The ball has stopped bouncing in Lexington County. 

High school basketball is over for the locals after the area’s final two teams were eliminated in the state semifinal round last week. Lexington’s girls and American Leadership’s boys were the county’s last hope to win a state title. 

Lexington’s girls lost a heartbreaker to Wando 53-52. The Wildcats led for most of the game, but turnovers and missed shots cost the team in the fourth quarter as the Warriors stormed back. 

The Wildcats had a look at a game-winning layup with no time left on the clock, but the shot missed.

“The girls are bummed because we had two opportunities on layups to win the game, and so I just told them that one missed shot doesn’t define you,” Lexington head coach Molly Goodrich said after the game. "We put ourselves in situations to still win the game, but at the end of the night, they're heartbroken.”

Braidi Goodrich led Lexington in scoring with 18 points. The Wildcats finish the year (22-5). It was their deepest playoff run in seven seasons.

“This is probably my favorite team to ever coach,” Goodrich said. “ No drama, they just put their heads down to work. They all love each other. They're like sisters. They'll do anything I asked, and I know they'd run through a brick wall for me. So, even though I couldn't get them the win tonight, I told them they could call me 10 years down the road, and I'll be there for them.”

Wando will play Blythewood in the 5A Division I girls championship game. 

American Leadership’s historic run also concluded in the semifinal round. The Patriots' first appearance in any state semifinal ended in a 66-53 defeat against High Point Academy. 

It was a solid effort from the Patriots, who got a 20-point performance from senior Justin Richburg. Braxton Redding and Makel Hillary were crucial on the boards, combining for 25 of the team’s 43 total rebounds. 

High Point Academy just had too much firepower to combat. Four different players reached double-figure scoring, including Chris Copeland, who scored 22 points while shooting 90% from the floor. 

While American Leadership bowed out in the 2A semifinal, coach Tyson Bouknight had the team playing like one of the best in the state just two years into its existence. 

The Patriots finish the year (21-9), a full 14-wins better than last season. The team will look completely different next season, though, as all but one player were seniors.   

High Point Academy will play Phillip Simmons in the 2A championship. 

The full championship week schedule is below. All games will be played at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia. 

Semifinal scoreboard 

High Point Academy: 66, American Leadership: 53 - 2A boys Upper State Championship

Wando: 53, Lexington: 52  - 5A D1 girls Lower State Championship

Full championship schedule 

Thursday

Atlantic Collegiate vs. Landrum - 2A girls - 2 p.m. 

High Point Academy vs. Philip Simmons - 2A boys - 4 p.m. 

Berkeley vs. Greenville - 5A Division II girls - 6 p.m.

Westwood vs. Greenville - 5A Division II boys - 8 p.m. 

Friday 

Keenan vs. Walhalla - 3A girls - 2 p.m.

Christ Church vs. Fox Creek - 3A boys - 4 p.m

Blythewood vs. Wando - 5A Division I girls - 6 p.m. 

Ridge View vs. Ashley Ridge - 5A Division I boys - 8 p.m. 

Saturday

Military Magnet vs. Great Falls - A girls - noon 

Bethune Bowman vs. CA Johnson - A boys - 2 p.m. 

North Augusta vs. Westside - 4A girls - 4 p.m. 

North Augusta vs. South Pointe - 4A boys - 6 p.m.