Irmo, Lexington basketball win on opening day of Chick-fil-A Classic
Irmo made its first Chick-fil-A Classic appearance in more than a decade with a come-from-behind victory on Monday.
The Yellow Jackets outscored Keenan, 24-7, in the fourth quarter to defeat Keenan, 68-57, in the American Division game. Irmo will play Lexington in the American semifinals on Wednesday at 8:40 p.m.
Irmo hasn’t appeared in the tournament since winning the Classic II Division championship in 2010. The matchup between the Yellow Jackets and Raiders featured two of the top programs in the Midlands and two of the state’s winningest coaches in Irmo’s Tim Whipple and Keenan’s Zach Norris.
The victory gives Whipple his 801st victory of his career. The Yellow Jackets trailed 50-44 in the fourth before a 13-2 win to lead 57-52 with 3:59 left. Dylan Williams led Irmo with 18 points. Brandon Crawford had 16 and Devin Binyard added 15.
Chrisean Oree came off the bench to score 15 points to lead Keenan.
In the night cap, sophomore Cam Scott scored 17 points as Lexington defeated rival River Bluff, 52-39, in the first of three meetings between the two teams this season. Scott also had nine rebounds and four blocks.
River Bluff, the defending Class 5A champions, will play Keenan on Wednesday at 9:10 a.m.
Chick-fil-A Classic Schedule
American Division
Monday
Irmo 68, Keenan 57
I: Brandon Crawford 16, Dylan Williams 18, Devin Binyard 15, Kiett 7, Green 6, Collins 6. K: Semajeh Echols 11, Olyn Knox 14, Marquece Williams 13, Sumpter 4, Chrisean Oree 15.
Lexington 52, River Bluff 39
L: Mollahan 5, Jose Figueroa 15, Morgan Washington 10, Bell 3, Cam Scott 17, McFarland 2. RB: Myers 8, Rodriguez 9, Preston Hearn 10, Boyle 5, Renner 5, Powell 2.
Tuesday
Grayson (Ga.) 65, Carmel Christian (NC) 58
CC: Krawacyzk 7, Kaleb Silet 10, Cade Tyson 20, Logan Threat 12, Arias 2, Howard 7. G: Chauncey Wiggins 18, Taylor 4, Tyrese Elliott 21, Caleb Blackwell 14, Christian 2, Gatlin 4, Delacy 2.
Archbishop Stepinac (NY) vs. John Marshall (Va.), 12:50 p.m.
Wednesday
Carmel Christian (NC) vs. Keenan, 9:10 a.m.
River Bluff vs. Archbishop Stepinac (NY) vs. John Marshall (Va.) loser, 12:30 p.m.
Grayson (Ga.) vs. Archbishop Stepinac (NY)/John Marshall (Va.) winner, 3:50 p.m.
Lexington vs. Irmo, 8:40 p.m.
Thursday
Games begin at 10:50 a.m.
National Division
Tuesday
St. Frances Academy (Md.) vs. Denver Prep (Colo.), 2:30 p.m.
Dream City Christian (Ariz) vs. Legacy Early College, 4:10 p.m.
Huntington Prep (WV) vs. Liberty Heights (NC), 5:50 p.m.
Prolific Prep (Calif.) vs. Ridge View, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday
Games begin at 10:50 a.m.
Thursday
Games begin at 9:10 a.m.
Carolinas Challenge
Monday
At River Bluff
Richland Northeast 63, Chapin 38
C: Cooper Raines 11, Peterson 6, Ray 8, Armstead 4, Prophet 9. RNE: Ard 3, Wilson 5, Daniels 5, Justice Johnson 12, Marques Smith 16, Watkins 8, Wilcher 6, Islam 8.
Christ School (NC) 72, Swansea 28
CS: Anthony Robinson 13, Bryson Cokley 14, Emmanuel Richards 19, Rojas Bowe 2, Pierce 5, Cancel 5, Meyers 4, Pethel 2, White 8. S: Crawford 4, Levi Taylor 16, Thomas 2, Smicak 3, Savage 2, Smith 1.
Charlotte Christian (NC) 66, Blythewood 62
CC: John Lash 17, Steven 2, Cade Nicholson 10, King 9, Bryce Cash 14, Peach 6, Gilbert 3, Preston 5. B: Isaiah Williams 23, Pack 2, Olden 4, Samaad Wright 15, Nelson 8, T. Williams 4, Coker 6.
AC Flora 51, Olympic (NC) 49
O: Kush Carter 12, Jemez Herd 16, Shaw 8, Terrell 7, Myers 3, Burns 3. ACF: Christopher Parker 21, Higgins 2, Kris Wallace 10, Adonis McDaniel 16, Green 2.
Tuesday
At Lexington HS
Charlotte Christian 60, AC Flora 55
Blythewood vs. Olympic (NC), 12:30 p.m.
Richland Northeast vs. Christ School (NC), 2 p.m.
Swansea vs. Chapin 3:30 p.m.
Skyhawk Classic
At Hammond
Boys
Hammond 62, Columbia 32
H: McCall 4, Roberts 5, Epps 5, Peterson 3, Amari Evans 13, Jackson Osborne 12. Mike Tyler 11, Lamotte 7. Edens 2
Gilbert 55, Heathwood Hall 50
Girls
Hammond 48, Midland Valley 40
H: Samira Khalil 10, McQueen 5, Adams 3, Tyra Myers 26, Earle 2. Eaddy 2. MV: Brady 2, Brody 4, K. Wright 15. West 4, Dunbar 15
Lower Richland 48, Concord Academy (NC) 36
This story was originally published December 27, 2021 at 10:27 PM.