The Carnival comes to lexington

For the fifth season of Coastal Plain League baseball in Lexington, the Lexington County Blowfish will have a County Fair feel. This year’s season-long theme will play homage to the 150th anniversary of the South Carolina State Fair. As part of the “Lexington County Fair”, the Blowfish will create County Fair-themed jerseys, as well as sell carnival-related food and drink and hold games throughout the summer.

soccer tournaments

Along with competitive, championship-level play, Chronicle Country will be the host site for soccer tournaments. The 4th annual Capital City Cup - co-hosted by River Bluff, Irmo, Chapin and Cardinal Newman will take place Feb. 20-24 and feature 16-24 teams in two brackets. For the second year in a row, the Nike Palmetto will feature both a boys’ and girls’ field and will take place at Saluda Shoals Athletic Complex April 15-17.

baseball fever

The 2019 high school baseball season may be the most exciting yet. Last year’s Class 4A champion Chapin moves into the ultracompetitive Region 5-5A with 2-time defending Lower State champion River Bluff, last year’s region champion Lexington and 2-time district champion Dutch Fork. The preseason will be highlighted by the 3rd annual Naturchem Invitational at River Bluff and Lexington High Schools taking place Feb. 28 to March 3. The last 2 champions have played for state titles. At the same time, the Red Bank Invitational will take place at White Knoll High School. Last year’s contest was won by Class 5A champion Chapin.

NEW GYM FOR b-c

The newest edition to the newest athletic facilities in Lexington County is the 1,500 seat arena on the campus of Brookland-Cayce High School. The $12 million facility will be available for basketball and volleyball and is expected to be ready for the Jan. 15 region contest against Midland Valley. In addition, Lexington School District 2 officials have constructed the new arena to be made available as a practice facility for teams playing in the NCAA tournament when they visit Columbia.

can DYNASTIES cONTINUE?

Chronicle Country is the home of some of the most successful high school sports teams in South Carolina. During the spring, the Chapin boys’ soccer team will seek to win its 4th consecutive title. Only 5 programs, including Irmo, have accomplished this feat. In the fall, Dutch Fork football will also seek to “4-peat”, a feat accomplished only 4 times in state history. Also this fall, the Chapin competitive cheer and Lexington girls’ golf team will look to increase their state-record title total.