The listening area will be well represented in the upcoming High School Upper State Basketball Championships. A total of 8 area teams have qualified in their respective classes. The Upper State Finals in all 5 classifications will be held at Bob Jones University starting tomorrow (Saturday) then continuing Monday and Tuesday. In Saturday's 1A Girls match up High Point Academy if Spartanburg will battle Denmark-Olar that game is set to tip at noon. Both the Mauldin Girls and Boys teams will play Saturday, with the Lady Mavericks battling Rock Hill at 5:30 and Maverick Boys taking on Ridge View-Columbia in the Saturday's finale at 7:30. The Mavericks advanced to Upper State with a thrilling win on a buzzer beater to knock off perennial power Dorman.
On Monday traditional rivals Landrum and Christ Church will battle it out in the 2A girls game at noon, with the upstate Lady Cardinals looking to dethrone the Lady Cavs. Also on Monday Southside High of Greenville battles defending State champs Keenan High in the 3A girls game at 5:30. Then in Monday's main event Blue Ridge of Greer takes on traditional power Keenan in the 3A Boys game at 7:30. This year marks the first ever trip to the Upper State Finals for the Blue Ridge Boys program. On Tuesday evening, Westside of Anderson looks to defend their 4A girls State title against Catawba Ridge with that game set for a 5:30 Tip off.
High Point Academy has become a power in 1A Girls Basketball. Head Coach Grace Franklin has them back in the Upper State for the 4th consecutive year. High Point won the State Title last year and is back to defend it. Franklin is no stranger to deep postseason runs, she was at the helm for St. Joseph's Catholic prior to going to High Point.
In 5A Girls it's all about the "youth movement", The Mauldin Lady Mavericks have qualified for the Upper State after downing Dorman at "the Stable" in Mauldin on Tuesday. The Lady Mavs are led by Freshman Phenom Trinity Jones, the point guard was named to the 5A Girls All-State team earlier this week. Her backcourt mate Delilah Soltys is also a 9th grader who has played a major role. Mauldin also is getting to the State Semifinal round under a 1st year Head Coach.
With "the shot heard round the Upstate" on Monday night, Mauldin Boys qualified for Upper State. It was a Caleb Byrd three at the buzzer that lifted Mauldin to it's win in 11 tries against perennial power Dorman. It ended the Cavs run of 5 straight appearances in the State Finals. Mauldin is making it's 2nd appearance in the Upper State Finals in the last 4 years under Head Coach Adam McClain and Lead Assistant Armond Flood. The Mavericks will look to shock the state again, as they battle Ridge View (Columbia) Saturday Night. Mauldin will have to contend with Ridge View standout Greg "G.G." Jackson. He is ranked as the #1 Class of 2023 Prospect in the nation by Rivals. Jackson holds offers from Duke, North Carolina and Kansas among many others. Many NBA draft analysts feel he will be a 1st round pick in 3 years, barring injury.
On Monday, the 2A Girls will feature a match up of traditional conference rivals. For most of the 80's and 90's, Landrum and Christ Church were both in the old "Northwestern 1A" Conference. Since then both have experienced growth and moved to 2A. Christ Church is an absolute powerhouse in Girls Basketball. Having won 5 State Titles since 2009 including back to back runs in 2009 and 2010 and again in 2015 and 2016. The Upstart Lady Cardinals of Landrum will look to knock off the juggernaut.
On Monday night, the Southside High Girls will try and take down Keenan. Southside advanced with a great defensive performance Thursday night downing Lower Richland 37-26. They will need to be sharp defensively against Keenan's Junior Guard Malaysia Fulwiley. She's ranked as of one of the top players in the nation for the class of 2023. Fulwiley is averaging nearly 30 points per game and received her 1st D-1 offer while she was in 7th grade. Keenan is beatable though as Blue Ridge (Greer) went to Keenan in the 3rd round and nearly knocked them off losing by 2.
Speaking of Blue Ridge, their boys are making their 1st ever trip to the Upper State Finals. They pulled away late to beat Daniel 65-50 in the 3rd round. The renaissance for Blue Ridge has come on the back of Justin Bailey. He's one of the most prolific scorers in the State and has committed to play at USC-Upstate. Bailey had 36 in the Daniel win and had over 40 in an earlier playoff victory. They'll take on perennial power Keenan, the Raiders went on the road and dropped Seneca 37-32. I was at that game and Keenan is a great defensive team holding Seneca to more than 30 point below their team scoring average and creating over 20 turnovers on the way. The Raiders also are good on the offensive glass, as their front court goes 6ft 6 and 6ft 8.
On Tuesday, the Westside Lady Rams out of Anderson will take centerstage. They look to defend their 4A State Title and make it back to the State Finals. Catawba Ridge of Fort Mill will try and dethrone the reigning queens of 4A.
All of the Upper State Championship Games will be played at Bob Jones University in Greenville. "The Well" or Bon Secours Wellness Arena has traditionally held the Upper State Finals in the past. However, the venue was unavailable this year as singer Morgan Wallen is performing their Saturday night.
