"We had something to prove."”

Lexington guard Alexis Sexton

Wildcat Gymnasium witnessed an "exorcism" Monday night. 
For a full calendar year, the Lexington High girls' basketball team was haunted by the 1st round Class 5A playoff loss at home to James Island. 
Like 12 months earlier, Lexington opened the playoffs as a top seed against another "Lady Wildcat" team from the Lowcountry in West Ashley. 
The "ghost" of last year, however, would not bring down this year's team. Led by Alexis Sexton's season-high 30 points and 16 from Jenna Yanity, Lexington rolled by the visiting Lady Wildcats 58-38. 
A determined Sexton came out firing for Lexington. She scored the team's 1st 10 points on 4-4 shooting and 2 steals to help the host team build a 14-4 early advantage. 
"We had something to prove," Sexton said. "We played James Island last year and it was a really, tough loss. This year, we came into it thinking like expectations are to win region, but we're not just here to win region. So we had to be focused and had a good week of practice." 
"She's a tough player," said Lexington girls basketball coach Molly Goodrish said about Sexton. "She played very well on defense tonight. Did a very good job leading our team and I think her offense was definitely led by her defense tonight." 
West Ashley rallied back behind Kristen Jenkins. She scored 8 straight points to bring the visiting Lady Wildcats to within 18-15  in the 2nd quarter. 
The duo of Sexton and Yanity kept West Ashley at bay, each scoring 13 points in the 1st half as Lexington would team up for 13 points each in the 1st half as Lexington stretched their lead as many as 11 before heading to the lockerroom up 30-21. 
At halftime, the school presented Class 5A cross-country champion Zander Jeffcoat and the state champion girls' golf team with their state championship rings. 
Once play resumed, West Ashley opened the 2nd half with a 8-1 run to get within 3 points again with 3:55 left in the 3rd quarter. Lexington answered with a 11-0 run, with 7 straight by Sexton, to push its lead up to 43-29.
"I just couldn't get them get a lead," Sexton said. "It was just looking too similar to last year. It had gotten scary, so you've got to put up some points, get some stops." 
A driving layup and 3-pointer by Sexton to open the 4th pushed the host team Lady Wildcats' lead up to 16 with 4:30 left. As time expired, Yanity hit a 3-pointer to give Lexington its biggest lead.
More important, she put the "ghost" of last year's loss to rest. Lexington could now turn its attention to Thursday's quarterfinal home game against Wando, who defeated St. James 44-33, for a chance for a 2nd trip in 3 years to the Class 5A Lower State final.

Summerville 69, Dutch Fork 22 
The Lady Silver Foxes saw their 6-game winning streak and season come to an end on the road against the Lady Green Wave. 

BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS
Gray Collegiate 89, Greer MC 48
The 3-time defending Class 3A champion War Eagles begin its quest for a 4th straight title with a convincing win at home.
Travis Barnes and Chase McDuffie each had 12 points and Brandon Gardner had 11 to lead Gray Collegiate. It will play host to York Prep Thursday at home or Allen University. 
 

Travelers Rest 49, Irmo 41
All-Region selection Juice Keitt and Devin Binyard each scored 11 points as the Yellow Jackets fell in the 1st round of the Class 4A playoffs. 
Irmo trailed as many as 15 points in the 3rd quarter. A 14-4 run in the 4th quarter cut the deficit to 45-41 with 1:06 left. The Yellow Jackets missed their final 4 shots and 2 free throws. 

TUESDAY'S GAMES
West Ashley at Dutch Fork 7 pm 
River Bluff at Fort Dorchester 7 pm