HOOPS STORYLINES

The polar vortex provided plenty of chilling discomfort north of us.

In Chronicle Country, however, the cold temperatures have been staved off by heated high school basketball.

With the regular season in its final week, a bevy of stories are playing out that fans hope will stretch through the playoffs and the Weekend of Champions at Colonial Life Arena.

Lexington boys’ quest

The 3rd ranked Wildcats got a major scare last Friday at Dutch Fork. The game plan devised by Silver Foxes’ head coach and former Lexington player Brett Jones limited his ex-team’s offense and allowed Dutch Fork to dominate the paint.

Down as many 12 points and trailing the entire game, the Wildcats rallied in the 4th quarter. Behind timely scoring from Jonathan Corley, free throws and a key steal late by Bradley Foulks and a clutch, spinning left-handed layout with .4 seconds left by Mason Carver, Lexington escaped with a 46-44 victory.

The win extended the Wildcats’ school record for an in-season winning streak and victories to start a season. Lexington (24-0, 6-0) also clinched a share of the Region 5-5A title, their first since 2013. They could win it outright with a victory Tuesday at Chapin or Thursday at arch-rival River Bluff.

With the brackets giving Lexington home court advantage through the first 3 rounds, the road to Florence for the Lower State final and Columbia for the state championship looks paved in blue and yellow.

3-peat for Swansea

Swansea has the distinction as the hottest girls’ basketball team in Chronicle Country. The Lady Tigers are 3rd-ranked and 3-time Region 5-3AA champions.

Led by All-State senior and Clemson University-bound guard Danae McNeal and junior forward Lauryn Robinson, Swansea (20-2, 7-0) is riding a 15-game winning streak entering Thursday’s regular-season finale at Edisto. McNeal is closing on the Top 10 all-time in South Carolina in career scoring with over 2,500 points.

Health has concerned head coach Tamara McNeal-Purdue throughout the season. However, she expects to be at full strength when the post-season starts Feb. 11 with the return of senior point guard Zharia Gillings.

Top-ranked War Eagles

Defending Class 2A champion Gray Collegiate’s overall record (12-10 through Monday) does not reflect its level of play this season. Most of the losses have occurred to out-of-state programs and in-state foes in higher classifications like Class 3A top-ranked W.J. Keenan. Head coach Dion Bethea’s charges are on pace to a 3rd consecutive region title and remains among the deepest rosters in Class 2A.

Lexington/Dutch Fork girls

The Lady Dutch Fork Silver Foxes were riding along with a perfect region in Region 5-5A. This included a 53-50 win at the 8th-ranked Lexington Lady Wildcats. An opportunity to clinch the region last Friday was thwarted, however, by visiting Lexington. Despite suffering from food poisoning, All-State and University of South Carolina-bound guard Olivia Thompson scored 21 points and Claire Tarlton added 12 in the 45-31 victory. Should Lexington (18-4, 5-1) and Dutch Fork (12-7, 6-1) finish the regular season tied, a 1-game playoff for the region title will take place Friday at River Bluff High School.

Pelion boys

Head coach David Smith entered Tuesday having led the Panthers to 14 wins for the second time since 1982. A win over Tuesday Strom Thurmond would create a potential 3-way tie for first place with Edisto and tie the school mark for victories set in 1975.

Wins over White Knoll and Chapin marked the first-ever victories over Class 5A programs for the 3rd smallest school in Chronicle Country.

Soaring Lady Eagles

The Airport High girls’ basketball team have posted their most victories in 8 years and were ranked for the first time this season in the S.C. Basketball Coaches Association Class 4A poll at number 8. Under 3rd year head coach Jacob Thompson, the Lady Eagles (16-7, 6-2) also handed Swansea its 2 losses this season. They had a chance to clinch 2nd place in Region 5-4A Tuesday with a win at South Aiken.

Northside Christian boys

In SCISA, the Crusaders hold 2nd place in their region. Head coach Jason Harmon has them in position for a 3rd straight playoff appearance.