Fueled by early exit, Dutch Fork boys basketball has sights on deep playoff run
It has been six years since Dutch Fork boys basketball made its run to the state championship game.
Now, the third-ranked Silver Foxes are hoping for another run this year. Dutch Fork took its first step to that day with a 78-30 win over River Bluff on Tuesday to clinch its second straight Region 4-5A championship and fifth region title in the last seven years.
“It is always good to win the region,” Dutch Fork coach Bret Jones said. “Five in seven years and back to back, I am proud of these guys.”
Winning a region title means Dutch Fork will get a bye in the first round of the playoffs and won’t play until Feb. 21. The Silver Foxes will likely be a No. 2 or 3 seed for the Class 5A Division I Upper State bracket. The Upper State bracket features defending state champion Ridge View, Dutch Fork, Byrnes and Dorman, all of which are ranked in the top-five in latest SC Basketball Coaches Class 5A polls released on Tuesday.
Dutch Fork was in a similar situation last year headed into the playoffs. The Silver Foxes were a No. 2 seed but were upset at home against Clover, 73-67.
“Last year, we knew we should have gone farther than we did,” senior Justus Bell said. “This year, we want to go farther, and our goal is to go to state. … We are really trying to lock in and do everything we can.”
Bell, a USC Aiken signee and Carolinas Classic selection, has been one of the Silver Foxes’ go-to players along with guard Samajae Govan. Bell is averaging a team-high 20.7 points per game and had 20 in the win over River Bluff.
Govan is averaging 16.9 points per game and had 25 against Lexington last week.
Jones having two guys like Bell and Govan is what is different from the team that went to the state championship in 2020. That team was more balanced in its starting lineup.
“This group is more talented,” Jones said. “We score better. That year, it was like five guys that averaged around nine points a game. … This year, it is a little different with Justus and Samajae. And we got other guys who are really good, too. They just need to complement the other two players. I think Justus is one of the top five players in the state and Semajae isn’t too far behind.”
Dutch Fork will finish its regular season on Thursday at home against Irmo, the only team to defeat the Silver Foxes in the region this year.
Dutch Fork girls closing in on region title
Dutch Fork girls moved a win away from Region 4-5A title with a 66-29 win over River Bluff.
The Silver Foxes need a win over Irmo on Thursday or Lexington loss to River Bluff to clinch the title.
Aailyah Lee scored 16 points, Jamia Gerald had 14 and Trinity Crumlin added 10 to lead Dutch Fork.
Tuesday’s scores
Boys
Airport 70, Gilbert 41
A: Tristan McCray 17, Seth Martin 11
American Leadership 61, Ninety-Six 45
Batesburg-Leesville 67, Pelion 46
BL: Braylen Davis 15, Jaden Milhouse 14, Ta’Maj Gilliam 14
Camden 72, Lancaster 49
Clinton 68, Mid-Carolina 44
C: Zekhyron Butler 18, Owen Glenn 11, J’shon Nabors 10, Nyterian Smith 10. MC: Treyvon Smith 16, Landon Templin 11
Gray Collegiate 89, Aiken 47
Hammond 67, Cardinal Newman 41
Heathwood Hall 70, Ragin Prep 54
Irmo 61, Chapin 48
I: Oshon Browman 19, Khiry White 15, Christian Brown 11
Keenan 73, Newberry 50
Lexington 44, White Knoll 36
Lower Richland 50, South Florence 39
Lugoff-Elgin 66, Spring Valley 63
North Augusta 55, Brookland-Cayce 27
Ridge View 92, Sumter 65
RV: DJ Wylie 20, RJ Davis 17, CJ Moore 14, JT Van Kallen 13
South Pointe 67, Dreher 40
York 55, Richland Northeast 50
Girls
Camden 67, Lancaster 42
C: LA Alexander 18, Braylin Mungo 16, Harmony Jefferson 10
Chapin 57, Irmo 31
Gray Collegiate 63, Aiken 5
GC: Aneya Britt 28, Freeman 8, Kelly 8
Lexington 56, White Knoll 27
Ridge View 53, Sumter 36
South Florence 64, Lower Richland 41
South Pointe 88, Dreher 22
Spring Valley 45, Lugoff-Elgin 37
This story was originally published February 10, 2026 at 10:59 PM.
