Vols seek to stop high-scoring Wildcats

KERSHAW - Andrew Jackson launches its Class AA Lower State postseason hoops hopes, seeking to stop one of the state's top guns.

AJ meets Conference VII-AA runner-up Dillon, which sports guard Lashay Page, who is averaging 27 points per game.

"Page is one of the top offensive players in the state," said AJ coach Dale Reeves. "He's a streaky shooter.

"The key for us is to limit Page's touches," Reeves said. "We will try to double him. We saw a tape on him in a game with Cheraw and he scored 22 points in the first quarter."

Dillon, 16-5, went 9-3 in Conference VII-AA, with its three losses to Conference VII-AA champion Mullins.

The Wildcats are rated in the Class AA’s top five in the state. Dillon also is led by senior point guard Alyn McRae, who is averaging 16 points per game.

"We have to be successful in what we do," Dillon coach Harold Wilson said.

The Wildcats, 11-11 last season when they lost in the opening round of the Class AA Lower State playoffs, have seven seniors.

"Dillon's very athletic and they will press us full court," Reeves said. "We want to be able to control the tempo on offense."

The Volunteers enter the game with an 8-15 mark, including a 4-4 mark in Conference VIII-AA play.

AJ, which won two of its final three games, tied for second in regular-season conference play, but fell to third since Lee Central had the best overall record among the three teams tied for second place AJ, Lee Central and Cheraw.

The Vols are led by the inside tandem of senior Jonathan Belk and sophomore Ryan Miller.

Belk is averaging 14.1 points and 5.9 rebounds a game. Miller is hitting 12.3 points and hauling in 7.8 rebounds a game.

"Hopefully, we can limit them to one shot," Reeves said. "It's important for us to do a good job on the boards and not give them second and third chances."

Junior guard Justin Sellers is averaging 7.9 points per game and Elijah White is hitting 7.6 points a game.

The Vols-Wildcats winner moves on to face the Burke-Silver Bluff winner on Saturday at 7 p.m.