Dutch Fork, Ridge View, Keenan, Gray Collegiate earn spots in state basketball semis
It was a big night for Midlands high school basketball teams Tuesday as five teams punched their tickets to state semifinals.
Ridge View, Gray Collegiate, Keenan and Dutch Fork all picked up wins in the third round of the playoffs. The four teams join AC Flora, 56-53 overtime winners over Marlboro, in the state semifinals.
AC Flora and Dutch Fork will be in Lower State championships in Florence Center while the other three teams will be in the Upper State championships at the Bon Secours Wellness Center in Greenville.
Dutch Fork knocked off Fort Dorchester, 53-44, in the third round of 5A playoffs and will face Conway on Saturday in the Lower State championship. It is the Silver Foxes’ second Lower State title appearance in school history.
AJ Knight had 15 points while Jarvis Green had 12 and Jarvis McClurkin had 11. DiMarco Johnson had 18 rebounds.
Ridge View won at Greenville, 57-54, in the Class 4A Upper state playoffs. The Blazers face Wren for the second straight year in the state semifinals Friday. RV won last season on its way to its second straight title.
Wren defeated Lower Richland, 74-69 behind 32 points from Bryce McGowens. Quenton Flood had 33 points for Lower Richland.
Cincere Scott had 13 and Ja’Von Benson 12 to lead Ridge View, which also got big plays from Jaylon Jeter and Jordan Smith in the final minute. Jeter hit a 3-pointer to give Ridge View the lead and Smith took a charge to seal the victory on Greenville’s final possession.
Defending 2A champion Gray Collegiate had a test from No. 2 Christ Church but went on for the 60-47 win. The War Eagles face Abbeville on Saturday.
Tauris Watson led GCA with 22 points. Chase McDuffie had 12 and Latavian Lawrence scored 11.
Keenan didn’t have much trouble with Union County, winning 57-38 in the 3A Upper State playoffs. The Raiders play Seneca on Saturday in the Upper State championship.
Raekwon Horton led the way for the Raiders with 31 points. Keenan is going for its second straight title.
This story was originally published February 26, 2020 at 12:14 AM.