SCISA 4A Championship: Porter-Gaud vs. Augusta Christian

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In both 2022-23 and 2023-24, the 4A state championship game has featured Augusta Christian matching up with Cardinal Newman. Because of a down season for the Cardinals, they were eliminated in the first round of this season's playoffs by Wilson Hall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions of Augusta Christian had no problem making its return to the 4A state championship game. In fact, they have been in the 4A state title game every season there has been four SCISA classifications. This year's Augusta Christian rendition earned a bye to the quarterfinals and would make plans to be in Sumter on Friday because of wins vs. Northside Christian and Pinewood Prep.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other bench in Cardinal Newman's stead would be Porter-Gaud. The Cyclones only lost five games overall (four to in-state opponents – Cathedral Academy, West Ashley, Christ Church and Ben Lippen) and earned wins over Hilton Head Christian, Heathwood Hall and Hammond to vie for a championship on Friday.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2785094,"width":"615px","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_9623-crop-4023x2642-1740232215.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_9623-crop-4023x2642-1740232215.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2785094" style="width:615px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One final piece of state hardware was bestowed on Friday and it went to the Cyclones following a thrilling, hard-fought 68-65 victory over the Lions.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Records</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the season finishes for both teams, Porter-Gaud concludes said season with a 22-5 overall record, an 8-0 regional mark and a state crown. Runner-up status would go to Augusta Christian following a 27-3 overall record and a region showing of 10-0.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Remember What Happened Last Time?</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday evening's meeting between Augusta Christian and Porter-Gaud represented the first time these two teams had matched up since 2008. It was a forgettable matchup if one is a Lions backer – the Cyclones routed Augusta Christian by a final tally of 78-29.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Quarter-By-Quarter</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are plenty of adjectives that could be used to describe the first quarter between Porter-Gaud and Augusta Christian. High-octane. Up-tempo. Fast-paced. Evenly matched. The Cyclones and Lions were all knotted up at 15 following the first frame of play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second quarter tilted slightly in Augusta Christian's favor, but a late 3-pointer by Porter-Gaud would keep the contest at a two-possession game with two stanzas complete. The Lions would bring a 30-26 lead into halftime.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Augusta Christian managed to up its lead into double digits in the third quarter. It would remain that way following 24 minutes. With one quarter remaining, the Lions would lead Porter-Gaud by a margin of 52-42.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the Cyclones began to chip away at the Lions lead to the point where the game was tied, one had the feeling that a successful comeback effort could be in the works. That effort was indeed successful, creating jubilation for Porter-Gaud and heartbreak for Augusta Christian.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Primetime Performers</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2785098,"width":"562px","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_9589-crop-2745x1802-1740232406.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_9589-crop-2745x1802-1740232406.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2785098" style="width:562px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Augusta Christian's defense had a difficult time containing <strong>Griffin Ferraro</strong> all game. In Ferraro's final time sporting the Porter-Gaud colors, he led all point-getters with 27. Out of those 27, 19 occurred in the second half. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2785100,"width":"558px","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_9529-crop-1868x1227-1740232527.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_9529-crop-1868x1227-1740232527.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2785100" style="width:558px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of seniors, another upperclassman was also integral to the Porter-Gaud victory. That was <strong>John [player_tooltip player_id='1543485' first='Michael' last='Jenkins']</strong>. He concluded his evening with 21 points – including 15 in quarters three and four. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2785103,"width":"556px","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_9486-crop-2050x1346-1740232621.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_9486-crop-2050x1346-1740232621.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2785103" style="width:556px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Porter-Gaud also was given a lift courtesy of sophomore<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2398923' first='Kateaux' last='Miller']</strong> who added 16 points to the Cyclones cause. Miller keyed Porter-Gaud's early efforts as he led all Cyclones point-getters with 10 at the break. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2785105,"width":"552px","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_9490-crop-2410x1582-1740232738.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_9490-crop-2410x1582-1740232738.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2785105" style="width:552px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions still had big performances turned in by several of its standouts. One of whom was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2412819' first='Ty' last='Shine']</strong>. He finished with 15 points. Shine managed to come through with big plays late in the fourth quarter, doing his best to hold off the furious Porter-Gaud comeback. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2785107,"width":"544px","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_9581-crop-2207x1449-1740232850.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_9581-crop-2207x1449-1740232850.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2785107" style="width:544px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Concluding his evening with 14 points was junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2478626' first='Uzziah' last='Morton']</strong>. He stands at 6-foot-9. Morton is a two-sport athlete who also competes in football alongside his basketball accomplishments. Morton is one of four juniors on this season's Augusta Christian team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2785109,"width":"544px","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_9496-crop-1833x1204-1740232992.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_9496-crop-1833x1204-1740232992.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2785109" style="width:544px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A pair of 12-point scorers also gave a boost to the Lions. One was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1300731' first='Bryce' last='Reynierson']</strong> who, as a senior, was wearing Augusta Christian's uniform one final time. Reynierson stands at 6-foot-5 and typically plays at the two.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2785110,"width":"559px","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_9554.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_9554.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2785110" style="width:559px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Also adding 12 was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1383040' first='Aamere' last='Tolbert']</strong> who spends much of his time playing the three. A good bit of what Tolbert got accomplished was close to the basket. His 12 were evenly distributed between the first and second halves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>All-Tournament Team</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2785112,"width":"566px","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_9627-crop-3003x1972-1740233322.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_9627-crop-3003x1972-1740233322.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2785112" style="width:566px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Griffin Ferraro </em></strong><em>– Porter-Gaud</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>John [player_tooltip player_id='1543485' first='Michael' last='Jenkins']</strong> – Porter-Gaud</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2698335' first='Banks' last='Butler']</strong> – Porter-Gaud</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2412819' first='Ty' last='Shine'] </strong>– Augusta Christian</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1300731' first='Bryce' last='Reynierson'] </strong>– Augusta Christian </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578619' first='Jaiden' last='Haltiwanger']</strong> - Hammond</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>So Long, Seniors</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Porter-Gaud, John-[player_tooltip player_id='1543485' first='Michael' last='Jenkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='2698335' first='Banks' last='Butler'], Griffin Ferraro and Griffin Domm will soon trade in their Cyclones jerseys for caps and gowns. The same applies to [player_tooltip player_id='1383040' first='Aamere' last='Tolbert'], Denver Hubert, Malachi Jones and [player_tooltip player_id='1300731' first='Bryce' last='Reynierson'] at Augusta Christian.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->