    Cane Bay and 4A James Island are the only other teams that can say they got in the win column vs. the Knights.    Last season, Stratford was eliminated in the second round of the 5A tournament by Lexington.    Knights' Road to Aiken:    Feb. 15 – 52-28 vs. Ashley Ridge   Feb. 17 – 49-15 vs. River Bluff   Feb. 22 – 44-34 vs. Summerville   Feb. 27 – 38-35 vs. Sumter   Key Players   Veterans make up the core of this year's version of the Knights. Those, of course, begin with senior [player_tooltip player_id='299566' first='Yasmine' last='Cook'], who has averaged 13.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 1.8 blocks a game.   [player_tooltip player_id='529245' first='Ciara' last='Mustapher'] stands out as a 2025 who has averaged 11.2 points and two steals a contest.   [player_tooltip player_id='175385' first='Kaleyia' last='Brown'] in her senior campaign is averaging 7.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 1.6 blocks per game.   As for another 2023 in [player_tooltip player_id='588286' first='Kirstin' last='Prudhomme'], she is averaging 7.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, five assists, 4.4 steals and 2.6 blocks per 32 minutes.   In 26 games, [player_tooltip player_id='606874' first='Ta'Liya' last='Griffin'] has averaged 6.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks a game.   Mauldin (23-5, 8-0)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/IMG_6508-crop-3731x2450-1677571634.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-606775" width="335" height="219" /></figure>   It was only two years ago that the Mavericks hired Angel McGowan, a former assistant at North Greenville University, to be the new girls basketball coach at Mauldin. The results show that the orange and brown have indeed struck paydirt with that hire.    Last season, the Mavericks were Upper State finalists only to suffer defeat at the hands of eventual champion Rock Hill. This season, Mauldin is indeed Aiken-bound as they will compete in the final girls championship contest of the 2022-23 campaign.    Mauldin has only lost two games this season to South Carolina opponents – 3A Camden and 2A Gray Collegiate – also championship participants in their respective classes.    Mavericks' Road to Aiken:    Feb. 15: 73-21 vs. Chapin   Feb. 17: 48-33 vs. Byrnes   Feb. 22: 46-43 vs. Lexington   Feb. 27: 67-50 vs. Spring Valley (Upper State Final)   Key Players   For teams looking to earn victories over the Mavericks, containing [player_tooltip player_id='242932' first='Trinity' last='Jones'] has to be a top priority. Not many teams have had success as she has averaged 14.7 points, 3.3 steals and 3.1 assists this season – and is receiving Division I interest.   Those teams also have had trouble with freshman [player_tooltip player_id='468191' first='Zara' last='Leamon']. In her 24 contests, she has averaged 12.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals.   [player_tooltip player_id='606873' first='Destiny' last='Mattison'] gives Mauldin a formidable presence in the interior. Mattison has averaged 7.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals a game.   [player_tooltip player_id='185426' first='Delilah' last='Soltys'] is also finishing her sophomore season with the Mavericks. The 2025 standout who has also garnered Division I interest is averaging 7.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.4 steals a game.   Storylines   History will be made regardless of who emerges as the victor from Saturday's 5A championship tilt. Both Stratford and Mauldin are in search of their first girls basketball state crown. Both hope to find it at the USC-Aiken Convocation Center.    This matchup also presents a teachers vs. pupils feel. Stratford is veteran-laden and is about to graduate a significant amount of its core – including [player_tooltip player_id='299566' first='Yasmine' last='Cook'] who is looking to conclude her illustrious career with a win at states.    Meanwhile, given that sophomores and freshmen make up the bulk of Mauldin's core, the Mavericks look like they will be a force the rest of the 5A field will have to deal with for the next number of seasons.   Geographically, it could arguably not get any more Lower State-Upper State than Stratford and Mauldin. It is approximately a three-hour drive to get from one school in one part of the state to the other.    When and Where?   Saturday, Mar. 4, 6 p.m. USC-Aiken Convocation Center

Last season's 5A state championship game featured two teams from opposite ends of the Palmetto State when Rock Hill proved victorious over Summerville. The 2022-23 rendition of the 5A state championship follows a similar template with a Lowcountry team taking on a bunch from the Upstate.