Battle at the Border: Friday’s Results

Late December means plenty of things. It means frigid temperatures, the opportunity to make resolutions for the new year – and it means the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains become a focal point for fans of South Carolina high school boys basketball.    Landrum HS once again hosted its Battle at the Border tournament which welcomed eight girls teams and eight boys teams to The Cage. While the mountainous background provides an aesthetically pleasing background for the hoops that takes place at Landrum, the tournament's use of a shot clock is also seen as a possible test run for it being universally implemented across high school basketball.    We at Prep Hoops were on hand for Friday's slate of games. Here is how the day at Landrum unfolded.    Broome vs. Chapman   Following a pair of girls games (Woodruff vs. Blue Ridge and High Point vs. Chapman), a pair of 3A intra-county and regional rivals kicked off the boys slate.    Both Broome and Chapman were part of last season's Battle at the Border and returned for more hoops action at The Cage. The Centurions began last season's tournament on the right pair of kicks with a win over Shannon Forest before suffering losses to Landrum and St. Joseph's Catholic.    Chapman – which always takes part at the event – lost at last season's tournament to St. Joseph's Catholic which placed the Panthers in the Silver Bracket. The Panthers also tasted defeat at the hands of Blue Ridge but concluded Battle at the Border with a win over Spartanburg Christian.   The first boys victor of the day was Chapman as it defeated Broome with the 80-49 win.    Remember What Happened Last Time?   Broome won both of its contests against Chapman last season during region play. The Centurions earned a 47-44 win over the Panthers at Chapman in early January then scored a 66-47 win on their own home court later in the month.    Quarter-By-Quarter   The first quarter foretold the likelihood of a track meet breaking out as Broome and Chapman looked to match each other point for point, bucket for bucket. The Panthers had a few more than the Centurions as it was 18-15 in Chapman's favor following one.    Broome had a hard time keeping up with Chapman in the second quarter as the Panthers began to pull away and up its lead into double digits. As both teams began halftime to discuss respective second-half plans, Chapman was ahead by a margin of 42-26.   Both teams were continuing to execute up-tempo, downhill offenses. But if Broome was to get back in this game, it needed to tighten up on the defensive side. Chapman exited the third quarter leading 59-41.   Chapman's girls team earlier that day earned a dominant victory over High Point Academy to advance in the girls Gold Bracket. The Panthers bid to ensure Chapman teams were 2-0 was successful as Chapman sent Broome to the Silver Bracket.   Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_2973.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_2973.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2709356" style="width:494px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   The Panthers came out victorious in large part because of a 25-point performance courtesy of [player_tooltip player_id='2810140' first='Grayden' last='Humphries']. He tallied 14 of his 25 in the second half of play and his performance included three 3-pointers.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_2969.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_2969.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2709357" style="width:496px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   It was only fitting that a “Hawk” would fly at the Cardinals' nest. Hawken Smith, junior Panthers guard, added 14 to the Panthers effort. Smith's athletic plate is very full between the football and baseball he also plays.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_2970.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_2970.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2709358" style="width:497px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Chapman got big games from a sophomore and a junior … so, why not a senior? That senior was Colt McAllister. He finished with 11 points including three 3-pointers. McAllister is one of three from the 2025 class on the Panthers roster.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_2961-crop-2111x1387-1735417647.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_2961-crop-2111x1387-1735417647.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2709362" style="width:502px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Leading the way for the Centurions was [player_tooltip player_id='2381714' first='Damarius' last='Jeter'] who concluded his performance having placed 15 on the scoreboard. Jeter plays at either guard position in the backcourt and is among the seven juniors on the team.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_2948-crop-1833x1204-1735417791.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_2948-crop-1833x1204-1735417791.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2709364" style="width:494px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   One can find Tre Suber on the basketball court putting up big numbers like he did against Chapman when he scored 10 points. He can also be found on a football gridiron playing either at strong safety, free safety or wide receiver.   Up Next   The win for Chapman sends the Panthers to the Gold Bracket while relegating Broome to Silver Bracket status. As for their respective opponents, that would be revealed in the ensuing game of the day.    Spartanburg Christian vs. Chesnee   That ensuing game featured the only school from the SCISA ranks (girls or boys) that was represented at this year's Battle at the Border.    Spartanburg Christian is another regular at this tournament even though the Warriors would probably rather forget how last season's rendition played out. They were relegated to the Silver Bracket following an opening round loss to host Landrum then suffered defeats to Shannon Forest and Chapman. In fact, the Warriors' only win all of last season occurred against Newberry Academy.    Chesnee was absent from last year's tournament, but the 2A Eagles have started fast out of the gate in 2024-25. The Eagles entered Battle at the Border play with a 7-2 record with those two losses occurring against Blacksburg and Woodruff.    Would the Eagles continue Spartanburg Christian's recent string of bad luck at Battle at the Border competitions? The answer was yes as Chesnee pulled out the 67-31 victory over Spartanburg Christian.    Remember What Happened Last Time?   Last time was not that far ago for Spartanburg Christian and Chesnee. In fact, the Battle at the Border matchup was a rematch of an earlier contest on Dec. 19 which the Eagles won by a margin of 72-50.   Quarter-By-Quarter   The opening period was all Chesnee all the time as the Eagles jumped out to a comfortable 17-point advantage. With one quarter having been complete, Chesnee had a 20-3 lead over Spartanburg Christian.    The Warriors actually outscored the Eagles by one in the second quarter but Chesnee built such a big lead in the first quarter that it still went into halftime ahead by double digits. It was Chesnee 33 and Spartanburg Christian 17 at the break.    If the third quarter told us anything it was this – where would this game be if that first quarter never unfolded the way it did? Unfortunately for Spartanburg Christian, it did play out like that and it meant Chesnee led 51-27 with one quarter left to play.   Half of a Gold Bracket semifinal was determined when Chapman defeated Broome. The Panthers would learn its opponent the following day as Chesnee and Chapman would meet for a berth for this year's tournament crown.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3017.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3017.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2709366" style="width:504px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Elijah Brown, a 6-foot-4 junior forward, led the way with 17 points. It may not be conventional for someone as big and burly as Brown to be such an efficient floor runner but his talents clearly defy conventional wisdom for bigs.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3014.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3014.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2709370" style="width:507px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Ben Reese also put points on the board often. He finished his afternoon with 16 points. Reese can shoot 3-pointers with accuracy and his activity away from the ball allows him to cut to the rim to receive timely feeds.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_2996-crop-2200x1445-1735418391.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_2996-crop-2200x1445-1735418391.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2709372" style="width:506px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Lake Wagner – particularly early – provided a spark for Spartanburg Christian. He finished his afternoon with 11 points. Wagner also bolsters a team's rebounding efforts and displays a high degree of efficiency with taking care of the ball.   Up Next   Chesnee and Spartanburg Christian now knew who their respective opponents would be for Saturday. The Eagles would face Chapman in the Gold Bracket and Spartanburg Christian would battle Broome in the Silver Bracket.     Woodruff vs. Greenville Hurricanes   Prior to the Wolverines and Greenville Hurricanes taking the court, the girls schedule that day had concluded following Broome vs. Boiling Springs and Spartanburg Christian vs. Landrum.    Woodruff – another regular at Battle at the Border – had an impressive showing at last season's tournament. The Wolverines picked up wins over Blue Ridge and St. Joseph's Catholic to advance to the Gold Bracket championship. One problem – host Landrum was waiting and successfully defended its home court against the Wolverines.    Greenville Hurricanes got off to a rough 1-5 start this season with the lone win coming against South Charlotte. Since then, the Hurricanes entered Battle at the Border play with wins in six of their previous eight contests.    The latest team to punch its ticket to the Gold Bracket was Woodruff which picked up the 63-43 win over the Hurricanes.    Remember What Happened Last Time?   Battle at the Border saw Woodruff and Greenville Hurricanes first time on the same court together since November of 2016 when the Hurricanes defeated the Wolverines by a final of 41-37.    Quarter-By-Quarter   Woodruff grabbed an early advantage in the first quarter only for it to be answered by Greenville Hurricanes. The first eight minutes would see the Wolverines build a 15-10 edge on the Hurricanes.    A bit of distance was put between Woodruff and their adversaries in the second quarter as the Wolverines outscored the Hurricanes with the margin being 21-9. At the half, the scoreboard would display a 36-19 lead for Woodruff.   The Wolverines and Hurricanes matched each other virtually point for point in the third quarter – which, of course, was advantage Woodruff given it had the lead. One quarter remained to determine a Gold Bracket participant with the Wolverines leading 49-31.   With no Greenville Hurricanes run in sight, the only thing that was up for question was the final point margin of Woodruff's victory. That final margin would be 20 as the Wolverines clinched a berth in the Gold Bracket.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3169.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3169.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2709377" style="width:474px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   The successful evening for the Wolverines could not have been possible without the 17 points put on the scoreboard from Aiden Gibson. Along with having all-around skills, he is a sophomore that already takes on a leadership role.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3164.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3164.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2709380" style="width:483px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   T.J. Morris continued to ensure his career at Woodruff ends with an exclamation point. Dropping 14 points to ensure his Wolverines advance in this year's Battle at the Border will certainly help with that.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3166.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3166.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2709384" style="width:476px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Junior Dre Jenkins was another important piece in the winning puzzle for the Wolverines. He added 12 points – all of the two-point variety. Jenkins is one of six representing the class of 2026 on the Woodruff roster.   Up Next   Woodruff obtained Gold Bracket status while Greenville Hurricanes would play the remainder of Battle at the Border in the Silver Bracket. The final matchup of the day would determine their respective Saturday opponents.    Lake Lure Classical Academy vs. Landrum   Per usual, the Cardinals boys team put a lid on the day's play at The Cage.    Landrum began the 2024-25 season with a 7-0 record before taking a couple of losses to a pair of out-of-state teams – Forest out of Florida and Briarwood Christian out of Alabama. Last season at Battle at the Border, the Cardinals went a perfect 3-0 with wins over Spartanburg Christian, Broome and the Gold Bracket championship vs. Woodruff.    But the Cardinals would have their work cut out for them against a Lake Lure Classical team out of North Carolina that entered play with an 8-3 record. The Raptors' only losses this season were against Veritas Christian, Thomas Jefferson Classical and Chase.    The Cardinal faithful that was on hand left The Cage with smiles on their faces as Landrum once again obtained Gold Bracket status with its dominant 104-45 win over Lake Lure Classical Academy.    Quarter-By-Quarter   At one point in the first quarter, both the Cardinals and Raptors were tied at nine apiece. It was at that point when Landrum dared Lake Lure Classical to catch up with them in a track meet. Landrum led 23-13 after the first quarter.    It was in the second quarter when the Cardinals found that second gear which really made it difficult for the Raptors to keep up. As both teams entered their respective locker rooms for halftime, Landrum established a comfortable and commanding 56-23 edge over Lake Lure Classical.   In the third quarter, the Cardinals were not only flirting heavily with a win – and a berth in the Gold Bracket. They were also flirting heavily with the century mark. Landrum had 85 points to Lake Lure Classical's 33 with three complete.   Not only was Landrum's victory emphatic but the Cardinals did indeed cross the century mark for good measure. Landrum was ranked fourth in the last 2A coaches poll and looked like it from start to finish on Friday.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3264.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3264.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2709386" style="width:533px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Despite how dominant Landrum's performance was, it actually featured a balanced scoring effort indicative of one of the state's 2A teams to beat. That effort was led off the bench by sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1465116' first='Isaiah' last='Atkins'] who scored 15 points.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3267.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3267.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2709387" style="width:531px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Then, there were two that added 13 points to the Cardinals efforts. One of those was freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='2722119' first='Noah' last='Dodd']. He was especially efficient in making transition plays as well as sinking his 3-point attempts.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3261.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3261.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2709388" style="width:528px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Also contributing 13 was junior Cooper Tidwell. The six-foot junior not only thrives on the basketball court but he does so as well on the football field. He plays at wide receiver and cornerback.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3255.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3255.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2709389" style="width:521px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Speaking of juniors, A.J. Lindsey also proved himself to be difficult for Lake Lure Classical's offense to contain. Lindsey concluded his evening with a 12-point showing. He is one of eight juniors on what is a very veteran-laden bunch.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3258.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3258.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2709398" style="width:512px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   A name that is more than familiar to anyone who is familiar with Landrum basketball also had himself a game as well. [player_tooltip player_id='1360539' first='Benett' last='Edwards'] contributed 11 points. He recently picked up an offer from Ecclesia College in Arkansas.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3260.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3260.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2709403" style="width:512px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Another one of the five seniors that is on this team is Colby Walker who also came off the bench to add 10 points to the Cardinals' drubbing of the Raptors. He is a free safety and wide receiver on the football gridiron.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3199-crop-2326x1527-1735420757.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3199-crop-2326x1527-1735420757.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2709406" style="width:515px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Friday evening's matchup went anything but according to plan for Lake Lure Classical, but the performance of D Watkins was one positive for the Raptors. He finished with 15 points. Unfortunately the senior did not finish the game due to injury.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3187-crop-2626x1724-1735421107.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_3187-crop-2626x1724-1735421107.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2709413" style="width:515px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Ashawn Camp added 14 points to the efforts of the Raptors. While primarily operating as a guard in the backcourt, one can also place Camp on the wing. He is one of six sophomores on this year's team.   Up Next   Woodruff and Greenville Hurricanes would learn their Saturday opponents. The Wolverines would await Landrum in the Gold Bracket and one of the two Silver Bracket contests would see Greenville Hurricanes vs. Lake Lure Classical.

Late December means plenty of things. It means frigid temperatures, the opportunity to make resolutions for the new year – and it means the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains become a focal point for fans of South Carolina high school boys basketball.