Eastside Shuts Down Lower Richland, Advances To Upper State Finals

This season, No. 5 Lower Richland had used its pressure defense, penchant for creating turnovers and quick tempo to its advantage. 

That came to a resounding end Tuesday, and so did LRHS's season. 

No. 1 Eastside kept its foot on the neck of the Hornets' offense all night long in a dominating 52-36 win Tuesday at home. The Eagles now advance to the Upper State finals. 

Eastside was in familiar territory Tuesday, playing at home in the third round of the playoffs, where they fell to Southside just a year ago. There was no letdown this year, as Eastside played championship-caliber defense from the tip-off to the final buzzer. 

The decision by Eastside Coach Tom Chamness and his staff to run a matchup zone against the Hornets' up-tempo offense proved to be a master stroke, as the Eagles held Lower Richland to four points through one quarter, and a total of only 12 points by halftime.

Junior shooting guard Keil Sherman, who blew up for 31 points last week in the second round game against Seneca, only had five points against the Hornets, but he and junior point guard Nigel Owens negotiated Lower Richland's pressure defense without committing many turnovers. 

AAA State Player of the Year Davaris McGowens led all players with 18 points. Senior Forward Luke Jones added 11. 

"This is where we faltered last year, and it says a lot about the character of this team to respond tonight the way we did," Chamness said.

Lower Richland, ranked No. 5 in the state and who had won the Region 4 crown, proved unable free itself from the Eagles' smothering defense. The Hornets made only one 3-pointer out of 10 attempts for the game. 

"We were confident they would not shoot us out of our zone, and our kids proved us right tonight," Chamness said.

The Eagles play in the Upper State Final against No.4 Daniel High School in the Bi-Lo Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.