SCHSL Class 5A: Upper State/Lower State Championships

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The table is set for the Final 4 in the Palmetto State Class 5A State Championships. Teams will head to Florence to play tomorrow at the Florence Center. Lets take a look at the matchups right here on your source for basketball coverage in the Palmetto State all year long. <strong><em>SUBSCRIBE </em></strong>today and remember to <strong><em>#RecruitThePalmettoState</em></strong> <strong><em>#TheRoadToFlorence</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Byrnes (24-4) vs Mauldin HS (17-11) </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Byrnes HS </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach - Layne Fowler - 15th year as boys coach </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2323126,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/eZy-Watermark_16-01-2024_02-38-35-6360PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/eZy-Watermark_16-01-2024_02-38-35-6360PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2323126" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rebels ride a 13-game winning streak into Florence and winning the Region Championship. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1032164' first='Will' last='Fowler']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678545' first='Kayzzin' last='McDowell']</strong> lead the way. Fowler averaged 18 ppg, 3.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists this past season while shooting (40-90) from behind the arc. Fowler brings toughness and a Will to win every night. He will take charges on command, find the open man, jump on the deck for a loose ball. McDowell a Newberry (SC) signee has averaged 12.9 ppg this season. Kayzzin can really stroke the ball from downtown while connecting on 72 three-pointers this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2293475,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/Image-12-9-23-at-9.57-PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/Image-12-9-23-at-9.57-PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2293475" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266488' first='Evan' last='Enos']</strong> gives the Rebels an inside-out threat with his game. Enos is currently averaging 9.5 ppg this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1985870' first='Kj' last='Stephens']</strong> brings a blue-collar attitude to the floor and does most of his work inside the pain area. Stephens a left-handed senior forward is averaging 6.1 ppg this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2323122,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/eZy-Watermark_16-01-2024_02-38-05-7250PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/eZy-Watermark_16-01-2024_02-38-05-7250PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2323122" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freshman guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1982890' first='Colt' last='Fowler'] </strong>sees plenty of playing time for the Rebels. Colt plays very mature already for his age on the floor and certainly has no problems stepping up in big situations. He's currently averaging 8.6 ppg this season. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323877' first='Conner' last='Page']</strong> will provide a good spark when given playing time for the Rebels. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Losses - 2 Times to Riverside HS, Greer HS and Central Bucks West (PA) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rebels have already played the Mavericks 2 times this past season. Rebels defeated Mauldin HS 85-81 (OT) and 71-55 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Byrnes HS to Mauldin HS - 16 miles apart. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Mauldin HS </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach - Adam McClain (115-88) 8th year at school </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mavericks could be the sleeper here to say after defeating Dorman HS 58-55 to advance to the Upper State Championship Game. The Mavericks defeated Spring Valley HS and River Bluff HS along the way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2308612,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/Image-12-29-23-at-9.14-AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/Image-12-29-23-at-9.14-AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2308612" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1420680' first='Braden' last='Hershberger']</strong> will lead the way for the Mavericks. Hershberger is averaging 15 ppg and 3.1 rebounds this season. Fellow Seniors <strong>Jordan Sullivan</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1982892' first='Owen' last='Stewart'] </strong>can certainly step-up on any given night. Sullivan comes in at 9.4 ppg per outing while Stewart averages 9 ppg. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2353456,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Image-2-17-24-at-10.59-PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Image-2-17-24-at-10.59-PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2353456" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomores <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1405865' first='Nathan' last='Wilbourne']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2356428' first='Alvarez' last='Smith']</strong> certainly play up to the situation when called on for the Mavericks. Wilbourne is averaging 9 ppg and 3.5 rebounds while Smith clocks in at 9.8 ppg and 4.3 rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Lexington HS (27-2) vs Summerville HS (25-2) </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Lexington HS </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach Elliott Pope </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats will have a rematch with the Green Wave this time around in Florence. The team met earlier this season and the Wildcats prevailed 68-63. The Wildcats blitzed Goose Creek HS 64-38, West Ashley HS 91-48 and Sumter HS 57-37 to get to Florence. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2310926,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/eZy-Watermark_30-12-2023_10-27-41-3480PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/eZy-Watermark_30-12-2023_10-27-41-3480PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2310926" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='986184' first='Cameron' last='Scott'] </strong>is the #1 player in the Palmetto State and wears the Wildcats uniform. Scott is headed off to the University of Texas next season to play for the Longhorns. He has scored over 2,400 career points in his career for Lexington HS. Scott is averaging 22.8 ppg this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2310913,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/eZy-Watermark_30-12-2023_10-27-55-8800PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/eZy-Watermark_30-12-2023_10-27-55-8800PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2310913" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1336428' first='Jaxon' last='Prunty']</strong> a UNSIGNED Senior brings plenty of versatility to the floor. Jaxon can knockdown shots and rebound the ball on both ends of the court. Prunty is averaging 18.1 ppg this year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1332455' first='Kaleb' last='Evans'] </strong>has really made solid reads from out top directing the game. Evans will survey what the defense throws at him, and he will make adjustments. Kaleb can score the ball from all 3 levels on the floor. Evans is hitting at 14.2 ppg for the Wildcats. The Big 3 will get solid support from Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1444152' first='Coulter' last='Bell'],</strong> <strong>Montrell Byrd</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1173483' first='Caleb' last='Campbell']</strong>. Junior <strong>Seth Adams </strong>brings a good shot maker from downtown when given the opportunity. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Losses - Great Crossing (KY) and Lyon County (KY). Last lost in-state was to Dorman HS 60-52 a season ago on February 27, 2023. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Summerville HS </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach - David Long (120-71) 8th year </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Green Wave have won 10 games in a row entering the Lower State Championship Game. Summerville HS has lost to Lexington HS 68-63 and Atlantic Collegiate Academy this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2293881,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/IMG_6226.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/IMG_6226.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2293881" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103872' first='Yannick' last='Smith'] </strong>is ready to lace them up again for the Green Wave. Smith will play football next season at East Carolina University. Smith is averaging 17.7 ppg, 4.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.2 steals this season. Yannick currently has 1,425 career points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2293882,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/IMG_6225.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/IMG_6225.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2293882" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1265263' first='Melvin' last='Teal Jr'].</strong> is averaging 15.9 ppg, 6.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.8 steals this season. Teal Jr. is a bull in a China shop at times with his physical play to the bucket. Melvin enters the Lower State Championship Game with 1,393 career points. [player_tooltip player_id='2044348' first='Kenneth' last='Brown'] looks to dial it up from downtown when given the opportunity. Brown an off guard is averaging 10.4 ppg this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1414887' first='Yasir' last='Smith'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578670' first='Warren' last='Nelson']</strong> will look to contribute to the lineup. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2175561' first='Zavarion' last='Jenkins']</strong> and senior guard <strong>Kaedon Baskerville </strong>also provide some more depth to the Green Wave roster. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#TheRoadToFlorence </em></strong> <strong><em>#RecruitThePalmettoState </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->