White Knoll boys basketball rolling. Lauren Jacobs drops 47 points for Heathwood girls
The high school basketball season is in full swing. Here is a look at the last week’s top performances by teams or players in the Midlands.
Weather causes issues
The threat of severe weather caused havoc with last week’s area schedule, with games being postponed on Tuesday and Friday. Some teams made up games on Wednesday and Saturday, but others will be making up those games in the next few weeks. Cardinal Newman boys will have one of the busier schedules with six games over the next 11 days.
Shamrocks surprise Keenan
The Eau Claire boys snapped an 18-game losing streak to Keenan with a 59-55 win on Tuesday. It was the Shamrocks’ first win over the Raiders since January 2011.
White Knoll boys on a roll
State championship coach Willie Thomas was hired in the offseason to help turn the White Knoll boys basketball program around. After a 2-9 start, the Timberwolves have won eight of their last nine games, including their first two Region 4-5A games against River Bluff and Dutch Fork. The 10 wins are the most for the Wolves since the 2018-19 season.
Jacobs’ big night for Heathwood
Heathwood Hall junior Lauren Jacobs had one of the biggest area performances of the season last week. Jacobs scored on a career-high 47 points on 21-of-32 shooting. For the season, Jacobs is leading the area in scoring at 31.6 points a game to go with 11 rebounds and 4.5 steals.
McDonald’s game announcement
Rosters for this year’s McDonald’s All-American basketball game will be released on Jan. 23. Several Midlands players are nominated for the game, including Lexington’s Cam Scott, Camden’s Joyce Edwards and Hammond’s Samira Khalil.
Five games to watch
A look at some of the top games on the schedule this week:
▪ Lexington at White Knoll boys (Tuesday): Matchup of 2-0 teams in Region 4-5A play.
▪ Westwood at Ridge View boys (Wednesday): Game rescheduled after being postponed because of weather last week. Ridge View is ranked No. 1 in 4A and Westwood is No. 2.
▪ Cardinal Newman at Hammond (Thursday): Rivalry game is makeup contest from last week.
▪ Lower Richland at Orangeburg-Wilkinson (Friday): Matchup features two boys and girls teams in Region 5-3A.
▪ Camden vs. Clarkville Christian (Tenn.) girls (Saturday): Matchup takes place in Samaritans Feet Showcase at Wilson High School in Florence. Game will feature Camden’s Joyce Edwards (South Carolina signee) against Clarkville’s Lauren Hassell, one of the top freshmen in the Class of 2027.
Midlands hoops Top 10
A look at area power rankings compiled by The State’s sports staff. Records are as of Jan. 13.
▪ Boys
1. Ridge View (16-0): Blazers won lone game last week, 66-43, over Irmo.
2. Lexington (15-2): Wildcats opened up region play with a pair of wins over Chapin and River Bluff.
3. Gray Collegiate (16-5): War Eagles defeated Legion Collegiate in lone game on court last week.
4. Westwood (12-1): Redhawks have already tied win total from last season.
5. AC Flora (13-3): Falcons picked up their first region win over RNE last week.
6. Lower Richland (10-5): Diamond Hornets began region play with wins over B-C and Gilbert.
7. Blythewood (13-5): Bengals dropped one spot after going 1-1 last week.
8. White Knoll (10-10): Timberwolves’ young squad is off to 2-0 region start.
9. Cardinal Newman (9-12): Cards got first region win against Heathwood Hall last week.
10. Richland Northeast (10-6): Cavs dropped a couple of spots after loss to AC Flora.
Others considered: River Bluff, Spring Valley, Brookland-Cayce, Richard Winn, Hammond
▪ Girls
1. Camden (13-2): Bulldogs won their lone game last week against SCISA 3A champ Hilton Head Christian.
2. Dutch Fork (15-3): Silver Foxes began region play with win over White Knoll.
3. Heathwood Hall (9-3): Highlanders scored season-high 84 points in win over Cardinal Newman last week.
4. AC Flora (13-5): Falcons went 1-1 last week with a loss coming against top-ranked South Pointe.
5. Westwood (11-6): Redhawks defeated Lower Richland at MLK Bash, 50-44.
6. Blythewood (9-4): Bengals moved up one spot after region wins over Nation Ford and Fort Mill.
7. Keenan (10-6): Raiders started region play with a win over Eau Claire.
8. Gray Collegiate (9-7): War Eagles move into rankings after 1-1 week.
9. Saluda (8-1): Tigers have won five straight games headed into region play
10. Ridge View (10-8): Blazers dropped a couple spots after 1-1 week.
Others considered: Mid-Carolina, Lower Richland, Airport, Gilbert, Hammond
