Lower Richland hoops rising, dates set for title games and latest area power rankings
A look at some of the highlights from the past week in Midlands high school basketball:
Lower Richland makes statement
The Lower Richland boys and girls teams moved to the top of Region 5-3A with wins over Orangeburg-Wilkinson on Friday. Both O-W teams were ranked in the top five in Class 3A.
The LR boys held O-W to a season-low 31 points in the 45-31 win. The LR girls won their seventh straight game over O-W with a 62-28 victory.
Cam Scott in the rankings
ESPN released its latest rankings for Class of 2024 boys basketball players, and Lexington senior guard and Texas commit Cam Scott was No. 32 among the top 100. Scott is coming off one of the best stretches of his career last week, going for a career-high 43 points against White Knoll. He averaged 34 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 2.3 assists in Lexington’s three games last week.
Lexington, Camden hit century mark
The Lexington boys and Camden girls each went over 100 points in wins last week. Lexington scored 105 in a 105-44 win over Aiken on Jan. 17. The Camden girls hit the century mark in 103-22 a win over Marlboro County on Jan. 19.
Dates for state basketball championships set
The S.C. High School League recently released brackets with dates for this year’s Upper State and Lower State championships and state championship games.
All games will be played at the Florence Center. Here are the dates. Times have not been set.
▪ Class A Boys/Girls: Semifinals: Monday, Feb. 26; Championship: Saturday, March 2
▪ Class 2A Boys/Girls: Semifinals: Saturday, Feb. 24; Championship: Friday, March 1
▪ Class 3A Boys/Girls: Semifinals: Tuesday, Feb. 27; Championship: Saturday, March 2
▪ Class 4A Boys/Girls; Semifinals: Wednesday, Feb. 28; Championship: Saturday, March 2
▪ Class 5A Boys/Girls: Semifinals: Friday, Feb. 23: Championship: Friday, March 1
Five games to watch
A look at five top matchups to keep an eye on this week:
Lexington at Dutch Fork (girls): First place on the line in Region 4-5A when two teams meet on Tuesday.
AC Flora at Ridge View (boys and girls): The girls matchup Friday features teams tied for first in Region 5-4A. Winner of the boys matchup moves into second place in the region.
AC Flora at Westwood (boys): Redhawks go for a season sweep when the teams play Friday.
Brookland-Cayce at Lower Richland (boys): Diamond Hornets can get some more separation in Region 5-3A with a win over B-C on Friday.
Camden at Darlington (girls): Two teams should enter Friday’s game tied for Region 6-3A race.
Midlands hoops power rankings
A look at area power rankings compiled by The State’s sport staff.
▪ Boys
1. Lexington (17-2): Wildcats averaged 94.3 points in three wins last week.
2. Westwood (15-1): Redhawks knocked off No. 1 Ridge View and defending state champion Irmo to move up in poll.
3. Ridge View (17-1): Blazers drop from top spot after loss to Westwood.
4. Gray Collegiate (18-5): War Eagles back on court this week after a week off.
5. AC Flora (15-3): Falcons have big week ahead with games against Ridge View and Westwood.
6. Lower Richland (12-5): Diamond Hornets have won seven straight games and lead Region 5-3A standings
7. Blythewood (15-5): Bengals went 3-0 last week.
8. Cardinal Newman (12-13): After beginning the week with a loss to South Florence, Cards bounced back with wins over Augusta Christian and Hammond.
9. White Knoll (11-11): Loss to Lexington drops the Wolves down a few spots.
10. Richland Northeast (11-7): Cavs went 1-1 last week with loss to RV.
Others considered: River Bluff, Richard Winn, Brookland-Cayce, Hammond,
▪ Girls
1. Camden (17-2): Bulldogs scored 86 points or more in three of last four games.
2. Dutch Fork (17-3): Silver Foxes have held opponents to 37 points or less in four of the last five games.
3. Heathwood Hall (11-3): Junior Lauren Jacobs has scored 31 points or more in five straight games.
4. AC Flora (15-5): Big week ahead for co-region-leading Falcons with games against Ridge View and Westwood.
5. Ridge View (12-8): Blazers have a chance to make a statement this week against AC Flora.
6. Keenan (11-8): Raiders have won four straight on court, making a strong case to finish second in Region 4-2A.
7. Gray Collegiate (11-7): War Eagles back in action this week against Legion Collegiate.
8. Saluda (11-1): Tigers won two region games last week by 11 combined points.
9. Westwood (13-7): Redhawks could get back in the region race this week with a win against AC Flora.
10. Lower Richland (12-6): Diamond Hornets coming off big win over O-W and lead Region 5-3A.
Others considered: Mid-Carolina, Airport, Gilbert, Hammond
