Central boys basketball team makes run to AA state quarterfinals

Pageland – The Central High School boys basketball team finished the season on a high note,

reaching the quarterfinals of the AA state playoffs. The Eagles were led by senior Caden Edmond, who

was selected to the South Carolia Basketball Coaches Association AA All-State team.

Edmond, who has committed to Coker College, just missed on averaging a double-double for the

season. Edmond averaged an even 14.0 points per game while pulling down a team high 9.9 rebounds. He

also averaged 2.6 assists and 1.0 steals.

Edmond was selected to the All- Regio 4-AA team along with two teammates, junior Tahzir

Webber and junior Demetrius Myers.

Webber led Central, which finished 18-11 overall and 9-3 and in second place in Region 4, in

scoring at 14.4 points and assists at 3.9. He also led in steals at 2.7 to go with 3.3 rebounds.

Myers averaged 14.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals.

Eagles head coach Desmond Sowell was pleased with the overall success of his squad.

"The guys clicked at the right time, and we had a great experience,” Sowell said. “I am grateful or

the opportunity to support these guys.”

CHS survived a scare in the first round of the playoffs, beating Blacksburg 83-80 in overtime.

That was followed by a 68-53 win over Strom Thurmond before losing to Liberty 53-44 in the

quarterfinals.

Myers had a double-double of 33 points and 13 rebounds in the victory over Blacksburg. He also

had four assists.

Webber finished with 19 points, five assists and three steals, while sophomore Jordan Crowder

had 12 points. Junior Aiden Short had nine pints and nine rebounds, while Edmond had eight points, nine

rebounds three assists and four blocked shots.

Myers again led the way with 19 points against Strom Thurmond. Crowder had 17, Edmond 16,

sophomore Dwayne Louallen Jr. eight and Webber seven. Edmond had a double-double by grabbing 13

rebounds, while Myers had six assists, Webber had seven rebounds and five assists, Louallen had six

rebounds, three assists and three steals, and Crowder had five rebounds and four steals.

In the season-ending loss to Liberty, CHS took a 30-23 lead into the fourth quarter. However, it

was outscored 30-14 in the final stanza.

Webber led in scoring with 15 to go with three assists. Crowder finished with 10 points, while

Edmond had eight points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Louallen had seven points and 10

rebounds.

Crowder also averaged in double figures in scoring for the season with an 11.0 average. He also

had 7.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 steals. Louallen had a solid season with a 6/6 scoring average, 7.1

rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 steals. Short averaged 6.6 points.

JARIYAH SOWELL GIRLS BASKEtBALL ALL-REGION PICK

Junior Jariyah Sowell was selected to the All-Region 4 girls basketball team.

Sowell led Central in scoring with a 9.4 average. She also led in assists at 2.5 to go with 1.8 steals

and 2.8 rebounds.

Senior Jordyn Griffiin led in rebounding at 5.3 and steals at 3.5 to go with 8.3 points.

The Eagles went just 4-20 on the season, but was 4-8 in region play. That was good enough to

earn them a berth in the state playoffs. They lost to Blacksburg 62-23 in the first round.