The Dillon Christian Warriors fell to The Byrnes Schools by just 10 points on Monday night as the Trojans claimed the SCISA Region 4AA championship title.
The Warriors were the number two seed in the region, headed into the tournament with a 10-4 record, and emerged in second place with a 13-12 record overall.
Dillon Christian ended the first quarter with a 12-7 lead, but the Trojans outscored the Warriors 18-8 in the second to lead 25-20 at the half. The Warriors went 12-7 in the third to tie things up 32-32 heading into the fourth.
“With Byrnes playing a full court pressing defense and a potent fast break attack that had gotten to the Warriors in the first two match-ups, it was key that DCS controlled the tempo of the game, which happened from the outset,” Warrior coach Brian Fitzgerald said. “Despite still committing 18 turnovers, DCS was able to limit the fast break opportunities of TBS and kept the game at a half court pace.”
Still tied up in the fourth, the Trojans managed to score a pair of baskets that forced the Warriors out of their tight zone. As the game wound down, the Warriors were forced to foul, resulting in a string of free throws for the Trojans, who hit 10 of 12 free throw attempts to earn the win.
The Warriors were led by Kin Melvin with 14 points and four assists. Melvin, who recently set the all-time scoring record at Dillon Christian School, was also named to both the All-Region and All-Tournament teams. Neil Melvin, who earned nine points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Warriors on Monday, was also named All-Tournament.
Will Brown added 10 points with eight rebounds for DCS, and Jeremiah Cribb scored five points with four rebounds. Landry Collins, Matthew Price, and Tyler Davis each earned two points, with Price grabbing six rebounds, Davis snagging four, and Collins picking up two. Dorrian Sellers grabbed one rebound for the Warriors.
Dillon Christian School will continue on to the SCISA state championship tournament beginning Saturday, February 18, when they’re scheduled to take on Spartanburg Day at Wilson Hall at 2:30 p.m.
