It's been quite a while for Hayden Asemian.
The Powderville High School senior started the basketball season by committing to play at South Carolina and will end the season by playing in the state championship.
Asemian scored 18 points as Powderville held off area rival Wren 47-44 in the Class 3A boys basketball semifinals at Florence Center on Tuesday.
Powderville advances to the state championship and will play the winner of Lower Richland/Darlington on Saturday at 4 p.m. It will be the Patriots' first championship appearance in school history.
“Man, that was a big deal,” Asemian said. “The community has shown us all so much love. Driving almost three hours to see our games means a lot and we appreciate everything.”
The 6-foot-8 Athethmian was a force inside for the Patriots, scoring all of his points in the first three quarters as Powderville led 43-33 after three.
However, just like the first meeting between the two teams, the match was inconclusive. Trailing 47-44 with six seconds left, the Wrens tried to make a 3-point shot but missed. It was Powderville's first win against the Wrens in three games this year.
“I knew the team was going to do it,” Asemian said. “We were going to do whatever we could to execute. This is a team win. I'm really happy.”
Powderville coach Austin Anderson thought Asemian's play early in the game would definitely set the tone for the rest of the team.
“He was huge, getting rebounds and cleaning up,” Anderson said. “He worked his tail off. Every game, every practice. He got so much better.”
Asemian entered the game leading the Patriots with 15.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.
Asemian played his first year at Powderville and last year at Legacy Early College in Greenville. He caught the attention of Gamecocks coach Lamont Parise throughout the spring and summer and signed him in late September.
Paris and USC coaches sent a message to Asemian before the game, and he has been a frequent visitor to Shamcocks games this year, going to four or five. He is scheduled to take an official visit in the fall.
Paris was playing in an Asemian playoff game earlier this month.
Asemian said his floor-running style and two-man game fit his style.
USC went 22-7 in Paris' second season and should be all but certain to make its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017.
“The entire coaching staff reached out to me today and I’m sure everyone was paying attention,” Assesmian said. “And they just had a great year, just like us. Last year wasn't great, but they're doing what they're supposed to do. Coach Parris and the coaching staff are going to take their good points and their bad points. He knows what he's doing and he's playing great basketball.”
