By Thomas Grant Jr.
The Class 4A Lower State finals this Wednesday in Florence will feature purple and black-garbed teams in both basketball games.
The Ridge View boys team defeated Wilson 56-53 in Thursday’s third-round matchup on the road.
Korie Corbett and Jayden Pretty each scored 14 points for the Blazers. It was Pretty’s basket late in the contest which capped an 8-2 run which rallied them from a 45-41 deficit.
A potential third meeting Wednesday with Region 4-5A champion Westwood was thwarted by James Island. The top-ranked Trojans overcame a 19-point first half deficit to force overtime and defeat the second-ranked Redhawks 75-72.
James Island outscored Westwood 21-13 in the fourth quarter and forced overtime on R.J. Simmons’ layup with 2.8 seconds left.
Simmons struck again in overtime when he converted a 4-point play to put the Trojans up 71-70 with 36.7 seconds left. They added a basket before Westwood got within a point with 4.2 seconds left.
James Island made two free throws and stole Westwood’s inbounds pass in the final seconds.
The 8 p.m. boys game will be preceded at 6 p.m. by the girls contest between Ridge View and Region 5-4A rival A.C. Flora.
Photos by Scott Chancey
