SCHSL Class 5A Lower State: Conway vs Goose Creek

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defense wins championships they say. It surely did tonight from the Florence Center here in the SCHSL Class 5A Lower State Championship Game. What team would advance to Aiken later this week to play Dorman HS in the State Championship? Read more inside right here on your source for basketball coverage all year long in the Palmetto State. <strong><em>#RecruitThePalmettoState </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Gators Defense Stifles Conway: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Goose Creek HS Gators gave fits to the Tigers all night long with its defense. The Tigers really struggled at the foul line and the ability to make shots period. The Gators would cruise to a 43-23 win and advance to the Class 5A State Championship Game to play Dorman HS. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Tigers Can't Make Shots: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Conway HS Tigers played tonight it seemed with a lid on the basket. The basket wasn't nice for the Tigers at one-time were 1-12 from the foul line. The Tigers trailed at the end of the first quarter 6-2 and 17-8 at the halftime break. Unfortunately, it just wasn't Conway HS night at all here from Florence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Seniors Step Up Big:</em></strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172567' first='Elijah' last='Dates']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1133746' first='Justin' last='Britt'] </strong>combined for 26 points and outscored the Conway HS Tigers by themselves. Dates a UNSIGNED Senior led the way with 18 points while Britt another UNSIGNED Senior finished with 8 points. This duo plays off one another very well in the backcourt for the Gators (26-4). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dates connected on some open shots at times when he wasn't finishing at the rack. Elijah is a 3-level scorer for the Gators. Dates played on the ball a lot today along with showed some toughness to jump on the floor for 50/50 balls. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1824134,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/96B3FF84-A84C-484D-89BD-BDB87130CEAF.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/96B3FF84-A84C-484D-89BD-BDB87130CEAF.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1824134" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Britt came back to the squad in late January and has only played in 12 games to date this season after being injured. Justin brings good versatility to the floor with his ability to defend multiple positions. He rebounds really well from his position along with showing the ability to finish with either hand at the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Freshman No Problem:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1824139,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/27E3FF17-598A-4677-81FD-CEBAC5329CA7.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/27E3FF17-598A-4677-81FD-CEBAC5329CA7.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1824139" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172573' first='Ja'Quell' last='Brown']</strong> doesn't play like a freshman in the backcourt for the Gators. He showed a nice crossover move at times and was able to touch the paint on numerous chances today. <strong><em> </em></strong>He really likes to utilize the left-handed bounce pass while showing some shiftiness and swag along the way. Brown finished with 6 points in the win while harnessing a lot of minutes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Final Dance: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1824138,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/6FCFBBC8-2452-401B-AF8C-0C91C358A711.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/6FCFBBC8-2452-401B-AF8C-0C91C358A711.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1824138" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1234832' first='Cameron' last='Alston']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1032749' first='Aiden' last='Brantley']</strong> will both play football at the college level next year. Alston is headed to Dartmouth University while Brantley will play at North Greenville University (NCAA D2). Both players finished with 6 points today for the Tigers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1824137,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/A8B42650-009F-4782-86F6-15B55F61D318.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/A8B42650-009F-4782-86F6-15B55F61D318.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1824137" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1173492' first='Khalil' last='Campbell']</strong> was vocal all night long on and off the floor for the Tigers. Campbell a undersized post plays in the paint and does his best work around the rim. Khalil is a mover-screener, loose change on the floor. He does all the blue-collar things to help your team. He will take a charge, rebound the ball outside of his area while showing some quick footwork along the way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>1 More Game: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Gators will battle the Dorman HS Cavaliers on Saturday night from USC-Aiken for the Class 5A State Championship to cap off the SCHSL State Championships. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->