High school basketball is over in Lexington County as the final four remaining teams in the postseason lost last week. 

All four teams were eliminated in the third round, meaning no local teams made the trip to Florence for the upper and lower state championship games. 

Dutch Fork’s girls were the first team in action. The Silver Foxes were the only local team to host a third-round game, welcoming J.L. Mann. 

The team struggled to find its rhythm early and fell behind by 15 points after the first quarter. That lead was cut to 10 by halftime, but it was too much to overcome as Dutch Fork lost 57-47. 

Dutch Fork ends the year 22-3 as region champions for the second year in a row. The team will lose some key pieces over the summer, including two-time All-State selection Michaela Fairwell. Fortunately for them, the Silver Foxes have all offseason to replace that production. 

The Gray Collegiate boys were the next team to hit the court, traveling to North Augusta. 

The War Eagles finished right behind the Yellow Jackets in the 4A Region 4 standings. The two teams split their regular-season series, but neither of those games had this much at stake.  

It was win or go home for both teams, and neither would let the other gain separation. 

Gray had a slim lead in the game’s final minute and was all but set to win after getting a steal on North Augusta’s final possession. However, the War Eagles exchanged some words with the North Augusta fans, resulting in technical free throws that allowed North Augusta to tie and force overtime. 

Gray’s L.J. Britt fouled out in overtime, and North Augusta ran away with the game. The Yellow Jackets outscored Gray 12-2 to win 66-56. 

The War Eagles' three-year state title streak came to an end in their first season playing in the 4A classification under new head coach Carlos Powell. Despite the loss, the team still showed it could compete with the classification’s best, handing North Augusta its only loss of the season. 

Gray’s girls and Batesburg-Leesville’s boys both played their third-round contests on Wednesday of last week. Neither game was close, as both teams were eliminated on the road. 

Like the boys, the Gray girls traveled to North Augusta for their third round contest. The War Eagle girls also finished second behind the Yellow Jackets in region, but unlike the boys, the Gray girls were swept in the season series. 

North Augusta’s playoff win was the largest margin of victory for the Yellow Jackets over the War Eagles this season. North Augusta won the first game by nine, the second by 18 and the third by 29. 

The Yellow Jackets had the War Eagles' number all season, winning games at the beginning, middle and end of the season. Against all other competition, Gray was 17-4 and 12-0 in region. 

Batesburg-Leesville’s boys were eliminated by High Point Academy after an 84-51 loss.

High Point shot the ball much better from the floor than the Panthers, leading to the large deficit. The Panthers finished the game under 50% from inside the arc while making just three of 28 three-point attempts. 

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies shot 56% from two-point range and made seven of 14 three-pointers. 

It was a solid season for the Panthers, who won their first region title since 2006. The team could rely on multiple players and will return most of their rotation pieces, including All-State junior Ta’Maj Gilliam. 

Full week two playoff schedule 

Monday

5A Division I girls - J.L. Mann: 57, Dutch Fork: 47

Tuesday 

4A boys - North Augusta: 66, Gray Collegiate: 56 (OT)

Wednesday 

4A girls - North Augusta: 49, Gray Collegiate: 20

2A boys - High Point Academy: 84, Batesburg-Leesville: 51

State title matchups 

5A Division I boys - Ridge View vs. Blythewood

5A Division I girls - Summerville vs. Blythewood

5A Division II boys - Greenville or Fort Mill vs. Berkeley or Goose Creek

5A Division II girls - Greenville or Greenwood vs. Berkeley or North Myrtle Beach

4A boys - North Augusta vs. Lancaster

4A girls - North Augusta vs. Westside

3A boys - Keenan vs. Powdersville

3A girls - Dillon vs. Walhalla

2A boys - High Point or Liberty vs. Andrew Jackson or Atlantic Collegiate

2A girls - Eau Claire or Clinton vs. Andrew Jackson or Lake City

1A boys - Denmark-Olar vs. Abbeville

1A girls - Military Magnet vs. Lee Central