HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

The regular season is only three weeks old and the challenging region contests are still a month away.

So far, a quartet of Lexington County boys’ and girls’ basketball teams are finding success in non-region play and are building confidence before the games become much more intense in January.

Lexington High School

There’s a strong air of nostalgia encircling the Lexington High School boys’ basketball program.

It’s not just because the Wildcats are off to a 8-0 start. This season, head coach Bailey Harris has used home games to welcome back former players and select one as an alumni team captain.

This past Saturday against Gilbert, the honoree was bestowed upon Felder Leaphart. Ironically, the Wildcats had to up-expectedly call back recently retired longtime trainer Damone Leaphart for assistance for this game as the regular trainers were unavailable.

Lexington went on to defeat Gilbert 87-35 behind 18 points from Mason Carver, 16 from Bradley Foulks and 12 from Joe Long.

The team’s strong early play is a pleasant surprise for Harris. Concern about a lack of height has been diminished by the scrappy, hard effort displayed by the team, particularly on defense.

“I thought we could score,” he said. “We’re awful small. But, we’ve been able to hold our own defensively so far. A lack of size hasn’t killed us yet. It did somewhat in preseason scrimmages when we saw some superior post players...against (A.C.) Flora and (W.J.) Keenan, we struggled with that. With what we’ve got, the way we’re playing, getting after it, I think we’re playing hard, playing smart. They’re a fun group to coach which is important, too.”

On the girls’ side, the Lady Wildcats are off to 6-1 start. The lone loss came out the hands of defending Class 5A champion Spring Valley during a preseason tournament at A.C. Flora.

Senior and University of South Carolina-bound guard Olivia Thompson continues to act to her school-record total. This past Saturday against Gilbert, she surpassed the 1,500-point mark for her career.

The Lady Wildcats will face Dorman in the inaugural Auto-Owners Insurance Classic Saturday at home before 2 road games at Irmo and A.C. Flora next week.

River Bluff High School

Same group, same fast start for the Gators.

A year after setting a school record for victories, 9th-ranked River Bluff is nearly halfway towards matching that total.

The Gators opened the season by winning the inaugural Tip off at the Dam tournament and their lone loss was at home to 10th-ranked Irmo.

“We have a number of the same kids from last year,” head coach Ben Lee said. “We are currently trying to identify the best rotation for our group. I am very nervous for region play, because we have a number of productive teams that are well coached and prepared to win. “Jeremiah Reeves, Terrill Windom, and Andrew Robinson have to be consistent performers for us, but our success will be determined by the other members of our roster and who is able to step up and play well.”

River Bluff started a home-at-home series with Airport Wednesday and will compete in the Daniel High School Christmas tournament starting Dec. 20.

Pelion High School

The Panthers will begin its Holiday Classic on Dec. 20 riding a 4-1 record and 3-game winning streak.

Argubly the program’s biggest win this season occurred Dec. 6 on the road against Class 5A White Knoll. A dominant 4th quarter lifted Pelion to a 64-59 victory.

“In 10 years, when it’s Thanksgiving and they’re talking about how fat and ugly they are, they can talk about it with their family ‘Y:all remember in 2018 when we beat White Knoll?,’” Pelion head coach David Smith said. “I mean it’s special for our community. Pelion needs some good stuff to happen for it and obviously...the community enjoyed this tonight. It means a lot to me to be a small part of helping them celebrate and enjoy it.”

Defense has played a role in Pelion’s success. The team have especially taken to incentives offered by Smith when it comes to taking charges.

“We teach drawing charges all the time,” Smith said. “I’ll tell you what the secret is. I give them a biscuit for every charge they draw. So I gave out 5 biscuits (versus Columbia) because we had 5 charges drawn. I don’t know how many we had (against White Knoll). We had some that didn’t get called, but these kids love drawing charges because they love biscuits.”

Offensively, Malcolm Davis has led the team in scoring in every game. Ethan Davis, Niko Austin, Travan Alston and Dylan Williamson have also provided timely scoring.

Gray Collegiate

After watching the boys’ team win the school’s first-ever state title, it appears the Lady War Eagles are seeking to obtain similar success.

The team opened the season with 5 straight wins before losing 38-32 to Laurens Academy on Dec. 4.

Gray Collegiate rebounded 2 nights later in a 67-37 win over Governor’s School, but fell 67-41 this past Monday. to Cardinal Newman.

Senior Kayla Gordon is averaging 14.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game to lead Gray Collegiate. The team is coached by Daniel Gordon.