Gray Collegiate “Battle of West Columbia” rematch

By Thomas Grant Jr.

It was billed as “Super Bowl II” at Bearcat Arena.

West Columbia rivals Brookland-Cayce and Gray Collegiate had their anticipated rematch Friday night. The Bearcats looked to sweep the season series with the War Eagles and remain tied with North Augusta for first place in Region 4-4A.

Motivated by the loss and post-season reaction from Brookland-Cayce, a motivated Gray Collegiate looked to even the score. Jumping out to an early lead sparked by transfer forward Levi Ball, the War Eagles got their revenge in a 74-63 road victory.

Ball scored 18 of his game-high 28 points in the first quarter. He outscored the entire Brookland-Cayce roster, opening the game with a 3-point play of the first of his four dunks.

Ball also hit three of his four, 3-pointers to give the War Eagles a 27-16 lead after one quarter.

Gray Collegiate Academy forward Levi Ball drives to the basket. Photo by Thomas Grant, Jr.

“Levi is starting to come out of his shell,” he said. “The guy that I knew he is and could be, he’s starting to show you guys. Last game (a win over North Augusta), I think that was his coming out party. His focus and his attention to detail. His will and his work, it’s starting to show.”

Brookland-Cayce looked to stay within striking distance by hitting 11, 3-pointers. Amarii King had five, 3-pointers to finish with 20 points before fouling out.

R.J. Weeks also fouled out for the Bearcats. Afterwards, head coach Robert Wells expressed issues with how the game was called overall.

“After we beat them the first time, they (Gray Collegiate) called the High School League and I guess they kind of focused more on the little things we were trying to do. It’s basketball. I mean sometimes you win a big game and you’ve got two weeks to play them. I guess they worked on with the High School League or whoever, try to figure out how to come out tonight and get better officiating. So, it is what it is.”

As Bell cooled down, guard Quan McDuffie helped extend the War Eagles’ lead as many as 18 points. McDuffie scored 11 of his 16 points in the third quarter.

Brookland-Cayce could only get within nine points despite 14 points from Isaiah Oree and outscoring the War Eagles 17-10 in the fourth quarter.

Gray Collegiate (12-7, 7-2) moved within a half game of second place with the Bearcats (15-7,
8-2). Brookland-Cayce is now a game behind North Augusta, who they will face again on Feb.
10.

The Yellow Jackets won the first meeting 69-57 on Jan. 17.

“That’s their Super Bowl,” said Wells about Gray Collegiate. “That’s a big win for them. But they’re see us again.

“It’s not over. We’re 8-2 in the region. I told our guys, we win out, we win the region championship. We’ll tie for the region championship. So, we’re going to keep working.”

“We responded the right way this time,” Powell said. “We know where we could end up and we know what we need to do to stay where we are. We don’t want to leave it in nobody else’s hands, but unfortunately, it’s kind of like that. But we’re going to handle our business for the rest of the season. We’re going to control our own destiny.”

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Gray Collegiate 68, Brookland-Cayce 26

Kadence Walker-Lee scored 20 points and Kiley Freeman had 12 to lead the Lady War Eagles (10-6, 7-2). They remain in second place in Region 4-4A behind North Augusta.

Northside Collegiate 47, Ben Lippen 36

The Lady Crusaders improved to a school-record 20-0 overall heading into back-to-back games Monday and Tuesday against Heathwood Hall.  

Airport 46, Midland Valley 23

Feature Photo by Thomas Grant Jr. – – Gray Collegiate Academy forward Levi Ball pulls up for the jumper.

S.C. BASKETBALL COACHES ASSSOCIATION TOP 10 RANKINGS

BOYS

Class 5A

(Division I)

1. Ridge View, 2. J.F. Byrnes, 3. Dorman, 4. Blythewood, 5. Summerville, 6. River Bluff, 7. Dutch Fork, 8. Mauldin, 9. Ashley Ridge, 10. Carolina Forest

Class 4A

1. Lancaster, 2. North Augusta, 3. Crestwood, 4. Gray Collegiate, 5. Wren, 6. Brookland-Cayce, 7. Bluffton, 8. Wilson, 9. Greer, 10. May River

GIRLS

Class 5A

(Division I)

1. Ashley Ridge , 2. Blythewood, 3. Summerville, 4. Clover, 5. Dutch Fork, 6. Carolina Forest, 7. Wando, 8. J.L. Mann, 9. J.F. Byrnes, 10. Lexington     

(Division II)

1. Gaffney, 2. North Myrtle Beach, 3. Berkeley, 4. White Knoll, 5. Riverside, 6. Fort Mill, 7. Greenville, 8. St. James, 9. Greenwood, 10. Goose Creek