HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING

Lexington County had plenty to brag about thanks to its high school wrestling teams.

Seven of the 9 schools that reached the S.C. High School League playoffs came away with opening round victories over the weekend.

Wins in the second round by River Bluff and White Knoll set up an all-district/Region 5-5A 3rd round matchup on Monday.

Airport also reached the 3rd round in Class 4A, while Gilbert advanced to the 3rd round in the Class 3 playoffs for the second straight year.

After Monday’s victories, all three teams will continue carrying the county banner into the Lower State finals.

Gilbert made history in spectacularly dominant fashion, winning its first 8 matches by pinfall to defeat Aynor 48-42 to earn a first-ever Lower State final berth.

“We let our guys do their stuff,” Gilbert head coach Mitch Hudson said. “They knew we were working towards something, so they got out and took care of business. We did what I kind of think we should do at this time of year.”

The Indians faced a familiar foe Wednesday in May River, a team they defeated 37-33 back in January in Bluffton. The two teams met again there for a berth in Saturday’s final at Airport High School.

Over in “The Swamp”, River Bluff earned a 3rd consecutive trip to the Lower State final.

Defeating the much-improved Timberwolves for the second time this season, this time by a 42-27 score, the Gators will get an opportunity to reclaim its Lower State title at home against Summerville.

“They are a good team,” Moxie said. “It’s tough to beat a team twice.

White Knoll head coach Kyle Kimrey characterized the Gators as “tough.” He also said River Bluff was well-coached and it was hard for his team to match up with them.

“They are good,” he said.

The third Lexington County team with a chance at a Lower State title is Airport. The 2nd-seeded Eagles edged top-ranked Beaufort Wednesday 36-34 and traveled to North Myrtle Beach Wednesday for the Class 4A semifinal.

S.C. HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING PLAYOFF SCORES:

CLASS 5A

(1st round)

Cane Bay 52, Irmo 18 Chapin 52, Conway 18 Lexington 45, Carolina Forest 35 River Bluff 66, St. James 6 White Knoll 35, Socastee 34

(2nd round)

Cane Bay 37, Chapin 33 Summerville 36, Lexington 33 River Bluff 39, Chapin 31 White Knoll 34, Ashley Ridge 31

(3rd round)

River Bluff 46, White Knoll 27

CLASS 4A (1st round)

Brookland-Cayce 40, Myrtle Beach 36

(2nd round)

Beaufort 65, Brookland-Cayce 18 Airport 42, Hartsville 24

(2nd round)

Airport 36, Beaufort 34

CLASS 3A (1st round)

Waccamaw 44, Swansea 38 Pelion 52, Hanahan 27

(2nd round)

May River 51, Pelion 12