Class 5A Division 2 Lower/Upper State: Wednesday’s Results

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As of Wednesday, the state championship participants had been determined in the 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A Division 1 classifications. All that was left was to decide which teams would return to Florence its state games on Mar. 8.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season, the Lower State participants had its turn at the mic first before the Upper State combatants would have their time in the Florence spotlight.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We at Prep Hoops would be on hand at the Florence Center for Wednesday's day of action. Without further ado, here is our recap of the two games that would determine Saturday's 5A Division 2 state finalists.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Lower State Championship: Berkeley vs. Goose Creek</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All one has to do is say the phrase “Berkeley vs. Goose Creek” and it immediately becomes the most ballyhooed topic at Berkeley County watercoolers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Gators did its part in ensuing the latest chapter of the rivalry would be written in Florence following an automatic bye to the second round – and victories over Lugoff-Elgin and Myrtle Beach. Goose Creek's only blemishes all season were against West Ashley, Gray Collegiate and Cane Bay.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both Berkeley's boys and girls teams would qualify for Lower State. On the boys end of the ledger, the Stags would earn its way to Wednesday's play following wins over Lucy Beckham, Irmo and Westwood.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goose Creek would once again get the better end of this latest renewal of rivalry pleasantries. The Gators would punch its ticket to Saturday's state championship game after its 60-46 win over Berkeley.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Records</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wednesday's win for Goose Creek improves its record to 26-3. Berkeley may have been eliminated from tournament contention, but finishes the season with a stellar 20-8 mark.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Remember What Happened Last Time? </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In both previous matchups this season between the Stags and Gators, they went the way of Goose Creek. On Jan. 14, the Gators went into a hostile environment at Berkeley but still pulled off the 52-50 win. When the scene shifted to more friendlier confines for Goose Creek, it defeated Berkeley by 15 – with the final score being 52-37 on Feb. 4.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Quarter-By-Quarter</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The opening stanza was more to Goose Creek's liking as 3-point shooting enabled the Gators to gain the early advantage. With one quarter in the books, Goose Creek would establish an 11-6 lead on Berkeley.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Berkeley's girls team won earlier in the day to advance to a 5A Division 2 championship game on Saturday. The Stags boys were looking to duplicate that feat, but trailed at the half. It was 23-20 in the Gators' favor at the break.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It appeared that Goose Creek would exit the third quarter with a three-point, 35-32 lead but Berkeley was fouled on a 3-point attempt. The Stags made the ensuing three free throws to have both Stags and Gators all knotted up at 35.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High drama was building at the Florence Center between these two intra-county rivals. In the latter moments of the fourth quarter, Goose Creek put a bit more distance between themselves and Berkeley and held on for the 14-point victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Primetime Performers</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2801869,"width":"484px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_3505-crop-1847x1213-1741262309.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_3505-crop-1847x1213-1741262309.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2801869" style="width:484px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A healthy dose of junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172573' first='Ja'Quell' last='Brown']</strong> spelled trouble for Berkeley from the opening tip fo the final buzzer. Brown led his team with a game-high 20 points. Brown also came through in the clutch with 13 of his 20 occurring in the second half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2801874,"width":"487px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_3470-crop-3484x2288-1741262759.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_3470-crop-3484x2288-1741262759.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2801874" style="width:487px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2561064' first='Jermaire' last='Williams']</strong> was not ready to see his career with the Gators come to a close on Wednesday night. He concluded his evening with 11 points. Included in those 11 were two of Goose Creek's three 3-pointers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2801881,"width":"485px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_3534-crop-2312x1518-1741263513.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_3534-crop-2312x1518-1741263513.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2801881" style="width:485px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A pair of 10-point scorers also gave a lift to the Gators' efforts. Both were from Goose Creek's starting lineup. One of those was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1336825' first='Shane' last='Potts']</strong> – another of the five seniors that make up this year's Gators rendition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2801884,"width":"494px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_3571-crop-1833x1204-1741263880.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_3571-crop-1833x1204-1741263880.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2801884" style="width:494px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2896381' first='Reggie' last='Dozier']</strong> – a sophomore. Dozier is one of two sophomores on this year's Gators team. Dozier is listed at 6-foot-1 on the team's roster. Six of his 10 occurred at the free throw line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2801887,"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/2/2025/03/IMG_3526-crop-2310x1517-1741264152.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_3526-crop-2310x1517-1741264152.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2801887" style="width:508px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pacing the efforts for Berkeley was senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2460182' first='Cam' last='Palmer']</strong>. He finished with 13 points. Palmer is listed at 6-foot-3 on the Stags' roster. Berkeley has five 2025s on its roster – Palmer is one of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2801892,"width":"519px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_3457-crop-3226x2118-1741264298.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_3457-crop-3226x2118-1741264298.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2801892" style="width:519px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adding 11 points to the Stags' efforts was another of seven juniors in small forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1414724' first='Deuce' last='Kinloch']</strong>. The 6-foot-6 Kinloch connected on the only 3-pointer Berkeley made on Wednesday. Kinloch had eight of his 11 in the first half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2801895,"width":"525px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_3447-crop-2319x1523-1741264467.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_3447-crop-2319x1523-1741264467.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2801895" style="width:525px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Berkeley also benefitted greatly from the 10 points that were placed on the scoreboard courtesy of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2425411' first='Jordan' last='Livingston']</strong>. The Team Charleston product can give a team productive minutes at the three, four or wing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>So Long, Seniors</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2460182' first='Cam' last='Palmer'], Shiloh Dantzler, Kevin McKinley, Za'Kherius Dennis and Treyvon Nelson have graduation to look forward to in a few months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Upper State Championship: Fort Mill vs. Greenville</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the Goose Creek win in the books, the next step was to determine how those books would be rewritten to include which team the Gators would face off against.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams would enter the day's play with identical 26-2 records. Fort Mill earned an automatic bye into the second round prior to the victories it earned over Woodmont and Indian Land. Its only losses all season were to Byrnes and North Augusta.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greenville was one of a few teams whose girls and boys teams both were playing at the Florence Center. The Red Raiders also earned a bye into the second round prior to its victories over Greenwood and Riverside. Its only losses of the season were against Goose Creek and Oak Hill Academy out of Virginia.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goose Creek's opponent in the final game of the 2024-25 high school basketball season on Saturday would be Greenville as it narrowly defeated Fort Mill with the final score being 46-44.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Records</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When the Red Raiders return to the Pee Dee on Saturday, they will do so having posted a record of 27-2. It also went 14-0 in its region. As for Fort Mill, its 2024-25 season will mention its 26-3 record and a regional showing of 12-0 along with its Upper State bid.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Quarter-By-Quarter</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The opening minutes of the first quarter worked to Fort Mill's favor prior to Greenville getting into more of a rhythm as the stanza elapsed. With one in the books, the Yellow Jackets would establish a 13-9 lead on the Red Raiders.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Points were evenly distributed between Yellow Jackets and Red Raiders in the second quarter as both teams placed 11 on the scoreboard. As halftime arrived, Fort Mill would lead Greenville by a margin of 24-20.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The same was true in the third quarter as both teams would score 14 apiece. The slim margin Fort Mill had on Greenville after the first eight minutes was looming larger and larger as the Yellow Jackets led the Red Raiders by a score of 38-34 with one frame remaining to determine Goose Creek's Saturday opponent.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Late in the fourth quarter, both teams were all tied up at 44 apiece prior to a Greenville layup that gave the Red Raiders a 46-44 lead. Fort Mill's attempt on its ensuing possession was unsuccessful and the Red Raiders knew they would face the Gators on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Primetime Performers</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2801899,"width":"523px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_3974-crop-2172x1427-1741264687.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_3974-crop-2172x1427-1741264687.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2801899" style="width:523px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 22 points, junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1624061' first='Caden' last='Coleman']</strong> ensured the Red Raiders would be in a position to win from start to finish. As a point guard, one would expect Coleman to display efficiency in attacking the rim – he did. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2801903,"width":"528px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_3946-crop-2277x1495-1741264890.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_3946-crop-2277x1495-1741264890.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2801903" style="width:528px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1892485' first='Roman' last='Cooley']</strong> added 13 points to the Greenville cause. Cooley had the most important two-pointer of the game – the go-ahead layup that would put the Red Raiders ahead for good. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2801905,"width":"534px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_3887-crop-3547x2329-1741265040.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_3887-crop-3547x2329-1741265040.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2801905" style="width:534px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite falling short, three for Fort Mill would finish in double digits for points. One of those was senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2470144' first='Logan' last='Parker']</strong>. The 6-foot-1 shooting guard concluded his high school career with a 17-point performance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2801907,"width":"540px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_3918-crop-2968x1949-1741265159.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_3918-crop-2968x1949-1741265159.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2801907" style="width:540px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of 2025s, the Yellow Jackets also got a championship-level performance from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1330680' first='Nas' last='Berry']</strong>. The upperclassman Fort Mill combo guard tallied 11 points to help the Yellow Jackets' objective.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2801916,"width":"526px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_3873-crop-2793x1834-1741265334.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_3873-crop-2793x1834-1741265334.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2801916" style="width:526px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Also chiming in with 11 points was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2634954' first='Wallace' last='Campbell']</strong>. He can play at either the three or the four in the frontcourt and is part of Fort Mill's class of 2026. He is four from the Yellow Jackets' junior class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>So Long, Seniors</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parker, Berry, Noah Johnson, Noah Mason, Ryan Ringer and Xander Gray are the six seniors set to call it a time at Fort Mill.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->