Wilson High School Tigers Become 2021-2022 4A Boys Basketball State Champions

A lot of work goes into being a champion in any sport—high school, college, or professional. It takes getting up early in the morning and staying late at night. For high school players, it also takes balancing schoolwork with practice, watching game videos and playing games two or more times a week. For coaches, it means early mornings and late nights with dinner being delivered to the gym while they are still at the school burning the midnight oil. “A lot of people don’t know the amount of work that we put in to get where we are today,” said Carlos Powell, Head Coach of the 2021-2022 4A Boys Basketball State Champions. “Just to win a state championship after going through such hard times and hearing all the little things. It is refreshing. What can they say now.”

Being a champion also takes believing in yourself, your staff, and your team when others have their doubts. On Saturday, March 5, 2022, the Wilson Tigers showed that they could rise above those who said they were not ready, even when the experts picked them to finish third in the Conference. The Wilson High School team showed people watching the South Carolina 4A High School Boys Basketball Championship game at the USC Aiken Convocation Center and the thousands of people watching on television across the Palmetto State that they have the heart and will of champions. The Tigers beat A.C. Flora of Columbia, South Carolina with a score of 52 to 43.

The Tigers, led by University of South Carolina Alum Carlos Powell and backed by four busloads of fans, marched into USC Aiken Convocation Center with determination. When the smoke cleared, they were standing on the top for the first time since 2007.

Led by three pointers in the first quarter, the Tigers took an early lead and did not look back. Using their speed and quickness to disrupt the Falcons while holding 4A Player of the Year Collin Murray-Boyles to just four points, Javon Brown of Wilson finished with a team high of 20 points. Brown was followed by Zandae Butler with 15 points, Dominick Jones with 10 points, Green with 5 points, Lytch with 1 point, and Burgess with 1 point.

“I pour my heart into those kids and my coaches did, too. It is a beautiful thing to watch,” Powell said as he fought back tears. “And just all the things I hear people say. But I know three things you got to say. Put respect on Wilson, you got to put respect on my players, and you got to put some respect on me.”