37th Annual Pepsi Carolina Classic: First Night Results
In this article:
The Pepsi Carolina Classic is always a stop for Prep Hoops after the Christmas holiday to cover. This year the games were held back at West Florence HS. How did the opening night of games go? Let’s take a look…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe Pepsi Carolina Classic is always a stop for Prep Hoops after the Christmas holiday to cover. This year the games were held back at West Florence HS. How did the opening night of games go? Let’s take a look right here before diving into some Top Performers and Tidbits from the event. SUBSCRIBE today for all the latest coverage of the Palmetto State all year long. #RecruitThePalmettoState
Marion HS 66 South Florence HS 65
The Bruins had 3 shots at the basket in the last remaining seconds of the game but fell short. The Bruins were led in scoring by senior guard Ziyon Gamble Ziyon Gamble 5'9" | PG South Florence | 2024 State SC with 19 points. Jamarie Brown Jamarie Brown 6'3" | PG South Florence | 2024 State SC finished 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists before going out of the game with 4:47 left with an injury to his right shoulder. Jarius Davis Jarius Davis 6'4" | SF South Florence | 2025 State SC added 9 points while Amare Adams Amare Adams 6'5" | PF South Florence | 2025 State SC chipped in with 6 points.
The Swamp Foxes got 24 points from Jamarius Williams Jamarius Williams 5'9" | SG Marion | 2024 State SC . Gabriel Cusack Gabriel Cusack 6'0" | PG Marion | 2024 State SC and Junior Tahj Lathon Tahj Lathon 6'5" | SF Marion | 2025 State SC both finished with 10 points apiece in the win. Sophomore guard Charles White Jr Charles White Jr 6'4" | SG Marion | 2026 State SC finished with 9 points.
Quality Education Academy (NC) 84 West Florence HS 50
The Pharaohs led this game from the jump and cruised to a 51-25 halftime lead. The visitors from the Hoop State won the Pepsi Carolina Classic a year ago. This year the Pharaohs have a whole new team and a new Head Coach in Will Jones. Senior forward Da’Mori Lytch played last season at Wilson HS (Florence) finished with 25 points and 7 rebounds in the win.
Returner Jermaurhiyun Anderson Jermaurhiyun Anderson 6'2" | PG Quality Education | 2024 State NC a left-handed guard finished with 17 points and 6 assists in the win. Speedy point guard JJ Moore JJ Moore 5'9" | PG Quality Education | 2024 NC finished with 14 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds while Sabree Scott added 12 points. Darius Caldwell Darius Caldwell 6'3" | CG Quality Education Academy | 2024 State NC came off the bench and scored 11 points in the win.
The host Knights were led by freshman guard Josh Gamble Josh Gamble 6'0" | CG West Florence | 2027 State SC with 21 points. Junior forward Karon Brown Karon Brown 6'6" | PF West Florence | 2025 State SC chipped in with 9 points and 13 rebounds.
North Augusta HS 63 Crestwood HS (Dalzell) 62
The Yellow Jackets came back from 57-45 deficit with 4:06 left to get the win. Sophomore guard Jordan Rouse Jordan Rouse 5'11" | PG North Augusta | 2026 State SC stole the ball away with 9.6 seconds left to drive to the basket for the game winner. The Yellow Jackets were without the services of Daron Dunbar Daron Dunbar 6'4" | SG North Augusta | 2025 State SC , Tanner Harrell and a few others.
Jordan Rouse Jordan Rouse 5'11" | PG North Augusta | 2026 State SC finished with 18 points, 7 steals and 4 rebounds tonight. Toian Nabriat Toian Nabriat 6'2" | CG North Augusta | 2026 State SC added 14 points, 6 assists and 3 steals in the win. Senior DaMario Saxon DaMario Saxon 6'1" | CG North Augusta | 2024 State SC added 14 points, Cam Hallingquest Cam Hallingquest 6'2" | PF North Augusta | 2024 State SC added a double-double 10 points and 11 rebounds. Undersized post Jamison McKenzie finished with 5 points and 8 rebounds down in the paint.
The Knights suffered there first loss on the season and moved to (11-1). Junior guard Shannon Davis Shannon Davis 6'2" | CG Crestwood | 2025 State SC finished with 17 points and Xavier Johnson Xavier Johnson 6'0" | PG Crestwood | 2025 State SC added 16 points in the loss. Teon Tindal Teon Tindal 6'8" | PF Crestwood | 2025 State SC finished with 8 points and didn’t score his first basket until 5:20 mark of the 3rd quarter.
Wilson HS (Florence) 64 Trinity Collegiate (Darlington) 61
The nightcap featured the Tigers vs the Titans. The Wilson HS Tigers jumped out to a 45-26 lead and held on over a feisty Titans squad. Trinity Collegiate went on a 16-0 run to close the game. The Tigers were led in scoring by Tristan Thompson Tristan Thompson 6'5" | SF Wilson | 2025 State #339 Nation SC with 15 points, Keith Small added 14 points and freshman Josh Leonard Josh Leonard 6'6" | CG Wilson | 2027 State SC chipped in with 12 points.
The Titans a member of the SCISA ranks was led in scoring by Landon Wilson Landon Wilson 5'10" | SG Trinity Collegiate | 2025 State SC with 16 points. Junior post player James Herbert James Herbert 6'6" | PF Trinity Collegiate | 2025 SC added 11 points.
Thursday Second Round Games:
1:00 P.M. – South Florence vs West Florence
4:00 P.M. – Crestwood HS vs Trinity Collegiate
6:45 P.M. – Marion HS vs Quality Education Academy
8:00 P.M. – North Augusta HS vs Wilson HS