One down, 4 to go for a Class 5A title for the undefeated Lexington High School boys’ basketball team.
The 3rd ranked Wildcats overcame a cold-shooting first half to defeat South Florence …
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One down, 4 to go for a Class 5A title for the undefeated Lexington High School boys’ basketball team.
The 3rd ranked Wildcats overcame a cold-shooting first half to defeat South Florence 43-33 Tuesday at home. The victory improved Lexington to 27-0 overall and earned career win number 635 for head coach Bailey Harris.
“I told them after the game I was probably as proud of them as this than any other game,” he said. “It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t going our way and they found a way to get it done. That’s what you’ve got to do.”
Will Edwards scored 19 points, hitting 5 3-pointers, and Region 5-5A Player of the Year Mason Carver added 13 for Lexington. Harris was especially pleased with the production of senior point guard Ryan Green, who finished with 4 points, 6 assists and 7 rebounds.
“He handles the ball a lot,” Harris said. “Sometimes he scores. He had a big bucket or 2 in there. But, more than not, he sets somebody else up and going in there getting rebounds in traffic was impressive.”
After entering the post-season argubly the hottest team in Class 5A, the Wildcats’ offense came out frigid. They trailed 5-0 in going scoreless for the first 7 ½ minutes of the game before Carver connected on the 3-pointer to put Lexington on the board.
The Wildcats were just 4-16 from the field, but managed to take a 11-10 lead into the lockerroom.
In the second half, a more confident Lexington found its offensive groove led by Edwards. Quick ball movement by the Wildcats enabled Edwards to hit consecutive 3-pointers in the third quarter to put the home team ahead 20-17.
“He got us going, no question,” Harris said. “But, they had to get him the ball, made some adjustments”.
Lexington maintained a 3-point lead into the fourth quarter. The Wildcats then embarked on a 9-2 run capped by an Edwards’ layup to get its biggest lead at 32-22 with less than 5 minutes left.
Justin Justice, who scored 12 points, helped get South Florence (10-12) within 5. Edwards answered with his final 3-pointer of the game to push Lexington’s lead to 37-29 with 1:59 left.
The Bruins made a last run to get within 4, but free throws by Edwards, Bradley Foulks and Carver closed out the contest.
Up next for Lexington is a Saturday night matchup against Goose Creek. The Gators defeated Fort Dorchester 59-49 Tuesday at home.
Gray Collegiate 82, East Clarendon 43
The quest for a second consecutive state title began in dominating fashion Tuesday at Allen University for the top-ranked War Eagles.
Fresh off getting selected to the Carolinas Classic All-Star Basketball Game, Tommy Bruner scored 16 points, Jahlil Robinson had 13, Khalil Robinson finished with 12 and Kelly added 10 for Gray Collegiate (17-5).
Up next for the War Eagles is Whale Branch, a 70-63 winner over Kingstree.
Irmo 62, Fort Mill 44
Buston Rivers scored 21 points and grabbed 9 rebounds as the Yellow Jackets began its quest for a 3rd consecutive state title game appearance with an Upper State win.
Trevez Caldwell had 16 points, 4 assists and 4 steals and Dylan Williams added 15 points and 5 assists for Irmo (17-9). Up next Saturday is a rematch with 2-time defending champion Dorman in the second round.
The Cavaliers defeated the Yellow Jackets 44-32 in last year’s state final.
River Bluff 68, Socastee 39
J.T. Reeves scored 12 points and Terrill Windom added 11 as the Gators (21-5) advanced to the 2nd round for the 1st time in school history.
River Bluff next travels Saturday to Berkeley, a 60-49 winner over Blythewood.
Brookland-Cayce 46, Bluffton 45
The Bearcats rallied from 9 points down in the 4th quarter to defeat the Bobcats in the opening round of the Class 4A playoffs.
Chamar Martin scored 17 points, including the game-winner with 2 seconds left, and freshman Christian Ferguson added 8 as Brookland-Cayce (13-13) outscored Bluffton 17-10 in the final stanza to earn a second round contest at Darlington.
West Florence 62, Dutch Fork 55
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