The Bailey Harris coaching tree has truly bloomed over the years.

Numerous former players under the coaching legend have forged a path of success for themselves.

The “coaching tree” has especially bloomed during the 1st week in March in the Class 5A finals. The past 4 seasons has seen 1 or more head coaches compete in the title game. Last year saw Dorman under head coach Thomas Ryan claim a 4th straight title after defeating Dutch Fork and head coach Brett Jones.

This year, River Bluff head coach Benjamin Lee joined his fellow Wildcats in the Class 5A Final 4. Fittingly, he and Jones faced each other Tuesday night for the 3rd time this season in the Lower State final at their alma mater.

The winner would either face Ryan and the Cavaliers or Riverside in Saturday’s 7:30 pm final at the University of South Carolina-Aiken Convocation Center.

“That’s pretty cool playing at Lexington,” said Jones, a former player and assistant coach at Lexington under Harris. “But, I’ve played at other gyms, so it’s a little bit different for me. I’ve been to Lexington a lot, so it’s not a big a deal to me. I know it means a lot to Coach Harris, having 2 former players playing on something he kind of built. So that’s exciting. But I promise you. I’m not going to be thinking about that. I’m going to be thinking about trying to win and go back to the state championship.”

“It seems like everytime I turn around I am preparing for Coach Jones,” Lee said. “I love coaching against great coaches and I look at it as a chance to get better as a coach. Clearly this is new ground for me as a head coach and for River Bluff as a program so to say we are excited is a bit of an under sell.”

Dutch Fork won the 1st meeting 59-55 on Jan. 26. River Bluff came back 3 nights later before a televised audience on “Senior Night” to win 50-38. In both games, the 2 teams were missing key starters.

The Silver Foxes ended up 1st in Region 5-5A a game ahead of the Gators.

Dutch Fork (11-2) made its way back to the Lower State final in workmanlike fashion. It had a strong shooting performance in the 85-59 win at home over West Ashley to open the playoffs, then went on the road 3 nights later to defeat previously undefeated top seed Goose Creek 57-51 behind 18 points from Houston Jones and 12 from Jarvis Green.

The younger Jones has missed only 2 shots during the post-season, his father said.

Meanwhile, the Gators (12-4) overwhelmed their 1st 2 opponents, both tops seeds, on the road. Winners of 4 straight, they defeated Fort Dorchester and Carolina Forest by an average of 17.5 points and had the games decided by halftime.

River Bluff has also thrived from 3-point range, hitting a combined 17 in the wins over Fort Dorchester and Carolina Forest.

So who’s playing Saturday in Aiken? Visit www.lexingtonchronicle. com and read the game story and see video interviews. The state final will aired by WACH 57 either on its main station or Spectrum Cable Channel 1250.

Gray Collegiate fall in Upper State final

The 3-year reign as SC High School League Class 2A champions ended Monday at Finis Horne Arena for Gray Collegiate Academy.

The top-ranked War Eagles were defeated by Christ Church Episcopal 64-58 in the Upper State finals.

Class 2A Player of the Year and senior 7-1 center John Butler scored 21 points and brother Jordan scored 4 of the team’s final 6 points to lead the Cavaliers (19-3). They will face Wade Hampton in Friday’s final.

Chase McDuffie had 16 points, including 15 in the 2nd half. He started the War Eagles’ comeback with a minute left in the 3rd quarter with the 1st of his 5, 3-pointers.

Timothy Barnes made 2 free throws with 1.7 seconds left to bring Gray within 48-40 headed into the 4th quarter.

A 3-pointer by McDuffie cut the deficit to 48-43 with 6:53 left. Barnes hit 2 free throws to make it 48-45 with 6:15 left.

Christ Church increased its lead to 52-48 before Gray Collegiate answered with a dunk by Barnes and 3-pointer by McDuffie to take a 53-52 lead.

Amauri Johnson answered with a 3-pointer to regain the lead for the Cavaliers. A short jumper by Gardner, who finished with 14, tied the game at 55-55.

After a free throw by Bennett Rogers, who had 13 points, McDuffie nailed his 5th 3-pointer of the game to put GCA up 58-56. It was Gray Collegiate’s last basket.

Jordan Butler hit a short jumper, then hit 2 free throws to put Christ Church up 60-58 with 41.3 seconds left. Gray Collegiate was unable to score and the Cavaliers’ Sam Perry hit 2 free throws with less than 17 seconds left to seal the win.

The loss snapped a 17-game post-season winning streak for the War Eagles, dating back to February 2017. They finished the year 18-5.