SUMTER – The Richard Winn Lady Eagles opened the SCISA 1A playoffs with an impressive win over back-to-back region champions, the Wardlaw Academy Patriots. Taylor Spires had a massive night. She recorded 20 points and 16 rebounds as she led the Eagles in their come-from-behind victory. Spires also had a pair of threes. Rayne Williams was second on the team in scoring with seven, and Jordan Williams led Wardlaw with eight.
Taylor Spires (15) powers through the lane. Spires averaged 19.5 ppg in the playoffs. | Martha Ladd
RWA drew top-seeded Beaufort Academy in the second round, and Beaufort’s offense ran wild. They racked up 40 points in the first half and led by 28 at the break. The Eagles fared better in the second half, but it was not enough to touch the deficit, and they fell to Beaufort 29-59.
The Eagles’ offense struggled out of the gates. Their only first quarter points came via four free-throws from Taylor Spires, while Beaufort racked up 20 in the first. Spires had a team-high 19 points, 14 rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Beaufort’s Emily Ann Hiers had a game-high 20 points, 10 of which came in the first quarter.
Things did not get much better for Richard Winn in the second quarter. The high-octane Beaufort attack continued, and they put up another 20-point quarter. Richard Winn only knocked down two field goals in the second period and mustered up eight points.
Both teams were evenly match in the second half, but the Eagles could not put a dent in the massive first half-lead.
Richard Winn 34, Wardlaw 26
RWA – 13-1-3-17 – 34
WA – 2-11-10-3 – 26
RWA: Taylor Spires – 20, Rayne Williams – 7, Gracie Atkerson – 4, Kaitlyn Thoma – 3.
WA: Jordan Williams – 8, Elizabeth Ruth – 6, Catherin Quarles -5, Allison Burnett – 5, Gracie Kenn – 2.
Beaufort 59, Richard Winn 29
RWA – 4-8-10-7-29
BA – 20-20-9-11-59
RWA: Spires – 19, Williams – 6, Gibbons – 2, Thoma – 2.
BA: Emily Ann Hiers – 20, Amelia Huebel – 17, Shanese Bostick – 10, Maene Kelsly – 6, Ariana Gonzales – 4, Riley Gates – 2,