Dutch Fork girls thriving under new coach, plus this week’s top games, power rankings

It’s been a decade since the Dutch Fork girls basketball program has won a region championship but this year’s team is in a good position to end that drought.

The Silver Foxes, ranked No. 4 in Class 5A, enter the week at 18-3 overall and 4-0 in Region 4-5A. Dutch Fork leads Lexington by one game in the standings. The Wildcats have won five straight region titles, but the Silver Foxes won the first matchup between the two teams last week, 48-33.

It was just Dutch Fork’s second win in the past 11 games against Lexington. The two teams will play again on Feb. 8 with the region title likely up for grabs.

“This is a hump they have been trying to get over for the last five or six years,” Dutch Fork coach Candace Bush said last week.

Bush is in her first season as Silver Foxes coach after replacing South Carolina Basketball Coaches hall of famer Faye Norris, who led the program to three straight state championships from 2012-14.

It’s not the first time Bush has replaced a hall of fame coach. She took over for Bobby Young at Columbia in her first head varsity coaching job.

Cobb coached the Capitals for three seasons before taking the Dutch Fork job.

“It has been good. I like to tell people it’s pressure but it is good pressure,” Bush said. “It continues to make me work hard. It is making me better as a coach and building on what is already here.”

Under Norris and Anne Long before her, the Silver Foxes have had a rich tradition with six state championships appearances and numerous regions titles. The Silver Foxes haven’t won a region crown since 2014. Cobb hopes to put her own stamp on one this season. She definitely does it with a quieter demeanor on the bench, rarely leaving her seat during last week’s win over Lexington.

“I don’t yell a lot. I don’t want them to get worked up in the game so that way they stay calm in tense situations,” Bush said.

But don’t let the calm outside persona fool you. Bush definitely is demanding of her players and had some resistance from some of them earlier this year.

“Her discipline keeps us in line,” junior Michaela Farewell said. “She makes sure we are disciplined on and off the court.”

Fairwelll has been one of the key pieces for Dutch Fork in her return to SC. She played on varsity as an eighth grader at Irmo High School before moving with her family to Arizona and playing at Desert Vista High School.

Fairwelll leads the team in scoring (17.3 ppg), to go along with 6.8 steals and 6.7 rebounds per game. Seniors Antoinet Cheesboro and Christyonna Jackson also have been big contributors to this year’s squad.

Five games to watch

A look at some of the top games in the area this week:

River Bluff at Lexington boys (Tuesday): Lexington can clinch a share of region title with a win and take the outright crown with a victory and White Knoll loss to Dutch Fork.

Spring Valley at Clover girls (Tuesday): Two teams enter the week tied for third place in Region 3-5A standings. SV won the first meeting, 55-54, on Jan. 17.

Ridge View at Westwood boys (Friday): Westwood won the first game between the two schools, 66-64, on Jan. 17. If the Redhawks win, they win the Region 5-4A title. Ridge View can pull into first-place tie with win.

Clover at Blythewood boys (Friday): Blythewood leads Region 3-5A by a game over Clover. The Bengals won the first matchup, 54-43, on Jan. 16.

Gray Collegiate at Andrew Jackson (Fla.) boys: Big out-of-state test for the War Eagles against 19-3 Andrew Jackson. Part of a two-game Florida swing for Gray.

Midlands hoops Top 10

A look at area power rankings compiled by The State Newspaer’s sport staff.

Boys

1. Lexington (19-2): Wildcats closing in on Region 4-5A championship and living up their top-ranked spot in 5A.

2. Westwood (17-1): Redhawks could wrap up Region 4-4A championship this week.

3. Ridge View (19-1): Blazers had a pair of double-digit wins last week.

4. Gray Collegiate (22-5): War Eagles defeated Hebron Christian in its only game last week.

5. Blythewood (17-5): Bengals increased lead in Region 3-5A after wins over Spring Valley and Fort Mill last week.

6. Cardinal Newman (14-13): Cards make move up in rankings after going 3-0 last week.

7. Dreher (12-7): Blue Devils make first appearance in rankings after win over Lower Richland to pull into three-way tie for first-place in Region 5-3A.

8. AC Flora (15-5): Falcons drop in rankings after losses to Ridge View and Westwood.

9. Lower Richland (13-6): Diamond Hornets drop after loss to Dreher, still in first-place tie for region.

10. River Bluff (14-7): Gators back in rankings after two wins last week.

Others to watch: Richard Winn, Richland Northeast, Newberry, Northside Christian

Girls

1. Camden (19-2): Bulldogs averaged 94 points per game in three wins last week.

2. Dutch Fork (18-3): Silver Foxes got a big win over defending region champion Lexington last week.

3. Heathwood Hall (12-3): Highlanders have won six straight games, in control of the region race.

4. Ridge View (14-8): Blazers make big jump after wins over AC Flora and Westwood.

5. AC Flora (16-6): Falcons drop a spot after going 1-1 last week.

6. Keenan (13-8): Raiders look to rounding into postseason form.

7. Gray Collegiate (14-7): Defending 2A champions hit the road for three straight games this week.

8. Lower Richland (14-6): Diamond Hornets allowed just 14 points in two games last week.

9. Mid-Carolina (13-2): M-C makes first appearance in rankings after knocking off Saluda for Region 2-2A race.

10. Westwood (14-8): Redhawks drop after loss to AC Flora.

Others to watch: Airport, Gilbert, Hammond