Gray Collegiate rules the Upper State

South Carolina playoff roundup (2/24/2023)

Gray Collegiate could end up sweeping the 2-A basketball state championships next weekend.

The War Eagles already rule the Upper State.

The Gray Collegiate boys came from behind to down rival Keenan, 72-66, to claim the boys’ Upper State title at Bob Jones University on Friday. Earlier, the Gray Collegiate girls overcame Keenan, 46-38, to win the girls’ Upper State championship.

Here’s a look at what happened and other games across the state:

2-A boys

Gray Collegiate 72, Keenan 66

The War Eagles had to overcome a 12-point deficit to advance. Montraivis White scored 20 of his game-high 23 points as Gray Collegiate surged in the third quarter.

L.J. Britt and Mychael Mitchell each scored 12 points for the War Eagles, who will be aiming for the program’s fifth state championship. It was emotional, too, from the standpoint of Mitchell’s effort. Mitchell had suffered a seizure during the War Eagles’ game on Jan. 17. He is now healthy.

Gray Collegiate and Keenan had split their regular season games.

The War Eagles (24-6) will play Oceanside Collegiate for the 2-A state championship on March 3 at 7:30 pm. at USC-Aiken.

Keenan ended the season with an 18-10 record.

2-A girls

Gray Collegiate 46, Keenan 38

Maliyiah Mason scored 13 points as the War Eagles moved on to their first-ever state championship appearance. Keenan was forced to compete without 2-A state player of the year MiLaysia Fulwiley, who suffered a calf injury in the Raiders’ third-round win.

Gray Collegiate (21-6) will face Bishop England for the state champion March 3 at 6 p.m. at USC-Aiken.

Keenan wound up with a 19-7 record.

4-A boys

Irmo 54, Hartsville 38

Brandon Crawford, Irmo’s 6-foot-9 center, had another dominant game with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 6 blocked shots as the Yellow Jackets (25-5) reached their 11th state title game - and first since 2018 - all under longtime coach Tim Whipple.

The Yellow Jackets displayed plenty of balance in ending Hartsville’ underdog run. Madden Collins, Te’Andre Summons and Jonathan White all had 11 points. Collins and White both had five assists.

De’Andre Huggins led Hartsville (14-14) with 15 points while Xavion Robinson had 14.

Hartsville had won three playoff games, ousting defending state champion Wilson along the way.

2-A boys

Oceanside Collegiate 75, Andrew Jackson 38

Malachi Stevens scored 21 points as the Landsharks (24-5) won their seventh consecutive game. Andrew Jackson ended up 22-4.

2-A girls

Bishop England 39, Andrew Jackson 38

Lissie Van De Erve scored 11 points as the Battling Bishops staged an amazing rally to secure coach Paul Runey’s 778th career win. Bishop England trailed 34-22 at halftime but managed to hold Andrew Jackson to four points in the second half.

Runey has coached at Bishop Englandf for 49 years. He has six state championships.