After 4 years in the Upstate, the Class 5A boys’ basketball team now resides at the Lexington County school that’s home to The Swamp.

River Bluff High School claimed the title after defeating 4-time defending champion Dorman 57- 45 this past Saturday night at the University of South Carolina-Aiken Convocation Center.

“It’s awesome,” said River Bluff head coach Ben Lee, who also won his 100th career game and was making his 4th try at a state title as a player and coach. “To be in the leadership role during it, to be in charge of a bunch of great young men, it’s amazing.”

The Gators played a fearless 4 quarters of basketball sparked by a virtuoso performance by senior All-State swingman Myles Jenkins. Playing on the campus where his grandfather helped the Pacers win their 1st conference title, Jenkins scored 31 points, 19 in the 1st half, finished with 8 rebounds, 4 blocks and was 7-7 from the free-throw line.

“It was my last time here,” Jenkins said. “I’ve played with these guys since 4th and 5th grade. So I felt like ‘why not give my best?”

His efforts and River Bluff’s continued proficiency behind the 3-point line (it made 7 in the game, 27 during the post-season) helped it build a 9-point lead at the end of the 1st quarter.

After trailing 30-27 at halftime, Dorman rallied to retake the lead as Class 5A Player of the Year Jalen Breazeale led the comeback.

He finished with 14 points to help the Cavaliers go up 5 twice in the 4th quarter.

Each time, Jenkins answered back with a spectacular 3-point play to bring the Gators within 2 points.

Down 45-43 with 3:12 left, junior forward Preston Hearn calmly pulled up from the top of the key to nail his team-high 3rd 3-pointer of the game to put the Gators on top.

River Bluff would not trail again, scoring the game’s final 17 points to pull away for the shocking victory.

As Malachi Reeves hit a layup as time expired, the players and large contingent of Gator fans could finally savor the championship in earnest.

“Myles Jenkins was fantastic tonight,” said Dorman head coach Thomas Ryan, whose team entered the game with 18-game overall and 23-game post-season winning streaks.. “We didn’t have an answer for him.”

This marked the 5th straight year a Lexington High graduate has won the Class 5A title.

Fittingly, Lee and Ryan’s former head coach Bailey Harris was there to present both men a commemorative game ball.

“I’m happy for Ben Lee,” Ryan said. “What a guy. What character. He deserves it.”