This week in Midlands high school basketball: What to watch for, area power rankings
After a busy couple of weeks with Christmas tournaments, region play is starting for high school basketball teams across the Midlands.
Here are a few things that stood out from the past few weeks:
▪ Ridge View cracks national rankings: After winning the Chick-fil-A Classic with wins over two nationally ranked teams — John Marshall (Va.) and Grayson (Ga.) — the Blazers earned some national attention as well. Ridge View is ranked No. 7 in the MaxPreps Top 25 and No. 22 by ESPN.
▪ First-year coaches succeeding: The Westwood boys and Dutch Fork girls have new coaches and have been one of the top teams in the area this season. Under new coach Trent Robinson, the Redhawks are 12-1 and opened Region 4-5A play on Friday with a road win over A.C. Flora. Candance Cobb took over for hall of fame coach Marilyn Norris at Dutch Fork and the Silver Foxes are 14-3 and ranked No. 4 in Class 5A headed into region play.
▪ Wildcats score impressive road win: The Lexington boys scored one of the biggest wins last week, defeating Summerville, 68-63, in a matchup of the top-two teams in Class 5A. Texas signee Cam Scott had 28 points in the win. Lexington is 14-2 with losses to out-of-state teams. They could face Summerville again in the Lower State playoffs.
▪ Repeat Players of Year?: Speaking of Scott, he and Camden’s Joyce Edwards have a good chance to repeat as S.C. Gatorade Players of the Year.
Scott earned all-tournament honors at the Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach. He is averaging 19.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.2 steals per game.
Edwards, the South Carolina Gamecocks signee, is averaging 30 points, 13.1 rebounds, 3.6 steals and 3.0 assists this season. She had a triple-double of 34 points, 17 rebounds and 10 steals in Friday’s win over Lakewood.
MLK Bash set for this weekend
The annual MLK Bash is set for Saturday and Monday at Eau Claire High School and features some top-flight girls and boys matchups.
Here is the schedule:
Girls (Saturday) — 11 a.m., Lower Richland vs. Westwood; 12:30 p.m., Andrew Jackson vs. Military Magnet; 2 p.m., South Pointe vs. A.C. Flora; 3:30 p.m., Wren vs. Ridge View; 5 p.m., North Augusta vs. Gray Collegiate; 6:30 p.m., Camden vs. Hilton Head Christian
Boys (Jan. 15) — 10:30 a.m., Irmo vs. Crestwood; noon, Sumter vs. Hilton Head Christian; 1:30 p.m., Cardinal Newman vs. South Florence; 3 p.m., Keenan vs. Byrnes; 4:30 p.m., Lancaster vs. Wilson; 6 p.m., Ridge View vs. Gray Collegiate
Five games to watch this week
Lower Richland at Brookland-Cayce boys (Wednesday): Region 5-3A play begins for both teams with a tough matchup at Bearcat Arena.
Westwood at Ridge View (Friday): The Redhawk boys have been really good. Let’s see if they can knock off the nationally ranked Blazers. The girls game also should be a strong matchup.
Lexington at River Bluff (Friday): It’s always a rowdy atmosphere when these two rivals play in any sport.
A.C. Flora vs. South Pointe girls (Saturday): Figures to be one of the top matchups in MLK Bash girls event with both teams ranked in the top six in Class 4A.
Gray Collegiate vs. Ridge View boys (Jan. 15): The final game of the MLK Bash should be a good one with the top-ranked Ridge View squad facing the No. 1 team in Class 2A.
Midlands basketball power rankings
A look at area power rankings compiled by The State’s sports staff.
——Boys——
1. Ridge View (15-0): Blazers have lived up to their preseason hype so far this season.
2. Lexington (14-2): There might not be a better trio in the state in the Wildcats’ Cam Scott, Jaxon Prunty and Kaleb Evans.
3. Gray Collegiate (13-5): The War Eagles have played a tough schedule that will continue because teams in Region 4-2A forfeited all games against them this season.
4. Westwood (12-1): Senior guard TJ Bell is emerging as one of the top players in the area.
5. AC Flora (12-3): Falcons dropped their Region 5-4A opener but will be a threat in the region.
6. Blythewood (12-4): The Bengals won their bracket at the Poinsettia Classic last month and will be contenders for Region 4-5A title.
7. Spring Valley (8-6): Vikings enter region play on a four-game winning streak.
8. River Bluff (11-5): Gators have a talented duo in Yasir Cromer and Luke Chapman
9. Richland Northeast (10-5): Cavs knocked off defending state champion Irmo to begin region play.
10. Cardinal Newman (8-12): Don’t let the record fool you. The Cards are talented and have played all comers in private and public school ranks.
▪ Also considered: Keenan, Brookland-Cayce, Lower Richland, Ben Lippen, Richard Winn
——Girls——
1. Camden (12-2): Defending 3A champs haven’t lost to an in-state opponent since the end of 2021-22 season.
2. Dutch Fork (14-3): Silver Foxes lost to tough Thomson (Ga.) team in finale tune-up before region play.
3. Heathwood Hall (8-3): Highlanders have the leading scorer in the area in Lauren Jacobs (30.3 ppg.).
4. A.C. Flora (12-4): Three of Falcons’ four losses have been by seven points or less.
5. Westwood (10-6): Defending 4A Lower State champs lost the region opener to A.C. Flora but should be a factor in the region race.
6. Keenan (8-6): There’s no MiLaysia Fulwiley but the Raiders are still contenders in 2A.
7. Blythewood (7-4): Bengals have won four straight and now get ready to enter the tough Region 4-5A slate.
8. Ridge View (9-6): Trip to Florida over Christmas break has given Blazers spark going into the region.
9. Airport (12-5): Eagles look to bounce back after region-opening loss to Aiken.
10. Saluda (8-1): Tigers’ lone loss came against Strom Thurmond
▪ Others considered: Gray Collegiate, Gilbert, Lower Richland, Spring Valley, Chapin, Mid-Carolina
