Ridgeland-Hardeeville again leans on Estill as stand-in host

Once again, Estill High will serve as Ridgeland-Hardeeville’s quarterfinal home away from home.

The Jaguars finalized plans Monday to move Wednesday’s boys Class 2-A quarterfinal game against Timberland some 30 miles up the highway, where Estill’s gym meets the minimum seating requirements of the South Carolina High School League.

The contest will tip off at 7 p.m., with tickets selling for $6.

“We are so appreciative of Estill High allowing us to do this again this year,” said Michael K. Jordan, Jasper County’s athletic director.

The Jaguars, ranked No. 1 in Class 2-A, were one of six area teams who survived the weekend’s opening playoff rounds. Battery Creek remains alive in the Class 2-A girls’ bracket, though the Dolphins will face a tall task when they travel Tuesday night to Mullins.

In the SCISA playoffs, the Hilton Head Christian and Beaufort Academy boys take their next steps in Tuesday night’s quarterfinals. HHCA takes on Spartanburg Day in a Class 2-A playoff at Heathwood Hall in Columbia; Beaufort Academy faces Curtis Baptist in a Class 1-A matchup at Sumter’s Wilson Hall.

Hilton Head Christian and Thomas Heyward Academy also had their girls’ teams playing SCISA Class 2-A playoffs Monday in Sumter. Thomas Heyward’s season ended when the Rebels lost 51-30 to Pee Dee.

This marks the second consecutive year that Estill has stepped in as Ridgeland-Hardeeville’s substitute host. A year ago, the school played host to the Jaguars’ quarterfinals for both boys and girls.

Jordan said Bluffton High also received consideration, but Estill’s larger facility proved the best fit.

“They (Timberland) feel they’re going to bring a great crowd,” Jordan said. “Their kids have done a great job of getting this far. When that happens, you want your people to come be part of this special event.”

The Jaguars, ranked No. 1 in Class 2-A, reached the quarterfinals off Saturday night’s wild 84-74 victory over Mullins. RHHS trailed by five less than a minute into the final quarter before outscoring the Auctioneers 27-10 the rest of the way.

Timberland upended Battery Creek 61-57 last Saturday. A RHHS win would put the Jaguars in their third consecutive Lower State final. They got all the way to the state final last year before falling to Keenan.

The Battery Creek girls figure to have their work cut out for them against Mullins, which has scored 90 points in each of its two playoff games. The Lady Aucs eliminated Whale Branch 90-36 on Friday; their first-round win was 90-5 over Andrews.

This story was originally published February 22, 2016 at 8:06 PM with the headline "Ridgeland-Hardeeville again leans on Estill as stand-in host."