Aucs, Lady Foxes impressive in playoffs

Basketball fans in Marion County witnessed cinematic come-from-behind victories over the weekend, when the highly anticipated postseason runs for the Mullins Auctioneers and the Lady Swamp Foxes began this past week with each team hosting two games at home.
Marion was the site of the first thriller.
The Lady Foxes dusted off Hanahan 86-69 in the first round, with five players scoring in double figures. It was a dominant performance from the Marion front line. Geneika Brantley almost registered a triple double with 14 points, 17 rebounds and nine blocks.
In fact, Brantley had already pulled down 12 rebounds and blocked eight shots, returning them to sender, before halftime.
“Our kids came out with some intensity and overall I think we played well,” head coach Leon Sturkey said.
Shaquita Taylor led the Lady Foxes with 24 points, while Candace Wright provided major production with 20 points and 18 rebounds in a battle against cold symptoms and her opponent. Amber Timmons added 11 points for the Lady Foxes along with 10 points from Jessica Grant.
However, on Friday night, Wright was unable to return for Friday’s second round game against Wade Hampton.
After leading 25-16 after the first quarter, Marion only held a 34-32 lead at halftime. Locked into a tight battle throughout the rest of the game, it took a total team effort, with big shots from Amira Timmons, defense from Kentoria Wilson, and the heads up play of Grant to help the team hold off the Lady Devils 71-60.
“My kids stepped up, and I couldn’t be more proud of our girls against a good basketball team,” Sturkey said after the win.
Brantley once again stole the show with 24 points and 18 rebounds. Taylor added 19 points along with 11 points from Grant and nine points from Timmons.
On Wednesday, the Mullins High School Auctioneers were up by as much as 22 points over Manning, but the Monarchs fought back in the second half, cutting the deficit to eight.
“I don’t think we played quite as good as we could play, but we got focused and pulled it out,” Gerald said, adding that he was pleased with the win.
Center Donte Cooper led the squad with 18 points and 14 rebounds, in a 75-60 victory at home. Seqwan McFarland got off to a hot start with 13 of his 17 points scored in the first half. Point guard Eric Smith finished with 12 points and seven assists for Mullins.
Darnell Coleman also added 12 points, along with five points from Greg Nelson.
Mullins had their hands full covering the sizzling hot shooters from Silver Bluff of Aiken on Saturday.
The Bulldogs led the entire first half, taking a 40-31 lead into halftime, thanks to a 24-point effort from Theron Stephens.
It was the strong team effort from the Aucs “Fab Five” and reserves Jeremy Leggett, Bobby Crawford and Greg Nelson that made the difference in outscoring their opponent 27-11 in the third quarter. A three- pointer from Coleman cut the lead to single digits at the 3:18 mark.
A pull-up jumper from Wilson tied the game 49-49 at the 1:18 mark. A three-pointer from Smith, seconds later, gave Mullins its first lead, while Coleman’s kick out to McFarland for a trey in the closing seconds of the quarter snatched away the momentum and sent the crowd into a frenzy.
“They played off of heart and determination tonight,” head coach Mark Gerald said of his players, battling fatigue and having the poise to overcome challenges.
The Aucs never looked back, as McFarland provided the game changing performance with a fourth quarter two-handed flush and the personal foul.
Smith led Mullins with 28 points and eight dimes delivered in the 80-72 victory.
“That core group has been together for a good while. We made a few plays, the crowd got into it, and it was fun to watch,” Gerald said, adding that Silver Bluff came in with a good game plan.
McFarland added 18 points and 12 rebounds, along with 17 points from Wilson, 12 points from Coleman and seven points from Cooper.
Marion High School girls are able to host their third round game against Woodland of Goose Creek Tuesday night, due to Manning falling victim to an upset. For the outcome of that game, check with us online at the Star & Enterprise web page on the SCNow.com Web site.
Mullins travels to Kingstree Wednesday, with the winners advancing into the lower state finals on Saturday.

Lady Foxes head coach Leon Sturkey grabs the clipboard and gives instructions to his team during a timeout. Marion advanced into the third round after a victory over Wade Hampton this past Friday.