Sabres on top! Southside Christian rolls to first boys basketball state championship
Southside Christian capped off its perfect season with the school’s first state basketball championship Wednesday.
Senior Ian Thomson had a triple-double as the Sabres (18-0) dominated from the start in defeating Scott’s Branch, 66-45, to win the Class A championship at USC Aiken Convocation Center.
“It doesn’t get any better than this,” Thomson said. “Before the game, coach told us to trust in each other and we wouldn’t have a problem out here. We executed the way we were supposed to.”
The championship is the Sabres’ second this school year. Southside’s football team won the state title in December. The girls basketball team will go for a state title Saturday against Military Magnet.
Thomson and guard Messiah Harris came out and set the tone early for Sabres. Harris, who finished with 16 points, knocked down two of the Sabres’ four 3-pointers in the first quarter to help Southside to a 15-7 lead after the first. The margin was 31-15 at halftime.
In the second half, Thomson dominated especially on the defensive end, blocking seven shots in the second half. The Anderson signee was right in the middle of the Sabres’ zone as caused problems for the Scott’s Branch offense. The Eagles shot just 23.8% for the game.
“He is a special kid. I can’t say enough about him,” Southside Christian coach Rick Remer said. “He always does what you asks, works hard and does everything you ask for.”
Scott’s Branch was looking for its first title since winning two straight in 1999-2000, but it never got going after a slow start.
Isaiah Washington led Scott’s Branch (12-3) with 10 points.
SC: Messiah Harris 16, Ben Vanick 11. Owens 8, Williams 5, Ian Thomson 20, C. Vanick Holder 1, Zivitski 2. SB: Sinkler 3, Rendell 9, Gibson 8, Isaiah Washington 10, Coard 9, Kind 3, Stephens 2, Green 1.
SC Basketball Championships scores, schedule
Wednesday, March 3
Class 2A Girls
Saluda 61, Silver Bluff 41
Class A Boys
Southside Christian 66, Scott’s Branch 45
Thursday, March 4
Class 4A Girls
North Myrtle Beach vs. Westside, noon
Class 3A Boys
Marlboro County vs. Seneca, 3 p.m.
Friday, March 5
Class 5A Girls
Sumter vs. Clover, noon
Class 3A Girls
Keenan vs. Bishop England, 4 p.m.
Class 2A Boys
Christ Church vs. Wade Hampton, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 6
Class 4A Boys
Hilton Head Island vs. South Pointe, noon
Class A Girls
Southside Christian Military Magnet, 4 p.m.
Class 5A Boys
Dorman vs. River Bluff, 7:30 p.m.
This story was originally published March 3, 2021 at 5:20 PM.
