Breaking down Midlands high school boys basketball scene: Top teams, players to watch
The high school boys basketball season is in full swing around South Carolina.
Here’s a look at storylines, top teams and players in the area who have stood out as we head into Christmas tournaments:
Class 5A
Lexington (9-0): The top-ranked team in the state has looked the part so far, going 9-0 on the season, including a win over Groverton (Ga.) on Saturday. Competition will get a little tougher with the City of Palms Tournament in Florida and Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach to close out the month.
Blythewood (5-3): Two of the Bengals’ losses have come to rival Ridge View, the top-ranked team in 4A.
Class 4A
Ridge View (10-0): The top-ranked team in the state is off to a 10-0 start and went 3-0 for the first time in school history in last week’s Bash hoops showcase. Two of those wins came over out-of-state programs St. Francis (Texas) and Sunrise Christian (Kan.).
A.C. Flora (9-1): The Falcons are off to a strong start and have been one of the top surprises locally. A.C. Flora cracked the top-10 in the latest coaches poll this week.
Westwood (9-1): The Redhawks are off to a good start under new coach Trent Robinson and are ranked No. 9 in the latest 4A rankings. Westwood knocked off Blythewood, ranked in the top 10 in 5A, on Friday.
Irmo (3-6): The defending state champions are struggling in the early part of the season. Irmo graduated or lost all of its offensive production from last year and have to figure out things going into region play next month.
Class 2A
Gray Collegiate (6-3): The defending state champions are the top-ranked team in 2A. The War Eagles’ only losses have come against out-of-state teams. They won’t play any region games after teams in Region 4-2A forfeited their games against them this season.
Keenan (2-7): One of the state’s traditional powers is also struggling to start the season with a tough non-region schedule that included several ranked opponents.
SCISA
Ben Lippen (8-3): Falcons are off to a strong start.
Cardinal Newman (5-7): The SCISA 4A runner-ups from last season snapped a five-game losing streak with a win over Terry Sanford (N.C.) last week.
Richard Winn (6-0): The Eagles, the SCISA Class A runner-up, are off to a 6-0 start.
Players to watch
A look at some of the players (in alphabetical order) who have stood out in the early season. Stats as of Dec. 15:
Alex Atkinson, Lower Richland: Senior is averaging 15.7 points, 2 assists and 1.5 blocks.
Jordan Barr, Dreher: Senior is averaging 13.6 points and 3.9 assists.
TJ Bell, Westwood: The senior is averaging 17.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
AJ Brand:, Irmo: The junior is transitioning from a late postseason run in football and is averaging 13 points per game in three games this season.
LJ Britt, Gray Collegiate: Britt leads the team in assists per game (5) to go along with 8 points a game.
Evan Carter, Cardinal Newman: Senior is averaging 16.2 points and 9.6 rebounds a game.
Luke Chapman, River Bluff: Chapman is averaging 17 points and 8 rebounds a game.
Nigel Chivers, Lugoff-Elgin: Junior is averaging 16.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
Austin Coker, Blythewood: Senior is averaging 10.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.
Korrie Corbett, Ridge View: Sophomore has been one of the top players for the top-ranked Blazers.
Sullie Crider, Northside Christian: Senior is averaging 15.3 points and 9.9 rebounds a game this season.
Yasir Cromer, River Bluff: Cromer is averaging 10 points, 6.5 assists and 4 rebounds per game.
Kaleb Evans, Lexington: Junior guard is part of a talented Lexington squad that will contend for 5A title.
Ellis Graham, Gray Collegiate: War Eagles big man is averaging 4 blocks per game to go along with 7 points and 6 rebounds.
Nate Hughes, Brookland-Cayce: Junior guard has been one of the leading scorers this year for the Bearcats.
Daniel Jeffries, Airport: Junior is averaging 13.4 points and four rebounds a game.
Treyvon Maddox, Gray Collegiate: Junior is averaging 10 points and 5 rebounds.
Israel Macklin, Camden: Senior is averaging 21 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.
Luke New, Pelion: Senior is averaging 11.7 points and 6.6 rebounds this season.
Nic Nichols, Heathwood Hall: Junior is averaging 13.5 points and 6.0 rebounds a game.
Stephen Nichols, Ben Lippen: Senior is averaging 15.4 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Will Olden, Blythewood: Senior is averaging 11.7 points and 2.0 assists per game this season.
Josiah Peeples, Cardinal Newman: Senior is averaging 17.1 points and 3.3 rebounds a game this year.
Jayden Pretty, Ridge View: Ranked as top-five senior in 4A by S.C. Basketball Coaches and part of unbeaten Blazers’ squad. Averaged 18 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists against tough opponents in the Bash earlier this month.
Jaxon Prunty, Lexington: Senior is averaging 18 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds a game.
Tyson Ray, Chapin: Junior is Eagles’ top scorer from a year ago.
Cam Scott, Lexington: Texas signee and the state’s top prospect for Class of 2024 is off to a strong senior season as he looks to win second straight S.C. Gatorade Player of Year honor.
Justin Skelton, Spring Valley: Senior is team’s leading returning scorer and averaged 13 points a game last year.
Elton Smith, Cardinal Newman: Sophomore is averaging 9.4 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
Joshua Smith, Ridge View: Ranked as top-five senior in 4A by S.C. Basketball Coaches and part of unbeaten Blazers’ squad.
Drew Spires, Richard Winn: Senior is averaging 20.5 points a game for the Eagles, who are off to a 6-0 start.
Braysen Stockman, Ben Lippen: Sophomore is averaging 21.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4 assists per game.
Bryson Taylor, Dutch Fork: Junior is averaging 13 points and 3.6 assists per game.
Braylhan Thomas, Gray Collegiate: Georgia Southern commit is averaging 18 points and 8 rebounds.
Jaylen Tillman, Richland Northeast: Senior is averaging 14.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2 assists.
