SCHSL 4A Upper/Lower State Championships: Wednesday’s Results

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before the Florence Center takes a one-day break from championship week on the last day of February, it was time to determine which teams would battle for the 4A state championship on Mar. 2.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When those teams took to the court, the other four classifications had already settled its Upper State and Lower State business.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With Irmo only qualifying as an at-large and being eliminated in the first round, it guaranteed there would be a new 4A state champion. Three of the these teams will move up to 5A beginning next season with only Greer remaining in the 4A ranks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of the combatants were from the Upstate, one was from the Midlands and one was from the [program_tooltip program_id='2078736' first='Lowcountry' last='']. Without further adieu, here is a recap of how 4A Wednesday took place in the Pee Dee.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Upper State Final: Riverside vs. Greer</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why Florence?&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much of the buildup – especially locally – surrounding this year's 4A Upper State championship game could be summed up in two words considering a playoff game in the Pee Dee taking place between a pair of crosstown rivals.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Regardless, Riverside's road to Florence has seen them take down South Pointe, Westside and Catawba Ridge these playoffs. As for Greer, the Yellow Jackets have bested Indian Land, Greenville and Lancaster (last year's 4A runner-up).&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When all was said and done, the Warriors would get the better end of this renewed rivalry. Riverside earned a 57-45 over Greer victory to punch its ticket to Saturday's 4A state championship contest.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Remember What Happened Last Time? </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riverside prevailed with victories on both occasions when region play took place in the latter part of the season. The Warriors picked up a 74-61 victory on Jan. 23 at Riverside and a 60-52 victory on Feb. 9 when the scene shifted to Greer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Quarter-By-Quarter</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riverside's girls team prevailed earlier that day against Westside. Riverside's boys were looking to ensure two Warriors teams would be in Florence on Saturday. Greer, looking to get the poor taste out of its mouth from the two previous contests, had an early lead before the Warriors responded – and then some. Riverside led the Yellow Jackets 15-10 after one.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the close of the second quarter enabled Riverside to pad its cushion against its cross-town rivals. With halftime arriving, the Warriors lead over the Yellow Jackets was 27-19.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greer managed to keep the game within striking distance as the third quarter had elapsed. The Warriors' advantage over the Yellow Jackets was only a mere six with eight minutes to play – 36-30 to be exact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One quarter remained before Riverside's boys ensured the Pee Dee would have a large contingency of fans at the Florence Center for championship Sunday. Objective accomplished for the Warriors by virtue of its 12-point win.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Primetime Performers</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2364948,"width":"477px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/IMG_4986-2-crop-1833x1204-1709233038.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/IMG_4986-2-crop-1833x1204-1709233038.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2364948" style="width:477px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 15 points, <strong>Reeves Gardner</strong> led all scorers for the Warriors. Riverside was true on six 3-pointers for Saturday's contest. Three of those six departed from Gardner's hands and he was also efficient from the free throw line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2364950,"width":"477px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/IMG_4915-2-crop-2236x1469-1709233177.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/IMG_4915-2-crop-2236x1469-1709233177.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2364950" style="width:477px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 13 points, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172765' first='Julen' last='Iturbe']</strong> ensured he will have one more game at the high school level before taking his talents to the college ranks at American University in Washington. He led the early scoring charge for Riverside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2364953,"width":"488px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/IMG_5019-crop-2082x1367-1709233358.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/IMG_5019-crop-2082x1367-1709233358.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2364953" style="width:488px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors also benefitted from the nine points that were placed on the scoreboard courtesy of <strong>Mikkel Skinner</strong>. In addition to excelling on the basketball court, he is also a widely touted football prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2364973,"width":"492px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/IMG_5016-3-crop-2236x1469-1709233979.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/IMG_5016-3-crop-2236x1469-1709233979.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2364973" style="width:492px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1407052' first='Amare' last='Anderson']</strong>'s junior season concluded with a 17-point effort for his Greer team. Anderson is listed at 6-foot-2 on the Yellow Jackets roster and plays at either of the guard positions in the backcourt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2364978,"width":"500px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/IMG_5028-crop-2236x1469-1709234068.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/IMG_5028-crop-2236x1469-1709234068.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2364978" style="width:500px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another of the Yellow Jackets' standouts in the backcourt is <strong>Mikey Williams</strong> and he concluded his afternoon in Florence with an 11-point performance. Scoring at all three levels is among the strong points of his skillset and he gets his team extra possessions with the steals he can collect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>So Long, Seniors</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seniors are abound throughout Greer's roster. These include [player_tooltip player_id='1419748' first='Brayden' last='Lytes'], Xavier Anderson, [player_tooltip player_id='1365021' first='Bradyn' last='Durrah'], Mac Brown, Isaiah Woodruff, Anthony Lyons and [player_tooltip player_id='1221565' first='Zayn' last='Valentine']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Up Next…</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riverside's boys accomplished the same feat its girls did earlier. Would its opponent on Saturday hail from the [program_tooltip program_id='2078736' first='Lowcountry' last='']…or the Midlands?&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Lower State Final: James Island vs. Ridge View</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Half of this year's 4A state championship game had been decided. Now, it has time to determine the other half.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Would it be Ridge View? The Blazers at one point in the season were in national rankings as one of the top teams in the nation. Region rivals Westwood and A.C. Flora were the only teams to put Ridge View in the loss column. Easley, Lucy Beckham and Wilson have failed to do so these playoffs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Would it be James Island? The Trojans' last defeat occurred at home in a 69-58 decision to Colleton County on Jan. 26. West Florence, Richland Northeast and Westwood were all on the less than desirable end of James Island victories in these playoffs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riverside learned its opponent would be Ridge View as it would gain the 60-38 victory over the Trojans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Quarter-By-Quarter</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ridge View in the first quarter resembled the Ridge View that Palmetto State high school basketball fans have become accustomed to all season long. With one in the books, the Blazers built up a 16-5 lead on James Island.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just when it appeared that Ridge View may run away with this one in the first half, James Island proved exactly why they qualified for this year's 4A Lower State championship game by trimming the deficit into the single digits. As both teams entered their respective locker rooms to discuss second half strategy, the Blazers' lead over the Trojans was 26-18.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Then the third quarter occurred and the Blazers' advantage over the Trojans extended back into double-digits. One quarter remained to decide a 4A boys Lower State champion with Ridge View leading by a score of 43-27.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The more things elapsed in the fourth quarter, the more it became clear that one could look forward to a Warriors vs. Blazers matchup on Saturday for the 4A boys crown. It became crystal clear once the final buzzer sounded.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Primetime Performers</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2364985,"width":"498px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/IMG_5309-crop-2248x1476-1709234242.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/IMG_5309-crop-2248x1476-1709234242.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2364985" style="width:498px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>James Island's defense had no answers for the heroics of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158132' first='Jayden' last='Pretty']</strong> who nearly outscored the Trojans all by himself. Pretty finished with 32 points – including 18 that he tallied in the second half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2364988,"width":"500px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/IMG_5393-2-crop-2332x1532-1709234416.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/IMG_5393-2-crop-2332x1532-1709234416.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2364988" style="width:500px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Complimenting Pretty's heroics were the eight points that were put on the scoreboard from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679970' first='Yale' last='Davis']</strong>. While Ridge View's efforts were concentrated in the interior, the Blazers did connect on two 3-pointers – one of which came from Davis. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2364990,"width":"500px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/IMG_5357-crop-2245x1474-1709234495.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/IMG_5357-crop-2245x1474-1709234495.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2364990" style="width:500px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leading all point-getters for James Island was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1038227' first='RJ' last='Simmons']</strong> who played his final game wearing the Trojans colors. Simmons finished with 12 points. Out of the 12 he scored, eight occurred in the second half. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2364993,"width":"499px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/IMG_5336-crop-2392x1571-1709234575.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/IMG_5336-crop-2392x1571-1709234575.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2364993" style="width:499px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Trojans also got eight points from one of its juniors in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2044293' first='Gavin' last='Ward']</strong>. With the sizable number of seniors that are departing from this version of James Island boys basketball, expect Ward to be more of a featured player next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Up Next…</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ridge View vs. Riverside 4A Boys Championship, 8 p.m., Mar. 2 at Florence Center</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>So Long, Seniors</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1038227' first='RJ' last='Simmons']. [player_tooltip player_id='1038226' first='Montreal' last='Jenkins']. Conrad Linhart. [player_tooltip player_id='1384329' first='Braxton' last='Scott']. Amontrae Scott. Clejah Daniel. All are seniors on the verge of departing from James Island.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->