Facing a 7th ranked opponent on the road following a 25-day layoff gave Irmo girls basketball coach Monica Williams reason for concern Tuesday. 

As the Region 4-4A contest progressed, the prospects of victory looked even more grim after 2 early fouls sent top scorer Maliyiah Mason to the bench for most of the 1st half.

Fortunately for the undefeated 5th ranked Lady Yellow Jackets, Mason's teammates stepped in her absence. Getting 14 points and 3 steals from 8th grader Michaela Fairwell, they rallied from a 9-point deficit to defeat the Lady Blue Devils 44-41.

“Literally, when she got into foul trouble, I didn’t know what the outcome was going to be because we have to have her on the floor,” Williams said. “But I thought the other kids really responded and stepped up. She showed good leadership on the bench as well. So, we just had some kids play well and hit some shots.” 

Irmo (8-0, 3-0) led 6-2 when Mason left the game with less than 3 minutes left in the 1st quarter after picking up her 2nd personal foul. The Lady Blue Devils scored 8 unanswered points and built a 17-8 lead in the 2nd quarter.

Consecutive 3-pointers by Fairwell and Andrea Collins helped the Lady Yellow Jackets to cut the lead to 19-16 at the half.

Irmo tied the game at 19-19 to open the 2nd half. There were 3 more lead changes before the Lady Yellow Jackets took a 28-27 lead into the final quarter.

A 3-pointer by Kourtney English and 2 free throws by Imani Williams regained the lead at 32-28 for Dreher.

The Lady Yellow Jackets answered with a 10-1 run, with Mason scoring 5 of her 9 points to go with 8 rebounds in succession to take the lead for good.

Amber Burton, who had a game-high 15 points, brought Dreher within a point. Down the stretch, a putback by Mycah Seabrook and basket by Fairwell kept the Lady Blue Devils at bay as their game-tying attempt failed as time expired.

“As an 8th grader out her against pressure and Dreher with their tradition and their success and how good they are with their guards, Michaela, I thought she played extremely well,” Williams said. “

The 2 teams meet again Friday. Both boys contest planned this week between Irmo and Dreher were cancelled due to covid-19 cases with the Blue Devils.

Lexington 42, Dutch Fork 33

Jenna Yanity scored 14 points as the 8th ranked Lady Wildcats posted their 2nd straight win over the Lady Silver Foxes in 3 days. 

Lexington (4-2, 3-1) travels to Chapin Friday.

Hillary Offing had 11 points and Kayce Hyman grabbed 11 rebounds for the Lady Silver Foxes (2-4, 0-3). 

Gray Collegiate 53, Columbia 42

Madi Brown scored 18 points and Adrian Frye added 16 for the Lady War Eagles (5-3, 2-0).

The 2 teams meet again Friday. 

Eau Claire 54, Batesburg-Leesville 27 

(BOYS BASKETBALL)

Dutch Fork 56, Lexington 54

The 5th ranked Silver Foxes scored the game’s final 5 points to remain undefeated on the season.

Down 54-51, Dutch Fork (5-0, 3-0) tied the game on a 3-pointer by Houston Jones. A basket by Jordan Snipe-Campbell proved to be the game-winner. 

Jones finished with 15 points, JT Renner had 11 and Trace Danley and Octavious Smith each added 10 for Dutch Fork, which plays host to Mid-Carolina Friday.

Zavier Measmer scored a game-high 23 points for Lexington (6-3, 2-3). 

Gray Collegiate 89, Columbia 32

Chris Rhome and Calvin Hall each scored 16 points and Chase McDuffie added 15 as the 3-time defending Class 2A champions remained perfect in Region 3-2A.

The War Eagles (12-4, 3-0) play host to the Capitals on Friday. 

White Knoll 75, Wagener-Salley 41

Jaylen Ray scored 17 points and Mark Frasier II added 10 as the Timberwolves returned to action for the win.

Up next is a home matchup against River Bluff on Friday.

Swansea 55, Fox Creek 48

Ty Lowman and Levi Taylor each scored 14 points to lead the Tigers (5-6, 1-2).

The 2 teams meet again Friday in North Augusta. 

Eau Claire 44, Batesburg-Leesvlle 40