Summerville slips past West Florence 69-59 in first round of playoffs

SUMMERVILLE — It was the opening round of the girls Class AAAA basketball playoffs on Tuesday night, and the Summerville Green Wave wanted to avoid going one-and-done.

The Green Wave, one of four No. 1 seeds in the Lower State, hosted fourth-seeded West Florence, and although it’s too early for March Madness, anything can still happen in the postseason.

Down by five points with three minutes left in the first half, the Green Wave went on a 10-0 run and held off the feisty Knights for a 69-59 victory.

After its 11th straight win, Summerville (20-5) will host Aiken, a 59-41 winner over Blythewood, in Friday’s second round. West Florence finished with a 15-9 record.

“We didn’t have an answer for their post player (A.J. Scudder) and they broke our press,” Summerville coach Matthew Legare said. “Fortunately, we were able to get some rebounds and baskets in the fourth quarter. We went with a bigger lineup and it paid off.”

The Knights outscored the Green Wave 17-12 in the third quarter to send the game into the final eight minutes tied at 44. But the Green Wave went on another run, 11-5, to take control of the game. Kwanza Murray had the big basket, a 3-pointer to give the Green Wave a 55-49 lead with 4:45 left in the game.

She finished with 27 points to lead all scorers.

“She had a big night,” Legare said. “She made my heart stop a couple of times when we were trying to kill the clock. But you can’t complain when she makes them.”

Heather Chapman added 13 points for the Green Wave while Tinara Brown and Zuri Green both tallied 11.

Scudder led the Knights with 18 points.

“We have to continue to play hard,” Legare said. “We just have to correct some mistakes. We don’t usually give up 59 points so we need to watch film. But I am proud of our girls. There are only 16 teams left in Class AAAA and I’m proud we’re one of them.”

West Florence (59): Walker 8, Corbin 7, Scudder 18, Lowry 9, Taylor 8, Jackson 9

Summerville (69): Brown 11, Ravenell 2, Chapman 13, Capers 5, Green 11, Murray 27

West Florence 12 15 17 15—59

Summerville 14 18 12 25—69

Records: Summerville 20-5, West Florence 15-9.