The race to the state title starts now for Lexington County boys and girls basketball teams. 

Postseason play officially tipped off as many local teams took the floor for what could be the final time this season. The first round began Monday and continued through Tuesday, after the Chronicle's press deadline. 

Nine games were played Monday across the 5A Division I girls, 5A Division II boys, 4A girls and 2A boys brackets. Another five were played on Tuesday in the Division I boys, Division II girls, 4A boys and 2A girls brackets. 

Lexington County started 5-6 in Monday’s slate of games, which included two matchups between local teams. 

Irmo’s boys knocked off Chapin 59–42 in the first round of the Division II bracket, behind 21 points from Khiry White. The Yellow Jackets will look to avenge last season’s second-round loss to Berkeley on Friday.

Gray Collegiate and Brookland-Cayce’s girls met in the other local head-to-head playoff game. The War Eagles beat the Bearcats twice in the regular season and were aiming to do so for a third time, with the stakes even higher. 

The team took care of business and won 58-39. It was a solid effort from the Bearcats, who improved over a pair of previous 40-plus-point losses. 

Other key contests from Monday include American Leadership’s win over Buford. The Patriots won their first region championship in school history, and followed it up with a 32-point playoff victory in round one. 

River Bluff’s girls and White Knoll’s boys won their first-round games over Fort Dorchester and Myrtle Beach. They’ll be back on the floor Friday, facing Lexington’s girls and Goose Creek’s boys. 

On Tuesday, Gray's boys got their playoff run started with an overwhelming  82-39 win over South Florence. The War Eagles are seeking their first 4A championship after years of 2A dominance. 

Gray finished the regular season (22-2) and went (14-0) in region games to dethrone North Augusta.  Gray will play a region rival in round two after the Brookland-Cayce and Midland Valley game is settled. 

Brookland-Cayce's game on Tuesday was stopped with under 30 seconds to go after smoke filled the gym. The Bearcats trailed by two and will resume their game against Midland Valley Wednesday afternoon. 

Irmo's girls and Batesburg-Leesville's girls also won on Tuesday.  Lexington's boys lost. 

The second round of games will continue on Friday and Saturday. Dutch Fork’s boys and girls will play their first games after earning byes in the first round. Lexington’s girls and Chapin’s girls also earned first-round byes. 

The next two rounds of games are next week, with the Upper and Lower State Championships taking place from Feb. 27-28. 

Championships will be held the following week, March 5-7, at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia. 

Week 1 playoff schedule

Monday

River Bluff: 58, Fort Dorchester: 11 - 5A D1 girls first round

White Knoll: 52, Myrtle Beach: 44 -  5A D2 boys first round

Irmo: 59, Chapin: 42 - 5A D2 boys first round

North Augusta: 60, Gilbert: 23 - 4A girls first round

Gray Collegiate: 58, Brookland-Cayce: 39 - 4A girls first round

Georgetown: 73, Swansea: 13 - 3A boys first round

Aynor: 47, Swansea: 27 - 3A girls first round

American Leadership: 92, Buford: 60 - 2A boys first round

Eau Claire: 46, Batesburg-Leesville: 40 - 2A boys first round

Tuesday

Summerville: 60, Lexington: 52 - 5A D1 boys first round

Irmo: 38, Myrtle Beach: 27 - 5A D2 girls first round

Gray Collegiate: 82, South Florence: 39 - 4A boys first round

Brookland-Cayce vs. Midland Valley -  4A boys first round

Batesburg-Leesville: 41, Columbia: 37- 2A girls first round

Friday

Dutch Fork vs. Byrnes - 5A D1 girls second round

Lexington vs. River Bluff - 5A D1 girls second round

Irmo at Berkeley - 5A D2 boys second round

White Knoll at Goose Creek - 5A D2 boys second round

Gray Collegiate vs. Wilson - 4A girls second round

American Leadership vs. Chesnee - 2A boys second round

Saturday

Dutch Fork vs. Mauldin - 5A D1 boys second round

Chapin vs. Lugoff-Elgin - 5A D2 girls second round

Irmo at Berkeley - 5A D2 girls second round

Gray Collegiate vs. Brookland-Cayce/Midland Valley -  4A boys second round

Batesburg-Leesville at Blacksburg - 2A girls second round