SCISA State Tourney Opening Day- Part I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 Palmetto State is looking to finish their high school careers off here in the next few weeks. Prep Hoops made the trip over to Sumter to take in the action at the SCISA State Tourney. Read more inside after you <strong><em>SUBSCRIBE to the site. Use the passcode "Swanny30" at checkout to save 30% off your first billing cycle. #RecruitThePalmettoState</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Barons Coast in Opener</em></strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2776337,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/eZy-Watermark_16-02-2025_09-04-02-9530AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/eZy-Watermark_16-02-2025_09-04-02-9530AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2776337" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The day started off with Wilson Hall taking care of business over Cardinal Newman. The Barons coasted to a victory over the Cardinals 69-32. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1242285' first='Ford' last='Wilder']</strong> finished the game with 20 points. Wilder was able to score the ball inside-out today and even flushed one down early on. Senior<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1407053' first='Shawn' last='Michael Matthews']</strong> bullied his way to 12 points while fellow senior <strong>Michael Lauzon</strong> connected on 12 points while hitting a few three pointers along the way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cardinals were led by sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2147147' first='Luis' last='Echevarria']</strong> in defeat with 23 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Panthers Get Win over Wardlaw Academy</em></strong>: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2778863,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/eZy-Watermark_16-02-2025_09-05-47-3520AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/eZy-Watermark_16-02-2025_09-05-47-3520AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2778863" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mead Hall was able to defeat Wardlaw Academy 54-33. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2776175' first='Braylon' last='Fuller']</strong> was name that really stood out here today for the Panthers. Fuller just an 8th grader and a member of the 2029 Palmetto State Class took charge. Braylon finished with 25 points. He was able to race to the cup and show his athleticism finishing at the rim. Braylon came into the contest averaging 17.3 ppg and 10.4 rebounds for the Panthers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers advance to the next round to play Ragin Prep. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Crusaders Get by Swamp Cats</em></strong>: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2776340,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/eZy-Watermark_16-02-2025_09-02-50-2130AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/eZy-Watermark_16-02-2025_09-02-50-2130AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2776340" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Northside Christian Academy Crusaders used a very balanced attack to defeat Laurence Manning Academy at the Sumter County Civic Center 68-54. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2353297' first='Cade' last='McNeill']</strong> a senior guard led the way with 21 points. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578596' first='Dalton' last='Gadson']</strong> connected on some jumpers on his way to scoring 17 points. Senior <strong>Jaylen Weaver</strong> added 16 points in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2776338,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/eZy-Watermark_16-02-2025_09-03-25-1620AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/eZy-Watermark_16-02-2025_09-03-25-1620AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2776338" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freshman guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1982065' first='Scoop' last='Dennis']</strong> led the Laurence Manning Academy Swamp Cats with 17 points. Scoop played the game going to the basket all day long. He really looks to attack the gaps and score around the rim. <strong>Chase Duvall </strong>a sharp-shooting guard finished with 12 points in the loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Newberry Academy Wins Big</em></strong>: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2776331,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/eZy-Watermark_16-02-2025_09-07-24-0170AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/eZy-Watermark_16-02-2025_09-07-24-0170AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2776331" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newberry Academy cruised in its opener over St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. The Eagles received strong play from junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2776176' first='Thomas' last='McLean']</strong>. McLean finished with 21 points while fellow teammate <strong>Caleb Wilbanks </strong>added 16 points. McLean a multi-sport athlete excels on the football field in the fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Dragons Move On</em></strong>: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ben Milligan</strong> will play at Wingate University after his high school career is over. Milligan a future baseball player at Wingate University finished with 31 points for the Marlboro Academy Dragons in a win over Cambridge Academy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Highlanders move onto Quarterfinals</em></strong>: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2778868,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_7196.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/IMG_7196.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2778868" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Heathwood Hall Highlanders used some great defense at times to stifle John Paul II in an opening round win at the Sumter County Civic Center. The Highlanders won 45-28. The Highlanders led 19-6 and cruised to a victory. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1692417' first='Kamauri' last='Hunter']</strong> a jet quick junior guard finished with 16 points to lead the Highlanders. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2292900' first='Xander' last='Pertile']</strong> came off the bench to provide some muscle and 8 points in the win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The John Paul II Golden Warriors were led by sophomore point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2352791' first='Daniel' last='Godsun'] </strong>with 9 points. Godsun shows to have good court vision and finding cracks in the defense at times with his playmaking abilities. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Skyhawks Handle Chargers</em></strong>: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hammond Skyhawks led from start to finish in this contest today the Sumter County Civic Center. The Skyhawks move onto the Quarterfinals with a 76-45 victory over the Chargers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2778860,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/eZy-Watermark_17-02-2025_04-07-01-6450AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/eZy-Watermark_17-02-2025_04-07-01-6450AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2778860" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578619' first='Jaiden' last='Haltiwanger']</strong> led the way with 23 points. Jaiden will play football next year at The Citadel for the Bulldogs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2778859,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/eZy-Watermark_17-02-2025_04-07-22-9410AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/eZy-Watermark_17-02-2025_04-07-22-9410AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2778859" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2729803' first='Mekhi' last='Smith-Brown']</strong> an undersized shooting guard finished with 17 points while connecting on 5 three-pointers from downtown today. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1811633' first='Jackson' last='Ross']</strong> was able to ad 12 points in the victory. The Skyhawks will now play rival Ben Lippen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at more action from opening day of action from Sumter and the SCISA State Tourney in another article. Stay tune right here all year long for the best coverage in the Palmetto State. <strong><em>SUBSCRIBE today and remember to #RecruitThePalmettoState</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->