COLUMBIA – With a top finish in regular season region standings, Richard Winn was one of four teams to receive a first round bye in the SCISA A State Tournament, which began on Feb. 18. The Eagles faced Ragin Prep Christian Academy on Tuesday in the second round at Hammond School in Columbia.
A familiar foe, Richard Winn defeated Ragin Prep three times during regular season action, and Tuesday night was no different. The Eagles easily handled the Rams, advancing in the bracket with a 55-28 win.
Senior Lawson Wade paved the way for Richard Winn with 18 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Junior Drew Spires added 15 points and five assists. Miller Stuck chipped in 11 points, along with six assists, three steals and three blocks.
No. 2 Richard Winn (21-3) will play top-seeded Charleston Collegiate (23-5) in a semifinal game tonight at 8 p.m. at Hammond. The winner will face the winner of Faith Christian (25-2) and King Academy (23-6) in the title game on Saturday at noon in Sumter at the Sumter Civic Center.
Two of Richard Winn’s three losses this season came at the hands of King Academy, one in their first meeting (53-27) and one in the region tournament championship (32-31). They defeated King at home on Feb. 8 (39-29).
Richard Winn’s girls team did not receive a playoff bid for the eight-team tournament.
RW 55, Ragin Prep 28
RW: Wade 18, Spires 15, Stuck 11, Caulder 5, Wilson 4, Chaisson 2, Bonds 2.
