AISA PLAYOFFS: Pickens, Abbeville Christian girls advance in Class A

STAFF REPORT

Pickens Academy 42, Jackson Academy 12

Kate Wilkins scored 19 points and Lily Lowery added 10 as the Pirates coasted past Jackson Academy 42-12 in the AISA Class A Elite Eight at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl on Wednesday.

Kayleigh Jones led Jackson with five points, scoring all five in the first quarter as Pickens jumped out to a 16-5 lead. The Pirates used a similar run to open the second half, outscoring Jackson 11-1 in the third quarter to advance to the semifinals, where they will meet Evangel Christian on Wednesday at 2 p.m.

Abbeville Christian 53, Restoration Academy 24

Anna Grace Blalock had 17 points in the first quarter and Caroline Armstrong added four as the Generals raced out to a 21-2 lead and cruised to a 29-point rout of Restoration in the AISA Class A Elite Eight at the Mutiplex at Cramton Bowl on Wednesday afternoon. 

Abbeville Christian will face Heritage Christian on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the semifinals.

Blalock added 10 points in the second quarter and two more in the third to finish with 29 points as Abbeville led 39-6 at the half. Armstrong added four more points in the second quarter and eight in the third to finish with 16.

Meagan Barnes had 18 of Restoration’s 24 points, scoring 14 in the second half against the reserves.

Heritage Christian 26, Meadowview Christian 21

Freshman forward Tristan Stoutermire was the only offensive spark for either team, scoring six points in the second quarter and seven more in the third as Heritage Christian won a defensive struggle in the AISA Class A Elite Eight at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl on Wednesday afternoon. 

Heritage will face Abbeville Christian on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the semifinals.

Heritage struggled to an early lead, but the Trojans would rally to take their only lead at 7-6 midway through the second quarter on a Kristen Little layup.

That’s when Stoutermire went to work, hitting both ends of the one-and-one on consecutive trips to the free-throw line to help her team to a 16-9 halftime lead. In the third quarter, she stepped out and hit a pair of 3 pointers, scoring all seven of her team’s points in the quarter to help the Eagles to a 23-13 lead.

Meadowview never found an offensive spark as guard Grace Redd spent much of her time on the bench in foul trouble, finishing with four points. Kendra Campbell added four points to lead the Trojans.