Darlington, Wilson girls meet for third time

Today’s Class 3A girls basketball lower state championship might be described as familiar foes in uncharted waters.

Region 6-3A’s top two teams square off at Marlboro County High School at 7 p.m. for a state championship berth next week in Columbia, and both Darlington and Wilson have already made history.

This marks the first time the Falcons have ever made the lower state championship and the first time the Tigers have gone this far under coach Ann Talbert.

“It’s an accomplishment within itself,” Talbert said. “We’re obviously very excited to be here and the girls have done a tremendous job this season.”

Wilson is playing its best basketball of the season right now. The Tigers have won two road games against No. 1 seeds in the last two rounds, beating Battery Creek 66-49 and Dreher 51-45.

“I think we’re peaking at the right time,” Talbert said. “And I can definitely say our region helped prepare us for this point.”

The Falcons, meanwhile, have been on cruise control for most of the season, dropping just two games and winning their first two playoff games by a combined 65 points.

Darlington capped its playoff run by dethroning defending lower state champion Myrtle Beach 60-57 on Tuesday.

“When we play like we’re capable of, I think this team can match up against anyone in the state,” Darlington coach Brian Rozzelle said. “We just have to sustain that level of play for the whole game.”

The Falcons were able to do just that against Wilson the first two times these teams met. A couple of big runs in both games allowed Darlington to sweep the season series 78-64 and 61-50.

But Rozzelle knows a third win won’t come easy.

“It’s a bit scary for me right now,” Rozzelle said. “Wilson’s a good team and I know they’re going to come back with a vengeance.”

“Third time’s the charm,” Talbert said. “That’s been our slogan all week. We have to forget about the first two games and concentrate on doing what we do best.”

With both teams being so familiar with each other, both coaches said preparation has been easier and that neither one expects too many new wrinkles from the other team.

“We’re going to play man-to-man and work to get our shots,” Rozzelle said. “We know that and they know that. It’s just a matter of who executes better.”

The Falcons’ lineup includes Region 6-3A player of the year Jazz Green, Antionette McPhail and Kierra Patterson. All are scoring in double figures.

Likewise, Wilson’s big trio of Brittney Davis, Brittney McIver and Tish White have all averaged nine points or more per game this season.

With so much in common, the game plans are nearly the same as well.

“We have to try to keep them off-balance and keep their 3-point shooters at bay,” Rozzelle said. “We want to control the tempo, not have it the other way around.”

“We have to do what we do best and get up and down the floor,” Talbert said. “We have to make sure to keep their 3-point shooters from getting off too many good shots and we have to keep them from dominating the boards.”

Though neither team needs extra motivation, playing against one of your fiercest rivals doesn’t hurt.

“I think it’s very fitting that it’s come down to the two of us,” Talbert said. “It’s been a great rivalry for years.”

“If you can’t get up for Wilson, you probably shouldn’t be playing,” Rozzelle added.