The GSP Area was well represented over the weekend in the State Basketball Finals with three teams capturing gold and four others getting State Runner Up finishes. The State Finals were held in Florence, Friday and Saturday.
The action opened with the 2A Girls State Finals. Landrum fell to Andrew Jackson 78-60. It was the 1st trip to the State Title Game since 1975. In Friday's nightcap Byrnes fell to Lexington 67-48 in the 5A Boys Finals. Will Fowler led the Rebels with 26 in the losing effort. Lexington outscored Byrnes 38-26 in the 2nd half.
On Saturday, the 1A Boys Finals started things off. Christ Church cruised past Bethune Bowman 53-32. That marks back-to-back State Titles and three in the last four years, for the Christ Church program.
In the 3A Girls, Camden overwhelmed Wren 44-22. It's the lowest scoring output of the season for Wren. South Carolina Gamecock Commit Joyce Edwards had game highs in points and rebounds, with 27 points and 19 boards.
In the 3A Boys finals Powdersville clipped Darlington 53-47. It marks the 1st ever state title for the Powdersville Boys. Quan Burton hit two free throws down the stretch to seal the win. Jaleel Mcgee led Powdersville with 18.
Both Riverside's Girls and Boys were in the 4A State Finals. The Riverside Girls decimated AC Flora, 62-32. Riverside outscored AC Flora 31-10 in the 2nd half. Elly Trickett led Riverside with a double-double of 16 points and 16 boards.
In the nightcap, Riverside's Boys fell to Ridge View 58-52. Ridge View opened the game on a 17-4 run. American University commit Julen Iturbe led Riverside to the program's 1st trip to the State Finals in over 30 years.
In total, GSP area teams went 3-4 in the Finals over the weekend. The Low Country got a title with Lakeview winning the 1A Girls. The Midlands got from Andrew Jackson and Camden on the Girls side. They also had Ridge View, Lexington and Gray Collegiate winning titles on the Boys side.