Irmo big man’s presence a key in Yellow Jackets’ deep postseason run
Throughout Tim Whipple’s 40-plus years of coaching at Irmo High School, there haven’t been too many big men who’ve had an effect on the game like Brandon Crawford.
The 6-foot-9 Irmo center delivered another strong performance on offense and defense Monday in helping the Yellow Jackets to a 59-34 win over Lucy Beckham in the third round of the Class 4A playoffs.
Irmo advances to Whipple’s 14th state semifinal to face Hartstville, which knocked off defending champion Wilson. The winner of the Irmo-Hartsville game Friday at the Florence Center advances to next week’s state championship.
Crawford led the way for the Jackets with 15 points and six rebounds — and he changed the complexion of the game with seven blocks.
“He has single-handedly changed the focus of offenses,” Whipple said of Crawford. “And I have never had a player do that. It is a credit to him. He works hard. And being sick and not being out there, I think he realized how much he loved basketball and how much he missed it.”
The senior missed almost three weeks with mononucleosis but has since been dominant, averaging 13.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.6 blocks over Irmo’s last eight games including the playoffs.
The Class 4A Player of the Year blocked 11 shots in a game against Lugoff-Elgin on Feb. 10 that clinched the Region 5-4A championship.
Crawford said it was a bit of an adjustment to get back into shape and regain chemistry with his teammates. The Yellow Jackets changed things up a little with a more guard-oriented attack with him out, but everyone is on the same page now.
“It took me a minute to get back. They changed things on offense when I was out. I had to get used to that. But after that, it has been real easy,” Crawford said.
Whipple thinks the time Crawford was out was a turning point for his team. Irmo went 3-2 without him and was able to mistakes they learned during that stretch and turn them into positives.
“The guys have done a phenomenal job staying focused, living in the moment and doing everything they can to make things happen and not worry about tomorrow,” Whipple said.
Te’Andre Summons and Madden Collins each added 12 points for Irmo. Jonathan White added 10.
Irmo trailed 8-5 after the first quarter but shut out the Bengals in the second, outscoring them 17-0, and led 22-8 at halftime. The Yellow Jackets held Lucy Beckham to 29 percent shooting from the field.
Rowan Irelan led Lucy Beckham — a school located in Mount Pleasant — with eight points but was in foul trouble for most of the game.
Schedule
SCHSL
Monday
Class 4A Boys
Irmo 59, Lucy Beckham 34
LB: Smith 7, Huber 2, Bailes 5, Irelan 8, Coakley 3, Allard 3, Miller 4. I: Brandon Crawford 15, Te’Andre Summons 12, Madden Collins 12, Jonathan White 10, Brand 7, Mason Collins 2, McLaughlin 1.
Class 3A Boys
Crestwood 68, Lower Richland 49
Tuesday
Class 4A Girls
James Island at Westwood
Ridge View at AC Flora
Class 3A Girls
Loris at Camden
Crestwood at Lower Richland
Class 2A Girls
Fairfield Central at Gray Collegiate
Keenan at Silver Bluff
Wednesday
Class 5A Boys
TL Hanna at Lexington
River Bluff at Conway
Class 2A Boys
Eau Claire at Gray Collegiate
Columbia at Keenan
Class 5A Girls
Lexington at Mauldin
Dorman at Spring Valley
Friday
Class 4A Boys
Irmo vs. Hartsville at Florence Center, 7:30 p.m.
SCISA
Monday
Class 4A Girls
Heathwood Hall 73, Augusta Christian 28
HH: Lauren Jacobs 19, Sabreya Monsanto 18, Shamarie Hayes 14, Camillea Gore 11, Spriggs 5, Laughlin 2, Mullins 2, Bowers 2. AC: Ellis 12, Jolly 9, Witt 5, Thomas 2
Northwood 45, Hammond 28
H: Khalil 8, Adams 3, Evans 2, Hyman 7, Stephens 3, Earl 3, Vincent 2.
Class A Girls
Cambridge 25, WW King 17
Tuesday
Class 4A Boys
Porter-Gaud vs. Hammond at Sumter Civic Center, 5 p.m.
Wilson Hall vs. Cardinal Newman at Sumter Civic Center, 8 p.m.
Ben Lippen vs. First Baptist at Sumter Civic Center, 6:30 p.m.
Class A Boys
Our Lady of the Rosary vs. WW King at Hammond, 3:30 p.m.
Newberry Academy vs. Charleston Collegiate at Hammond, 6:30 p.m.
Ragin Prep vs. Richard Winn at Hammond, 8 p.m.
Thursday
Class 4A Girls
Heathwood Hall vs. First Baptist at Sumter Civic Center, 6:30 p.m.
This story was originally published February 20, 2023 at 10:04 PM.
