Being a basketball fan at White Knoll High School has not been easy in recent years.
However, Timberwolves’ head coach Devin Liferidge has the team headed in positive directions, something he’s hoping to continue in the 2018-2019 season. 
“We had to re-establish our team culture last year, and I think we accomplished that,” Liferidge says. “We won three games, but we were competitive in the others. I see it as a major step in our rebuilding process.”
To cap off the season, the Timberwolves pulled off their first region win in two years by beating Lexington on the road. 
What a good team in any sport needs is leaders and the Timberwolves have a pair of juniors that will be looked to for that leadership on the court in Tauris Watson and Jalen Jennings. Liferidge also points to Jalen Ray, a young point guard who is growing into the position, as a key player for this season.
“We will be as good as those three can lead, defend, and rebound,” he said.
In addition to that key trio, others to watch include Braxton Evans, D.J. Culbreth, Jalen Williams, and Joe Ravago. All are returning players who should have an impact on the court.
The Timberwolves’ main deficiency this season is still height, but Liferidge plans to turn that into an advantage.
“We are small, but we prefer to play fast and develop multiple skill sets,” he says. “Defensively we have to be a little more creative because of our size, but we expect to extend more pressure in the full court than in previous years.”
Liferidge is positive in his praise of the community and school support for the team.
“Our basketball community is amazing, and excited about the future,” he said. “They want to get behind a competitive brand of basketball, and that’s what we are planning to bring to them.”
White Knoll, Lexington and Airport are among the Lexington County teams competing in the 27th annual Lake Murray Tipoff. The first two nights will take place at Lexington and White Knoll high schools and the final two dates at both gymnasiums at Lexington High School. 
Lexington returns nine seniors and head coach Bailey Harris said his team will rely upon experience and guard play. 

LAKE MURRAY TIPOFF SCHEDULE
NOV. 19 
(At Lexington High School) 
Palmetto vs. Burke 6 pm
Lexington vs. Strom Thurmond 7:30 pm 

(at White Knoll High School) 
Airport vs. Fairfield Central 6 pm 
White Knoll vs. Columbia 7:30 pm 

NOV. 20 
(at Lexington High School) 
Strom Thurmond vs. Palmetto 6 pm 
Lexington v Burke 7:30 pm

(at White Knoll High School) 
Airport vs. Columbia 6 pm 
White Knoll vs. Fairfield Central pm 

NOV. 21 
(at Lexington High School) 

Old gym
Burke vs. Strom Thurmond 5 pm 
Columbia vs. Fairfield Central 6:30 pm 

Main gym
Airport vs. White Knoll 5 pm 
Palmetto vs. Lexington 6:30 pm 

NOV. 23 
(at Lexington High School) 

Old gym
7th place - 2:30 pm 
5th place - 4 pm

Main gym
3rd place - 2:30 pm 
Championship - 4 pm 

A.C. FLORA TIPOFF

The girls will get an early start on the boys this Saturday with the A.C. Flora Tip off at the high school.

Three Chronicle Country teams - Irmo, Airport and Lexington - are involved in the 8-team tournament. Lexington and Airport will face off at 9 a.m. in the old gym, followed by Irmo against Ridge View at 10:30 am. The semifinals are set for 6 pm and 7:30 pm on Monday and the championship game at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the new gymnasium.