Survive and Advance: Greer fends off Lancaster to advance to upper state final

Zayn Valentine finished with 19 points to lead the Jackets in a 65-53 win over Lancaster.

Amare Anderson couldn’t believe the call.

With just under seven minutes remaining in the Class 4-A upper-state semifinals against Lancaster, Anderson drove to the basket and looked to be going for a lay-up. Instead, he dumped the ball off to center Bradyn Durrah right underneath the basket. 

Durrah laid it in for an easy two.

Not so fast. Anderson heard a whistle after making the pass. 

Charging. Going the other way.

Greer’s star junior guard had made minimal contact with a Lancaster defender who didn’t seem to be in a legal guarding position. Nevertheless, the ref blew his whistle and called Anderson for the foul.

It was his fifth.

In the biggest game of his career, Anderson had fouled out. It was the first time in his high school career that Anderson had fouled out of a game.

“I certainly didn’t agree with the call at all,” said Greer head coach Devin Liferidge. “But you know, it happens. Referees make mistakes. You just hate to see a kid like that foul out in a game like this.”

Anderson walked over to the bench, noticeably dejected. His head hung low. Greer—up 48-40—would have to play the game’s final six minutes without him.

But then, something seemed to flip. Anderson lifted his head up from the floor on his own accord. He began clapping and cheering on his teammates. He gave them directions and high-fived the guys on the bench.

“I was upset about having to leave the game, but I knew the guys had it,” said Anderson. “I just wanted to be a good teammate and give them encouragement in any way I can.”

The Jackets gathered near half-court to regroup after Anderson’s fifth foul. It was all hands on deck for Greer, and all hands were needed. 

Lancaster tried to make several runs toward the end of the game, closing the gap to six late in a contest Greer led by 22 at one point. But the Jackets held off the Bruin rallies, earning a 65-53 win. 

Several players stepped up to close out the victory for the Jackets.

Zayn Valentine scored a team-high 19 points while also playing sound defense on Lancaster star Jordan Watford. Mikey Williams poured in 14 points and had three steals. Bradyn Durrah was unstoppable down low, coming up with five blocks and 15 rebounds—both season-highs.

“We had a lot of guys who stepped up tonight and played really great basketball,” said Liferidge. “It just shows how much depth we have on this team. It’s not a one-man show.”

With the win, Greer advances to the upper-state championship game where they’ll face an all-too-familiar foe—Riverside.

The Jackets have lost just five games this season. Riverside is responsible for two. 

“We’re excited to get back out there and get another shot at them,” said Greer guard Williams, who transferred from Riverside to Greer before the season. “They got us the first two times, but that’s in the past.”

“All that matters is this one now,” said Liferidge. “Riverside is a really great team, full credit to them. We had a feeling we might be back in this spot, facing them again.”

Greer and Riverside will face off at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at the Florence Center.

THE SCORE BY QUARTERS

Lancaster 9 10 17 17 - 53

Greer 19 19 9 18 - 65

GREER STAT LEADERS

Zayn Valentine - 19 points, 4 steals

Amare Anderson - 14 points, 8 rebounds

Mikey Williams - 14 points, 3 steals

Bradyn Durrah - 7 points, 15 rebounds, 5 blocks

Isaiah Henry - 7 points

Brayden Lytes - 5 points