By Thomas Grant Jr.
Despite having a role in five of Ridge View boys’ basketball’s seven state titles, assistant coach Christian Savage still desired leading his own team.
The Dutch Fork graduate spent two seasons at South Florence before returning to the Blazers in 2023.
Last week, Richland School District Two granted Savage’s wish. He was officially named the new boys’ basketball coach at Richland Northeast High School.
He replaced Jacob Laurie, who served for five seasons.
“It’s home,” Savage said. “I’m from Columbia, so an opportunity to lead a program like Richland Northeast with great tradition was a great opportunity.”
He takes over a Cavaliers’ program which has posted just three winning seasons the past 10 years. They have also dropped 21 consecutive region games, including going 0-12 this season and missing the playoffs.
The new realignment places Richland Northeast in the same region as last year’s Class 5A Division II champion Westwood, A.C. Flora, Dreher, Lancaster and Lugoff-Elgin.
“Some of my mentors told me it usually takes 3-5 years to build a program and change culture; but I’m confident that in year one we can make a change in the program,” Savage said.
Among those mentors are head coaches Zach Norris of Keenan, where Savage previously served as an assistant coach, and former and current Blazer head coaches Yerrick Stoneman and Joshua Staley.
“He was great for us, did a tremendous job,” Staley said. “He will do well at RNE. I have supreme confidence in him.”
Savage hopes his past experiences and putting in the work with the players will lead him to success at Richland Northeast.
“Every day is an opportunity to get better,” he said. “Trusting and believing in the work that gets put in. That same mentality will be developed at RNE.”
