Lake City, Marlboro advance to Classic final

FLORENCE — After Lake City center Domanic Wilson scored nine points in the first quarter Tuesday, Hemingway decided to take away the inside threat.
\ But the Panthers’ outside threats proved more than capable of picking up the slack.

Lake City connected on nine 3-pointers, including three in the final quarter, en route to an 83-76 win over Hemingway and a berth in tonight’s Pepsi Carolina Classic championship game against Marlboro County.

It’s the Panthers’ first trip to the tournament final since they won it in 2005.

“This is probably the best shooting team I’ve ever had,” Lake City coach Willie Thomas said. “We encourage them to shoot. Our main focus is still on getting inside to the basket, and that creates those outside shots.

“Those outside shots also open things up inside. So, it’s kind of become pick your poison with us.”

The Panthers had five different players hit from beyond the arc Jeremi’ McCrea lead the way with three, including two in the fourth quarter.

“You have to hit the shots to win it, and Lake City did that tonight,” Hemingway coach Barry McFadden said. “We didn’t think they were going to shoot as well tonight as they did yesterday, but it was kind of snowball effect after they hit the first one.

“They just kept making shots, so you have to give them credit.”

Lake City built a 43-35 halftime lead, and led by as many as 13 in the third quarter. Hemingway trailed 62-52 entering the final quarter before a momentum-changing run.

Quintin Brown scored the first eight points of the quarter and hit two 3-pointers to cut the deficit to 62-61with just under seven minutes to go.

Lake City weathered the storm, however, and scored the next six points to make it 68-61.

“Teams are going to go on runs,” Thomas said. “The biggest thing for us was that we didn’t panic and turned around and made some good decisions with the basketball and went on a run of own.

“We always feel like we can turn up the defensive pressure anytime we need to.”

McCrea led all scorers with 23 points. Wilson added 16 points and Dashawn Butler followed with 14 points for the Panthers. Desmond Haygood had 12 points to give Lake City four players in double figures.

Brown led the Tigers with 21 points. Tashan Fredrick followed with 19 points and eight rebounds. Jazjuan Wilson chimed in with 12.

Marlboro County 66, Hartsville 60

The Bulldogs built a double-digit lead by the fourth quarter, watched it dwindle to three points and then held on for the six-point victory.

Daerell Dease led four Marlboro players in double figures with 19 points. Tyrone Harrington and Kinsman Thomas each had 14 points followed by Bernard Swinney with 10. Tysheim Ford had 13 rebounds for the Bulldogs.

Jordan Scott led the Red Foxes with 22 points. Lawrence McPhail added 18. Gavin Thomas was ejected in the second quarter after two technical fouls.

Dillon 59, Georgetown 54

Quincy Bethea led four Wildcats in double figures with 18 points as Dillon held off a fourth-quarter rally by the Bulldogs for the win.

Jakell Whittington and Antuawn Blue scored 11 points each for Dillon followed by Jarvis Williams with 10. Blue also had nine rebounds and Williams finished with eight assists.

Kinard Gadsden-Gillard led Georgetown with 20 points. Devon Grant chimed in with 10 points and Jadia Johnson had 13 rebounds.

Timmonsville 54, West Florence 37

Oshwand Scott scored a game-high 18 points to help lead the Whirlwinds past the Knights.

Antonio Jones finished with a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds for Timmonsville. Antonio Fulton added 10 points.

Raheem Williamson was the only Knight to finish in double figures with 10 points. Jonathon Gardner had 17 rebounds for West.

S. Florence 61 Johnsonville 33

Trent Dowd scored 17 points and the Bruins held Johnsonville to under 10 points in three quarters en route to the win.

Keyon Lisbon added 10 points for South and Hunter Moore dished out nine assists.

E.J. Davis led Johnsonville with 14 points. Eric Morris had six steals.