Battle at the Border: Day One Recaps
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With the 2023 Christmas holiday behind us and a new year right around the corner, that means it was time for many of the area’s premier high school ballers to once again Battle at the Border. Those that converged on…
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Continue ReadingWith the 2023 Christmas holiday behind us and a new year right around the corner, that means it was time for many of the area’s premier high school ballers to once again Battle at the Border.
Those that converged on 2A Landrum HS in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains were treated to not only exciting basketball but the picturesque views that provide a scenic backdrop to the home of the Cardinals. Eight girls teams and Eight boys teams all gathered for the three-day event.
We at Prep Hoops were also there as well. Here is our recaps of the four boys games that occurred on Thursday.
Woodruff vs. Blue Ridge
Two girls games were already in the books before it was the boys’ time at the mic. A pair of 3A teams got things tipped off on the boys’ end of the ledger.
One could not find two teams on opposite ends of the spectrum than Woodruff and Blue Ridge. The 3A Wolverines have began the season with a 7-4 record. Woodruff at last year’s Battle at the Border defeated St. Joseph’s Catholic but suffered losses to Shannon Forest and Broome.
As for the Tigers, they have began the season with a 1-9 record. Blue Ridge’s only victory this year came against 4A Broome.
The first boys winner of the day would be Woodruff as they prevailed over Blue Ridge with the final being 57-52.
Remember What Happened Last Time?
Thursday’s meeting between the Wolverines and Tigers was the first time these two teams have met since late 2019. Blue Ridge defeated Woodruff by a final of 59-57.
Quarter-By-Quarter
The Tigers were hoping for a similar result as that 2019 tilt. The barrage of 3-pointers Blue Ridge unleashed on Woodruff were helping as they were true on four of their tries from downtown. It was Tigers 16, Wolverines 10 after one.
Coaches almost never look at a team’s record when devising a game plan to beat a team. The Tigers may have only had one win going into Thursday’s action, but they were not playing like it. With two in the books, it was a close one with Blue Ridge ahead of Woodruff by a margin of 28-24.
The Wolverines made enough plays to pull ahead of the Tigers in the third quarter. It was that way at the conclusion of the frame. With eight minutes to play in the first boys get-together of the day, it was 44-43 in favor of Woodruff.
In games such as this, they almost always come down to which team makes more big plays in the closing moments. Woodruff did just that and managed to stave off what was a great effort from Blue Ridge.
Primetime Performers
Veteran leadership proved key for the Wolverines on Thursday afternoon. One of those seniors was Kory Scott. He would lead all Woodruff scorers with 18 points – including clutch free throws towards the end to seal the Wolverines victory.
Another of those seniors was Nick McConnell. He finished with 12 points and also made clutch plays in crunch time. Big time players step up in big time moments and McConnell’s entire scoring output occurred in the second half.
It may have been in a losing effort, but Nash Somero Nash Somero 5'11" | PG Blue Ridge | 2024 State SC did everything he could to get Blue Ridge into the Gold Bracket. Somero placed 23 points on the scoreboard and had a banner day from deep with five triples.
Paul Bishop was another key piece in the Blue Ridge formula on Thursday. His 13 points were also instrumental in keeping the Tigers in the contest from start to finish. Bishop added a trio of triples as well.
What’s Next?
This victory pushed Woodruff into the Gold (winner’s) Bracket. Blue Ridge would be the first team to go into the consolation bracket. The following contest would determine which teams the Wolverines and Tigers would meet up with the following day.
St. Joseph’s Catholic vs. Chapman
One of the teams in this one had a tall task on its hands – knocking off an undefeated team.
St. Joseph’s Catholic has started the season 13-0 going into Thursday. This has included a couple of close victories over McCormick and John Paul II. The Knights have already surpassed their win total from last season (11). Last year, St. Joseph’s Catholic began the Battle at the Border with losses to Blue Ridge and Woodruff before defeating Chapman.
As for the Panthers, they were 4-4 going into Thursday. Chapman probably would rather forget last year’s Battle at the Border since they went 0-3 (Landrum, Broome and…St. Joseph’s Catholic).
The rematch would go the way of St. Joseph’s Catholic as they defeated the Panthers by a final score of 41-36.
Quarter-By-Quarter
For much of the first quarter, it appeared that St. Joseph’s Catholic and Chapman were matching each other point for point. It was all knotted up at eight towards the quarter’s close before a late 3-pointer by the Panthers. They would exit the first quarter ahead 11-8.
That, of course, changed in the second quarter – and it would flip in the favor of the Knights. As both teams entered their respective locker rooms to discuss second half strategy, St. Joseph’s Catholic would be ahead by a margin of 22-18 over Chapman.
Boys game No. 1 was exciting – and it appeared boys game No. 2 would either equal or outdo the first one in terms in competitiveness. Who would be in front was also different. It was 32-30 Panthers at the close of three.
It was only fitting that a game as back and forth as this one would feature another lead change at the conclusion of the quarter. It was the one that mattered the most. There was a healthy contingent of Knights fans in attendance and they were happy with the result.
Primetime Performers
Tied for the game high, Matteo Mazza Matteo Mazza 6'3" | SF St Joseph's Catholic | 2024 State SC concluded his afternoon with a 13-point performance. Mazza primarily plays as a three and is in his senior season. He is listed at 6-foot-3 per the Knights roster.
Another of the key contributors to the St. Joseph’s Catholic victory was Smith Crick. He added eight points to the Knights cause. The team made five from behind the arc for Saturday’s game. Crick had a pair of them.
The Panthers benefitted from the 13 points that were placed on the scoreboard courtesy of Rashawn Cunningham Rashawn Cunningham 6'1" | SG Chapman | 2024 State SC . He is a two-sport athlete who can also be seen wearing a blue and orange helmet and pads during the football season.
Chapman also got 10 points from Hawken Smith. Among the strong areas of what he gets accomplished are the ability to drain his 3-point attempts and make plays in the transition game.
What’s Next?
The Knights’ win placed them in the Gold Bracket – and to a matchup with Woodruff. Chapman became the latest participant in the Silver Bracket. Its following opponent that tournament would be Blue Ridge.
Shannon Forest vs. Broome
At this point, six games – including all four of the girls contests had taken place at Landrum HS. All that were left were the two boys games to close out Thursday’s play.
The Crusaders were 2-6 going into Thursday with the two victories coming against two teams from the same area – Anderson Crusaders and Anderson Christian. Shannon Forest’s 24-3 mark last season included going undefeated at last year’s Battle at the Border – wins over Woodruff, Blue Ridge and Landrum.
As for Broome, the Centurions were 5-6 as of Thursday – only three victories shy of their total from last season which was eight. When Broome spent time at Landrum HS last year, the tournament began with a loss to Spartanburg Christian Academy before Silver Bracket wins over Chapman and Woodruff.
The bottom half of the boys bracket would start to fill up with this game – and it would fill up with the Centurions prevailing by a final of 75-39 over the Crusaders.
Remember What Happened Last Time?
Broome and Shannon Forest have only exchanged pleasantries on one occasion – that was in November of 2021 when the Crusaders narrowly prevailed over the Centurions by a final of 55-53.
Quarter-By-Quarter
At first, it appeared as if the Crusaders may surprise a good bit of onlookers and make it a game with the Centurions. The score at the end of the first quarter said otherwise. Broome would exit the first quarter with a 32-11 advantage.
The Centurions continued to pour it on in the second quarter, making Shannon Forest look completely outmatched against the 3A team. As both teams entered into their respective locker rooms for halftime, it was all Broome by a margin of 54-20.
With three in the books, it became one of those “how big will the margin of victory be” games. The Centurions’ lead grew into the 40s and there was little suspense of who would be placed in the Gold and Silver Brackets.
Crusaders teams would be 1-1 at this year’s opening day of the Battle at the Border. The girls may have prevailed over Woodruff, but the boys were on the receiving end of a blowout loss to the Centurions.
Primetime Performers
The Crusaders had no answers for virtually anyone wearing a blue and gold Centurions uniform – including Lance Henderson Lance Henderson 6'0" | CG Broome | 2025 State SC . Broome’s star junior guard led all point-getters with 25 points. He is listed at an even six feet.
Also causing problems for Shannon Forest throughout the game was junior guard Xavier Hill. He placed 17 points on the scoreboard. On a number of occasions, Hill used his defense to translate into offense.
No. 14 would score 13. Levi Bishop came in and added scoring depth off the bench. Bishop got additional minutes with the starters resting in the closing moments of the contest after Broome had put it out of reach.
Ja’Coreyun Broadus also joined the points parade. Broadus added 11 points to aid the Centurions’ cause. There are only three seniors listed on Broome’s roster. Broadus is one of those 2024s.
What’s Next?
The third entry into the Gold Bracket would be Broome and to the Silver Bracket was where Shannon Forest would head to. Thirty-two minutes would determine their Friday opponents.
Spartanburg Christian vs. Landrum
Seven in the books one to go. And, of course, the host’s boys team was looking to protect The Cage.
This one also featured two teams that seemingly could not be further apart. The Warriors have begun the 2023-24 season at 0-9. Spartanburg Christian only picked up five victories last season but one of those wins was against Broome at last year’s Battle at the Border. The two losses were to Landrum and Blue Ridge.
Speaking of the Cardinals, they had a “nine” in their record as well going into Thursday – but it was in the wins column. Last year at the Battle at the Border, Landrum defeated Chapman and Spartanburg Christian before a narrow Gold Bracket Finals defeat to Shannon Forest.
Cardinals nation would depart from Landrum HS that evening heading home happy as their Cardinals thrashed the Warriors with the final being 76-33.
Quarter-By-Quarter
Going into the game, many pundits not only had Landrum winning, but winning this one by plenty. The first quarter seemed to prove those prognosticators correct as the Cardinals resembled the premier 2A squad they are. Landrum led 27-7 after one.
The theme continued into the second quarter as the Cardinals continued to display that they were the better team – particularly on their home court. At the half, Landrum led convincingly by 32 points.
The suspense level of a game could not be any lower than what it was for Landrum’s blowout of Spartanburg Christian. At this point, it was completely academic how this one would turn out. The only question was how big would the Cardinals’ win be?
The answer was 43 points. An emphatic exclamation point from the Cardinals.
Primetime Performers
In spite of the lopsided margin of victory, the Cardinals had a very balanced scoring effort that was spearheaded by a pair of veterans. The first was Benett Edwards Benett Edwards 6'2" | SG Landrum | 2025 State SC – a 6-foot-2 junior who placed 15 on the board.
The second was E.J. Jackson – a senior. He finished with 11 points and is one of the numerous seniors that makes up the 2023-24 rendition of Cardinals basketball. Jackson had three of the team’s four made tries from 3-point range.
What’s Next?
To the Gold Bracket goes the Cardinals – and a matchup against Broome. To the Silver Bracket goes Spartanburg Christian where they would await a Friday contest against Shannon Forest.