By Neill Kirkpatrick Special to the HSSR Florence – Heading into Friday’s night 5A Division II lower state championship game you had one team that had been on this stage several times in Goose Creek and the other Westwood who was making their first appearance. The Gators of Goose Creek were the defending lower state champions and had designs on making their sixth trip to the state finals while Westwood was looking to make school history and reach their first state championship game. The Redhawks (24-3)made school history as they hung on for a 56-53 win over the Gators sending them to Colonial Life Arena where they will look to continue their historic run in the playoffs. They will take on defending 5A Division II state champion Greenville. The Red Raiders (23-6) defeated Riverside 55-48 to punch their ticket earning the chance to go back-to-back. “Once we settled down and got going and figure out the game we were fine. We feed off our defense and we were able to chip away and get the lead by halftime,” said Westwood head coach Trent Robinson. “ I’m so proud this group they have made history and we have reached new heights. Look over there they are so happy and I am going to let them celebrate. We are going to state.” The Gators ended the season at 26-3 but short of their goal of returning to the state championship game. “I’m disappointed for that group. I wanted the seniors to get another chance at a championship. I have had these guys for a lot of years and I feel like I raised all of them. I love those guys and I could not have asked for more from them. They gave me everything and I’m proud of them,” said Goose Creek head coach Blake Hall. “Unfortunately, this is the nature of the beast when you get this far.” The game started well for both teams as they relied on their strengths. The Gators hit five three-pointers with Ja'Quell Brown hitting all three of his attempts and scoring 11 points in the quarter. Brandon Grant chipped in 9 points. The Redhawks pounded the ball inside and were led by Ariel Huell with six points in the quarter. The quarter ended with the Gators on top 23-16. The second quarter saw the Gator’s increase their lead to 28-20 without Brown or Grant scoring before the Redhawks made a charge. Down by 8, Quentin McGill would start what would be a 12-2 run to end the quarter with a drive to the basket for two-points. Cylan Mcleod gave the Redhawks the lead at 30-28 when he hit their only three-pointer of the night. He would end the quarter by making two free throws and the Redhawks headed to the half up 32-30. Daytron Cockfield would score six points and Mcleod added five as Westwood increased their lead to 46-41 by outscoring the Gators 14-11. The fourth quarter saw the Redhawks stretch the lead to seven at 48-41 before the Gators began to chip at the lead and tied it at 50 when Brown hit his first three-pointer since the first quarter. McGil would give the Rehawks the lead for good as he hit an inside shot with under two-minutes to go for 52-50 lead. D'marcus Thomas would finish it at the line for Westwood as he scored an old fashioned three point play and hit a three free throws to keep the Gators at bay and send his team to the state finals. Westwood was led by Mcleod with 12 points and Cockfield with 10. Jayden Crews and Thomas chipped in with 9 and 8 points, respectively. Brown led the Gators and all scorers with 17 points while Brown finished with 10. Idreyiss Hoist and Reggie Dozier III added 8 and 9 points.

Berkely's Alaina Carter led the Stags with a game high 18 points in their win to capture the lower state championship over Goose Creek.

Goose Creek Head Coach Blake Hall.

Blake Hall has coached the Gators since the 2012-13 season and consistently produced winning teams over the years.