Westwood girls basketball gets over hurdle, advances to first state championship
Westwood girls basketball has been here before — four times in the past six seasons, to be exact. Now, finally, the Redhawks are taking the next step.
Westwood is off the Class 4A state championship game after outlasting region rival AC Flora, 52-37, in Friday’s Lower State championship held at the Florence Center.
The Redhawks (26-4) will play North Augusta (25-3) on Thursday at 5 p.m. in the USC Aiken Convocation Center for an SCHSL crown. North Augusta beat Wade Hampton, 58-50, in Friday’s Upper State championship game.
It’s the Redhawks’ first state championship appearance in any sport since opening in 2012 — and a breakthrough moment for coach Gregory Bauldrick’s squad, which had previously lost in three consecutive state semifinals.
“They stayed on the course because they knew that they were having a special year and that this year was the year that we could possibly — finally — get the monkey off our back and get an opportunity to play for a state championship,” Bauldrick said. “We’re just so proud of them.”
All-State senior guard Jessica Woods (14 points) and junior guard Makiah Thompson (12 points) were the top performers for Westwood, which never trailed in the contest and was, simply put, faster, deeper and better than an AC Flora team it beat twice earlier this season in region play.
The Redhawks got out to an 8-0 lead in the first quarter, finished that first period up 16-5 and extended their lead to 21-5 midway through the second. All-State AC Flora guard Terriana Gray (14 points) was key in an ensuing 6-0 scoring run that gave her Falcons some midgame life.
Still, Westwood had a commanding double-digit lead after two quarters — 25-11 — and rarely blinked in the second half. AC Flora’s best stretch came during a high-scoring third quarter, when it used a full-court press to force a few turnovers and get the deficit down to 38-28 after three quarters.
But Westwood’s veteran backcourt of Woods and Thompson adjusted well, breaking those traps, feeding teammates for a number of fast-break layups and helping their team keep pace in a quarter that saw AC Flora ultimately outscore them 17-13.
Woods, a Campbell signee, hit a key 3-pointer to put Westwood up 41-28 to start the fourth quarter, and the Redhawks kept their opponent at bay over a fast-paced final eight minutes. AC Flora had numerous opportunities to cut its deficit to single digits but couldn’t capitalize.
When it did, Westwood had an answer, outscoring AC Flora 14-9 in the final period and 27-26 in the second half. Woods ended with team-high 14 points.
“She was, as always, absolutely stellar,” Bauldrick said. “I mean, this young lady is always giving the ‘And then some,’ you know? More is not enough for her.”
Friday’s loss ended an impressive postseason run for AC Flora, which was in its second season under coach Jacob Thompson. The Falcons were a No. 6 seed and unranked in the final coaches poll, but they won three playoff games — including a second-round road win over No. 3 seed Bluffton — to reach only their second state semifinal and first since 2007.
“The real big thing is for our program this is a stepping-stone,” Thompson said, per Chris Dearing of Prep Redzone SC. “We lose six seniors, two who played really big minutes, but those young ones and those coming back know what it takes.”
For Westwood, Friday’s win continued a special run that Bauldrick previously described as one “all the stars are lining up (for).” As the 4A Region 5 champion and No. 1 seed in the Lower State, Westwood had homecourt advantage for wins over West Florence, Hartsville and James Island.
By being placed in the Lower State bracket for the first time, the Redhawks also avoided playing North Augusta (the No. 1 team in the final 4A girls coaches poll) until the state championship game. Now, after making history against AC Flora, they’re in position — and ready — to do it again Thursday.
“Our work is not done yet,” Bauldrick said.
Westwood: Jessica Woods 14, Makiah Thompson 12, Johnson 9, Daniels 6, Omeire 4, Chatman 2, Davis 2
AC Flora: Terriana Gray 14, Delaney 9, McCray 5, Wright-Thompson 5, Curnell 2
This story was originally published February 24, 2023 at 7:10 PM.
