Heathwood Hall girls fall on buzzer-beater. Ridge View, Blythewood win playoff openers

The Heathwood Hall girls basketball team’s bid at a third-straight SCISA championship ended Wednesday in heartbreaking fashion.

Ellie Blitch’s basket as time expired gave First Baptist a 54-52 win over Heathwood in the semifinals of the S.C. Independent School Association’s 4A playoffs at the Sumter Civic Center.

First Baptist advances to the championship game to face Trinity Collegiate at 6 p.m. Friday.

Gabby Moore led First Baptist (29-2) with 18 points. Moore had the ball in her hands at game’s end. With 10 seconds left, she took the ball at the top of the key and dribbled on the right side and threw it to a wide-open Blitch for the game-winner.

Paige Pouyat and Ava Rush each had 10 points for First Baptist.

Ole Miss signee Lauren Jacobs led Heathwood (17-4) with 17 points. SaBreya Monsanto added 15 and Camillea Gore had 13.

The Highlanders jumped out to a 13-point lead in the first half before First Baptist rallied and led 28-27 at halftime.

Porter-Gaud 49, Hammond 45 (Boys): The Skyhawks’ season ended in the SCISA 4A semifinals.

Porter-Gaud will face Augusta Christian in the state championship on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

John-Michael Jenkins and Griffin Ferraro each led P-G with 15 points.

Daylin and Jaiden Haltiwanger each had double-doubles in the loss for the Skyhawks. Daylin had 17 points and 11 rebounds while brother Jaiden had 15 points and 10 rebounds.

SCHSL Boys Playoffs

—— Class 5A Division I ——

Ridge View 72, Carolina Forest 50: The defending champion and top-seed Blazers rolled in their playoff opener after a bye in the first round.

Korie Corbett led Ridge View with 14 points while Tal Staley and Yale Davis each had 13.

Ridge View will host Summerville on Saturday in the third round.

River Bluff 66, Mauldin 59: Francis Marion commitment Yasir Cromer scored a game-high 22 points as the Gators moved on in the playoffs.

River Bluff will travel to Dorman in the third round on Saturday at 6 p.m. It’s a rematch of the 2021 state championship game won by River Bluff.

Mason Young added 11 points and Blake Wilson had 10 for the Gators.

Blythewood 73, Byrnes 58: TJ Lewis poured in a game-high 27 points as the Bengals knocked off the Rebels.

Blythewood hosts Clover in the third round at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

The Bengals broke the game open with a 15-0 run to take a 60-44 lead in the fourth quarter.

Kemuel Little scored 14 points and Tyler Stephens had 13 for Blythewood.

Colt Fowler led Byrnes with 24 points.

Clover 73, Dutch Fork 67 (OT): The second-seeded Silver Foxes were upset at home in the second round.

Dutch Fork trailed most of game but sent it to overtime on Jaiden Coleman’s basket with 18.5 seconds left.

Clover outscored the Silver Foxes, 15-9, in overtime. Bryson Taylor led Dutch Fork with 21 points and Justus Bell had 17.

—— Class A ——

CA Johnson 63, McCormick 53: Tony Odom scored 16 points as the Green Hornets moved on to the third round.

CAJ will travel to region foe McBee at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Milton McCray added 14 points and Aiassic Germany scored 13 points and had 10 rebounds.

SCHSL Girls Playoffs

—— Class 3A ——

Keenan 55, Loris 38: Taelor Lee-Sutton scored 27 points to send the Raiders to the third round of the playoffs.

Keenan will play at Oceanside Collegiate on Saturday.

Jayla Fulwiley added 10 points for Keenan.

This story was originally published February 19, 2025 at 10:56 PM.