Conway, SC – The Atlantic Collegiate Academy boys' basketball team has been on quite a roll of late, and that roll continued Wednesday night as the Armada crushed the Mullins Auctioneers 67-42 to earn their spot in the SCHSL Lower State championship game next week.
 
ACA (22-3) will take on Andrew Jackson High at the Florence Center on Tuesday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. with the winner advancing to play for the Class AA state title. Andrew Jackson (20-5) advanced to face ACA with a 59-54 overtime victory over Hampton County.
 
The Armada, who defeated Mullins 55-32 just two weeks ago to capture the region title, wanted to set the tempo early in the game on Wednesday. While they didn't quite get off to the kind of fast start they were looking for, the Armada turned up the temperature in the middle of the game.
 
"The goal we had was to establish the identity of the game early," ACA coach Tanner Massey said. "There was immense focus to come out of the gates strong. Credit to our guys for competing against Mullins who is as scrappy as any team we have played this season."
 
Sophomore Seeger Medalie got the Armada off to a good start by hitting a three-pointer to open the game, but early foul calls against ACA slowed the pace while allowing Mullins to score from the free throw line. Seniors Jaylen Bellamy and Jamie Brooks forced the tempo to increase, scoring four points each in the quarter, giving ACA an 11-7 advantage at the break.
 
In the second quarter that same duo sparked the Armada as the lead grew to 14 points by halftime, with ACA up 35-21. Bellamy scored seven second quarter points while Brooks scored six. Medalie and freshman Anton Daniels both hit three-pointers in the period.
 
"I am proud with how we continued to stay the course throughout the game," Massey said. "Jamie Brooks was tremendous; he is the leader of our team and the best player in the state. Jaylen Bellamy played great on both ends, and CJ Hemingway played with physicality and toughness in grabbing nine rebounds.
 
"Justin Bellamy has some of the quickest hands I have ever seen. We played solid basketball, but we must keep improving. Every win in the playoffs is a great win."
 
The pace slowed again in the third quarter, but ACA increased its lead to 19 points, 49-30. The outcome was academic in the final period, but the Armada continued to press the action, outscoring Mullins 18-12 down the stretch.
 
Brooks finished the game with 16 points to go with 11 rebounds while Medalie and Jaylen Bellamy both finished with 12 points and four rebounds.
 
Junior Amir Lee led Mullins (19-6) with 10 points. The Auctioneers scored 12 of their 42 points by hitting 12-of-20 from the free throw line.
 
After starting the season with a 2-5 record, Andrew Jackson comes into the state semifinal as one of the hottest teams in the state, riding an 18-game win streak. The Volunteers are led by senior Bryce Peterson with 16 points per game. He also leads the team, averaging 3.7 assists per outing. Junior Zeke Clyburn averaged 12.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.
 
"I have not started watching Andrew Jackson film yet, but any team that makes it this far is an elite team," Massey said. "I cannot wait to start watching them."
 
The winner next Tuesday will advance to play in the Class AA state title game on Saturday, March 8, at 2 p.m. against the winner of the Upper State championship game between High Point Academy (26-3) and Liberty High (13-15) in a rematch of regional foes. High Point took both previous meetings this year, winning by an average margin of 30.5 points per game.
 
About Atlantic Collegiate Academy: Atlantic Collegiate Academy (ACA), located in Conway, S.C., serves high school students in a safe, small and family-centered setting. Our students seek the opportunity and challenge of rigorous curriculum, high academic standards and elite athletics while also earning up to two years of college credit. ACA serves students in grades 9-12 using an honors curriculum in 9th and 10 grades with a dual enrollment curriculum in 11th and 12th grades. Learn more about ACA by visiting our website at AtlanticCollegiate.Academy and by following us on social media on Facebook, Instagram and X.