RHHS girls defeat Bishop England

In a dominant performance from start to finish, Ridgeland-Hardeeville’s girls — led by a relentless defense and the superlative play of all-state guard Que Drayton — defeated four-time defending state champion Bishop England 66-41 on Monday night in the third round of the SCHSL Class AAA Lower State basketball playoffs. The win propels RHHS to Saturday’s 2 p.m. Lower State final at the Florence Civic Center against Swansea. The state final is March 3 in Columbia. The win also helped avenge last season’s Lower State final loss to Bishop England and a 2015 Class AA Lower State semifinal loss to the Battling Bishops. In front of an energetic home crowd, the Jaguars (17-3) never trailed and extended the lead each quarter. RHHS, which has won seven straight games, led 15-8 after the first quarter, 31-20 at halftime and 51-33 after three quarters. Drayton was the catalyst. She scored eight points in the first quarter and 13 in the third en route to a game-high 30 points. Drayton, a senior, was able to drive and score in the lane and also hit from the outside, evidenced by her three 3-pointers. “I wanted it bad,” Drayton said. RHHS coach Frederick Toomer said Drayton, who was on the 2015 and 2017 teams that lost to Bishop England, was determined to beat the Battling Bishops. “I think she had those losses on her mind,” he said. Jamee Mack scored 17 points, including five 3-pointers. Marlaysia Westbrook had 10 points. Timothea Green added six points. The Jaguars’ aggressive defense never allowed Bishop England to get comfortable and run its sets. The team’s ability to box out also prevented Bishop England (18-5) from getting second-chance opportunities. Toomer knew Bishop England’s offense was based on constant motion and getting offensive rebounds. The Jaguars prevented the Battling Bishops from running their offense and often harassed them into turnovers. “We told them, ‘Know where your man is, box out and know your assignments,’ ” Toomer said. A 14-4 run spanning the first and second quarters gave RHHS a 24-8 lead. Bishop England cut the deficit to 24-16, but a Mack 3-pointer and a Drayton score put the Jaguars ahead 29-16. Drayton began the second half with a driving layup for a 33-20 lead and the Jaguars were never challenged the rest of the game, building a 20-point lead midway through the third. Toomer said the energized effort was due in large part to playing at home, where the team finishes the season 11-0. “I can’t tell you how much that meant,” he said. “It made a great difference.” Drayton said the crowd played a critical role. “Because of our fans and our student section, playing at home is best for us,” Drayton said.

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Bishop England High School Athletics

RHHS GIRLS DEFEAT BISHOP ENGLAND

ANTHONY GARZILLI

Jasper Sun Times | 2/22/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: BE Athletics