Hartsville shocks defending champion Wilson

Hartsville might be the unlikeliest regional finalist of all time.

The Red Foxes continued their amazing run in the 4-A playoffs by scoring a shocking 56-41 win over defending champion Wilson on Monday in Wilson.

Hartsville, which incurred two double-digit losses to Wilson in the regular season, will now play for the Lower State championship on Friday in Florence against Irmo sporting a 14-13 record. That's right - 14-13.

This is a team that struggled mightily in the regular season and barely made the playoff field as the fourth-place team in their region.

And now they are two wins away from an improbable state championship.

Hartsville took control early, using an 8-0 run to lead 14-6 late in the first quarter. The run started with consecutive 3-pointers by Xavion Robinson and Sahquan Pendergrass. Once they took the lead, the Red Foxes never trailed again and built a 14-point lead by halftime.

The closest Wilson (22-8) could get was 45-38 in the fourth quarter on a Josh Green basket.

Robinson led Hartsville with 16 points while Kam Foman and Pendergrass each had 8.

Merel Burgess led Wilson with 13 points.

Here is a look at other third-round games as well as SCISA results:

4-A boys

Irmo 59, Lucy Beckham 34

The Yellow Jackets were in complete control by the end of the first quarter. Brandon Crawford, Irmo’s 6-foot-9 center, was a force with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 8 blocks. Most of his points came on six dunks. Te’andre Simmons and Madden Collins each scored 12 points while Jonathan White had 10. Irmo (24-5) will face Hartsville for the Lower State championship on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Florence Center. Lucy Beckham ended the season with an 18-10 record.

SCISA 4-A girls

Heathwood Hall 73, Augusta Christian 28

Lauren Jacobs led a balanced effort with 19 points and Sabreya Monsanto had 18 as the Highlanders dominated. Shamarie Hayes scored 14 points while Camillea Gore had 11. Heathwood (24-1) advanced to the semifinals. Augusta Christian ended up 11-15.

SCISA 3-A girls

Orangeburg Prep 41, Greenwood Christian 36

Katherine Lambrecht led the Indians with 18 points and 7 steals in the quarterfinal win at Cardinal Newman in Columbia.

3-A boys

Orangeburg-Wilkinson 61, Beaufort 39

The Bruins (22-6) ran away with this one. They will play Crestwood, a 68-49 winner over Lower Richland, in the Lower State championship on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Florence Center.

4-A boys

Greenville 71, Catawba Ridge 60

The Red Raiders (26-2) will play Lancaster (26-3), a 54-45 winner over Wade Hampton, in the Upper State championship game on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Bob Jones University.

3-A boys

Travelers Rest 51, Clinton 46

The Devildogs improved to 20-8. They will play Wren (22-7), which beat Daniel 62-56, for the Upper State championship on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Bob Jones University.

3-A boys

Wren 62, Daniel 56

Jacob McQueen led Wren with 23 points. Johnathan Whyso had 14 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Rhett Warga had 13 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals.

SCISA 4-A girls’

Trinity Collegiate 65, Pinewood Prep 23

Kenzie Feagin, a Francis Marion recruit, scored 22 points in the quarterfinal win. Azaria Knox added 21 points for the Cougars.