PREP NOTEBOOK: Bruins have plenty to play for in matchup with West

There is more than just bragging rights on the line for the South Florence basketball teams heading into tonight’s regular-season finale against West Florence.

The South Florence boys still have a shot at the region title heading into their third matchup against West. The Bruins need to win and have Carolina Forest lose to Conway to win their first region title in basketball.

If both teams win, the Panthers win the region title because of a better non-region record, excluding tournaments. If South finishes second, it will host a first-round playoff game Wednesday against the third-place team from Region 7-4A.

South Florence defeated West 58-53 at the Pepsi Carolina Classic on Dec. 27 and 43-41 on Jan. 20.

“We are expecting a tough, physical and close game,” South coach John Schweitz said. “This is the most focused I’ve seen my team all season. I'm really proud of them and the way they have matured as a basketball team.

“Because we are playing for a region championship, you would have to say this is the biggest game ever, it’s never been done. I can tell my guys are ready.”

South Florence’s girls need to win to make it to the postseason. If the Bruins lose and Carolina Forest wins, the Panthers will get the region’s third seed.

West Florence, which has clinched second in the region and a home playoff game, won the first meeting 49-33.

“If we plan on continuing, it’s got to go through West Florence and we’ve got to find a way to get it done,” South coach Lisa Jones said. 

Local players named to Carolinas All-Star Classic

Four area players and one coach were named to the Carolinas All-Star Classic games, which match the top senior prospects in South Carolina against the top ones from North Carolina.

Wilson’s Brandon Jones and Mullins’ Darnell Coleman were named to the boys’ squad, while Marlboro County’s Nikkei Blackburn and C.E. Murray’s Shandtessa Montgomery were selected for the girls’ game.

C.E. Murray’s Daren Maczyck will be an assistant for the South Carolina girls team.

Jones, the Morning News Preseason Player of the Year, is averaging 16.3 points 8.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks a game. Coleman is averaging 17.8 points a game and has been a part of three Auctioneers region title teams.

Blackburn is averaging nearly 20 points a game for the Bulldogs. Montgomery is averaging 11 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.7 steals a game for the War Eagles, who the Region 7-A championship. 

Crowd support?

Wilson coach DeAndre Scott hasn’t been disappointed the way his team has played at home, but he hasn’t been pleased with the attendance for home games.

The Tigers went unbeaten at home this season, but Scott wasn’t happy with the size of the crowd for Tuesday’s game against St. James. Both teams entered the game tied for the Region 8-3A lead.

“We were playing St. James for first place in region, and we didn’t have a packed house. So that was disappointing our crowd didn’t bring it better than that,” Scott said. “Hopefully when we open up the playoffs Tuesday, we have a better crowd than that.” 

Setting a milestone

Dillon Christian’s Kin Melvin became the school’s all-time leading scorer Tuesday against Pee Dee Academy.

Melvin had 19 points and has 1,224 for his career heading into tonight’s SCISA Region 4-2A tournament game. On the season, the senior is averaging 18.4 points, 5.1 assists and 2.5 steals a game for the Warriors.

“Scoring almost 1,300 points is quite an accomplishment, not only for him personally but also for it has meant to the team and to the program,” Dillon Christian coach Brian Fitzgerald said. “Anyone who knows Kin will tell you that he will one day look back on this personal record-breaking season and all he will talk about will be the team accolades and everything that we accomplished as a team. 

“He really could have averaged 25 a game this season, but he is the consummate team player, and that is what I will remember about him.” 

Going out with a bang

Darlington’s Jessica McCall ended her career in style Tuesday night.

With the Falcons eliminated from playoff contention, the senior forward made the most of the final game of her high school career. McCall hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to help Darlington defeat Camden 47-46.

“I would have to say, other than winning a state championship, to hit a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer to help your team win in your last game of your high school career is a story book ending,” Darlington coach Jeff Bley said.