Conway opens playoff run on a strong note

Conway stumbled out of the gate and suffered an upset loss in the first round of the state playoffs last season.

The Tigers had no such worries Thursday night.

Conway, ranked No. 2 in the state among 5-A teams, walloped White Knoll, 66-30, in the first round Thursday night. The Tigers led 36-11 at halftime and were never challenged.

Aiden Brantley led the way with 12 points and 7 rebounds. Khalil Campbell contributed 10 points and 6 rebounds for the Tigers. Avery Brantley added eight points

Conway (25-1) will host a second-round game on Saturday.

Here is a look at some other playoff action across the state.

5-A boys

T.L. Hanna 84, Chapin 36

Adarius Armstrong led T.L. Hanna with 22 points in the first-round rout. Jaquarious Patterson scored 15 points while Anthony Edwards had 12. T.L. Hanna will host James F. Byrnes in the second round on Saturday.

2-A boys

Saluda 62, Batesburg-Leesville 42

Zion Wright and J.T. Lott each scored 20 points as Saluda (18-5) cruised. Michael Leaphart led Batesburg-Leesville (7-19) with 15 points and Te’Maj Gilliam had 10.

4-A girls

Easley 55, Airport 25

Mattison Hayes led Easley (18-6) with 16 points. The Green Wave improved to 18-6.

2-A boys

Eau Claire 55, Strom Thurmond 36

Based on the record, this is a huge upset. Sean Quick-Streeter scored 27 points as the Shamrocks (7-17) rolled past Strom Thurmond, a region champion. Strom Thurmond ended its season with a 19-7 record.

5-A boys

James F. Byrnes 68, Blythewood 61

Kobe Staggs scored 30 points as the Rebels (19-8) advanced to the second round. Will Olden led Blythewood with 19 points.

3-A girls

Camden 67, Dillon 18

Joyce Edwards poured in 26 points as Camden won easily.

4-A girls

Pickens 68, South Aiken 36

Maggie Chambers led the way with 21 points as Pickens (23-2) ran away with it. Jasmine Epps led South Aiken with 10 points.

4-A girls

Hartsville 63, Hilton Head Island 51

Jazzy Frierson controlled the action by scoring 40 points for Hartsville. Tatiana Fisher added 10 points for Hartsville, which improved to 19-7. The Red Foxes travel to Westwood for the second round.

3-A girls

Loris 53, Darlington 34

Janiya Richburg led the Lions (17-9) with 13 points and Teanna Perry had 10.

3-A girls

Marlboro County 63, Waccamaw 53

Tysonia Lowe scored 36 points as Marlboro County (16-10) cruised.

2-A boys

Mullins 91, Chesterfield 60

Johnell Sindab scored 18 points in the Auctioneers 9 1-60 rout of Chesterfield. Syree Livingston added 16 points for Mullins while J.J. Davis had 15 and Tavion Torres had 12. Darius Coyler led Chesterfield with 22 points.

2-A boys

Marion 83, North Central 50

Jamarius Williams led Marion with 21 points. Jamorius Wilson scored 17 points for Marion. Quay’Sheed Scott added 16 points, and Gabe Cusack had 13.

1-A boys

Hannah-Pamplico 63, Bethune-Bowman 47

James Davis led a balanced attack with 14 points as Hannah-Pamplico won. Tyler Jenkins scored 13 points for H-P while Jermaine Thompson, Josh McNeill and Tae Sellers all had 12 points.

1-A boys

Lake View 65, Bamberg-Ehrhardt 54

Cam Umphries led Lake View with 15 points, Jayden Ford had 13 and D.J. Hardee 12.

4-A girls

North Augusta 47, Westside 28

Kenedi Wright scored 12 points and Ashley Walker had 9. North Augusta is now 22-3.

5-A boys

Wando 64, Socastee 62

Cooper Biller hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer as Wando advanced. Kai Murdock, Tait Horne and Drew Zorilla all scored 14 points for Wando while Biller had 9.

4-A girls

Bluffton 60, Greenwood 37

Tacoya Hayward scored 30 points as the Bobcats won comfortably.

2-A boys

Landrum 95, Mid-Carolina 58

Franklin Davis scored 34 points and became the 13th 1,000-point scorer in Landrum history.

2-A boys

Gray Collegiate 90, Greenville Tech 14

The defending state champions opened with a flourish. Braylen Thomas led the way with 19 points. Avantae Parker had 15 points while Trey Maddox, Montravius White and Devin Johnson all had 10 points.