Falcons advance in girls 3A playoffs

DARLINGTON — With his team trailing at the start of the fourth quarter, Darlington girls basketball coach Brian Rozzelle challenged his players and called out a few by name.

It was only fitting, then, that his senior captain was the one who answered the bell.

Antionette McPhail scored 11 of her 19 points in the fourth quarter and the Falcons hit 20 of 25 free throws to advance to their first Class 3A lower state title game with a 60-57 win over Myrtle Beach on Monday.

Darlington (24-2) will face Wilson for the third time this season on Friday at 7 p.m. at a neutral site to determine who moves on to Columbia. The Falcons won both of the earlier meetings.

“The feeling is tremendous,” Rozzelle said. “We know we’re in the final four, and that’s good to hear. We know it’s going to be tough to beat a team like Wilson three times, but we’re going to practice and prepare for that opportunity.”

But for most of the first three quarters, it didn’t appear as if the Falcons would get that opportunity.

Darlington went 6-for-32 from the field in the first half, including just one field goal in the second quarter. The Seahawks also made sure to take away the Falcons’ 3-point shooters.

“We knew they were going to play man-to-man and take away that outside shot,” Rozzelle said. “After that, we just didn’t play Darlington basketball. We weren’t patient and didn’t set up the shots like we normally do.”

The Falcons kept pace thanks in large part to free throws, connecting on 11 of 12 in the first two quarters.

“We came out a little nervous, almost a half-step slower than we normally are,” McPhail said. “But we kept at it and made our free throws. Coach always said that if you do the little things right you’ll win.”

Myrtle Beach standout Khadijah Sessions was nearly a one-girl wrecking crew for the Seahawks, scoring 14 points in the first half and 12 in the second quarter alone. She finished with a game-high 29 as the Seahawks led 37-36 entering the final quarter.

“I’ve got coaches on the sideline, coaches beside me and coaches in the bleachers telling me a lot of different things,” Rozzelle said laughing. “But a friend of mine suggested switching to a zone and seeing if they could hit the outside shot.

“I don’t think they were prepared for that, and it worked out for us in the end.”

McPhail’s resurgence coincided with the defensive switch. The five-year starter’s 3-pointer with 1:41 to go gave Darlington a 53-46 lead.

“It’s like I wanted it more,” McPhail said. “I wasn’t scared to go for it and make the shot. A couple went in and it just carried on from there.

“It feels good. You know you have to step it up in the fourth quarter, and it just feels great when you’re able to come through for your team like that.”

Kierra Patterson hit five of her last six free throw attempts to seal the win for the Falcons. She finished with 13 points.

Jazz Green added 10 points for the Falcons, and Tinasha Wilkins and Jessica McCall came off the bench to combine for 12.

Keyaurna Wilson had 13 for the Seahawks, who were defending lower state champs.