Heathwood Hall Team To Beat In Girl’s SCISA  AAA Basketball

By Billy G. Baker

Publisher

Columbia—There are not many sure bets in sports these days; besides bets are illegal in most states, but you can wager a cup of coffee right now that Heathwood Hall (18-1)  will be playing for the SCISA AAA girl’s title come championship Saturday in Sumter later this month.

Their opponent might be of great debate, but it is almost 99 per cent that this talented team led by one of the top sophomores in the nation will be one of the teams vying for the title.

“We certainly expect to be there playing for a championship,” said Heathwood Hall head coach John O’Cain. With a laugh he added, “If we are not there it means I have tendered my resignation.”

Led by 6-5 Super Sophomore A’ja Wilson and three other sophomores with next level ability it is hard to imagine any other team but Heathwood Hall from walking away with the gold medals this season.

They have beat five public schools including St. James, RNE, York, Midland Valley, and Clover.

According to Coach O’Cain at a recent game involving his team and Amber Campbell led Northwood Academy coaches from Floridian State, North Carolina, and South Carolina were in the stands. “Her recruiting actually started last year,” he said. “She’s as good a sophomore player as there is in the country.”

Heathwood Hall, top ranked in SCISA AAA, defeated number two Northwood, 59-43 On Jan., 28.  In early December on the road at Pinewood Prep Heathwood defeated the Panthers 54-52. “We have improved a great deal since December but Pinewood Prep has two post players that gave us trouble in that game,” said Coach O’Cain.

Wilson is averaging 24 points, 14 rebounds, six blocked shots, four assists, and five steals a game. “She can dribble like a guard and she often brings the ball up the court for us,” said Coach O’Cain. “Her guard skills are incredible for her size. She’s playing hard all the time.”

The other starters include sophomore Latoya Dickerson who is averaging 13 points, four assists, and three steals per game. “She’s a solid shooter and she has been starting along with A’ja for three years now,” said Coach O’Cain. Sophomore Chelsea Joseph is the team’s spark on defense while shooting guard Erin Ross is a good outside shooter hitting 40 per cent of her three pointers. Ross is averaging 9 points, 3.5 steals, and three assists per game.

An injury to center Sarah Scott could hurt the team after she went down with a knee injury. She had been averaging six points and six rebounds a game.  She has been replaced by 5-9 junior Caitlin Harriford who is averaging 5 points and 5 rebounds a game.

The first two players off the bench are usually junior guard Kelly Turbeville and senior shooting guard Danielle Zurcher. Junior Elise McKelvey plays the 2-3 and junior Helen Clay can come in and hit the three point shot.

Two other reserves are sophomore guard Jessica Withycombe and senior power forward Lauren Pansegrau.