It was an exciting week of girls basketball around Lexington County with many key games on the schedule that will play a big part in determining the final standings. 

Two Lexington County teams enter the week first in their standings and many others are fighting for positioning early in the region season. Lexington and Northside Christian are in the driver’s seat now after winning crucial games last week.

Lexington has jumped out in front of the 5A Region 4 race after beating defending champion Dutch Fork 68-66 in one of the most exciting games this season. 

It came down to the wire. Lexington held an 11-point lead with just over four minutes left on the clock, but the Silver Foxes made a late push. A 12-2 Dutch Fork run pulled the team within one point with 30 seconds to go. 

Michaela Fairwell put the Silver Foxes ahead one after grabbing a game-saving steal in the backcourt before making a layup with 10 seconds to go. 

Lexington quickly inbounded the ball to Izzy Saville. She then passed it to Cassidy Harry near midcourt. Harry quickly dished it to Jaleya Lytes at the top of the key. 

Lytes got the ball with four seconds left. Without hesitation, took a shot. The ball bounced off the backboard into the hoop, sending the gym into a frenzy and giving Lexington a 68-66 victory.

Lexington and Dutch Fork went head-to-head for the region title last season. The Silver Foxes claimed the championship after beating the Wildcats twice. Now, with Lexington taking a 1-0 advantage, it is in control of its own destiny. 

A second meeting between the two teams is scheduled for Feb. 7. 

Northside Christian is another Lexington County team having a great year, sitting near the top of its region. The Crusaders enter this week as the only local team undefeated. 

A win last week against Ben Lippen put the Crusaders at 16-0 this season and 2-0 in region. Chaelyn Tifre had a dominant performance in the win, recording a 20-20 game with points and rebounds. Campbell Childers scored 18 and Evie Godfrey scored 15 to combine for all 51 of the team’s points. 

The Crusaders began this week tied with Heathwood Hall at the top of the standings. Northside played Augusta Christian on Monday after the Chronicle’s press deadline and is set to play Hammond on Friday. 

Elsewhere around Lexington County, many teams are looking to add wins this week to better improve their positioning in the early phase of conference play. 

Dutch Fork and Gray Collegiate are in second place in their region. 

The Silver Foxes started the week with a 47-42 win at home against White Knoll. That was another close game for Dutch Fork who held off a late push by the Timberwolves. 

Gray Collegiate defeated South Aiken and Aiken to improve to 5-1 in region. The lone loss came against first-place North Augusta back in December. The two will play a rematch next week on Jan. 28. 

Dutch Fork and Gray Collegiate also took part in the Martin Luther King weekend festivities by playing each other in the MLK Bash at Eau Claire High School. The Silver Foxes won that game 41-34 in a nice rebound from their loss against Lexington. Claire Howard was named MVP of the game after scoring 15 points. 

While not in the top two now, many other Lexington County teams are within reach, and with a lot of season left to go, anything can happen. 

Big Performances 

Kadence Walker-Lee scored 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds in Gray Collegiate’s win over Aiken. 

Blythe Price finished with 22 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and three steals as Gilbert beat Brookland-Cayce.

Izzy Saville had 20 points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals in Lexington’s win against Chapin. 

Abby Livingston recorded 20 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals as Irmo beat River Bluff. 

Michaela Fairwell had 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and three blocks in Dutch Fork’s win over White Knoll. 

Upcoming Games to Watch 

Dutch Fork vs. Irmo - Jan. 24

Airport at Aiken - Jan. 24

Gray Collegiate vs. North Augusta - Jan. 28

Brookland-Cayce vs. Midland Valley - Jan. 28

Last Week’s Scores

Chapin- Lexington (68-37, L), River Bluff (54-45, W)

Dutch Fork- White Knoll (47-42, W), Lexington (68-66, L), Gray Collegiate (41-34, W)

Irmo- River Bluff (65-34, W), White Knoll (46-24, L)

Lexington- Chapin (68-37, W), Dutch Fork (68-66, W)

River Bluff- Irmo (65-34, L), Chapin (54-45, L), Hough (62-24, L)

White Knoll- Dutch Fork (47-42, L), Irmo (46-24, W), Laurens (43-38, L)

Airport- North Augusta (49-9, L), Gilbert (68-47, W)

Brookland-Cayce- Gilbert (66-35, L), North Augusta (64-12, L), Liberty (30-28, L)

Gilbert- Brookland-Cayce (66-25, W), Airport (68-47, L)

Gray Collegiate- South Aiken (54-23, W), Aiken (58-29, W), Dutch Fork (41-34, L)

Swansea - Keenan (67-16, L)

American Leadership- Saluda (44-25, L), Strom Thurmond (16-11, L)

Batesburg-Leesville- Strom Thurmond (26-19, L), Ninety Six (47-39, L)

Pelion- Ninety Six (49-24, L), Saluda (58-27, L)

Northside Christian- Ben Lippen (51-36, W)