The 2024-25 boys basketball season is underway and teams from Lexington County are looking to start the season strong.

Last week, many teams improved their records with big wins against non-region teams. Others are still looking to find their footing after suffering a few losses. 

Chapin and Pelion went unbeaten last week. The Eagles won all three of its games, beating Camden, Denmark-Olar and Christ Church. Pelion also went 3-0 with wins against Whitmire, Wagener-Salley and Ridge Spring-Monetta. 

The Eagles are now 4-2 this season and in the midst of a four-game winning streak. They have been led by senior Tyson Ray, who is averaging 14 points, five rebounds and five assists. Braydyn Francis and Jaydon Bradford also average double-digit scoring at 13 and 12 points per game. 

Pelion is off to a 4-1 start this year, with its lone loss coming to fellow Lexington County team Northside Christian. The Panthers earned a big win last week against Whitmire before playing close contests against Wagener-Salley and Ridge Spring-Monetta.  

The Panthers beat Wagener-Salley 37-36. Tyshawn Caldwell was a playmaker on both ends, finishing with 14 points, five rebounds and six steals. The team then beat Ridge Spring-Monetta 52-49 after another strong outing from Caldwell. 

Dutch Fork had a positive week, going 2-1 in its three games. The Silver Foxes started the week with a 27-point win over Newberry, then lost to Dreher. The team bounced back strong against Brookland-Cayce, winning 58-51. The Silver Foxes are 4-2 entering this week.

Defending 5A champion Lexington split its two contests last week, beating James Island but losing to Cross Creek. The Wildcats are 3-2 entering this week, matching their loss total from the entirety of last season. 

White Knoll played the most games out of any team last week. The Timberwolves had five contests and went 2-3 in those games. Its two wins came against Gilbert and Lower Richland. White Knoll dominated Gilbert 62-36 and sits at 3-4 to start the week. 

Irmo, River Bluff, Swansea and Northside Christian all lost their games last week, going a combined 0-9. The Crusaders dropped to 4-1 this year with a loss to Dreher. The Gators struggled against Brookland-Cayce, Lugoff-Elgin and Blythewood. Swansea is still searching for a win this season, sitting at 0-5. 

There are plenty of games worth keeping an eye on in the next few weeks as teams try and work through their kinks before the region season. Teams are still incorporating football players who joined late, and the holiday break is a perfect time for teams to reset and compete in tournaments against unfamiliar competition. 

Big Performances 

Bryson Taylor finished with 26 points and three steals to lead Dutch Fork to a win over Brookland-Cayce.

Braydyn Francis scored 26 points as Chapin narrowly beat Christ Church 60-55. 

Ta'Maj Gilliam had 21 points, eight rebounds and three steals in Batesburg-Leesville’s win over Ridge Spring-Monetta.

Carter Coggins scored 21 points in Chapin’s win against Denmark-Olar.

Upcoming Games to Watch 

Lexington vs. Ben Lippen - Dec. 13

Dutch Fork at A.C. Flora- Dec 13

Gray Collegiate vs. Midland Valley- Dec. 13

Northside Christian vs. Wilson Hall- Dec. 14

Chapin vs. Blythewood- Dec. 17

Last Week’s Scores

Chapin- Camden (59-47, W), Denmark-Olar (76-66, W), Christ Church (60-55, W)

Dutch Fork- Newberry (75-48, W), Dreher (51-37, L), Brookland-Cayce (58-51, W)

Irmo- Lower Richland (47-46, L), Spring Valley (65-59, L)

Lexington- Cross Creek (67-50, L), James Island (59-50, W)

River Bluff- Brookland-Cayce (59-51, L), Lugoff-Elgin (55-40, L), Blythewood (61-58, L) 

White Knoll- Blythewood (55-53, L), Westwood (62-36, L), Gilbert (80-36, W), Lower Richland (46-35, W), Blythewood (66-58, L)

Airport- Batesburg-Leesville (56-54, W), Eau Claire (78-55, L), Columbia (48-38, L)

Brookland-Cayce- River Bluff (59-51, W), Dutch Fork (58-51, L)

Gilbert- Columbia (70-40, L), White Knoll (80-36, L), Horse Creek (67-55, W)

Gray Collegiate- Keenan (58-47, W), Westwood (51-49, L)

Swansea- Fairfield Central (48-36, L), Saluda (72-34, L), Lake Marion (67-28, L)

American Leadership- North (85-51, W), Eau Claire (50-46, L)

Batesburg-Leesville- Airport (56-54, L), Ridge Spring-Monetta (51-41, W)

Pelion- Whitmire (59-39, W), Wagener-Salley (37-36, W), Ridge Spring-Monetta (52-49, W)

Northside Christian- Dreher (76-63, L)