Three High School Basketball programs from the listening took home State Championship gold over the weekend. As we previously reported, the Landrum Girls captured the 2A State Title with a 45-43 win over Atlantic Collegiate, Thursday.
On Friday, the Walhalla Girls repeated as 3A State Champions. The Lady Razors handled Kennan (Columbia). Walhalla was able to take a 21-15 lead after the 1st quarter.
Their offensive pace would continue in the 2nd quarter as the Lady Razors outscored Kennan 21-12 to take a 42-27 lead into the half. Walhalla would then build the lead to as many as 23 in the 3rd quarter. The Lady Razors would lead for more than 29 of the game's 32 minutes.
Keenan clawed and fought to the end, as they cut the lead late after Walhalla had the game in hand. The Lady Razors got 23 points and 9 boards from Ashlyn Frick and 19 from Baylee Cannon to led the way.
It marks Back-To-Back State Titles for the Walhalla, for the 1st time in history. Walhalla becomes just the 2nd Girls program in Oconee County to win consecutive State Titles in over 50 years. (Westminster High early 70's)
In the game that followed, Christ Church took the crown in 3A Boys. The Cavs clipped Fox Creek 52-49. David Dixon and Jonathan Perry were in double figures for Christ Church. The Cavs led by as many as 9, defense was their calling card as CCES held Fox Creek to 4 points in the 2nd quarter and 8 in the 3rd.
On Saturday, the lone listening area team took the floor in the 4A Girls State Title Game. Westside (Anderson) who has been the favorite in the Upstate all season meet perennial powerhouse North Augusta. The defending Champs were able to hold off a valiant effort from Westside. North Augusta won the game 63-50. It marks the 7th State Title in the last decade for North Augusta. The Lady Yellow Jackets have now won Back-To-Back titles twice during that stretch.
The listening area had 7 teams advance to the Finals in their respective classes. Overall teams from the area went 3-4 over the three days of the Finals. This year also marked the return of the State Finals to Colonial Life Arena in Columbia.