Wilson girls win Pee Dee Invitational

FLORENCE — On Monday, the Wilson Tigers set out to accomplish something they’ve failed twice before to do — beat Myrtle Beach in the championship game of the Pee Dee Invitational girls basketball tournament.

The Tigers did just that as junior Brittany McIver scored 12 points en route to MVP honors as Wilson claimed the tournament title with a 50-40 win over the Seahawks at South Florence High School.

“(Winning the tournament) was fun. It took a lot of hard work,” McIver said. “We came in early, shot a lot and worked on our game to get ready for this game.”

Under coach Mickey Hunter Myrtle Beach had won three straight tournament championships. First-year coach Brian Kiper said he was happy his team reached the title game but his squad’s inexperience showed against the Tigers.

“This team hasn’t won three straight years,” he said. “Our program has won here, but only two players (on the current roster) have won it.

“We have young players here. Our players don’t know what it’s like to come out and play every night.”

Both teams began the game at a blistering pace. Wilson, however, connected on more shots in the opening period and took a 16-11 lead after eight minutes.

Things got worse for Myrtle Beach in the second period when their leading scorer, Khadijah Sessions, went to the bench with her second foul. With or without Sessions, the Seahawks struggled offensively throughout the quarter as the Tigers carried a 31-20 advantage into halftime.

“We came tonight with a game plan, and the kids implemented it,” said Wilson coach Ann Talbert, whose Tigers captured their fourth Pee Dee Invitational title. “Our goal was to keep Sessions and Myrtle Beach from running the floor.”

“We know she likes to drive to the basket,” McIver said. “We had to contain her to win.”

Myrtle Beach opened the second half on a 9-3 run behind the shooting of Sessions. The freshman guard scored six points during the outburst that sliced the Wilson lead to 34-29 at the 6:15 mark of the third.

But Sessions went to the bench with her fourth foul late in the period after being assessed a technical foul. The Tigers capitalized on her absence to push their lead to 44-34 heading into the final period.

The Seahawks never recovered as Wilson melted the clock away in the fourth to claim the tournament title.

“When (Sessions) went off the floor, our team attacked (the Seahawks) on both sides of the floor,” Talbert said. “We weren’t as cautious as we would have been.“

Tish White led Wilson (9-2) with 16 points, and Chasity Watson added 11.

Sessions finished with 14 points for Myrtle Beach (9-2). Keyaurna Wilson led all scorers with 19 points.

South Florence 59 Timmonsville 35

Courtney Pech and Shemonte Harley each scored 15 points as the Bruins clinched third place with an easy win over Timmonsville.

Ashley Bryant added 10 points for South Florence.

Destiny Edwards led the Whirlwinds with eight points. Sade Eli and Brittany Williams each followed with seven points.

Dillon 34, Pee Dee Academy 31

Chelsea Frazier led all scorers with 17 points as the Wildcats held off Pee Dee Academy to finish the tournament in fifth place.

Katelyn Browne led the Eagles with 10 points.

North Myrtle Beach 49, West Florence 48

The Knights led 33-29 heading into the fourth quarter, but the Chiefs rallied to win the seventh-place game.

Danielle Langley, Janelle Walls and Antoinette Vereen led North Myrtle Beach with nine points apiece.

Shelby Robertson led West with a game-high 17 points, and Brittany Leonard added 10.