Blackville-Hilda Hawk Invitational: First Day Recaps
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Now that the Christmas holiday is in the backburner, the stars of South Carolina high school basketball are in search of even more good cheer in the form of victories on the hardwood. On the other side of the brief…
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Continue ReadingNow that the Christmas holiday is in the backburner, the stars of South Carolina high school basketball are in search of even more good cheer in the form of victories on the hardwood.
On the other side of the brief athletic break was the resumption of the midseason tournament schedule. One of those tournaments was the Blackville-Hilda Hawk Invitational in the easternmost regions of the CSRA. Unlike the girls’ portion of the schedule, the boys leg of the tournament followed a more traditional bracket format with eight teams.
We at Prep Hoops made the trip to the trip to Blackville-Hilda for the first day of the tournament. Here is how that first day unfolded.
Swansea vs. Barnwell
Following the conclusion of the first girls contest of the day, the boys had their first turn at the mic later that morning.
It featured a 3A Swansea team that is still in search of its first victory of the season. It also featured a 2A Barnwell assembling whose only defeats of the 2023-24 campaign have come at the hands of Bamberg-Ehrhardt.
The Tigers were not part of last season’s Blackville-Hilda Christmas Tournament, but the Warhorses were. Barnwell went 1-1 against Ridge Spring-Monetta along with defeating the host Hawks.
The first boys game of the day went the way of the Warhorses as they emphatically defeated the Tigers by a final of 80-47.
Remember What Happened Last Time?
It has been nearly a decade – 2014 to be exact – when the Tigers and Warhorses were last on the same court. That matchup, in January of that year, went the way of Swansea via a 48-45 win over Barnwell.
Quarter-By-Quarter
Barnwell wasted no time dominating Swansea with offensive efficiency the Tigers had little to no answers for. Swansea managed to find a bit of success towards the latter portions of the frame, but the Warhorses established a 20-7 lead after one quarter.
The second quarter appeared to be a continuation of the first. A balanced scoring effort from the Warhorses continued to leave the Tigers guessing. As halftime commenced, the Barnwell lead would be 38-16 over Swansea.
When it rains, it pours. Barnwell continued to pour points on Swansea. The Warhorses, up to that point, had their best offensive quarter of the contest, upping their point total to the 60s. It was a 61-25 score through three stanzas.
What was not in question in the fourth quarter was if the Warhorses would come away with a victory. What was in question was the point margin. Said margin of victory turned out to be 33 for Barnwell.
Primetime Performers
Two of the Warhorses’ double-digit point-getters were from the team’s starting five. One of those was Vashahd Scofield, a sophomore four who is listed at 5-foot-10. Scofield concluded the game with 18 points.
Another one of Barnwell’s key catalysts was Jayden Pickney, a 2025 who plays primarily in the backcourt. Pickney added 15 points to the Warhorses’ total. He also assumes team captaincy duties for Barnwell.
The secret weapon off the bench the Warhorses threw at the Tigers was Henri Creech. He is a freshman listed at 6-foot-2. He finished with 10 points and gave the Warhorses depth in the interior.
Leading all scorers for the game was Donnell Goodwin. Out of the 47 points Swansea put on the board as a team, 27 of those came courtesy of Goodwin. Even when Barnwell embarked on a scoring binge early, he gave the Tigers early signs of life.
What’s Next?
While Swansea would go to the consolation bracket to face Andrew Jackson Academy (who lost to White Knoll later in the day, Barnwell’s next opponent would be determined in the second boys contest of this year’s event.
Ridge Spring-Monetta vs. Williston-Elko
That contest would feature two teams that are very familiar with each other given they not only are 1A teams – but regional rivals.
Both the Trojans and Blue Devils were part of last year’s Blackville-Hilda Hawk Invitational, albeit with less than memorable results. Ridge Spring-Monetta suffered defeats at the hands of Edisto and Barnwell – even though it began with a win over the Warhorses. For Williston-Elko, it was placed in the loss column thanks to the former 2A Wade Hampton and Wagener-Salley.
Something had to give – and what gave was Williston-Elko’s recent hard luck at the Hawks nest. The Blue Devils pulled off a 65-51 win over Ridge Spring-Monetta.
Remember What Happened Last Time?
The scene was Williston-Elko HS the last time these two teams did battle. Last January, the Blue Devils prevailed in what was a competitive 43-40 win over Ridge Spring-Monetta.
Quarter-By-Quarter
From the looks of things, it appeared the Trojans and Blue Devils would provide a much more entertaining contest than was the case in the first boys matchup of the day. The first quarter of said contest would conclude with Williston-Elko ahead by a score of 12-8.
Williston-Elko and Ridge Spring-Monetta appeared to be as evenly matched as two teams could possibly be in the second. One probably would not be surprised given their region rivalry. At the half, the Blue Devils had a 27-21 edge over the Trojans.
As the third quarter started, it appeared the game would start to tilt in Williston-Elko’s favor as the Blue Devils built up a double-digit lead. Ridge Spring-Monetta battled bring to bring it back to a single-digit margin – which is where it would be going to the fourth.
What made the difference in this highly competitive contest was the Blue Devils making more clutch plays when it mattered most. The renewal of this regional rivalry would go the way of Williston-Elko.
Primetime Performers
Deonte’ Holman led all scorers with a 21-point performance. Holman is a two-sport athlete as football is also part of his athletic plate in addition to basketball. He is listed at 6-foot-2 and display efficiency with athleticism.
A pair of juniors were also important cogs in the winning formula on Wednesday for the Blue Devils. One of those juniors was Carlos Drayton Carlos Drayton 6'0" | CG Williston-Elko | 2025 State SC . He added 17 points to the Williston-Elko cause. He too is also part of Williston-Elko’s football team.
The other 2025 in question was Joc’Quise Washington. He tallied 13 points. Washington displayed what he can get accomplished near the rim and works for everything he gets. He maintains a never-give-up attitude on the court.
With 11 points, sophomore Akiem Mills led the offensive efforts for Ridge Spring-Monetta. He is another who also displays his skills football-wise (as a strong safety and wide receiver) in addition to basketball.
Ridge Spring-Monetta also had a bit of depth off the bench courtesy of James Bosket. The upperclassman for the Trojans helped the Ridge Spring-Monetta cause with 10 points. The Trojans had made four 3-pointers for Wednesday’s game. Two of those triples departed from Bosket’s hands.
What’s Next?
Williston-Elko advanced to the winner’s bracket – and a date with Barnwell the following day. As for Ridge Spring-Monetta, the consolation bracket and a matchup with Swansea awaited.
Andrew Jackson Academy vs. White Knoll
The next boys’ game of the day featured a pair of teams one may not expect to see at this event given who has been at previous Hawk Invitationals.
Andrew Jackson Academy is a name that is very familiar to many in South Carolina high school sports circles. After all, the Warriors advanced to the semifinals of last year’s 2A SCISA tournament. Meanwhile, The Timberwolves of 5A White Knoll entered the tournament with a 4-9 record, but all four of White Knoll’s victories were in their last five games.
It was a team with a stellar season against a team on a hot streak. The team with the hot streak took care of business in this one as the Timberwolves prevailed by a final of 75-56 over the Warriors.
Quarter-By-Quarter
Things began very auspiciously for White Knoll to begin the first half prior to Andrew Jackson Academy making plays to stay in it as the first eight minutes wore on. It was 15-10 with the Timberwolves leading the Warriors after one.
If there were two words that can be used to describe the second stanza between these two teams, they would probably be up-tempo and physical. White Knoll got the better of that uptempo and physical period as they took a 32-20 edge into the half.
A healthy contingent of fans were on hand to see the two teams. White Knoll’s fans through three quarters had a bit more to cheer about. With eight minutes left to play in the next-to-last boys game of the day, the Timberwolves’ lead was 47-35 over the Warriors.
The Andrew Jackson Academy fans in attendance were hoping that their team had a comeback in them. The Warriors managed to stay within striking distance for much of the fourth quarter but White Knoll held them off, ensuring the Timberwolves girls and boys teams would pick up victories that Wednesday.
Primetime Performers
Early and often could describe when Devin Geronomi made plays for the Timberwolves. He led all scorers with 21 points. In addition to basketball, he plays football as a cornerback and strong safety.
White Knoll also benefitted from the 16 points it got from Denzel Posey. The Timberwolves freshman displays his ability to play either of the forward spots and fuses together a height advantage with talent.
With 14 points, McCoy Bell‘s bid to conclude his high school career on a high note hit a high point that late Wednesday evening. All of the 14 points that Bell placed on the scoreboard were of the two-point variety.
Gage Dicks Gage Dicks 6'1" | SG Andrew Jackson Academy | 2025 State SC turned out to be the leading scorer for Andrew Jackson Academy with 19 points. He was taken out of the game midway through the fourth with an ankle injury but later re-entered. Some of his most notable flashes of excellence in this contest were when the Warriors attempted its comeback.
All three of Andrew Jackson Academy’s leading scorers would turn out to be juniors. Including Hayden McClung Hayden McClung 5'10" | PG Andrew Jackson academy | 2025 SC . The junior guard for the Warriors put 14 on the board. McClung is also a proficient rebounder, passer and defender.
As for Carter Brown, he contributed 12 points to Andrew Jackson Academy’s cause. In addition, Brown does plenty of work on the boards and puts emphasis on defense as well. Brown can log minutes as either a guard or forward.
What’s Next?
While Andrew Jackson Academy would await Swansea the following Thursday in the consolation bracket, the winner’s bracket would see White Knoll match up against the winner of the final (boys) game of the day-long Hawk Invitational.
Allendale-Fairfax vs. Blackville-Hilda
That matchup would feature two of the six schools whose girls and boys basketball teams were represented at the Blackville-Hilda Hawk Invitational.
The Tigers were absent from last season’s Hawk Invitational. At last season’s tournament, Blackville-Hilda was on the losing end of a 57-45 decision to 2A Barnwell. Both teams have encountered their fair share of struggles entering Wednesday’s play. Allendale-Fairfax had a 2-7 mark going into this year’s Hawk Invitational while Blackville-Hilda’s was 1-4.
Which team would be the final victor of Wednesday’s play? It would see Allendale-Fairfax prevailing by a final score of 95-36 over Blackville-Hilda.
Remember What Happened Last Time?
Two years ago – also at the Blackville-Hilda Hawk Invitational, the Hawks prevailed over the Tigers by a final of 49-35.
Quarter-By-Quarter
At first, it appeared that the two teams would be involved in a battle that would be back-and-forth. The Tigers would assume the lead after the first eight minutes, but that edge would only be seven – 15-8 to be exact.
Then the second quarter happened – and Allendale-Fairfax’s lead would be much bigger than seven points. One wonders if the boys team got a bit of inspiration from the dominant performance the girls had earlier in the day against Hunter-Kinard-Tyler. At the half, it was all Tigers by a margin of 49-20.
Allendale-Fairfax’s dominating performance put an exclamation point on the evening’s play. Prior to Wednesday night, the Tigers had only earned wins over Ridgeland-Hardeeville and Latta. The one against Blackville-Hilda was by far the most dominating of the season.
Primetime Performers
A number of notable players had big roles in what was an exciting game for those wearing the Allendale-Fairfax colors. One of those was Kavien Hall – a senior. He led the charge with a 24-point performance.
Complimenting those 24 were the 20 that came from Jaden Williams Jaden Williams 6'1" | CG Allendale-Fairfax | 2026 State SC . The sophomore put 20 points on the board. In addition to playing basketball, he plays quarterback for the football team.
J.J. Outing J.J. Outing 5'9" | SG Allendale-Fairfax | 2025 State SC was in a zone on Wednesday evening at Blackville-Hilda. Outing added 19 points to the Tigers’ total. All of his points were of the two-point variety with the exception of one of the eight 3-pointers the team made.
A team seldom gets a point total it did without significant contributions from its bench. Hammie Mays – a senior – was one of those who did emerge from that bench for the Tigers. He finished his evening with 10 points.
Uziah Dunbar was another who provided interior depth for Allendale-Fairfax. He finished with 10 points as well. He is also one of the many who has played football throughout their athletic career alongside basketball.
A rough night at the office for the Hawks did have one bright spot. That came in the form of Jaquel Holman who is a junior. He scored 16 points to help to Blackville-Hilda cause. Holman also plays at running back and strong safety for the football team.
What’s Next?
Allendale-Fairfax advanced to the winner’s bracket and a matchup with White Knoll that Thursday. Blackville-Hilda’s next opponent would be Ridge Spring-Monetta who was defeated by Williston-Elko earlier in the day.