The champs! River Bluff stuns powerhouse Dorman for Gators’ 1st basketball state title
River Bluff coach Ben Lee talked to his team before Saturday’s state championship game about making memories.
Myles Jenkins and his teammates went out on the court and did just that.
Jenkins poured in 31 points and made big shot after big shot in leading River Bluff to a 57-45 win over Dorman in the Class 5A championship game at USC Aiken Convocation Center.
It was the Gators’ first state championship. Six of the nine SC basketball champions this year have been first-time winners.
“I have seen him play really, really good but that was special,” River Bluff coach Ben Lee said of Jenkins. “When we needed something he put us on his back. There is not much you can do with that except say, ‘Hey, go ahead and give him the ball.’ ”
Jenkins wanted the ball during the game. After the final buzzer, he wanted the championship trophy — and he clutched it while doing postgame media interviews.
Jenkins said he wanted to come out aggressive in his final high school game. He said the Gators weren’t intimidated by the Dorman mystique, which has played a big factor with opposing teams during the past five years.
“They are high school kids like we are. There is nothing to be scared of,” Jenkins said. “It was my last time playing, so I wanted to go out with a bang. We had a lot of ups and downs this year, but you can’t beat this.”
After four straight losing seasons to begin the program, River Bluff has 71 wins over the past four years, including a school-record 21 in 2019. The Gators had just two playoff wins in school history but won four this year, capped off by the state title.
Saturday’s victory also was Lee’s 100th win at River Bluff.
“I remember fondly losing the state championship game” as a player, said Lee, a former Lexington High standout. “We are going to remember this with pride. And they did it together. Myles carried the load, but other guys stepped up.”
The loss ended Dorman’s run through Class 5A. The Cavaliers had won four straight Class 5A state championships and hadn’t lost a playoff game since falling to Blythewood 42-33 in 2016.
The Cavs entered the game with an 18-game winning streak.
“It’s been a special five years. These seniors have worked extremely hard. They are used to winning,” Dorman coach Thomas Ryan said. “I know they’re hurting right now, but I think they’ll look back and realize what they’ve accomplished is something historic.
“Myles Jenkins tonight was unbelievable. We had no answer for him. He’s a heck of a player. I’m happy for Ben Lee and River Bluff. They did a great job. We hit a stretch there offensively in the third where we really struggled and couldn’t figure out what we wanted to do.”
Behind Jenkins’ 12 points, River Bluff came out strong to start the game. The Gators shot 61.5% in the first quarter and led 21-12 after one.
After a shaky start, it looked like the Cavaliers were going to assert themselves and put together a run. Dorman led 45-40 with just under five minutes left after a Noah Clowney basket. But those were the last points the Cavaliers scored, as the Gators went on a 17-0 run to close the game.
Jenkins had eight points during that run, including a 3-point play to make it 45-43.
Junior Preston Hearn put the Gators up for good on a 3-pointer from the top of the key that made it 46-45. Jenkins added another basket to make it 48-45 with 1:07 left.
“I knew they were playing off me and they set a down screen for me to come up. And I had to sink it,” Hearn said of the shot.
Class 5A Player of the Year Jalen Brezeale led Dorman with 14 points.
D: Zay Foster 8, Jalen Brezeale 14, Clowney 6, Surratt 5, Burgess 6, Wright 6. RB: Myles Jenkins 31, Renner 6, Stills 2, Powell 2, Reeves 7, Hearn 9.
SC basketball championship scores
- Class 5A Boys: River Bluff 57, Dorman 45
- Class 5A Girls: Sumter vs. Clover, ppd
- Class 4A Boys: South Pointe 52, Hilton Head Island 50
- Class 4A Girls: Westside 44, North Myrtle Beach 30
- Class 3A Boys: Marlboro County 71, Seneca 60
- Class 3A Girls: Keenan 62, Bishop England 55
- Class 2A Boys: Christ Church 58, Wade Hampton 49
- Class 2A Girls: Saluda 61, Silver Bluff 41
- Class A Boys: Southside Christian 65, Scott’s Branch 45
- Class A Girls: Military Magnet 54, Southside Christian 49
This story was originally published March 6, 2021 at 9:08 PM.
