Indian Land, Clover, Rock Hill among schools to win early-season basketball tournaments

Several area schools took to the basketball courts this past week, including Indian Land, Rock Hill, Clover and others.

Here’s what you need to know.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Indian Land wins Bearcat Invitational Tournament

The Indian Land Warriors won the Bearcat Invitational at Rock Hill on Tuesday night by beating Belton-Honea Path, 79-73.

The Warriors trailed 28-23 after one period and 44-40 at halftime. A strong third quarter gave them a 58-55 lead, and they pulled away down the stretch for the win.

Destin Clark led the way for the Warriors with 25 points. John Fuso added 19 to the winning attack. Sam Woods led Belton-Honea Path with 23 points.

The Warriors made their way to the title game with an 89-77 win over Elevation Prep on Monday night. The Warriors trailed 36-34 at halftime, but a solid third period gave them a 61-56 advantage, and they pulled away in the final eight minutes.

DeMario Foster led the scoring effort for Indian Land with 25 points. Clark chipped in 21 to the winning cause. Immanuel Jones led Elevation Prep with 24 points.

Belton-Honea Path earned its place in the title game with a 52-50 win over the Rock Hill Bearcats on Monday night. The game was close all the way with Rock Hill holding a 22-18 lead at halftime. The ‘Cats were in front 40-36 after three periods, but B-HP came from behind in the final stanza to claim the win.

Letho Burgos led B-HP with 14 points. Josh Stradford was the top scorer for Rock Hill with 11 points. Shane Blakeney and Chase Gibson added eight points each for the ‘Cats.

Elevation Prep won the consolation game on Tuesday night with a 51-50 victory over Rock Hill.

Elevation Prep led 14-13 after one period, and a strong second period gave them a 35-22 lead at halftime. When the third quarter was over, Elevation Prep was in front 45-33. The Bearcats put on a furious fourth period rally and almost pulled out a win. They outscored Elevation Prep 17-6 in the final eight minutes, but fell just short.

Stradford led the ‘Cats with 15 points. Donte Evans added nine points, while Jordan McNeil chipped in eight.

York Prep wins twice

The York Prep Patriots picked up a pair of wins in the York Prep Tip-off Tournament earlier in the week.

The Patriots toppled Franklin Prep, 52-51, in the first round and defeated the Westminster Catawba Indians 59-50 in the second round.

The Patriots held a 26-22 lead at halftime against Franklin Prep on Monday night. The contest was back and forth in the second half, and with nine seconds remaining, it was tied at 51-51.

The Patriots called time out and worked for a last second shot: Kory Davis, who finished with 10 points, was fouled on the attempt and converted one of two free throws with one second remaining to secure the win.

Aaron Johnson led York Prep with 14 points. Kendall Davis added 11 to the winning effort.

On Tuesday night the Patriots trailed Westminster Catawba 27-23 at intermission. The score was tied at 33-33 when the fourth quarter began.

With four minutes left to play the score was knotted at 40-40. The Patriots went on a 7-2 run over the next two minutes to get a 47-42 advantage, and they made 12 of 12 from the free throw line down the stretch to seal the win.

Johnson and Kory Davis led York Prep with 15 points each. Jahseen Felton paced Westminster Catawba with 11 points.

The win by the Patriots avenged an earlier 57-48 loss to the Indians.

The Indians routed Denmark-Olar 90-72 on Monday night in the first round. They took a 51-35 lead at halftime and never looked back. Felton led the way for WCCS with 22 points. Will Jenkins joined him in double figures with 14.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Clover wins Bob Dillon Tournament

The Clover Blue Eagles opened the season by winning the Bob Dillon Tournament in Spartanburg earlier in the week.

The Blue Eagles toppled Spartanburg 60-45 in the championship game on Tuesday night.

Aylesha Wade led Clover with 21 points, and Mariana Ballard joined her in double figures with 12.

The Blue Eagles earned the right to play in the title contest with a 76-20 victory over Broome in the opening round on Monday night. Clover jumped to a 19-6 lead after one period and led 38-10 at halftime. They cruised form there for the victory.

Wade led the way with 29 points, and La’Destiny Worthy added 11 points.

Clover is 2-0 on the season.

Rock Hill wins Battle on the Bluff Tournament

The Rock Hill Bearcats opened their season by winning The Battle on The Bluff Tournament in Columbia last Saturday.

The win capped two days of outstanding play for the ‘Cats, who are 2-0 on the year.

The Bearcats defeated River Bluff 50-30 in the championship game.

The ‘Cats established a 11-3 lead after one period and upped it to 23-11 at intermission. After three periods they were in front 35-23, and they coasted from there for the victory.

Rock Hill was led by Unique Burch, who scored 13 points and hauled down six rebounds. Mya Wise added 10 points and collected a dozen rebounds. Jada Jones chipped in 10 points and handed out seven assists. Rock Hill used outstanding shooting from the free throw line in the championship contest. They were 21 of 31 from the charity stripe.

Rock Hill defeated Mid-Carolina in the semi-final game 64-22 to advance to the championship game.

The ‘Cats raced to a 14-2 lead in that game and ever looked let up. They were in front 31-8 at halftime and cruised to the win.

Gracie Wilson led Rock Hill with 13 points. She had three of the Bearcats’ five three-point goals. Unique Burch joined her in double digits with 10.

WRESTLING

Rock Hill finishes second in East Gaston Duals

The Rock Hill Bearcats earned the runner-up spot in the East Gaston Duals this past Wednesday.

The Bearcats opened the tournament with a 73-6 win over Hunter Huss. They toppled East Gaston 65-9 in the second round and defeated Hopewell 64-12 in the third round.

They lost to Hough 53-24 in the finals.

The ‘Cats are 3-1 on the year.