Class 5A Division 1 Lower/Upper State Finals: Saturday’s Results

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The entirety of the 2024-25 season has come down to four teams in every respective classification still vying for state championships.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teams that comprise the remaining 5A Division 1 field had their turn at the mic on Saturday. As of that Saturday, the 1A and 3A classifications had already determined which teams will be competing in their respective state championship games.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We at Prep Hoops made the trip to the Florence Center for the full Saturday of 5A Division 1 games for both girls and boys. Without further ado, here is our recap on how that Saturday in the Pee Dee unfolded.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Lower State Final: James Island vs. Ridge View</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The day followed a format where games one and three were boys games with game two being a girls game. The first boys that took place would feature a rematch of last season's 4A Lower State championship.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ridge View is, of course, last year's 4A state champion. The Blazers were one of several teams that earned automatic byes into the second round. Ridge View then followed it up with victories over Carolina Forest and Summerville.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of former 4A teams that moved up to 5A, that was also the case for James Island. Despite fighting to stay in 4A, the move worked out for Trojans boys basketball. James Island also earned an automatic bye into the second round then would earn victories over West Ashley and Cane Bay.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a berth in the 5A Division 1 final up for grabs, it would be Ridge View that earned the right to play one more contest at the Florence Center. The Blazers achieved the 63-43 winning result over the Blazers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Records</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The victory not only sends the Blazers to the championship game, it increases Ridge View's record to 22-7 along with a 12-0 mark the team compiled in its region. As for James Island, its 2024-25 season finishes with a mark of 19-9 and a showing of 8-2 in its region.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Remember What Happened Last Time?&nbsp;</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two teams' most previous get-together prior to Saturday occurred in last season's 4A Lower State championship game. Ridge View aficionados have fond memories of that contest as the Blazers defeated James Island with the final score being 60-37.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ridge View, one game later, defeated Riverside 58-52 to win the 4A state championship.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Quarter-By-Quarter</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The opening eight minutes would be to Ridge View's liking as it built up a six-point edge on its James Island adversaries. With one in the books, the Blazers established a 14-8 advantage on the Trojans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At one point in the second quarter, it was a two-point game between the two teams before Ridge View concluded the frame with a 25-0 run. As both teams entered their respective locker rooms to mull over second half strategy, the Blazers' edge was 41-14 over the Trojans.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What appeared to be a competitive game through the first frame was looking more and more like a laugher as the third quarter concluded. Through three, the Blazers doubled up on the Trojans with the scoreboard reading 56-28.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the fourth quarter elapsed, it no longer was a matter of if Ridge View would win – but what the final margin of victory would be. That final margin of victory would be 20 points to clinch the Blazers a berth in Friday's championship tilt.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Primetime Performers</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2796315,"width":"563px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_0455-crop-1842x1210-1740916591.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_0455-crop-1842x1210-1740916591.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2796315" style="width:563px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1972146' first='Malachi' last='Cooper']</strong> ensured that his final game in a Blazers uniform will be for another state championship. The senior two guard of Ridge View led his team's offensive onslaught with 21 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2796317,"width":"557px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_0541-crop-3763x2471-1740916741.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_0541-crop-3763x2471-1740916741.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2796317" style="width:557px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ridge View also greatly benefitted from the 15 points that were scored courtesy of junior one guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679970' first='Yale' last='Davis']</strong>. Out of the 15 Davis placed on the scoreboard, 12 occurred in the first half of play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2796320,"width":"560px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_0401-crop-1852x1216-1740916943.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_0401-crop-1852x1216-1740916943.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2796320" style="width:560px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blazers also got a big game from freshman three forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2373165' first='CJ' last='Moore']</strong>. He finished his afternoon at the Florence Center with nine points. All nine of Moore's occurred in the contest's first 16 minutes.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2796322,"width":"554px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_0346-crop-2221x1459-1740917105.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_0346-crop-2221x1459-1740917105.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2796322" style="width:554px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1370628' first='Parker' last='Renault']</strong> ensured that if Saturday would be the final time he would sport James Island's signature orange and blue colors that he would finish with a flourish. The senior forward for the Trojans led all James Island point-getters with 17.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2796324,"width":"553px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_0515-crop-2347x1541-1740917281.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_0515-crop-2347x1541-1740917281.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2796324" style="width:553px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Trojans also were greatly helped from the 10 points that were delivered courtesy of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2420724' first='Joshua' last='Gladden']</strong>. James Island connected on three 3-pointers throughout the game. Two of them were Gladden's.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>So Long, Seniors</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2044293' first='Gavin' last='Ward'], Harper Woods and Brady Marchant are the three seniors that will depart from James Island.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Upper State Final: Blythewood vs. Dorman</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After Ridge View's win over James Island, the only thing left to be decided was who the Blazers would match up against for the 5A Division 1 championship. Also, we got another rematch from last season's playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blythewood had a distinction of being a school whose girls and boys teams both earned the right to play basketball in March at the Florence Center. Last season, after a first-round win over J.L. Mann, the Bengals ran into Dorman – and suffered a 63-58 defeat at the hands of the Cavaliers. Blythewood earned a bye in the second round of this season's 5A Division 1 playoffs prior to earning wins over Byrnes and Clover.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dorman experienced the euphoria of state glory two seasons ago at the USC-Aiken Convocation Center. Last season, Dorman suffered a defeat to Mauldin in the Upper State semifinals to end its playoff run. The Cavaliers also earned a bye into the second round defeating J.L. Mann and River Bluff en route to this year's final.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How did this rematch go? It went the way of Blythewood which rallied late from behind to earn the 46-45 win to punch its ticket to an all-Midlands big dance on Mar. 7.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Records</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the win, Blythewood's record improves to 23-5. The Bengals also went 9-3 throughout its region schedule. The book closes on Dorman's season as it finished with a 24-5 record. The Cavaliers also posted a 12-2 showing during region play.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Quarter-By-Quarter</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Earlier in the day, Blythewood's girls team won a 64-59 classic against J.L. Mann to advance to its 5A Division 1 state game. The Bengals boys were looking to duplicate the feat the girls accomplished. Dorman did not make it easy as Blythewood's lead on the Cavaliers was only 14-11 with one in the books.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Midway through the second quarter, both Bengals and Cavaliers would be all knotted up at 18 points apiece. Dorman would pull ahead as the quarter elapsed. At the break, the Cavaliers would assume a 25-21 advantage on Blythewood.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cavaliers' lead did grow in the third quarter – albeit not by much. Eight minutes would remain to determine which team would earn a date with Ridge View on Friday with Dorman leading by a margin of 37-30.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blythewood managed to chip away and chip away at its deficit until the Bengals connected on a game-tying 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter. With the score tied at 45, Blythewood would connect on a go-ahead free throw that would be the deciding bucket in Saturday's game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Primetime Performers</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2796328,"width":"560px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_1296-crop-2459x1614-1740917517.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_1296-crop-2459x1614-1740917517.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2796328" style="width:560px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bengals have <strong>TJ Lewis</strong> to thank in large part for Saturday evening's victory. He would finish with 21 points which led all Blythewood point-getters. Lewis made clutch plays late – including the game-tying 3-pointer and the game-winning free throw. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2796330,"width":"556px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_1307-crop-1858x1220-1740917684.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_1307-crop-1858x1220-1740917684.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2796330" style="width:556px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was advantage Cavaliers whenever <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1737994' first='Jaden' last='Johnson']</strong> was making plays for Dorman. He would finish his evening – and his season – with a 22-point performance. Included in those 22 were 19 in the first half.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2796333,"width":"556px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_1208-crop-2389x1569-1740917928.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_1208-crop-2389x1569-1740917928.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2796333" style="width:556px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dorman's efforts were also given a lift courtesy of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360540' first='Keenan' last='Arcega-Whiteside']</strong>. He would conclude his evening at the Florence Center with 10 points. The 2024-25 rendition of the Cavaliers had five seniors on the roster. Arcega-Whiteside is another one.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>So Long, Seniors</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Also among those Cavaliers 2025s are Kameron Smith, [player_tooltip player_id='1261489' first='Grant' last='Aiken-Ross'], Tyler White and Jarvis Pearson in addition to Arcega-Whiteside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->