Lexington High tabs veteran area coach to fill open boys basketball job
After more than a decade as head coach of his alma mater, Robert Wells is leaving the Brookland-Cayce boys basketball program.
Wells will be the next coach at Lexington High School. His hire was approved at Tuesday morning’s Lexington 1 school board meeting.
Wells replaces Elliott Pope, who resigned earlier this month after six seasons and is now an assistant coach at Gray Collegiate. Lexington is coming off a 4-19 season, a year after winning the school’s first state championship in 24 years.
Wells was one of five candidates to interview for the positions, sources told The State.
“Lexington High athletics have a tradition of championship programs and and I look forward to being apart of that,” Wells told The State. “It was a tough decision to leave Brookland-Cayce but my kids currently attending Lexington 1 schools and family residing in the Lexington community had a lot to do with my decision.”
Wells also went on to thank Lexington 2 and Brookland-Cayce administration for his time at the school and district.
The 2003 B-C grad has been the Bearcats’ head coach for the past 13 seasons, compiling a record of 171-142. Under Wells, B-C has made the playoffs each season and made it to the 2017 3A Lower State championship. The Bearcats also won its lone region title under Wells that season.
Brookland-Cayce went 19-9 this season and advanced to the second round of the Class 4A playoffs. The Bearcats are expected to return a strong nucleus next season that includes AJ Edwards, Carter Jackson and Isaiah Oree.
In addition to coaching, Wells founded the Cayce Roundball Classic holiday tournament five years ago. That event is expected to move with him to Lexington High School and be renamed.
In 2020, Wells also was recognized by The State newspaper in its annual “20 under 40,” which recognized some of the top young professionals in the Midlands.
Midlands High School Basketball Openings
Boys Basketball
School — Former Coach — New Coach
Brookland-Cayce — Robert Wells — TBA
Gray Collegiate — Carlos Powell — Dion Bethea
Lexington — Elliott Pope — Robert Wells
Girls Basketball
Chapin — Chad Boland — Terence Jones
Irmo — Trina Wagstaff — Coretta Ferguson (Will be approved Tuesday)
Northside Christian — Jordan Leath — TBA
Ridge View — Terrence Gibson — TBA
River Bluff — Candice Cobb — Jordan Leath
Spring Valley — Megan Assey — TBA
White Knoll — Coretta Ferguson — TBA
This story was originally published April 29, 2025 at 7:30 AM.
