With home games this week against the two top teams in Region 5-5A, the Dutch Fork boys' basketball team find themselves in the "spoiler" rule.
On Tuesday, the Silver Foxes took down River Bluff 47-41 at home to move into 2nd place behind undefeated region leader and Friday's visiting opponent Lexington.
Dimarco Johnson was the lone player in double figures for Dutch Fork (14-7, 4-2) with 10 points. It took a 18-11 lead after one quarter and never looked back in holding the Gators to 9 points in the 2nd and 3rd quarters to boost the lead to double digits.
"Last week, when we played them close, we lost by 2 over there in a great high school basketball game," Dutch Fork head coach Brett Jones said. "So we knew we could win, but we had to make less mistakes and rebound the ball and play a little better defense."
Defensively, the Silver Foxes limited River Bluff top scorer J.T. Reeves to 14 points. They also held other scorers Andrew Robinson and Terrill Windom to 8 and 5 points, respectively. 
Offensively, Dutch Fork had balanced scoring with 2 players (Chase Raymond and Jarvis Green) with 8 points each and 3 players (A.J. Knight, Jarvis McClurkin and Austin Gilliard) all with 6 points.
The loss dropped River Bluff to 18-4 overall, 3-2 in the region. They play host to Chapin Friday, while Dutch Fork looks to complete the "spoiler sweep" against the Wildcats.
"We played Lexington tough," said Jones about the first meeting. "It was a 1 possession game and we lose by 5 over there. So, we know we can win. But they're really good. You're going to have to eliminate your mistakes, not have mental mistakes against them or they'll burn you and keep playing good defense and rebound."

White Knoll 63, Chapin 48

Tauris Watson scored 25 points and Jalen Jennings added 16 as the Timberwolves moved into a tie with the Eagles for 4th place in Region 5-5A.

White Knoll (9-15, 1-5) travels to River Bluff on Feb. 5, while Chapin (8-14, 1-5) plays host to River Bluff Friday. 

Edisto 49, Pelion 41

The Panthers dropped to 12-9 overall, 3-2 in Region 5-3A after dropping the rematch to the Cougars.

Pelion plays host to Swansea Friday. 

Strom Thurmond 81, Swansea 67

The Tigers dropped to 2-18 overall, 1-5 in Region 5-3A following Tuesday's loss.

Blythewood 56, Irmo 45
A 2-point 2nd quarter put the Yellow Jackets in a halftime hole it could not recover from Thursday night in the "Temple of Doom".
Trevez Caldwell led Irmo (13-9, 3-3) with 21 points and Bostun River added 10 points in defeat. 
The Yellow Jackets travel to Lugoff-Elgin Friday.

Brookland-Cayce 42, South Aiken 40 
The Bearcats kept its playoff hopes alive with a victory over South Aiken in Region 4-4A play. 
Up next for B-C (10-12, 2-5) is a road trip to Midland Valley Friday. 

North Augusta 89, Airport 66
The Eagles remained winless in Region 4-4A following Tuesday's defeat.

Raevon Allen scored 21 points, Jalen Canada had 13 and Malique Stone added 12 in defeat. 
Airport (3-20, 0-7) travels to Aiken Friday.