Cambridge Academy girls, Faith Christian boys claim SCISA 1A championship

SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA – Two new SCISA 1A basketball state champions were crowned Friday at the Sumter Civic Center.

The Cambridge Academy girls and the Faith Christian boys captured state championships over the Laurens Academy girl’s team and Richard Winn Academy boy’s team.

SCISA 1A GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP

An 0-3 record against Laurens Academy in the regular season did not matter as Cambridge Academy won the one that mattered most, defeating the Crusaders, 41-34, in the title game.

Faith Harvley and Indya Southerland led Cambridge in scoring with 10 points each. Izzy Southerland and Jillian Mapes came close to double-digits with finished with nine points each

Both teams lacked offensive production in the opening period.

The two teams combined for 10 points in the quarter with Laurens Academy leading by two heading into the second.

Both teams were scoreless three-and-a-half minutes into the second.

The Cougars’ Indya Southerland broke the seal off the basket first, hitting a bucket to tie the game.

From there, Cambridge went on a 5-0 run to secure the team’s first lead.

Lauren’s academy was held without a field goal in the second quarter, but hit enough free throws to trail by only five, 16-11.

The Cougars built a 10-point lead in the third quarter before the Crusaders got it back down to four.

That was as close as the game would get the rest of the way. In the fourth quarter, Cambridge held a multiple-possession lead the entire way.

Laurens Academy finished the season as the 1A runner-up with a 20-11 record.

Cambridge ends its season on top with a 15-8 record.

SCISA 1A GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP

Faith Christian took the lead early and never looked back in its 54-40 win over Richard Winn.

Omari Johnson led the Knights with 13 points.

Five other players had at least six points. Elijah Brown scored 11 points and Matterius Bell scored 9 points. Christian Hewett, Will Watts and Josiah Ortiz all had six points.

Richard Winn’s Lawson Wade led all scorers with 15 points. But none of his teammates scored more than 9.

The Eagles scored first and led 3-0, but Faith Christian went on an 8-0 run.

The Knights were nearing a 20-point lead by halftime, outscoring the Eagles 16-3 in the quarter.

Faith Christian built a 22-point lead in the third quarter, but Richard Winn made up some ground before the final period.

Up 15 heading into the final quarter, The Knights maintained their lead and won the game by 14.

Richard Winn’s loss concludes an impressive season that saw the team finish 22-4.

Faith Christian captured the 1A title and finished its season 27-2.