1A State Championship: Southside Christian vs Scott’s Branch

<p>During these Covid-19 times the Palmetto State has managed to get to the state championships this week in Aiken, SC. The State Championships this season will be held at the USC-Aiken over a 4 day span. The opening round game on the boys side featured the Southside Christian Sabres vs the Scott’s Branch HS Eagles. The Sabres came into the game undefeated and left the same way. The Sabres finished off the Eagles in easy fashion 66-45 to claim its first boys basketball state championship. </p> <p><strong>Thomson Comes Up Big in the Paint:</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="840226" first="Ian" last="Thomson"]</strong> finished off his career with 20 points, 20 rebounds and 10 blocks for the Southside Christian Sabres. Thomson was able to alter and challenge shots all day long in the paint. Thomson who is headed to Anderson University (SC) (NCAA) to play for Head Coach Jeff Brookman next season. Thomson showed to have good hands in the paint and move well around the floor all day long. Thomson checked out of the game for to finish his high school career at 2:32 when he checked out of the game. </p> <p><strong>Harris Controls from Out Front:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/5F4229D7-C98C-4A48-8742-9BB3C9EE9387.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1144062" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/5F4229D7-C98C-4A48-8742-9BB3C9EE9387-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1144050" first="Messiah" last="Harris"]</strong> a strong point guard was just too much for the Eagles at times. Harris a physically gifted guard was able to get the ball up the floor and in the paint at times while overpowering defenders. Harris knocked down some early three pointers in the game on his way to 16 points in the victory. Harris helped the Sabres win a football state championship in this past fall and finish the year at (9-0) on the gridiron. </p> <p><strong>Eagles Back to Back Runner-Up Finishes: </strong></p> <p>The Eagles will bring home the 2nd place hardware for the second season in a row under Head Coach Steve Nelson. The Eagles lost to Great Falls HS a season ago. The Eagles will return some pieces to the puzzle next year in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="865309" first="Randy" last="Gibson"]</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="837368" first="Zakee" last="Rendell"]</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="976987" first="Montrez" last="Sinkler"]</strong> and <strong>Tyler Kind</strong> to name a few.</p> <p>The Eagles finished the season at (12-3). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="976895" first="Isaiah" last="Washington"]</strong> led the way with 10 points, Senior [player_tooltip player_id="927569" first="<strong>Tariq" last="Coard</strong>"] finished his career with 9 points while Rendell added 9 points while Gibson added 8 points. </p> <p><strong>Sabres Finish Perfect Season:</strong> </p> <p>The Southside Christian Sabres from Simpsonville in the Upstate finish the season at (18-0) under Head Coach Rick Remer. The Sabres were (17-5) just a year ago. The Southside Christian girls basketball team will look for a state championship this coming Saturday vs Military Magnet. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>