For 2 seasons, head coach Brad McKinney has guided his River Bluff girls' basketball team through a tough period of growing pains.
Tuesday night in The Swamp, the young Lady Gators showed they are now ready to compete with the top teams in Class 5A. They defeated 7th ranked Irmo 57-52 for their 3rd consecutive victory.
Eighth-grade guard Samira Khalil scored a team-high 18 points and senior point guard Japonica Wilson added 14 to lead the Lady Gators. The victory avenged a 20-point loss at The Temple of Doom on Dec. 3 and gave River Bluff (7-4) as many wins as it had the combined previous 3 seasons. 
"That's a tribute to the girls," McKinney said. "They've been working hard. We had a young group last year and then they're certainly young still. But, the girls have worked hard,  dedicated themselves to getting better. They've put the time in. We've gone to team camps together. They've gotten closer as a group. That's the girls.
"They've given us everything we've asked of them and more at times and so, they have done a good job of setting themselves in that mindset that we're going to get better, we're going to improve and start making some gains on these teams."
River Bluff won despite a game-high 24 points and 10 rebounds from Maliyiah Mason and 16 points from Jayla Lovett. 
With Khalil in the lineup this time after missing the 1st meeting with the Lady Yellow Jackets with a concussion, the Lady Gators rallied from a 3-point deficit in the 3rd quarter. They outscored Irmo 24-16 in the 4th quarter, 10 coming from Wilson. 
"This is the kind of win for this group that boosts their confidence moving forward to region play," McKinney said. "We really feel like (Region 5-5A) is up for grabs this year." 
Before starting region play, River Bluff looks to avenge another loss this Friday when they visit Fort Mill followed by a Saturday matchup with Swansea.  Irmo (10-3) travels to Lexington Richland District 5 rival Chapin.

. 
Chapin 50, Midland Valley 31
McKenzie Lott scored 17 points and Malina Washington added 10 to lead the Lady Eagles.

Dutch Fork 80, Newberry 42 
Samara Brennan scored 20 and Wareanna Butler had 7 steals to lead the Lady Silver Foxes (6-6) 
They travel to Spring Valley on Friday. 

Lexington 43, Aiken 33
The Lady Wildcats evened its mark to 7-7 on the season with Tuesday's win.
They open Region 5-5A play at home Jan. 14 against White Knoll.