Irmo too much for Goose Creek

COLUMBIA — Irmo, No. 1 in the state from wire-to-wire, capped a perfect season with a 65-46 victory over Goose Creek tonight in front of approximately 7,000 fans at the Colonial Life Arena.

Irmo, No. 21 in the USA Today Super 25 poll, finished with a 29-0 record while the Gators finished at 22-5.

The Yellow Jackets outshot and outrebounded the Gators, who also lost out in the turnover category. The Yellow Jackets shot 54 percent from the field, collected 38 rebounds and turned the ball over 12 times. Goose Creek hit only 38 percent and collected 18 rebounds. The Gators turned the ball over 17 times.

The biggest factor was points in the paint. The taller Irmo squad outscored Goose Creek 36-8 inside.

Justin McKie, a 6-5 senior headed to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks scored 14 points in the first half, matching Goose Creek’s entire output. The son of B.J. McKie hit 6 of 12 from the field and grabbed five rebounds to lead the Yellow Jackets to a 19-13 advantage on the boards in the first half. He had a massive slam dunk with 4:33 left in the game, bringing the Irmo fans to their feet to give Irmo an 18-point lead.

McKie finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Detrek Browning scored 16 and Jevante Gross 10.

Goose Creek (46): Patrick 18, Bennamon 11, Singleton 6 , Robinson 8, Alston 3.

Irmo: (65): Gross 10, Howard 7, McKie 20, Browning 16, Favor 6, Ealey 2, Hill 4,

Goose Creek 9 5 12 20 --46

Irmo 16 12 16 21 --65

Records: Irmo 29-0, Goose Creek 22-5.