The boys basketball season continues to roll along as the region standings start to take shape following two weeks of conference action. 

In Lexington County’s 5A region, River Bluff and Dutch Fork have begun to separate themselves from the rest of the competition, entering this week 3-0 in region games. 

Both teams won both of their matches last week with River Bluff beating Irmo and Chapin and Dutch Fork beating White Knoll and Lexington. 

The Gators narrowly beat Irmo 51-45 to improve to 2-0 in region. Yasir Cromer and Dax Avery combined for 26 points to lead the team to victory. River Bluff followed that match with a 29-point win over Chapin. 

The Silver Foxes started their week with a four-point 61-57 win over White Knoll. Bryson Taylor scored 30 points in the win and Justus Bell added 19. The team then went on to blow out Lexington, where four players reached double-figure scoring.

Dutch Fork and River Bluff were scheduled to play this Tuesday. However, winter weather in the area pushed the game to Jan. 28.

Irmo, White Knoll and Chapin are in the middle of the bunch, sitting at 1-2 entering this week. White Knoll and Chapin each earned their first region wins this week. 

The Timberwolves beat Irmo by two. Cylan McLeod made the game-winning shot to get White Knoll on the board in the region standings, despite the absence of head coach Willie Thomas, who missed the game following a medical procedure. 

Chapin had no issues taking down Lexington, winning 63-39. 

The Wildcats are struggling just one year removed from winning the 5A state title. Without star players like Cam Scott and Jaxon Prunty, Lexington can’t keep up with the other teams in region. The departure of Kaleb Evans has only made things more difficult. 

In 4A, Brookland-Cayce continues to look good with Gray Collegiate close behind. Airport and Gilbert are near the bottom of the region standings and looking to turn things around during this final stretch. 

The Bearcats are second in region entering this week, sitting a game behind North Augusta. The two teams met late last week, and North Augusta escaped with a 12-point win, 69-57. 

Swansea began this week 0-12 with just seven chances left to secure its first win. The team is currently last in the 3A Region 4 standings after losing to Keenan last week 95-24. 

Pelion, Batesburg-Leesville and American Leadership are all 1-1 in 2A Region 2 play. The only unbeaten team in the region is Strom Thurmond. 

American Leadership snapped a nine-game losing streak with a 41-30 win over Saluda. The Patriots were close to being the team in the driver’s seat when it comes to region play, but lost a close match to Strom Thurmond 37-36.

Batesburg-Leesville also almost took down Strom Thurmond in the region opener. The Panthers pushed Strom to overtime but collapsed, losing 46-38. Batesburg-Leesville bounced back with a two-point win over Ninety Six. 

Pelion has been one of the hottest teams in the county this season. The Panthers' momentum hit a roadblock in its second region game as its offense failed to produce in a 34-27 loss to Saluda. Pelion started region games with a 16-point win over Ninety Six.

In SCISA, Northside Christian is still seeking its first region win after a successful non-region season. The Crusaders are 0-2 in conference after losing to Ben Lippen 73-63 last week. 

The Crusaders did pick up one win late in the week after beating South Charlotte 82-48. 

Big Performances 

Bryson Taylor had 30 points for Dutch Fork in the team’s region win over White Knoll. 

Hunter McGraw scored 17 points and added seven assists and four steals in Gray Collegiate’s win over South Aiken. 

Ta’Maj Gilliam finished with 13 points and three steals in Batesburg-Leesville’s win against Ninety Six. 

Bryce Newton had 12 points for American Leadership in their region win against Saluda. 

Upcoming Games to Watch 

Northside Christian vs. Hammond - Jan. 24

American Leadership at Ninety Six - Jan. 24

Batesburg-Leesville vs. Pelion - Jan. 24

Gray Collegiate vs. North Augusta - Jan. 28

Brookland-Cayce vs. Midland Valley - Jan. 28

Last Week’s Scores

Chapin- Lexington (63-39, W), River Bluff (73-44, L)

Dutch Fork- White Knoll (61-57, W), Lexington (82-36, W)

Irmo- River Bluff (51-45, L), White Knoll (52-50, L)

Lexington- Chapin (63-39, L), Dutch Fork (82-36, L)

River Bluff- Irmo (51-45, W), Chapin (73-44, W)

White Knoll- Dutch Fork (61-57, L), Irmo (52-50, W), Laurens (67-63 OT, L)

Airport- North Augusta (73-31, L)

Brookland-Cayce- Gilbert (77-42, W), North Augusta (69-57, L)

Gilbert- Brookland-Cayce (77-42, L)

Gray Collegiate- South Aiken (82-42, W), Aiken (85-37, W)

Swansea - Keenan (95-24, L)

American Leadership- Saluda (41-30, W), Strom Thurmond (37-36, L)

Batesburg-Leesville- Strom Thurmond (46-38 OT, L), Ninety Six (43-41, W)

Pelion- Ninety Six (69-53, W), Saluda (34-27, L)

Northside Christian- Ben Lippen (73-63, L), South Charlotte (82-48, W)