By Thomas Grant Jr.
It’s “Bo’ Time” once again in the Northeast.
The 13th annual Bojangles Bash gets underway Thursday at Ridge View High School. The 3-day, 9-game showcase will feature highly-ranked boys basketball teams headed by the host school and defending Class 5A Division I champions.
Ridge View head coach Joshua Staley
“Basketball fans around the world recognize the Bojangles Bash as an elite high school basketball showcase, and this year’s schedule is yet another incredible lineup that will delight basketball fans and our community,” said Brian Rosefield, Bojangles Bash Director and Athletic Director of Ridge View High School in the press release. “Ridge View High School is proud to host such a high-level event with an incredible partner in Bojangles. We can’t wait to tip everything off in December.”
The Blazers will face C.A. Johnson at 2 p.m. Thursday to kick off the ‘Bash’. It’s another matchup with a preseason Top 10 opponent for Ridge View which is off to a 5-0 start with wins over Gray Collegiate and Georgia schools Lakeside and Cross Creek.
The latter win took place this past Saturday at the Stars and Stripes Showcase at Sumter High School. R.J. Davis had 18 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks in the 59-52 victory.
Ridge View students who meet certain qualifications and select adult fans will be allowed to attend the exclusive game.
Thursday’s contest will be exclusive only to Ridge View students who meet certain qualifications and select adults. Following the game, a free basketball camp for girls and boys grades second through eighth will take place from 6-7:30 p.m.
Those interested should sign up at BojanglesBash.com at the Kids Camp link.
Gray Collegiate will make its first appearance at the ‘Bash’ on Day Two against the Burlington School at 6 p.m.
At 7:30 p.m., Montverde Academy faces CATS Academy out of Massachusetts. It’s a game featuring multiple players ranked by ESPN such as Joe Philon (2026 #38 ESPN), Kevin Thomas (2026 #56 ESPN), Jayden Hodge (2026 #69 ESPN), Lincoln Crosby (2027 #15 ESPN), and O’Neal Delancy (2027 #30 ESPN).
The second night concludes at 9 p.m. with Ridge View facing a Dynamic Prep team coached by former Eau Claire and NBA All-Star Jermaine O’Neal. Columbia natives and highly ranked players like Dakari Spear (#60 ESPN 2026) and Marcus Spears, Jr. (#1 ESPN 2027.) are on the Dynamic Prep roster.
The Bash concludes with a 5-game schedule:
– Cross Creek (Ga.) vs. C.A. Johnson 1:30 p.m.
– Greenville vs. CATS Academy 3 p.m.
– Davidson Day vs. Gray Collegiate 4:30 p.m.
– Wilson vs. Dynamic Prep 6 p.m.
– Ridge View vs. Montverde Academy 7:30 p.m.
“Our players and fans look forward to this elite event every year,” Ridge View boys baskeball coach Joshua Staley said. “The Bojangles Bash is an event that allows my team to play some of the best competition in the world! It features great hospitality and professionalism.”
Fans can follow the event along on Instagram and X at @BojanglesBash.
STALEY NAMED ALL-STAR GAME COACH
The event opens just days after Ridge View head coach Joshua Staley was named the head coach of the South Carolina team competing in the 2026 Carolinas Classic.
The All-Star matchup of South and North Carolina will take place March 21 at Catawba Ridge High School in Fort Mill.
A 3-time state champion and 8-time finalist at three different schools, Staley has led the Blazers to back-to-back state titles.
UNDEFEATED REDHAWKS
Ridge View is not the only undefeated boys basketball team in the Northeast.
In fact, crosstown rival Westwood has the distinction of having the most wins at 6-0. This past Friday, the Redhawks defeated defending Class 4A champion Lancaster 57-43.
The duo of Jayden Crews and Cylan Mcleod each accounted for 15 points and senior Daytron Cockfield posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
All three players are averaging in double figures for Westwood. Point guard D’Marcus Thomas had a team-high seven assists and is averaging 3.8 dishes a game.
Up next for Westwood is a matchup with another Northeast rival Richland Northeast. The Redhawks rolled past the Cavaliers 83-38 on Dec. 2.
