By Thomas Grant Jr.

The Northeast area dominated Class 5A Division I basketball last season with a sweep of the boys and girls state championships. That momentum carries into the new year, as both defending champions—Ridge View’s boys and Blythewood’s girls—enter the season ranked No. 1 in the S.C. Basketball Coaches Association’s preseason poll.

Ridge View returns guard Talen Staley, selected as a Class 5A Division I Top Five senior. The Blazers will, however, look to replace major contributors after top scorer Korie Corbett transferred to Oak Hill Academy and guard Yale Davis left for Cross Trainers Academy. Under head coach Joshua Staley, Ridge View begins its quest for a sixth overall state title and a third straight championship.

Westwood’s boys also earned preseason recognition, coming in sixth in the Class 5A Division II poll. Head coach Trent Robinson returns seven seniors and welcomes promising freshman guard Desmond Grant.

On the girls’ side, Blythewood opens at No. 1 in Class 5A Division I after earning its first-ever championship last season. The Lady Bengals return Top Five seniors Chase Thomas and India Williams.

Ridge View’s girls, who also feature a new head coach in former South Carolina guard Aaron Lucas, begin the season ranked 10th in Division I. Lucas arrives from Lower Richland after leading the Diamond Hornets to multiple postseason appearances.

Westwood’s girls enter the year ranked eighth in Class 5A Division II, returning a young but talented roster led by standout eighth grader Amari Alexander.

S.C. Basketball Coaches Association Preseason Poll

GIRLS

Class 5A – Division I

  1. Blythewood, 2. Dorman, 3. Clover, 4. Byrnes, 5. JL Mann, 6. Dutch Fork, 7. Lexington, 8. Carolina Forest, 9. Rock Hill, 10. Ridge View

Class 5A – Division II

  1. Berkeley, 2. Greenwood, 3. Gaffney, 4. Goose Creek, 5. Greenville, 6. Fort Mill, 7. North Myrtle Beach, 8. Westwood, 9. Chapin, 10. Irmo

BOYS

Class 5A – Division I

  1. Ridge View, 2. Byrnes, 3. Dorman, 4. Dutch Fork, 5. James Island, 6. Sumter, 7. Mauldin, 8. Cane Bay, 9. Ashley Ridge, 10. Clover

Class 5A – Division II

  1. Greenville, 2. Fort Mill, 3. Goose Creek, 4. Riverside, 5. TL Hanna, 6. Westwood, 7. St. James, 8. Irmo, 9. Conway, 10. Berkeley

COMPETITIVE CHEER

Northeast teams

Qualify for finals

Blythewood and Spring Valley placed fourth and ninth, respectively, at the Class 5A Division I qualifier.

They will compete against 14 other schools for the championship this Saturday at Colonial Life Arena.