SCISA 2A Final: Andrew Jackson Academy vs. Cathedral Academy

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the teams involved in this season's 2A championship game has become very accustomed to the Sumter County Civic Center as of late given it was making its fifth consecutive appearance in a state contest.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It also featured a rematch from last season - one where Cathedral Academy prevailed over Andrew Jackson Academy by a final score of 70-40. The Generals also prevailed in the 2021-22 1A championship game against Clarendon Hall in addition to losses against St. John's Christian and Newberry Academy. This year, Cathedral Academy earned wins over Oakbrook Prep and Thomas Heyward Academy to claim its berth to the state game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The objective for the Warriors is obvious – redemption from last year (and against the team that dashed its championship hopes from last season). Andrew Jackson Academy's path to Saturday's championship game included wins over Lee Academy and Faith Christian.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2786416,"width":"612px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_0115-crop-4003x2629-1740302842.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_0115-crop-4003x2629-1740302842.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2786416" style="width:612px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cathedral Academy already had earned two wins over Andrew Jackson Academy this season. Would the Generals make it three? The answer was yes with the scoreboard reading 73-49 when the clock hit triple zeroes.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Records</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cathedral Academy's win puts a bow on a season where the Generals compiled a 29-12 record in addition to a region mark of 6-0. Andrew Jackson Academy finishes 2024-25 with a 23-9 record and a 8-2 showing in its region.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Remember What Happened Last Time?&nbsp;</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two teams met on two occasions earlier this season – with the Generals prevailing on both occasions. The first meeting between Cathedral Academy and Andrew Jackson Academy was on Dec. 5 with the Generals winning in a 89-55 rout at Cathedral Academy.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When the scene shifted to Andrew Jackson Academy, the contest was more competitive but still resulted in a Generals 63-61 win.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Quarter-By-Quarter</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Andrew Jackson Academy started the contest strong, jumping out to a 10-2 lead. One had to expect a team as battle tested as Cathedral Academy would respond. The Generals did with an 11-0 run to finish the first quarter with a 13-10 lead.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That run would extend to 13-0 before it would be snapped by a Warriors free throw. When the 10 minutes of halftime arrived, the scoreboard would denote 28 points for Cathedral Academy to 19 for Andrew Jackson Academy.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cathedral Academy's lead only grew and grew a bit more in the third quarter. First into the teens, then the twenties. The Generals led by 21 following 24 minutes with the scoreboard reading 52-31.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With minutes and seconds continuing to tick off the clock, it was another instance of what the final point margin would be – as opposed to if the victor was in any doubt. Cathedral Academy already has no shortage of basketball hardware in its trophy case – and it added more to it on Saturday afternoon.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Primetime Performers</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2786418,"width":"501px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_0001-crop-1833x1204-1740303090.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_0001-crop-1833x1204-1740303090.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2786418" style="width:501px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1669880' first='Bryce' last='Ward']</strong>'s sneakers were making contact with the hardwood, there was a good chance he was making plays. Ward would lead all scorers with 25 points. These included 16 he placed on the scoreboard in quarters three and four.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2786420,"width":"506px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_9987-crop-1840x1208-1740303250.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_9987-crop-1840x1208-1740303250.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2786420" style="width:506px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaden Whitledge</strong> had himself a memorable game in his final time sporting Cathedral Academy's signature navy blue and gold colors. The senior Generals guard contributed 17 to the Cathedral Academy cause.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2786422,"width":"508px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_0082-crop-2189x1438-1740303396.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_0082-crop-2189x1438-1740303396.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2786422" style="width:508px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cathedral Academy's efforts were also aided by a pair of nine-point scorers – both also from the Generals' starting five. One of those was another senior in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1982066' first='AJ' last='Gresham']</strong> who particularly made his presence known late in the contest.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2786424,"width":"514px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_0070-crop-2479x1628-1740303538.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_0070-crop-2479x1628-1740303538.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2786424" style="width:514px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other was another 2025 in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2716385' first='Dominic' last='Felix']</strong>. While the bulk of Cathedral Academy's offense occurred in near proximity to the rim, Felix gave a 3-point shooting dimension to said offense. The Generals made only three 3-pointers on Saturday's game – two of them were Felix's.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2786426,"width":"518px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_0037-crop-2535x1665-1740303662.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_0037-crop-2535x1665-1740303662.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2786426" style="width:518px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of seniors wearing their team's uniforms one final time, that certainly applied to Andrew Jackson Academy's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1354733' first='Gage' last='Dicks']</strong>. The star Warriors guard would contribute 14 points to his efforts.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2786428,"width":"517px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_0075-crop-2068x1358-1740303834.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_0075-crop-2068x1358-1740303834.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2786428" style="width:517px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adding 13 points to those same efforts would be sophomore <strong>Hall Sease</strong>. Out of the 13 he placed on the scoreboard, seven occurred in the first half of play. Sease is a two-sport athlete who has also competed in baseball throughout his athletic career.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2786432,"width":"512px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_0032-crop-3540x2325-1740303956.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_0032-crop-3540x2325-1740303956.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2786432" style="width:512px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2175542' first='Hayden' last='McClung']</strong> would turn in a 12-point performance in his final time wearing Andrew Jackson Academy black and red. In addition to being one of the Warriors' most consistent scorers, he also greatly helps the team's passing efforts.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>All-Tournament Team</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2786434,"width":"513px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_0119-crop-3620x2377-1740304295.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_0119-crop-3620x2377-1740304295.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2786434" style="width:513px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1669880' first='Bryce' last='Ward'] –</strong> Cathedral Academy</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Kaden Whitledge</strong> – Cathedral Academy</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1982066' first='AJ' last='Gresham']</strong> – Cathedral Academy</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1354733' first='Gage' last='Dicks'] </strong>– Andrew Jackson Academy</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2175542' first='Hayden' last='McClung']</strong> – Andrew Jackson Academy</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Vashahd Schofield </strong>– Andrew Jackson Academy</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>So Long, Seniors</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kaden Whitledge, Josh Simmons, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1982066' first='AJ' last='Gresham']</strong>, Dawson Compton, Jacob Gammons, [player_tooltip player_id='2716385' first='Dominic' last='Felix'] and Daniel Tolbert are the seniors graduating from Cathedral Academy. [player_tooltip player_id='1354733' first='Gage' last='Dicks'], Jacobe Best, [player_tooltip player_id='2175542' first='Hayden' last='McClung'] are the seniors graduating from Andrew Jackson Academy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->