Conway uses defense to stifle Ashley Ridge 41-26

South Carolina basketball playoff roundup (2/18/2023)

Conway has hung its hat on defense all season and the Tigers continued that trend once again in the second round of the 5-A state playoffs Saturday night.

Aiden Brantley and Devin Grainger each scored 10 points as the Tigers beat Ashley, 41-26. Conway is now 26-1 and will be at home for a Lower State semifinal game on Wednesday against River Bluff.

The second-ranked Tigers also got 9 points and 4 steals from Cam Alston. Brantley had 8 rebounds and Grainger matched Alston with 4 steals.

Conway clung to a 14-9 halftime lead. But the Tigers outscored Ashley Ridge 19-5 in the third quarter and took control of the game.

Ashley Ridge ended the season with a 17-10 record.

River bluff advanced with a 50-46 win over St. James.

Here is a look at some other second-round playoff action across the state.

2-A boys

Woodland 82, Marion 70

Clarence Simmons led the way with 21 points while Tyree Edwards had 14. Ja’Kease Salley and Suderian Harrison each scored 12 points for the Wolverines, who are now 19-5. Marion’s ended at 9-12.

3-A boys

Wren 66, Union County 50

Johnathan Whysong had 20 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks to lead Wren. Jeremiah Campbell got 18 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals. Brock Cherry had 10 points and 3 steals. Wren hosts Daniel for a third-round game on Wednesday.

4-A girls

North Augusta 53, South Pointe 50

The Yellow Jackets saw a 15-point lead disappear. Then they fell behind but recovered for a tough win. Celena Grant led North Augusta (23-3) with 17 points. P’eris Smith had 13 points and Jadah O’Bryant had 10. South Pointe ended the season with a 25-3 record.

3-A girls

Lower Richland 67, Marlboro County 42

Chi’Nya Isaac scored a career-high 30 points to lead the Diamond Hornets. Jhnai Sumter added 15 points. Tyra Floyd added 10 points and also reached the career 1,000 point mark.

4-A girls

Westwood 68, Hartsville 38

Jessica Woods led five players in double figures for Westwood with 16 points. Raven Johnson had 12 points while Makiah Thompson has 11. Destiny Omeire and Korletta Daniels each scorrd 10 points. Westwood is now 24-4. Hartsville ended up 19-8.

SCISA 4-A boys

Porter-Gaud 53, Heathwood Hall 24

Robert Moore scored 17 points for the Cyclones and Clyde Mauldin had 15. The Cyclones (20-10) play Hammond in the quarterfinals on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

3-A girls

Camden 84, Battery Creek 33

Joyce Edwards scored 27 points in the easy win. Edwards, a senior, is now less than 100 points away from 3,000. Braylin Mungo added 16 points and Tateyoina Harris had 10. Sophia Felix led Battery Creek with 10 points. Camden is now 26-2.

SCISA 4-A boys

Ben Lippen 78, Trinity Collegiate 53

Braysen Stockman scored 20 points and grabbed 6 rebounds to lead Ben Lippen. Samari Van Horn had 15 points and 4 steals. Buss Buxton added 12 points and 5 rebounds.

4-A girls

A.C. Flora 50, Bluffton 36

Terriana Gray led the Falcons with 22 points and Trinity Delaney had 10. A.C. Flora is now 18-9. Bluffton exited with a 19-5 record.

5-A boys

Lexington 81, Rock Hill 46

Cam Scott scored 29 points as the Wildcats rolled. Kaleb Evans added 16 points for Lexington

(19-6), which has won 13 in a row. Coulter Bell contributed 13 points.

2-A boys

Gray Collegiate 95, Abbeville 45

Avantae Parker led the top-ranked War Eagles with 18 points. Braythan Thomas added 12 points. Gray Collegiate hosts Eau Claire in the Lower State semifinals on Tuesday.