PLAYOFF TIME IN HOOPS

After an extended weekend of play-in games, the S.C. High School League basketball playoffs are underway.

It began on a heartbreaking note Monday for the Gilbert girls’ basketball team. Playing the 1st home playoff game in 18 years, the Lady Indians fell to visiting Lake Marion 53-50.

After trailing as many as 11 points, Gilbert rallied to tie the game at 50-50 with 26 seconds left. The Lady Gators held the ball until Antwanique Walley caught the pass and fired the game-winner from behind the arc at the top of the key with 1 second left.

Paris Gartman led the Lady Indians with 15 points, followed by Madison Pride with 14 and Taylor Spencer with 12, all on 4 3-pointers.

It was the 1st of 2 home playoff games at Gilbert High School. On Tuesday, the Indians boys played host to Wade Hampton, who were penalized from holding a post-season home game for an open gymnasium violation.

HOME SWEET HOME

The Gilbert boys were not the only Chronicle Country team to earn a surprise opening round home game. Entering this past Friday’s televised regular-season finale against archrival Airport, Brookland-Cayce found itself facing a “win or go home” scenario.

Sparked by 17 points each from Zach McCoy and Chamar Martin, the Bearcats defeated the Eagles 52-50 to earn the playoff berth and 1st round home game against Darlington.

Out of the 4-way tie for 3rd place, Airport still managed a playoff berth and traveled to Colleton County Wednesday.

For both Irmo teams, the Lexington girls and 2-time defending Class 2A boys’ basketball champion Gray Collegiate, the road to the finals is simple. As long as each team remains victorious in the Upper and Lower State brackets, they will enjoy homecourt advantage leading into their respective semifinals.

ALL-REGION TIME

Chronicle Country teams were highly represented on the list of All-Region teams released in the past week.

Leading the way in Region 5-5A boys as the Player of the Year was River Bluff’s Myles Jenkins. His return from injury helped the Gators earn a share of their 1st ever region title.

He was joined on the team by teammates Landon Stills and Josh Cranshaw, Lexington’s Cameron Scott and Adin Daniels, Chapin’s Maddux Harrell, White Knoll’s Jaylen Ray and Jalen Jennings and Dutch Fork’s DiMarco Johnson, Houston Jones, Jarvis Green and A.J. Knight.

Silver Foxes head coach Brett Jones, who will coach in this year’s North-South All-Star Game at his alma mater Lexington High School, was named Coach of the Year.

On the girls’ side, guard Japonica Wilson of River Bluff was named Player of the Year and head coach Brad McKinney was named Coach of the Year.

A year after going winless, the Lady Gators won a school-record 15 games, placed 2nd behind Lexington in the region and earned its 1st ever home playoff game.

Also making the team were Dutch Fork’s Wareanna Butler, White Knoll’s Janiyan Cowen and Jasmine Jenkins, Lexington’s Lindsay Garner and Mallory Nichols, Chapin’s McKenzie Lott and River Bluff’s Samira Khalil.

In a year Monica Williams surpassed 400 career wins and claimed a 6th career region title, she was named Region 4-5A Coach of the Year. Lady Yellow Jackets’ Ehrial Wagstaff, Jayla Lovett and Maliyiah Mason were named to the All-Region team.

To no surprise, Gray Collegiate dominated the All-Region 3-2A team. White Knoll transfer Tauris Watson was named Region Player of the Year and head coach Dion Bethea earned his 3rd straight Coach of the Year honor. Latavian Lawrence, Zaire Rogers, R.J. Howell and Chase McDuffie also made the All-Region team.

Keep up with the post-season at www.schsl.orgcom and www.lexingtonchronicle.com .