Friday marked the start of the Upper State Finals at Bob Jones University in Greenville. The 1st day featured action from the 2A and 4A classes. In the afternoon session, an incredible high school career came to a close in losing fashion. In the evening session, one Greenville area girls team just didn't have enough to upend a perennial powerhouse. In the nightcap, the team that had captured most all of the attention locally, was unable to break through the glass ceiling.
The day started with 2A action. Keenan and Gray Collegiate met in both the Girls and Boys games, which is somewhat a rarity. The Gray Collegiate boys held off Keenan 72-66. It's the 3rd straight loss at Upper State for Coach Zach Norris and the Keenan Boys.
The story for the Friday's 1st session was not just the outcome of the game, but the aftermath. Most people who follow HS hoops in South Carolina know the name Milaysia Fulwiley. She has been a fixture for Keenan Girls Basketball, a highly coveted prospect and the driving force behind their success. Fulwiley lead Keenan to four straight State Finals and was looking for a 5th, this year. However, Gray Collegiate rained on that parade and somewhat surprisingly ended Fulwiley's high school career, downing Keenan 46-38. Fulwiley is signed to play for Dawn Staley at South Carolina next year. She has had one of the most incredible and prolific careers in South Carolina high school girls basketball, in the modern era.
The evening session featured the 4A games. In the 4A Girls game, Wade Hampton had a tall task taking on perennial powerhouse North Augusta. Wade Hampton started slow offensively and North Augusta built a 17-9 lead after the 1st quarter. The Lady Generals then exploded in the 2nd quarter, outscoring North Augusta 22-8 in the fame, to take a 31-25 halftime lead.
The 3rd quarter was incredibly competitive and somewhat back and forth. North Augusta had a run late in the quarter to give them a 15-9 advantage in the quarter and a 41-40 lead going into the final frame. North Augusta would control the 4th quarter for the most part and outscore Wade Hampton 17-10 in the 4th. That propelled them to a 58-50 win. Freshman Celena Grant had a game high 24 points to lead North Augusta, she's being recruited by the Gamecock Women's program as just a 9th grader.
In the nightcap, Greenville High fell short of getting to the 1st State Title game since 2008. The Red Raider Boys have been the talk of the city in terms of high school hoops this year. Excitement has followed them, they just were unable to get over the hump. Lancaster was bigger and more physical and it was evident. Greenville got a team high 13 from Senior Isaiah Mosley and a dozen each from Alijah Jones and Ramani Burton. However, that wasn't enough as Lancaster downed them 58-48. Greenville did however finish the season with 26 wins, which is a single season program record.
So now we know that the 2A and 4A State Finals are set and who will play for the big, gold trophy. 4A will play Thursday at the USC-Aiken Convocation Center. In the 4A Girls game, North Augusta will look for yet another State Title, as they take on Westwood. In the 4A Boys game, Lancaster will look to make history and knock off 4A power and Lower State Champs, Irmo.
The 2A State Finals will be Friday at USC-Aiken. The Gray Collegiate Girls will take on Bishop England, who edged Andrew Jackson 39-38. Bishop England is a traditional power who was a contender every year in class 3A for a long time. They were moved down to 2A in this last SCHSL realignment. Gray's boys will take Oceanside Collegiate, who dismantled Andrew Jackson 75-38.
The Upper State Finals continue at Bob Jones today (Saturday) and Monday. Saturday's slate is below
'1A Girls Noon
St. Joe's (Greenville) vs Denmark-Olar
1A Boys 2 PM
A battle of the most decorated public school program in 1A history vs the most decorated private school program in 1A history. Christ Church (Greenville) vs Great Falls
3A Girls 530 PM
Southside (Greenville) vs Wren- this one should be a "barn-burner". Two teams from the same region, they know each other well and there's a rivalry between the two. They've met three times already this season, this one marks the 4th meeting this season. Southside has taken two of the three meetings this season.
3A Boys 730 PM
Travelers Rest vs Wren- A couple of teams who play with a "pace and space" mentality on offense. They both have shooters and guys who can create off the dribble. The difference could be who can win the battle of the boards. TR features 3A State Player Of The Year Caleb Mills.
5A Upper State Games will be Monday at Bob Jones
The 5A Girls game will be at 530 PM. Mauldin will take on Spring Valley. It's the 2nd straight trip to the Upper State Finals for Mauldin. Last year, they fell short to eventual State Champs Rock Hill. They'll look to get over the hump this time through.
5A Boys is at 730 PM- Dorman vs Lexington.
Dorman looks like a team on a mission this year, they went to Fort Mill and dismantled them 66-33 to get to the Upper State Finals. I think Dorman is playing with an extra chip on their shoulder following last season. Last year, when Dorman was upset at Mauldin on a buzzer beater in the 3rd round, it marked the first time since the creation of Class 5A that Dorman's Boys were not in the 5A Upper State Finals.
We mentioned the 4A and 2A State Finals schedule for Aiken. Here's the rest of the State Final schedule.
5A Girls and Boys will play Saturday March 4th
5A Boys Dorman/Lexington winner vs Lower State Champs, winner of Conway vs Goose Creek
5A Girls Mauldin vs Spring Valley winner vs Lower State Champs, winner of Sumter vs Stratford
1A also plays Saturday
1A Boys
Christ Church/Great Falls winner vs Lower State Champs, winner of Estill vs Scott's Branch.
1A Girls
St. Joe's/ Denmark-Olar winner vs Lower State Champs, winner of Lakeview vs defending State Champs Military Magnet.
3A plays Friday
3A Girls - Southside/Wren winner vs Lower State Champs, Camden vs Lower Richland
3A Boys- Wren vs Travelers Rest winner vs Lower State Champs, Crestwood vs Orangeburg-Wilkinson.
