Both Latta basketball teams make deep runs in Class A state playoffs
Aliyah Tisdale, Kaliya Herman, Isaiah McRae selected to SCBCA Class A All-State teams
Latta – It was a great season of basketball for Latta High School in the just completed season. The girls played for the Class A Lower State championship in the playoffs while the boys reached the quarterfinals for the first time in several years.
The Latta girls finished the season with a 20-5 overall record and went 11-1 in winning Region 6. They beat Ridgeland, Lake View and Denmark-Olar before running into Class A juggernaut Military Magnet in the Lower State title game.
“As far as our season, we overachieved this year, which was a great thing due to key players getting injured and some being sick all season” said Latta girls head coach Bobby Richardson. “Some days we barely even had five to practice.”
The boys posted an 18-6 record and tied for second in the region. They beat Scott’s Branch and Branchville in the first two rounds before falling to Carvers Bay.
“This year was a turning point for our program,” said Latta boys head coach Chris Page, himself a former Viking. “We finished 18-6, but more than the record, I’m proud that we learned to close out games.”
The ladies had two players selected to the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association Class A All-State team in sophomore Aliyah Tisdale and senior Kaliya Herman.
Tisdale averaged a double-double of 14.6 points per game and 13.6 rebounds. She also had 3.2 steals and 1.2 blocked shots per game.
Herman led the team in scoring at 16.9, assists at 3.1 and steals at 5.9. She also averaged 6.4 rebounds.
Tisdale and Herman were also first team All-Region selections. Junior Jeziyah Page was a second team selection. She averaged 8.7 points, 3.0 assists and 3.3 steals.
For the boys, Isaiah McRae was an All-State selection and was named the Region 6 Defensive Player fo the Year. He averaged 12.0 points and 8.5 rebounds.
Senior Xy’mari Bethea was a second team All-Region pick. He averaged 7.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.1 steals.
Junior Shayon McGruder was a key contributor, leading the Vikings in scoring with a 12.5 average. Sophomore Joemaurie Galloway averaged 7.4 points.
Both Richardson and Page feel good about the future of their programs.
“Making it to the third round of the playoffs showed everyone what we’re capable of,” Page said. “Looking at the talent currently developing at the junior varsity and middle school levels, I can confidently say, ‘The winning way is here to stay.’ “
“Our future looks real good,” Richardson said. “We have a bunch of youth that stepped up this year, and they’re only going to get better. I’m looking forward to making another run at a state championship.”
