7th-grader drops 31, sole senior avenges past to keep Andrew Jackson basketball alive
Senior Osha Black might be the only player on her team who still remembers.
On Friday night, in front of a crowd so big many spectators chose to stand pressed against the gym’s bright orange walls, the Andrew Jackson girls’ basketball team (23-1, 12-0 Region 4-2A) defeated Blacksburg, 63-49, in the second round of the state playoffs.
But two years earlier — almost to the day — Black, then a sophomore, played against the same team, in the same place, in the same round of the playoffs. She remembers how it ended against Blacksburg that year: She received an outlet pass with her team down one and released what would’ve been the game-winning fast-break layup as the final buzzer sounded.
Her shot even went in, she remembers. But before she could celebrate, she heard a whistle blow. She was called for traveling. A few moments later, the game — and, effectively, the Volunteers’ 2017-18 season — was over.
“It was kind of personal,” Black told The Herald after the game. “I had to get back what we lost two years ago, so we couldn’t lose.”
They didn’t.
With the double-digit win on Friday, Andrew Jackson extended its winning streak to 14 games and advanced to the third round of the 2A state playoffs. The Volunteers were led by Black, the team’s sole senior, who scored 16 points. They were also led by seventh-grader and starting forward Tamia Watkins, who scored 31.
Black scored eight of the Volunteers’ first 10 points, and Watkins scored 22 of her 31 in the second half, using her 6-foot-1 frame, her left hand and her quick drop step to counteract everything her defenders brought to her. She has been doing that all season; she averaged 10.2 points and 8.9 rebounds per game coming into Friday’s contest, per MaxPreps.com.
Watkins also went 13-of-16 from the free-throw line. When asked about it postgame, she flashed a pleasantly surprised smile.
“I’m kind of impressed with myself because I never hit that many free throws,” she said. “I had to get it right.”
Andrew Jackson never trails
Andrew Jackson head coach Laura Taylor said her team played its most “focused” game of the season against Blacksburg, citing its ball movement on offense and toughness on defense.
“We knew going into the game that they had some outside shooters, and we would have to defend all their guards,” said Taylor, who’s in her first season at the helm of the program. “I felt like our guards did a good job matching up and knowing exactly where their shooters were at all times.
“And if we did get beat, we were focused enough to help and cause them to turn the ball over.”
The Volunteers never trailed, jumping out to a 15-5 lead come the end of the first quarter and extending that margin by halftime.
Blacksburg stormed back after the break, engineering a full-court press that caused a few turnovers and briefly catching fire behind the 3-point line. Blacksburg cut it to 11 at one point in the fourth quarter, and its outnumbered but enthusiastic crowd started to get loud in Andrew Jackson’s gym, making it seem as if the game’s momentum was shifting.
But ultimately, the Volunteers prevailed — by virtue of a few key contested buckets from Emiley McCall (also a seventh-grader) and junior Caroline Wrenn; a controlled offensive pace established by Black; and a blemishless second-half performance from the free-throw line by Watkins.
“(The seventh-graders) are a big part of our team, just like our senior is,” Taylor said. “Our senior has really taken the lead with those seventh-graders and is molding them into what she wants this AJ team to be. They are a very big part of our team — all of the players are.”
Andrew Jackson starting guard Oksana Lathan scored seven points, and Mackenzie Marshall scored five off the bench. The Volunteers will play at home on Monday at 7 p.m. against Saluda for a spot in the Upper State title game.
“We know that one lost game, and we’re out,” Black said. “So we had to have that mind-set that we’re not losing. Whatever it takes, we’re not losing.”
Taylor said Black shared a few words with her team before the game. Perhaps her words were inspired by memories from two years ago? Maybe they came from a feeling of potential finality on Friday night?
Wherever her words came from — they worked.
“She came in the locker room before the game and said, ‘We’re ready,’” Taylor recalled. “She was determined as soon as she stepped on the court.”
Basketball scores around the Tri-County
- The top-ranked Clover girls’ basketball team defeated Westside, 54-38, in the second round of the 5A state playoffs on Friday night. The Blue Eagles were led by junior guard Aylesha Wade, who scored 34 points in the win.
The Great Falls Red Devils routed Blackville-Hilda, 86-52, in the second round of the 1A boys’ playoffs Friday night at Great Falls. DJ Adams led the way with 21 points, and Kelton Talford added 20. The Red Devils are 24-3 on the year and will play Estill on Tuesday night at home in the third round.
The Indian Land Warriors defeated Chapman 95-86 in overtime in the second round of the 3A boys playoffs Friday night at Chapman. When the third quarter was over the score was knotted at 62-62. The teams battled on even terms in the final quarter, and it was tied at 83-83 heading to overtime. The Warriors won the extra session 12-3 to claim the victory. Indian Land will face Seneca in the third round of the playoffs on Tuesday.
Irmo came from behind in the final period and toppled the Rock Hill girls’ basketball team, 58-43, in the second round of the 5A playoffs Friday night at Irmo. Rock Hill led 13-8 after one quarter and 28-24 at intermission. When the third period was in the books, the Bearcats were in front 42-41. Rock Hill ends its season with an overall mark of 20-8.
The South Pointe Stallions defeated Lower Richland 54-28 in the second round of the 4A girls playoffs Friday night at Lower Richland. South Pointe led 29-9 at halftime as they improved to 25-2 on the year. They will host Ridge View in the third round of play on Monday.
This story was originally published February 21, 2020 at 10:37 PM.
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