Westwood girls basketball gets over hurdle, advances to first state championship

Westwood girls basketball has been here before – four times in the last six seasons, to be exact. Now, finally, the Redhawks are taking the next step.

Westwood is off the Class 4A state championship game after outlasting regional rival AC Flora, 52-37, in Friday’s Lower State championship held at the Florence Center.

The Redhawks (26-4) will play North Augusta (25-3) on Thursday at 5 p.m. in the USC Aiken Convocation Center for an SCHSL crown. North Augusta beat Wade Hampton, 58-50, in Friday’s Upper State championship game.

It’s the Redhawks’ first state championship appearance in any sport since opening in 2012 – and a breakthrough moment for coach Gregory Bauldrick’s squad, which had previously lost in three consecutive state semifinals.

All-state senior guard Jessica Woods (14 points) and junior guard Makiah Thompson (12 points) were the top performers for Westwood, which never trailed in the contest and was, simply put, faster, deeper and better than an AC Flora team it beat twice earlier this season in region play.

The Redhawks got out to an 8-0 lead in the first quarter, finished that first period up 16-5 and extended their lead to 21-5 midway through the second. All-state AC Flora guard Terriana Gray was key in an ensuing 6-0 scoring run that gave her Falcons some midgame life.

Still, Westwood had a commanding double-digit lead after two quarters – 25-11 – and rarely blinked in the second half. AC Flora’s best stretch came during a high-scoring third quarter, when it used a full-court press to force a few turnovers and get the deficit down to 38-28 after three quarters.

But Westwood’s veteran back court of Woods and Thompson adjusted well, breaking those traps, feeding teammates for a number of fast-break layups and helping their team keep pace in a quarter that saw AC Flora ultimately outscore them 17-13.

Woods, a Campbell signee, hit a key 3-pointer to put Westwood up 41-28 to start the fourth quarter, and the Redhawks kept their opponent at bay over a fast-paced final eight minutes. AC Flora had numerous opportunities to cut its deficit to single digits but couldn’t capitalize. When they did, Westwood had an answer.

Friday’s loss ended an impressive postseason run for AC Flora, which was in its second season under coach Jacob Thompson. The Falcons were a No. 6 seed and unranked in the final coaches poll, but they won three playoff games – including a second-round road win over No. 3 Bluffton – to reach only their second state semifinal and first since 2007.

For Westwood, Friday’s win continued a special run that Bauldrick previously described as one “all the stars are lining up (for).” As the 4A Region 5 champion and No. 1 seed in the Lower State, Westwood had home-court advantage for wins over West Florence, Hartsville and James Island.

By being placed in the Lower State bracket for the first time, the Redhawks also avoided playing North Augusta (the No. 1 team in the final 4A girls coaches poll) until the state championship game. Now, after making history against AC Flora, they’re in position — and ready — to do it again Thursday.

Westwood 52, AC Flora 37

Westwood: Jessica Woods 14 points, Makiah Thompson 12, Raven Johnson 9, Korletta Daniels 6, Destiny Omeire 4, Kimauri Chatman 2, Thanna Davis 2