1A Championship Preview: Scott’s Branch vs Christ Church

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last day of the SCHSL State Basketball Tourney starts with Class 1A. What team is no stranger to the Championship game the past 3 years while another one a state championship back in 2021 as a Class 2A. Which team will be on top today from <strong><em>#RoadToAiken</em></strong>? Read more inside about these schools on your source for basketball coverage in the Palmetto State. <strong><em>#RecruitThePalmettoState </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Scott's Branch HS (Summerton) (20-3) </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach Kevin Miller - 4th straight trip to the Class 1A State Championship Game - 3 Second Places Finishes in a row. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Eagles Road to Aiken:</em></strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cross HS 76-34 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whale Branch HS 78-65 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burke HS 62-49 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Estill HS 64-56 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Key Players: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1819778,"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/2/2023/02/6937048D-1D75-4D9E-AEB2-81C7064F5369.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/6937048D-1D75-4D9E-AEB2-81C7064F5369.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1819778" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>UNSIGNED Senior guard<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='865309' first='Randy' last='Gibson']</strong> makes the engine go for the Eagles offense. Nicknamed "RJ" Gibson is playing in his 4 consecutive State title game. Gibson finished with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4 steals in the Lower State Championship Game vs Estill HS. Randy is a stat sheet stuffer who brings toughness to the floor for the Eagles. Gibson a left-handed guard is averaging 20.3 ppg, 8.1 rebounds, 4.5 steals and 3.4 assists this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1819776,"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/2/2023/02/0A5F0C38-78D7-4095-A544-55E83BC967CA.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/0A5F0C38-78D7-4095-A544-55E83BC967CA.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1819776" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150750' first='Tyler' last='Kind']</strong> will head to North Greenville University next fall to play football. Kind a water-bug guard averaged 13.7 ppg for the Eagles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1819775,"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/2/2023/02/587C5ECB-98D7-4DBD-9212-8373CCDF61D7.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/587C5ECB-98D7-4DBD-9212-8373CCDF61D7.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1819775" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1380497' first='Jordan' last='Kind']</strong> has really stepped up at times this season with his play and perimeter shooting. Jordan finished with 18 points in the Lower State Championship Game and is averaging 13.4 ppg this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ernie Calloway</strong> is built like a tank for the Eagles. Calloway is an undersized power forward who can step-out and face-up from time to time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can the Eagles get over the hump and bring home a championship to Clarendon County this year? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Christ Church (Greenville) (20-3) </em></strong> - The Cavaliers won the 2021 Class 2A State Championship </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach - John Butler </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Cavaliers Road to Aiken: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wagener-Salley HS 98-65</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>C.A. Johnson HS 77-38 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Calhoun Falls Charter 68-44 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Great Falls HS 55-27 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1492992,"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/2/2022/06/928B3BE7-38CD-4291-83D7-16AE9FEEB5DF.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/928B3BE7-38CD-4291-83D7-16AE9FEEB5DF.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1492992" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#1 player in the 2023 Palmetto State <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='865293' first='Jordan' last='Butler']</strong> is back in the state championship game this time as a 1A school member. Butler who is headed to Missouri next fall is averaging 20.8 ppg, 9.3 rebounds and 2.9 blocks this season. Butler has scored 1,161 career points and grabbed 746 rebounds in his career. Jordan scored 50 points in an opening round playoff game vs Wagener-Salley HS. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Woods Windham </strong>helped guided the Cavaliers football program to a Class 1A state Title playing Quarterback. Windham brings good versatility and some toughness to the floor. Windham averaged 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rebounds this past season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1491054,"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/2/2022/06/524D8E8F-A165-4B35-98C5-5B3310428AD2.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/524D8E8F-A165-4B35-98C5-5B3310428AD2.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1491054" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155909' first='DJ' last='Harvey']</strong> is the floor leader for the Cavaliers. Harvey averaged 9.7 ppg and 3.4 assists from out top this season. DJ really plays the game at good pace and understands on how to find the open man. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cavaliers have won their post-season games by 33, 39, 24 and 28 this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->