Photo by Above the Game

By Thomas Grant Jr.

The 13th annual Bojangles Bash tipped off Dec. 11 with high drama for host school and defending Class 5A Division I champion Ridge View.

Opening the tournament against Class A No. 1 C.A. Johnson, the top-ranked Blazers were pushed to the final seconds before escaping with a 72–71 victory. Playing in front of a select audience of Ridge View honor students, R.J. Davis delivered the game-winning putback with five seconds remaining.

“I just needed to get in there and get a rebound,” said Davis, who finished with 27 points and earned Player of the Game honors. “I had an opportunity to get it, put it in the basket. I had to get back on D.”

Senior guard Talan Staley added 18 points, while C.J. Moore also finished with 18.

While pleased with the win, head coach Joshua Staley said the game provided a valuable lesson as the Blazers prepare for region and postseason play. Ridge View led by as many as 14 points before briefly surrendering the lead.

“This is the second game in a row we didn’t close,” Staley said. “So, we’ve got to do a better job of closing games well, and that’s on the coaches. We’ve got to do better.”

Ridge View’s second matchup against nationally ranked Dynamic Prep saw the Blazers jump out to a 27–7 advantage. Dynamic Prep rallied behind Dakari Spear, eventually taking the lead in the third quarter. Despite 24 points from Staley and 20 from Moore, Ridge View suffered its first loss of the season, 71–65.

The tournament finale placed Ridge View in unfamiliar territory, playing from behind throughout against Montverde Academy. Montverde scored the first 18 points of the game and built a 31–9 lead by the end of the first quarter. Ridge View trailed by as many as 28 points before outscoring Montverde 41–35 in the second half, falling 82–65. Davis led the Blazers with 13 points, followed by Staley with 12 and Robert Wylie with 11.

While the Ridge View boys hosted the Bojangles Bash, the Lady Blazers were on the road competing in the “Girls Night Out” event at Goose Creek, sponsored by Above the Game. Ridge View defeated Ashley Ridge 55–31, led by Player of the Game Mikayla Foster with 12 points and Reagan Ferguson with 11.

Westwood

Westwood’s boys team remained undefeated with a 69–25 victory over Richland Northeast at The Castle. Ariel Huell finished with 14 points and five rebounds, while D’Marcus Thomas added 10 points, four rebounds and four assists. The Redhawks improved to 7–0 before traveling to Summerville on Tuesday.

The Lady Redhawks also opened their home season with a win, defeating Richland Northeast 51–28. Amari Alexander led the way with 12 points, and Si’niya Curry chipped in 10 as Westwood improved to 6–2.

Blythewood

After a 1–3 start, the defending Class 5A Division I champion Lady Bengals rebounded with three consecutive Region 4-5A victories. Blythewood opened the stretch with a 73–53 win at Irmo, then defeated sixth-ranked Dutch Fork 54–49 at home after a 20-point second quarter gave the Lady Bengals a 10-point cushion.

Last Friday, Blythewood completed the region sweep with an 88–40 win over White Knoll, moving back above .500 at 4–3.

The Blythewood boys snapped a four-game losing streak with a 66–63 victory over White Knoll. A fast start proved decisive, as the Bengals built a 22–8 first-quarter lead and held on for the win.