Myrtle Beach locks down Georgetown, closes in on region title

For her senior night, Myrtle Beach point guard Keocia Walker requested only one thing of her team – 70 points – feeling that total would be more than enough to earn a win.

One of four Seahawks honored Tuesday night, her wish was granted as the team took it to Georgetown 81-40, moving a step closer to a Region VII-AAA title.

Up 14 at the break, Myrtle Beach kicked its game into high gear, outscoring the Bulldogs 29-0 in the third quarter, much to the delight of head coach Jennifer Dennison.

“At halftime, we had to get on them, we felt they were giving Georgetown too many points and if they didn’t do a better job there would not be any balls in the gym tomorrow (during practice),” she said. “So they picked it up in the second half, did what we asked them to do and that’s what it was all about.”

The teams traded the lead on five occasions early on, Georgetown able to hang in there courtesy of shots from deep range and the Seahawks’ inability to knock down shots from close range. Eventually, those shots began to go in and even the simplest of basketball plays – like getting the ball inbounds – became difficult, in large part due to a relentless Myrtle Beach press.

“We had the mindset of having to play one quarter at a time, one possession at a time, and getting ready for Myrtle Beach on Thursday,” Dennison said.

Also, the Seahawks were able to get an important piece of business out of the way, as forward Kiana Adderton scored her 1,000th career point in the win, doing so courtesy of a lay-up midway through the second period.

“It’s such a blessing, it’s like a dream goal for me,” she said. “I’m just happy I got it tonight, and happy my teammates helped me get there.”

Every Myrtle Beach player contributed to the final result, led by Adderton with a game-high 22 points while Nia Sumpter added 19 of her own. Tatyanna Hollins also scored in double figures with 10.

“All 13 players scored tonight, and that’s what it’s all about … teamwork,” Dennison said. “… What we’re doing with our sophomore and junior class is getting them ready for next year. So that when Keocia Walker walks away from us in the next month or so, we’ll still be jelling next year.”

Rayna Crosby led Georgetown with 15 points.

With the victory, Myrtle Beach earned at least a tie for the Region VII-AAA crown. The Seahawks can win the title outright with a win against North Myrtle Beach on Thursday night.

“We’re getting better every day in practice, pushing ourselves to get better,” Adderton said. “Because our ultimate goal is to win that state title.”

This story was originally published February 9, 2016 at 10:59 PM with the headline "Myrtle Beach locks down Georgetown, closes in on region title."