With a state record 9 championships and 724 career victories, Calhoun County boys’ basketball coach Zam Fredrick has a distinguished legacy.

It’s one Dion Bethea, head coach of defending Class 2A champion Gray Collegiate Academy, greatly admires and hopes to emulate.

“From me coaching his son (in AAU) and just watching all of the championships that he won, there’s so much respect there,” Bethea said. “When I was talking to him before the game, he told me that he loved what I’m doing down there and he wanted me to make sure I keep grinding just like he is.”

The War Eagles used a dominant second half to pull away for a 73-58 win over the Saints. Jahlil Robinson sparked the charge with 15 of his game-high 22 points over the final two quarters.

Jalen Deloach had 17 points, most of which came off offensive rebounds, Ty Rivers finished with 13 and Khalil Robinson added 11 in the win.

Calhoun County (8-8, 0-2) jumped out to a 11-6 lead in the first quarter. Gray Collegiate battled back to take a 30-28 halftime lead despite missing 7-17 free throws.

The two teams exchanged the lead in the third quarter before Saints’ turnovers and an 8-0 run enabled Gray Collegiate to take a 51-40 advantage. The War Eagles extended their lead as many as 16 points before the Saints made a final comeback try to get within 8 points.

A missed opportunity to close the gap to 6 was turned into transition points to help put the game away for the War Eagles.

“We’ve got to put 2 halves together rather than not coming out playing like the first half,” Bethea said. “The second half, we picked it up. My coaches, they did a great job making sure everybody was adjusting and getting the rotation right.”

Up next is a stretch of 3 road games in 4 days for Gray Collegiate (10-7, 3-0). It starts with a Region 3-2A contest at Eau Claire Friday, followed the following afternoon with a matchup against Greensboro Day in North Carolina at the Big Shots National High School Showcase and concluding with a return trip to Eau Claire to face W.J. Keenan in the MLK Classic Monday.

Tuesday marked the 11th anniversary of Calhoun County breaking the S.C. High School League record for consecutive wins with its 66th straight win. The Saints would go on to win 81 consecutive games.

(BOYS)
River Bluff 65, Chapin 51

Andrew Robinson scored 19 points, J.T. Reeves had 14 and Terrill Windom finished with 10 as the 5th ranked Gators broke a 25-25 halftime tie to remain undefeated in Region 5-5A.

Jarod Kelly had 20 points and Max Harrell added 12 for the Eagles (8-11, 1-3), who face undefeated Lexington on Friday.

River Bluff (16-2, 2-0) travels to White Knoll Friday.

Pelion 67, Swansea 54

Malcolm Davis scored 21 points, Jeremiah Green had 20 and Travon Alston finished with 11 as the Panthers remained perfect in Region 5-3A on Tuesday.

Pelion (10-6, 2-0) returns to action Thursday at Wagener-Salley.

Keenan Coats had 21 points and Norris Reed had 15 for the winless Tigers (0-15, 0-3)

Irmo 55, Lugoff-Elgin 31

C.J. Washington and Tyrell Bing each scored 10 points in getting career win number 751 for head coach Tim Whipple on Tuesday.

Irmo travels to archrival Dutch Fork Friday.

Aiken 57, Airport 55

R.J. Howell scored 22 points and Jalen Canada had 14 for the Eagles in the loss.

(GIRLS)

Gray Collegiate 45, Calhoun County 40

Kayla Gordon scored 14 points and Rebekah Shoop had 9 for the Lady War Eagles, who were outscored 10-2 in the final quarter.

Irmo 48, Lugoff-Elgin 25

Zayd Taylor had 12 points and Ehrial Wagstaff finished with 10 points and 9 steals for the Lady Yellow Jackets (11-8, 2-2).

Up next is an in-town clash at Dutch Fork Friday.

Swansea 58, Pelion 24

Danae McNeal scored 28 points and Lauryn Robinson added 17 for the Lady Tigers (14-2, 3-0).

They next play host to Bluffton on Thursday.

Airport 51, Aiken 20

Zania Thompson scored 12 points, India Candelario had 11 and Jayla Jamison finished 10 for the Lady Eagles (12-6, 2-1).

Up next for Airport is a Friday matchup at home versus South Aiken.

Batesburg-Leesville 43, Fox Creek 30

Chapin 34, River Bluff 27