Defending state champ Ridge View knocks off top-ranked Westwood

Cincere Scott was a late arrival to Ridge View this year but he has made an impact.

Scott was a starting receiver on the Blazers football team and has been a key contributor on the defending state champion hoops squad. The junior poured in a season-high 26 points as second-ranked Ridge View defeated top-ranked Westwood 79-64 on Friday night in a standing-room only crowd at Blazer gymnasium.

“He is a gamer, whether it is football or on the basketball court,” Ridge View coach Yerrick Stoneman said of Scott. “He likes big games. This is one of our big games and he was able to step up and do something special.

The two teams will meet again Feb. 8 in the final regular season game at Westwood. If Friday night is any indication there is a chance they can meet again in the playoffs.

Scott’s 26 points were two off his career high he set last season against North Augusta when he was playing for South Aiken. He transferred to Ridge View fin late August and admitted a he was little nervous when he arrived at school, wondering how he would fit in with the Blazers returning nearly everyone from last year’s championship team.

But he said his teammates made him feel welcome immediately.

Scott’s performance was needed with Ridge View missing two key players — Tyler Rice and Javon Anderson. Rice got two technical against York on Tuesday and must sit out two games, according to South Carolina High School League rules. Anderson suffered a wrist injury and should be back in a few weeks.

Scott gave the Blazers the boost they needed after Westwood, which trailed by 14 points in the first half, took the lead in the third quarter. He hit three 3-pointers, including one from halfcourt as time expired in the third as Ridge View took a 58-52 lead.

In the fourth, forward JaVon Benson provided a spark up front in offense and 6-foot-11 Malcolm Wilson provided support on defense. Benson scored 14, six in the fourth and Wilson, a Georgetown signee, finished with six blocks to go along with 10 points.

“This puts us back in the No. 1 spot,” Scott said. “We had something to prove. They were 19-0, 19-1 now though.

Walyn Napper added 14 and Crosby Harris-James scored 11 for the Blazers.

Winthrop signee Russell Jones led Westwood with 30 points.

“I loved our effort, thought we competed hard,” first-year Westwood coach Ty Baumgardner said. “Their bigs (Benson and Wilson) I thought were the difference and they made some big shots. They did what they were supposed to do. Championship teams hold serve on home court. Pressure is on us in three weeks when we play them again.

“But love my team. I think we are really good and have a chance to get better, we’ve got to get better because we aren’t where we need to be yet.”

In the girls game, No. 3 Westwood blew open a close game at halftime with a strong third quarter to defeat the Blazers, 80-55. St. John’s signee Unique Drake led the Redhawks with 20 points.

Westwood led 43-39 at halftime but outscored Ridge View 22-8 in the third quarter.

Boys

Ridge View 79, Westwood 64

W: Russell Jones 30, Turner 9, Bre’on Lewis 12, Dunlap 5, Huff 5, Wormack 1, Huff 2. RV: Cincere Scott 26, JaVon Benson 14, Crosby Harris-James 11, Malcolm Wilson 11, Walyn Napper 14, Jefferson 2, Mckie 2

Girls

Westwood 80, Ridge View 55

W: Mines 2, McCant 3, Unique Drake 20, Malayziah Etheredge 18, Essence Marshall 10, Wade 5, Lockett 9, Nyah Leveretter 10, Frederick 4. RV: Keller 6, Aliya Kelley 14, Murphy 7, Laila Acox 12, Mariah Mitchem 11, Thompson 4.

This story was originally published January 18, 2019 at 11:09 PM.