South Carolina State Championships

2019 SCHSL State Championships - March 1 - 2,

Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC

 

We provide a recap of the South Carolina High School league State Championship games for all 5 Girls Basketball classifications.

 

Class A - Friday March 1 - 3:30 PM

 

Scotts Branch (Eagles) - 63

VS

High Point Academy (Grizzlies) - 49

 

The first game of the two-day Championship weekend matched teams seeking their first State Championship wins. Scotts Branch came back from a 23 - 20 halftime deficit, to score 43 second-half points and pull away for the victory.  All-state player - Mary Wimberly ignited a strong defensive effort in the second half and finished with seven steals and five blocks to go along with her team high 20 points. State Player of the Year (SCBCA) Cambria Parker had an off shooting night going 5-23 (1-9 from the three-point line) and finished with 11 points.  It was Scotts Branch’s defense that brought home the first State Championship in school history. High Point Academy was lead by All-state Guard - junior Taniah Wilkins. Wilkins finished with 22 points - 14 rebounds - 3 blocks - 3 assists. She carried High Point through the first three quarters of the game, but was face-guarded in the fourth quarter and unable to pull out the victory. High Point held a 38 - 37 lead into the final quarter, but was outscored 26 - 11 in the final period.  Scotts Branch finished their historic season with a 22 - 3 record; High Point Academy finished 21 - 4.

 

Class AAAAA - Friday March 1 - 7:00 PM

 

Goose Creek (Gators) - 52

VS

Spring Valley (Vikings) - 51

 

The most exciting game of the Championship weekend came down to the final seconds. Spring Valley looked to close out the outstanding careers of their senior class with a second consecutive State Championship win. Senior All-state guard Taylor Lewis led Spring Valley with 24 points and 9 rebounds.  Fellow Viking, All-state senior guard Ashley Williamson scored 13 points. In the final two minutes, Spring Valley held the lead at 51-43. Goose Creek then went on a 9 - 0 run, including a long jumper by Shayla Nelson and impressive plays by junior Aniyah Oliver. Oliver hit a three pointer, followed by an offensive rebound and putback, scoring two more points. That play gave Davis an opportunity to close out Goose Creek’s comeback. Goose Creek took the lead with 9.5 seconds left on the clock. Senior Mary Davis knocked down two free throws, giving the Gators the winning margin. Senior All-state player Shayla Nelson blocked Spring Valley junior Lauren Taylor’s shot attempt with 0.4 seconds left on the clock. Head Coach Tim Baldwin and the Gators secured the win; their second State Championship in three years. Goose Creek was led on the offensive side by senior Ciera Schivers - 12 points; junior Aniyah Oliver - 12 points; senior Shayla Nelson - 6 points. Nelson also had a notable 17 rebounds and 5 blocks.

 

 

Class AA - Saturday March 2 - 10:30 AM

 

Mullins (Auctioneers) - 36

VS

Christ Church (Cavaliers) - 41

 

Mullins High School played in their third straight State Championship game, with their senior (SCBCA) All-state player Janell Sindab trying to finish her career with back-to-back Championship victories. Christ Church entered with a strong history of success, but with a relatively untested group of players at this level.  Both teams had their chances throughout the game. The momentum seemed to be with Christ Church, even after two of their top three scorers fouled out. When the second player fouled out, there were 3:00 minutes left in the game and Christ Church held a four-point lead. Christ Church junior Erica Harris was comfortable carrying the scoring load for the final stretch of the game. They held off Mullins just enough for a five-point victory. Harris finished with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals. Mullins seemed to be off track on the offensive end all game. Sophomore Jen’Lea Nichols finished with seven points and nine rebounds, but with her foul trouble, she never established her interior presence. Sindab finished with 14 points and 6 steals, but was never able to find her rhythm shooting 2-10 from beyond the three-point arc.  Christ Church freshman sensation McCall King finished with 11 points and 5 steals; junior All-state performer Marissa Powe led all scorers with 15 points; Christ Church went 20 - 24 from the free throw line while Mullins was 4 - 8.

 

Class AAA - Saturday March 2 - 2:00 PM

 

Bishop England (Battling Bishops) - 54

VS

W.J. Keenan (Pirates)- 46

 

This was an outstanding matchup of teams and coaches that are used to playing on Championship weekend. Keenan and Coach McClaine have played for five State Championships and have secured three titles since 2008.  With this victory, Bishop England’s Head Coach Paul Runey has won six titles in eight years. These programs have met multiple times including the title games in 2013, 2016 and now in 2019. Keenan brought one of the top backcourts in the State with 8th Grade - 5’7” - Guard - Milaysia Fulwiley and junior - 5’9” - Guard - Dyani Burke. Both are on the 2019 SCBCA All-state team and played extremely well,  combining for 35 points. Bishop England found themselves with a two-point lead at halftime (22 - 20.) They used the the third quarter to outscore Keenan 14 - 8, creating a lead that they would not give up. Senior All-state honoree Katie Brooks led the way for the Battling Bishops with 20 points (12 - 13 from the free throw line) 6 rebounds, and 5 steals. Senior Josie Dennis added 10 points and sophomore Lily Woods contributed an additional 10 points.  W.J. Keenan finished their season 17 - 8; Bishop England finished 28 - 1.

 

Class AAAA - Saturday March 2 - 5:30 PM

 

North Augusta (Yellow Jackets) - 50

VS

South Pointe (Stallions) - 39

 

The final Championship game was one of the most anticipated, with two-time defending Class AAAA Champion North Augusta taking on first-time Championship participant South Pointe.  Senior (SCBCA) Four A State Player of the Year Mya Burns for North Augusta was looking to finish her career in style, while South Pointe junior All-state player Jamia Blake tried to make a name for herself with an eye on the future.  North Augusta jumped out to a 7-0 lead early in the game and was up 11 - 5 following the first quarter of play. Sophomore Kiana Lee was instrumental in getting out to that early lead with 10 points in the first half, that led to their 28 - 12 halftime lead.  South Pointe played much better in the second half, but was unable to overcome the 10 point deficit they faced all game. Senior 6’2” - post player Sierra McCullough finished out her high school career with a 13 point, 13 rebound, 5 block performance to keep her team in contention. Senior guard - Scarlett Gilmore was the only other double-figure scorer for South Pointe, finishing her career with a 12 point game. North Augusta was led by junior guard J’Mani Ingram who scored 17 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals, Senior Mya Burns contributed a double double with 13 points, 16 rebounds, 3 blocks and 3 steals, Kiani Lee also added a double double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Next year, North Augusta will return with three of their starters, seeking their fourth trip to the SCHSL State Championships.