Photojournalism: North Augusta Lady Yellow Jackets Lose in State Finals
Zuri Goldsberry, center, tries to fight her way past Westside defender Ahri Scott, right, at the 4AAAA Girls State Championship game at the USC Aiken Convocation Center in Aiken March 5. Photo by Mike Adams
North Augusta’s Lady Yellow Jackets fought a hard defensive battle against Anderson’s Westside High School in the South Carolina State 4AAAA championship but came up short 44-40 in overtime Saturday at the University of South Carolina Aiken Convocation Center.
The Lady Yellow Jackets and Rams were neck and neck for the entire game.
Aziyah Bell of Westside, left, tries to block the shot of North Augusta’s Zuri Goldsberry ,right, at the 4AAAA girls State Championship game at the USC Aiken Convocation Center on Saturday, March 5. Photo by Mike Adams
At the half, the two squads were tied at 19.
North Augusta nudged ahead at the end of the third quarter 31-30.
Branya Pruitt of Westside, left, tries to block the shot of Celena Grant of North Augusta, center, at the 4AAAA Girls State Championship game at the USC Aiken Convocation Center
The final quarter saw more of the same on the night – turnovers and steals with few points put on the scoreboard. With less than a minute to go in regulation, P’eris Smith scored to even the score at 37 all.
Branya Pruitt, left, and Aziyah Bell of Westside, right, played tough defense against Zuri Goldsberry of North Augusta March 5. Photo by Mike Adams
North Augusta lost a couple of its team members to fouls. Ansley Gartrell fouled out late in regulation with Celena Grant fouling out in overtime.
Zuri Goldsberry was North Augusta’s leading scorer with 18 points.
P’eris Smith of North Augusta reacts after a tough 44-40 loss to Westside in overtime March 5. Photo by Mike Adams
The Lady Yellow jackets won four consecutive state titles before losing last year in the playoffs.
Suniyah Rollins of North Augusta, left, attempts a shot as Destiny Middleton of Westside defends at the 4AAAA Girls State Championship game. Photo by Mike Adams March 5 Zuri Goldsberry, center, attempts a shot over Olivia Randolph, left, and Destiny Middleton of Westside at the 4AAAA Girls State Championship game at the USCA Convocation Center March 5. Photo by Mike AdamsAshley Gartrell of North Augusta, left, attempts a shot as Destiny Middleton of Westside, right, defends at the 4AAAA Girls State Championship game at the USC Aiken Convocation Center March 5. Photo by Mike AdamsNorth Augusta Head Coach Al Young barks instructions to his players late in the game
at the 4AAAA Girls State Championship game at the USC Aiken Convocation Center March 5. Photo by Mike Adams
In a hard fought defensive battle, Aricka Moore of North Augusta, center, tries to steal the ball from Westside’s Olivia Randolph at the 4AAAA Girls State Championship game at the USCA Convocation Center March 5. Photo by Mike Adams
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