The boys basketball season is starting to heat up, and a little cold weather would not stop teams around Lexington County from adding crucial region victories as the second half of conference play begins. 

Games and practices were canceled across the county as a winter storm rolled through and left snow on the ground. Action resumed Friday with a few teams also playing on Saturday as well. 

Three teams participated in MLK day contests. Brookland-Cayce and Gray Collegiate participated in the annual MLK Bash, while Lexington and White Knoll played a region game that was moved from Tuesday. 

The Bearcats dropped its MLK day game against Ridge View, losing 78-49. The Bearcats bounced back from the loss at the end of the week with two region wins. The team beat South Aiken 74-32 before beating Airport 107-39. 

Gray Collegiate won its MLK Bash game, beating Hammond 60-48. Gray ended last week with an 88-50 region win over Midland Valley. 

The War Eagles and Bearcats are fighting for positioning near the top of the 4A Region 4 standings. Brookland-Cayce is one game behind North Augusta, who is undefeated in conference. Gray is one game behind the Bearcats and still in the hunt for the top spot. 

Brookland-Cayce and Gray are scheduled to meet for the second time this season later this week. The Bearcats won the first meeting 54-45 on the road. Gray will be looking to steal a win this time to even up the score. 

White Knoll won the game against Lexington and is starting to pull away from the bottom three teams in 5A Region 4. The Timberwolves are 3-2 in conference and trail only River Bluff and Dutch Fork. 

The much anticipated first meeting between the Silver Foxes and Gators was postponed last week due to the weather. It was moved to this Tuesday after the Chronicle’s press deadline. 

Both teams enter the game undefeated in region after winning their only game last week. Dutch Fork beat crosstown rival Irmo 60-44 and River Bluff beat Lexington 64-42. 

It’s been a rough season for the Wildcats, who began the year as defending 5A state champions. The team lost its star Kaleb Evans after he transferred to Moravian Prep midseason. Now, they’re in the middle of a six-game losing streak and winless in region play.

Elsewhere around the county, Batesburg-Leesvile added two wins by beating fellow Lexington County foes, Pelion and American Leadership. The Panthers entered this week on a three-game win streak after dropping its region opener to Strom Thurmond. 

Pelion has now lost two games in a row for the first time this season. The team began this week 1-2 against conference teams after starting the year 11-2. 

American Leadership started last week with a win over Ninety Six. The loss to Batesburg-Leesville put the team at 2-2 in region and tied for third place. 

Chapin, Irmo, Airport, Gilbert, Swansea and Northside Christian all lost their games last week. 

This week promises a full slate of action as teams begin the final stretch of regular season ball. Every game counts as the final standings start being tallied up. The urgency to win will only increase as the weeks pass and the playoffs draw closer. 

Big Performances 

Bryson Schofield had 25 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks in White Knoll’s win against Lexington. 

Braylen Davis scored 25 points for Batesburg-Leesville in a win over Pelion. 

Samajae Govan had 21 points, five rebounds and four steals in Dutch Fork’s win against Irmo. 

L.J. Britt helped Gray collegiate defeat Hammond, recording 15 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals.  

Braxton Redding scored 13 points and added five rebounds as American Leadership defeated Ninety Six.

Upcoming Games to Watch 

Brookland-Cayce vs. Gray Collegiate - Jan. 31

Batesburg-Leesville vs. Strom Thurmond - Jan. 31

Northside Christian at Heathwood Hall - Feb. 3

Lexington vs. Chapin - Feb. 4

Pelion vs. Saluda - Feb. 4

Last Week’s Scores

Chapin- White Knoll (42-38, L)

Dutch Fork- Irmo (60-44, W)

Irmo- Dutch Fork (60-44, L)

Lexington- White Knoll (73-44, L), River Bluff (64-32, L)

River Bluff-  Lexington (64-32, W)

White Knoll- Lexington (73-44, W), Chapin (42-38, W)

Airport- Aiken (67-53, L), Brookland-Cayce (107-39, L)

Brookland-Cayce- Ridge View (78-49, L), South Aiken (74-32, W), Airport (107-39, W)

Gilbert- North Augusta (83-34, L)

Gray Collegiate- Hammond (60-48, W), Midland Valley (88-50, W)

Swansea - Fox Creek (103-40, L), Silver Bluff (66-38, L)

American Leadership- Ninety Six (61-44, W), Batesburg-Leesville (61-53, L)

Batesburg-Leesville- Pelion (57-48, W), American Leadership (61-53, W)

Pelion- Batesburg-Leesville (57-48, L)

Northside Christian- Augusta Christian (86-79, L), Hammond (76-64, L)