Lower State Finals Preview – Florence,SC
Friday February 23
5:30 P.M. C.E. Murray vs Hemingway Class A
The War Eagles defeated Lowcountry Leadership 46-42 and East Clarendon 51-47 to big back to the Lower State Finals. Combo forward Twanye Butler (2019) averages 12 ppg and 12 rebounds.
The Tigers (18-6) won the Class A State Championship last season over Lewisville. Darius Taylor (2019) was named Class AA State Player of the Year. Taylor also recorded 11 interceptions on the football field. The Tigers have already beaten C.E. Murray twice this season 77-51 and 68-43. Taylor is the only to averaged in double figures with 12.8 ppg. Taylor dishes out 7.3 assists a night.
8:30 P.M. A.C. Flora vs Wilson Class AAAA
The Falcons (19-6) come to Florence Center to play the hometown favorite Tigers (20-3). Diamante Brown (2018) is still not currently with the team. Derrick “DJ” Sinkler, Nasir Boyce, Daniel Finney, RJ Mobley and Matt Jamison will look to lead the Falcons.
Alex Caldwell signed with Southeast Missouri State and was recently named Class AAAA State Player of the Year. Jamonty Williams, Darius Rhodes, Allen Williamson (2019), Deshawn Brackett and Ryan Carfley (Coker College) will look to lead the Tigers.
Saturday February 24
12:30 P.M. Carvers Bay vs Marion Class AA
The Bears (23-2) have beaten the region rival Swamp Foxes twice this season already 67-49 and 50-48. The Bears have lost to Class AAAAA Conway and Millbrook (Winchester, VA) this season. Dijon Goss (2018) was named Region Player of the Year and also garnered North-South Football Honors back in the fall. Goss is averaging 14.4 ppg and 10.2 rebounds this season.
The Swamp Foxes (21-7) have lost to Conway (2), Carver Bay (2), Hartsville – AAAA, Darlington-AAAA and Kingstree this season. BJ Blue (2018) has led the team this season at 17 ppg. Freshman TJ Sanders has been hot down the stretch for the Swamp Foxes.
3:30 P.M. Ridgeland-Hardeeville vs Wade Hampton (Hampton) Class AAA
The Jaguars (22-1) lost to the Red Devils a few weeks back 59-55. The 2 schools are approximately 28 miles apart located in the southern part of the state near the Georgia State line. The Jaguars rely on Rashamel Butler (2019) to provide leadership. Butler averages 19.3 ppg, 5.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists.
The Red Devils (15-5) recently beat Loris (the last unbeaten team in the state) 63-53 to advance to the Lower State Finals. The Red Devils rely on a committee of players including Rashane Duncan 6’9 (2018), Quayshon Williams (2018) and Deondre Terry (2018)
6:30 P.M. Blythewood vs Irmo Class AAAAA
The Bengals (23-2) have won 21 games in a row and already have beaten Irmo twice this season. Robert Braswell, Jonathan Breeland and Tre Jackson lead the way for the Bengals. Braswell has received strong interest from Oklahoma State and Creighton wish he plans on visiting in the near future.
Irmo (20-7) is fresh a victory over Sumter 45-41 and West Ashley. Head coach Tim Whipple (739-274) has the Yellow Jackets playing well. Winston Hill (2018) and Trevez Caldwell (2019) will look to lead the troops.