Class 5A-Division 1: Upper State/Lower State Championship Games

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This coming Saturday in Florence will the first year of Class 5A-Division 1 basketball. What teams will play in the Upper State/Lower State Championship Games? Well once again Prep Hoops has you covered like usual. Checkout the inside and <strong><em>SUBSCRIBE today for all the latest action. Use the passcode "Swanny30" at checkout to save 30% off your first billing cycle. #RecruitThePalmettoState </em></strong><em><strong>#TheRoadToFlorence</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Ridge View HS vs James Island Charter </em></strong> 2:30 P.M. Saturday at the Florence Center </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ridge View HS Blazers</strong> (21-7) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach - Josh Staley </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#TheRoadToFlorence</em></strong> - Carolina Forest HS 72-50 and Summerville HS 62-50 - The Blazers have not lost to a team in state all year long. Currently have won 15 games in a row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2693776,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Image-12-14-24-at-1.22-AM-1.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Image-12-14-24-at-1.22-AM-1.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2693776" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blazers have plenty of options throughout the roster to throw at their opponents. The senior trio of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1972146' first='Malachi' last='Cooper']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158877' first='Reggie' last='Mack']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2419234' first='Treyvon' last='Smith']</strong> lead the way. The junior class has <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1692243' first='Korie' last='Corbett']</strong> #1 and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679970' first='Yale' last='Davis']</strong> #4 in the 2026 Palmetto State Clas. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1848083' first='Talan' last='Staley']</strong> another junior provides some solid point guard play from out top. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2692976,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_1254-rotated.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/IMG_1254-rotated.jpeg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2692976" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2104388' first='Robert' last='Wylie']</strong>, wing player <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2367667' first='Joshua' last='JT Vankallen'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2139480' first='Christopher' last='Horton']</strong> are the sophomores on this roster. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1982894' first='RJ' last='Davis'] </strong>and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2373165' first='CJ' last='Moore'] </strong>will both see themselves next month in the 2028 Palmetto State Rankings somewhere near the top when the rankings debut. The Blazers have plenty of talent to take home another state championship this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>James Island Charter Trojans</strong> (19-8)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach - Travis Smith </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#TheRoadToFlorence</em></strong> - West Ashley HS 47-40 and Cane Bay HS 60-51. Last year the Trojans season ended to Ridge View 60-37 in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2694891,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_14-12-2024_12-59-26-9520PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_14-12-2024_12-59-26-9520PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2694891" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2044293' first='Gavin' last='Ward']</strong> a senior guard is playing more on the ball for the Trojans this season. Gavin has sprouted up a bit in size and is currently averaging 15 ppg, 4.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2694890,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_14-12-2024_12-59-41-1030PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_14-12-2024_12-59-41-1030PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2694890" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1370628' first='Parker' last='Renault']</strong> a fellow senior has provided 10.2 ppg and 6.4 rebounds this season. Parker can play inside-out at times on the floor with his ability to step-out and face up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2694894,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_14-12-2024_12-59-11-5040PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_14-12-2024_12-59-11-5040PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2694894" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2420724' first='Joshua' last='Gladden']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2899212' first='Matthew' last='Gladden']</strong> both provide some punch and rebounding in the paint for the Trojans. Joshua is averaging 8.9 ppg and 4.6 rebounds while Matthew chips in at 8.3 ppg and 6 rebounds a night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Dorman HS vs Blythewood HS </em></strong> 5:30 P.M. Saturday at the Florence Center </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dorman HS Cavaliers </strong>(24-4) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach Thomas Ryan </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#TheRoadToFlorence</em></strong> - JL Mann HS 79-73 and River Bluff HS 74-56. The Cavaliers have 7th Final 4 Trip in the past 9 years to go along with 5 State Championships. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2685011,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_07-12-2024_09-05-22-5510PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_07-12-2024_09-05-22-5510PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2685011" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cavaliers will rely on a committee of players to lead the way. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1737994' first='Jaden' last='Johnson']</strong> a sophomore guard has had a hot hand all season long with his shooting. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2450993' first='Aaden' last='Bruton-Smith']</strong> has really come out of nowhere with his play and had some big moments for the Cavaliers this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2685010,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_07-12-2024_09-05-44-1710PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/eZy-Watermark_07-12-2024_09-05-44-1710PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2685010" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2163870' first='Peden' last='Breazeale']</strong> a left-handed point guard directs the traffic out front for the Cavaliers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1738000' first='Kam' last='Smith']</strong> comes off the bench for the Cavaliers to give valuable minutes to the backcourt. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360540' first='Keenan' last='Arcega-Whiteside']</strong> will play football at Rice University next fall. Keenan in the meantime is looking to help the Cavaliers with some production around the paint area. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1645095' first='Will' last='Bush']</strong> a junior post player can play face-up to the bucket or simply post up and deliver results down low with his soft touch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blythewood HS Bengals</strong> (22-5) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach Zeke Washington </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>#TheRoadToFlorence </strong></em>- Byrnes HS 73-58 and Clover HS 81-50 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2775813,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/Image-2-15-25-at-12.25-PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/Image-2-15-25-at-12.25-PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2775813" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2090536' first='TJ' last='Lewis']</strong> has been stellar all season long for the Bengals. He recently picked up an offer from USC-Upstate. TJ is averaging 26.3 ppg, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 steals this season for the Bengals. TJ remains one of the highest ranked available players in the 2025 Palmetto State Class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2172957' first='Tyler' last='Stephens']</strong> can bring some muscle to the table for the Bengals with his play around the bucket. Tyler is averaging 13.1 ppg and 7.5 rebounds this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>The Winners of these two games will meet Next Friday - March 7, 2025 at 8:00 P.M here at the Florence Center. </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->