The final picture is coming into focus as the girls basketball season reaches its closing stretch. 

With just two weeks left, teams are starting to gain separation and establish themselves in the standings. Some are contending for the region title, while others are grinding to move up for more favorable playoff matchups. 

The race to the 5A Region 4 crown is back down to a two-team competition between Lexington and Dutch Fork. 

Chapin and Irmo had been sneaking into contention, but are now two games back from both the Wildcats and the Silver Foxes. 

Lexington and Dutch Fork are both (5-1) in region play entering this week. The Wildcats have the edge for now after beating Dutch Fork on the road. The two will meet again at Lexington this Friday in a game that could be what settles it all. 

While they are down, Chapin and Irmo are not out of the race yet. They still have time to make up the distance, but it is going to take some help from other teams. 

The Eagles and Yellow Jackets are (3-3) in region, fighting for third place. River Bluff is a game behind them, looking to jump in the standings during these final weeks. 

White Knoll sits at the bottom at (0-6), still searching for its first region win. 

Gray Collegiate’s girls are looking to lock up second place in their region. The War Eagles are (8-2) in 4A Region 4 play, sitting two games back from North Augusta and one game above South Aiken. 

Both of the War Eagles’ losses have come against North Augusta. They’d need to win out and have the Yellow Jackets drop three of their last four games to clinch first place. 

All Gray needs to do to secure second is take care of business in its final games. The team will play South Aiken this Friday to try and gain even more separation.

While Gray is flourishing, its fellow Lexington County region mates are struggling. 

Airport, Gilbert and Brookland-Cayce begin this week holding the last three spots in the standings. All three teams have (2-8) region records and are in danger of missing the postseason entirely. 

No other local teams are competing to win a region championship, but that does not mean they have nothing to play for. 

Every win down the stretch matters and can improve your spot in the playoffs. Teams like Batesburg-Leesville are competitive but have a few losses under their belt. There is room to move up or down, so it’s important to win.

For teams that haven’t won a region game yet, like Pelion, Swansea and White Knoll, these final games are about playing their best, trying to get a win and continuing to develop the future of their programs. 

Teams will take the court for their final regular-season games next week. Playoffs will start the following week, and the sprint to the state championship round begins. 

Upcoming games to watch

Lexington vs. Dutch Fork - Feb. 6

Brookland-Cayce vs. Gilbert - Feb. 6

Gray Collegiate vs. South Aiken - Feb. 6

Pelion vs. Batesburg-Leesville - Feb. 10

Irmo vs. Chapin - Feb. 10

Last week’s top performances 

Maddie Coker had 23 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists in Northside Christian’s win over Augusta Christian. 

Sydni Anderson had a 20-point, 19-rebound double-double in Lexington’s win against Irmo. 

Evie Godfrey finished with 18 points, five rebounds and five assists as River Bluff beat White Knoll. 

Last week’s scores

Chapin - Dutch Fork (70-28, L)

Dutch Fork - Chapin (70-28, W)

Irmo - Lexington (63-28, L)

Lexington - Irmo (63-29, W)

River Bluff - White Knoll (61-26, W)

White Knoll - River Bluff (61-26, L)

Airport - South Aiken (52-21, L), Midland Valley (56-25, L)

Brookland-Cayce - Midland Valley (60-40, L), Gray Collegiate (61-18, L)

Gilbert - Aiken (42-37, L), South Aiken (61-25, L)

Gray Collegiate - North Augusta (59-21, L), Brookland-Cayce (61-18, W)

Swansea - Whitmire (54-17, W), Newberry (38-20, L), Keenan (72-21, L)

Batesburg-Leesville - Saluda (46-17, L), Strom Thurmond (42-24, L)

Pelion - Ninety Six (50-21, L)

Northside Christian - Augusta Christian (65-46, W), Ben Lippen (58-29, L)