Johnston, SC – The Strom Thurmond High School Rebels and head coach Owen Jacobs reached the Class AA basketball version of the “Elite 8” after a pair of solid state playoff victories over the Eau Claire Shamrocks and Greer Middle College Blazers.
The Rebels utilized their trademark defensive intensity to keep the No. 7-ranked Blazers well below their scoring average in a 51-37 road victory on Friday (2/16) that propelled Strom Thurmond into the third round. The team played at hoops powerhouse W.J. Keenan on Monday (2/19).
“(Greer) had a really solid back to back all-state post player who over the last few games had been averaging close to 20 points and game and a guard who could really shoot it and he had been averaging around 20 points per game the last several games,” stated Coach Jacobs. “We really keyed on (their guard), picking up on him as soon as he crossed the timeline and then we tried to deny the post and double him when he got the ball. Landen Jones and Daley Hitt did a great job down there and accepted the challenge.”
“Anytime we can hold a team under 45 to 50 points we feel like we have a good shot to win the game, and they really executed the gameplan perfectly,” Jacobs added.
Offensively, the Rebels were led by All-Region 3-AA honoree, Roosevelt Walker, with 21 points.
“Ro had been sick but he’s going to fight through it and give us everything he can to help us get the job done and he gave us 21 and had a great night for us,” commented Coach Jacobs.
The Rebels opened the state playoffs with a hard-fought 50-43 victory over the Shamrocks, which eliminated Strom Thurmond in the first round of the playoffs last season. This time around, however, and despite a slow start, the Rebels persevered and got the win behind 17 points from All-Region 3-AA honoree Quan Edmond, 13 points from Roosevelt Walker and seven huge points from Daley Hitt in the fourth quarter.
Getting off to a better start against Greer Middle College was important for Coach Jacobs.
“We didn’t start off in a hole and the energy and intensity from the jump was there,” stated Jacobs.
In the next round, a great season ended at 22-8 overall as the Keenan Raiders defeated the Rebels in a final score of 55-31.
Great job this season, Rebels!
