Central avoids the upset on the road in Cheraw!
Photo Credit: Micheal Oliver All Rights Reserved
January 11, 2026 | Cheraw, SC — In a tense AA Region 4 clash that required a full four quarters to decide, the Central Eagles of Pageland secured a narrow road victory over the Cheraw Braves by a final score of 72-68 on Friday night. The win solidifies Central's position as a regional contender, elevating their record to 11-5, while Cheraw's challenging season continues as they fall to 3-13.
The contest was defined by a high-scoring back-and-forth affair, ultimately decided by key possessions in the final minutes. Central's senior guard, Tazhir Webber, led all scorers with a pivotal 20-point performance, providing the steady hand the Eagles needed on the road. He was supported ably by teammates Jakari Holloman and S. Colyer, who each contributed 16 points. For the Cheraw Braves, junior guard Elijah McClain delivered an impressive 23-point effort, showcasing his scoring ability by hitting half of his 18 shot attempts. Senior guard K. Bridges added an efficient 15 points to keep the Braves within striking distance throughout the night.
The Cheraw Braves were actually the more efficient team from the field overall, shooting 47 percent compared to Central's 43 percent. However, the Central Eagles built their advantage from the three-point line, connecting on 7 of 18 attempts from deep for a 39 percent success rate that provided crucial scoring bursts.
Photo Credit: Micheal Oliver All Rights Reserved
Cheraw's Forthcoming Reset and Building Blocks
The Braves' path to becoming a regional force is set against a backdrop of significant change. The South Carolina High School League has proposed a major reclassification for the 2026-27 school year, and Cheraw is among the schools slated to move down from the AA classification to Class A. This shift will reset the competitive landscape for the program, offering a new opportunity to build a winning tradition against different opponents.
The foundation for that future is already being poured, with freshman guard K. McDonald representing its most promising element. In the loss to Central, McDonald logged 25 minutes and contributed 13 points, demonstrating a poise beyond his years. His development over the next three seasons will be central to Cheraw's ambitions in its new Class A home. He is part of a core that includes the proven scoring of junior Elijah McClain, suggesting the Braves' backcourt could be a strength around which to build.
With this result, Central looks ahead to another road test on Tuesday, January 13th, against the Buford Yellow Jackets. Cheraw will seek to rebound on the same evening when they host the Chesterfield Golden Rams in a conference matchup. For the Braves, the remainder of this season is not just about wins and losses, but about accelerating the growth of young players like McDonald to prepare for a new era of competition beginning next winter.
