Outburst after halftime lifts Irmo

A 14-point third quarter swing helped the defending 4A champion Irmo Jackets advance at home on Saturday, posting a 73-59 win against Hillcrest.

The Yellow Jackets, who trailed by four at halftime, outscored Hillcrest 16-5 in three minutes after the break to build an enduring lead.

Jordan Roper fueled the Yellow Jackets with eight points in the first two minutes, including two 3-pointers.

“That got us some cushion, and that helped our confidence and really got us going,” Irmo coach Tim Whipple said.

Irmo (24-3) built a 10-point lead by the end of the quarter, and held on for the win.

Rakish Taylor’s defensive boards in the fourth quarter denied the Rams (22-5) any second chances.

“Early in the third, shots didn’t go that went for us in the first half, and Roper got hot and hit some big shots that started a run for them, and they don’t even need a margin,” Rams coach Reggie Choplin said.

“Our kids got a little timid on defense once we got in some foul trouble and then that margin starts to get bigger,” he said.

Roper led the game with 24 points—19 in the second half .Taylor added 15.

Tre Smith and Marquiz Evans led the Rams with 15 and 13 points, respectively.

Evans and Corbin Anderson were shooting hot in the first half, as the Rams and Yellow Jackets jockeyed for the lead.

Hillcrest took advantage of Irmo’s five first quarter turnovers and two 3-point buckets from Evans to take a five-point lead after one period. When Hillcrest’s shooting slowed in the second, Irmo surged ahead. But the Yellow Jackets’ problems taking care of the ball against the Rams’ tight defense kept Irmo from pulling away.

With four minutes remaining in the half, Anderson’s steal and fastbreak layup chopped into Irmo’s 27-22 lead — the Yellow Jackets’ biggest of the night to that point. Then, a strong move to the basket by Evans cut the deficit to one.

Hillcrest regained the lead on 3-of-6 shooting from the line in the final three minutes of the period, and another Anderson steal and basket put the Rams ahead 33-29 at halftime.

“We definitely felt like we were playing well, but we need it was going to be a tough second half,” Choplin said.

“It just ended up how many turnovers determined who was in the lead. When we were making turnovers, they were leading. When they made turnovers, we were leading,” Whipple said. “After halftime, we were a little more confident, didn’t turn the ball over and it made the difference.”

The Yellow Jackets will play at Gaffney for the third round.

“The Upper State (bracket) is killer, and it will be the toughest game we’ve had all year,” Whipple said.

I: Gross 4, McKie 4, Amedee 8, Browning 8, Quillen 8, Jordan Roper 24, Rakish Taylor 15, Howard 2. H: Brooks 9, Corbin Anderson 12, Tre Smith 15, Kirksey 8, Marquiz Evans 13, Walker 2.