By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer
garrett@thewoodrufftimes.com
The winter sports season is winding down for high school athletes across South Carolina, and for the Woodruff Wolverines, it brings with it postseason berths for the varsity basketball teams and exciting opportunities for Wolverine wrestlers. Take a look back at the busy week that was for Woodruff High School athletics.
Senior Night Festivities
The Woodruff basketball teams hosted senior night festivities on Tuesday against Union County, and it turned into a fun night for the Lady Wolverines. Seniors Jensyn Turner, Jordan Robinson, Jasmine McKnight, Emma Vaughn, and Aidyn Smith comprised the starting lineup, and the great Turner shone bright in her final regular-season home game with 28 points and nine rebounds in a 60-43 win over the Yellow Jackets.
Junior Jaylen Means chipped in with 15 points. The Woodruff girls finished the regular season with a 12-10 record, securing second place in Region 3-3A. The Lady Wolverines will host Powdersville in a playoff rematch from last season on Tuesday night.
Woodruff Boys Basketball Eyes Postseason Upset
The Woodruff boys fell to Union County in a tight contest, 57-54, finishing 4th in region play with a 9-12 record and 4-6 in Region 3. Against the Yellow Jackets, Grayson Patterson poured in 23 points, and Dre Jenkins added 15. The Wolverines qualified for the playoffs and will travel to powerful St. Joseph’s in the first round, as the Knights finished second in their region. Woodruff defeated St. Joseph’s 47-42 in their last meeting several seasons ago when the Knights were 14-0, and the Wolverines will hope to do so once again and upset St. Joseph’s on their home court and play spoilers in the 3A upper-state bracket.
Turner and McKnight Honored
Following Monday’s home basketball game against Mountain View Prep, Jensyn Turner and Jasmine McKnight were recognized for significant career accomplishments. Turner became the Lady Wolverines’ all-time career steals leader two weeks ago, while McKnight surpassed 500 rebounds for her career, in a season when she is averaging over 11 boards per game. Both ladies were presented with commemorative basketballs to mark the occasion.
Wrestling Falls to Walhalla in Team Playoff Duals
The Woodruff varsity wrestling team dropped a heartbreaking match to Walhalla in the first round of the 3A playoffs, 39-38. Despite the loss, it was a remarkable turnaround for the beleaguered program under first-year head coach and Woodruff alumnus Austin Weathers. Now, Wolverine wrestlers will turn their attention to the individual upper-state and state tournaments, with multiple grapplers in contention for places on the podium in the coming two weeks.
Jasmine McKnight in the top 15 for all-time career rebounds for the Lady Wolverines, earned her 500th rebound against
Broome last week (courtesy of Spartanburg County School District Four)
Four). Jasmine McKnight in the top 15 for all-time career rebounds for the Lady Wolverines, earned her 500th rebound against
Broome last week (courtesy of Spartanburg County School District Four)
Author: Vareva Harris
