Dorman makes statement with win over Ridge View, strong showing at Bojangles’ Bash

The debate has been ongoing for at least the past few years — which is the most dominant boys’ high school basketball program in South Carolina?

Dorman, Gray Collegiate, Keenan and Ridge View are probably the best bets to take that honor and the Cavaliers, the three-time defending state champions and top-ranked team in Class 5A, stated the early claim to that honor for the 2019-2020 season.

Dorman capped off a dominant showing in the Bojangles’ Bash with a resounding 77-57 win over Ridge View in front of a packed gym Saturday night. This came on the heels of the Cavaliers defeating Huntington Prep, the No. 5 team in the country according to USA Today, 70-54, on Friday night.

Dorman started the three-day gauntlet by losing to Oak Hill (Virginia), the No. 14 team in USA Today, 63-52, on Thursday in Rock Hill. The Cavaliers play a midweek game at Mauldin on Tuesday before returning to Columbia to play Keenan in the opening night of the Chick-fil-A Classic next Thursday.

“This was a big weekend for us. I’m really proud of our guys to go 2-1 against three top-level, national-type teams,” Dorman coach Thomas Ryan said. “Ridge View is as good as our state has. I told our team I would be surprised if they didn’t win another state championship.”

Clemson-bound senior PJ Hall finished with 24 points, nine rebounds and four blocks with Butler commit Myles Tate chipping in 20 points, six rebounds and four assists. Hall was a game-time decision with an injured knee.

This was a matchup basketball fans in the state have been clamoring to see for the past couple of years. The cast of players has changed, but Thomas believes it was still a marque showdown among the top programs in South Carolina.

“Ridge View is the class of South Carolina,” Ryan said. “I feel like that’s what we are, too. To play in a matchup like this was good for our fans. Gosh, it was packed house. Bojangles’ Bash is one of my favorite events. We’re going to some of the best events in the country, but it doesn’t get any better.

“Coach (Brian) Rosefield and his staff and what they do with this event is awesome. We’re preparing for February and March. To play these games is important so we will know how to execute in a tough environment.”

Dorman (4-1) won the rebounding battle 46-22, with the Cavaliers nearly grabbing as many offensive rebounds (21) as the Blazers had total. That helped the visitors to a 48-20 advantage on points in the paint and 20-12 edge in second-chance points.

Individual showcase

Fans that were on hand to witness North Mecklenburg (North Carolina) defeat A.C. Flora saw one of the better individual duels of the three-day event.

North Mecklenburg’s Tristian Maxwell, the son of former NBA star Vernon Maxwell, finished with 36 points, three assists and three steals in the 89-79 victory. The Falcons’ Robert McCray was just as impressive in the loss, totaling 30 points, seven assists and four rebounds.

Clemson-South Carolina matchup

The secondary story line between Dorman and Ridge View was the battle of Hall and Ja’Von Benson, two of the top seniors for the 2020 class.

Hall will attend Clemson in the fall, and Benson will travel just down the road to play at South Carolina. Hall got the better of the individual battle as well as his team picking up the victory. Benson scored 18 points with three rebounds in 29 minutes of action.

Thomas steals the show

Oak Hill’s Cam Thomas had one of the best two-game stretches in the seven years the Bojangles’ Bash has been around. The Warriors senior guard set the showcase record with 42 points against Ridge View on Friday. That broke the previous record of 40 points by Dreher’s Tevin Mack.

The LSU signee followed that up with a 29-point performance as Oak Hill topped Keenan 85-60.

Saturday’s scores

Sumter 41, South Florence 38

S: Leslie Owens 14, Boston 8, Durant 8, Isaac 7, Brunson 4. SF: Justice Jackson 22, Sparks 8, Wootton 5, McDuffie 2, Harry 1.

National Christian Academy 90, Cardinal Newman 77

CN: LJ White 26, Josh Beadle 20, Thomas Tyler 15, Christie 8, Cooper 5, Martin 2, Monsanto 1. NCA: Yuri Covington 33, Jakai Robinson 23, Ty Williams 17, Kouressi 8, Izmef 5, Washington 4.

Moravian Prep 68, Orangeville Prep 66

MP: Josh Hall 18, Shakeel Moore 16, Jahamri Harvey 15. Davis 7, Haynie 6, Wildy 4, Davis 2. OP: Coleman Stucke 24, Matthew Alexander-Moncrieffe 14, Lorenzo Downey 14, Shemar Rathan-Mayes 10, DeAverio 2, Prentice 2.

North Mecklenburg 89, A.C. Flora 79

NM: Tristian Maxwell 36, Trayden Williams 20, Jeremy Gregory 15, Ford 8, Artis 6, Gates 4. ACF: Robert McCray 30, JB Moore 21, Patick Iriel 10, Donqua Wilson 10, Parker 4, Townsend 2, Green 2.

Dorman 77, Ridge View 57

D: PJ Hall 24, Myles Tate 20, Justin Amadi 11, Burgess 8, Beazeale 6, Clowney 6, Surratt 2. RV: Cincere Scott 19, Ja’Von Benson 18, Johnson 8, Rice 6, Jeter 4, Everett 2.

Oak Hill 85, Keenan 60

OH: Cam Thomas 29, Evan Johnson 14, Sibley 8, Maddox 8, Ricks 8, Jones 7, Ezewiro 6, Heard 5. K: Raekwon Horton 21, Xavier Jones 14, Jarvis Da’Sant 10, Barrino 7, A. Jones 4, Daney 4.

This story was originally published December 14, 2019 at 10:45 PM.