The boys basketball season is heating up with almost every Lexington County team returning to action following the holiday break. 

Last week marked the final week of non-region action for many teams, while others wrapped up their play in various holiday tournaments. 

Most teams around the county played just one game as they eased back into the regular schedule, but a few teams played in multiple and added wins in the process.

River Bluff was one of those teams. The Gators won both of its games by double-digits, beating Denmark-Olar 56-43 and Airport 60-43. 

Senior Yasir Cromer continues to have an excellent season and set a new program record for career points against Airport. Cromer has had multiple 20-point games this season and is one of the state’s best players. 

Brookland-Cayce was another team that played multiple times last week. The Bearcats participated in the Panther Classic in Myrtle Beach. The team finished second place after beating Christian Academy and Conway but losing to Christ Church. 

The Bearcats participated in three holiday tournaments in the span of three weeks and had some success, placing second in two, including its own Cayce Roundball Classic competition. 

Brookland-Cayce is now 9-4 this season and is one of a couple of Lexington County teams to have already begun region play. The Bearcats continue region games this week with contests against Gray Collegiate and Aiken. 

Airport was the only other team to play multiple contests last week. The Eagles split those games, beating Hanahan in a closely contested match 46-44 before losing to River Bluff. 

The Eagles and Gators were not the only two local teams to compete against each other. Swansea and Pelion met in each team’s first game since Dec. 19. 

The Panthers easily took care of the Tigers, winning 53-34. John Berned led Pelion in scoring with 12 points. Kolton Rogers had four points and made a huge impact on the defensive end, recording seven blocks. Zyan Davis finished with five points, seven assists and five steals. 

Pelion is off to one of its best starts in program history, sitting at 10-2 entering this week. Pelion has not won more than 10 games in six seasons. 

Swansea’s Zyshawn Jamison finished with a game-high 20 points to lead all scorers. Despite his effort, the Tigers fell short and are still seeking their first win of the season, entering this week 0-11.  

Elsewhere around the county, Dutch Fork and White Knoll all picked up wins in their only action last week. 

The Silver Foxes defeated Abbeville behind 19-point performances from Bryson Taylor and Justus Bell. The Timberwolves beat North 78-61 after a big game from Ryhan Cepeda and Cylan Mcleod. 

Chapin, Irmo, American Leadership and Northside Christian all lost their only games of the week. 

Lexington and Gilbert had the week off and will resume action this week. 

Big Performances 

Yasir Cromer became River Bluff’s all-time leading scorer during the Gators win over Airport. 

Justus Bell scored 19 points, six rebounds, four assists a block and a steal in Dutch Fork’s victory against Abbeville.

Ryhan Cepeda finished with 20 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals for White Knoll against North.

Kolton Rogers had four points and seven blocks for Pelion in the Panthers’ win over Swansea.

Upcoming Games to Watch 

Brookland-Cayce at Aiken - Jan. 10

Northside Christian at Ben Lippen - Jan. 14

Dutch Fork vs. White Knoll - Jan. 14

Irmo vs. River Bluff - Jan. 14

Last Week’s Scores

Chapin- Dorman (77-49, L)

Dutch Fork- Abbeville (66-56, W)

Irmo- Riverside (54-41, L)

River Bluff - Denmark-Olar (56-43, W), Airport (60-43, W)

White Knoll - North (78-61, W)

Airport- Hanahan (46-44, W), River Bluff (60-43, L)

Brookland-Cayce- Christian Academy (57-51, W), Conway (53-30, W), Christ Church (41-32, L)

Swansea- Pelion (53-34, L)

American Leadership- Baptist Hill (60-50, L)

Pelion- Swansea (53-34, W) 

Northside Christian- Pinewood Prep (64-42, L)