First Baptist boys take first state title

SUMTER — Hurricane Andrew slammed into Sumter on Saturday afternoon. First Baptist Hurricane Andrew Brenner, that is.

Brenner exploded for 17 points in the first quarter, hitting five 3-point shots, to get First Baptist on the fast track to a 60-45 victory over Spartanburg Christian in the SCISA Class AA boys state championship at the Sumter County Exhibition Center.

It was First Baptist's first state title, and it came in coach Jeff Whittle's first year at the school.

Spartanburg Christian (29-5) saw its three-year reign as state champion end.

Brenner was 6-of-7 in the first quarter. But he wouldn't score again until he hit a pair of free throws with 1:18 left in the game. He led all scorers with 21 points.

"I felt it in the warmups," Brenner said. "It carried into the game. I felt pretty pumped up. It was the state championship game."

Said Whittle: "We have some excellent sharp shooters, and he is one of them. We just wanted to flatten out their defense. We did that."

Jordan Randolph added 13 points and provided some big rebounds for the Hurricanes. He scored nine points in the second half. Jarrett Kershaw scored all 10 of his points in the second half.

Mason Crow led Spartanburg Christian with 16 points.

The Hurricanes (18-11) might not have had the best record, but they were the best team. They led 28-25 at halftime, but a 15-2 run in the second half sealed the deal.

"These guys played such great ball down the stretch," Whittle said. "We struggled at times. We went 1-6 in two tournaments, but we didn't back down. We showed tonight that we have the right attitude, the right chemistry and the talent to win."

Class AA Girls

Thomas Sumter (30-3) beat Bible Baptist (25-4) 42-35.

First Baptist: (60): Forrester 6, Brenner 21, Kershaw 10, Hill 4, Randolph 13, Jenkins 2, Beam 2, Blakey 2.

Spartanburg Christian (45): Black 8, Hodge 5, Keaton 9, Bolton 2, Crow 16, Scott 5, Carrigan 1.