After a four-year absence, Irmo boys’ basketball is back in the state finals.

The Yellow Jackets defeated Hartsville 56-36 to claim the Class 4A Lower State title at the Florence Civic Center.

It was the eighth straight win for Irmo (25-5), all of them coming since Class 4A Player of the Year Brandon Crawford’s return from illness. The senior center posted a double-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and six blocked shots.

Aside from an early 5-2 deficit, the Yellow Jackets had control of the game. Along with Crawford, Jonathan White, Te’Andre Summons and Madden Collins also scored 11 points.

Irmo stretched its lead to as many as 23 points late in the contest. It will now make its 11th state title appearance, 10th under head coach Tim Whipple, and first since 2018.

Conversely, the Yellow Jackets’ opponent will be making their first-ever state title appearance. Lancaster defeated Greenville 58-48 to win the Class 4A Upper State title.

The Bruins own wins over both Class 2A finalists Oceanside Collegiate and Gray Collegiate and Class 4A Lower State finalist Hartsville. The win over the War Eagles took place during the Cayce Roundball Classic where they won the American Bracket.

Tipoff for the Class 4A boys title game is 7 p.m.

Lexington gets ready for  Dorman, former Wildcat  in  Class 5A Upper State final

The Lexington boys will look to become the fourth Chronicle Country team to reach the state final.

The Wildcats will face Dorman for the Class 5A Upper State title at 7:30 p.m.  on Feb. 27 at Bob Jones University.  

The Cavaliers are led by former Lexington player Thomas Ryan.  During his tenure in the Upstate, Ryan has led Dorman to five state title game appearances and four Class 5A championships. 

His lone loss came at the hands of River Bluff in 2021. The Cavaliers under Ryan defeated Irmo in the 2018 Class 5A final.

The winner will face either Goose Creek or Conway out of the Lower State in the Class 5A final March 4 at the University of South Carolina-Aiken at 7:30 p.m.