Northeast teams competing in holiday tournaments (Page 25)

(Photo by Ridge View High School)

By Thomas Grant Jr.

A week after battling C.A. Johnson on its homecourt as part of the “Bojangles Bash”, the Ridge View boys returned the favor in a way this past week.

The Blazers took part in the Carolina Holiday Hoops Summit at the home of the Hornets. It was another event when the defending Class 5A Division I champions tested themselves against out-of-state competition.

This time, the results were more favorable.

Ridge View opened with a 76-61 win over Julius Chambers. R.J. Davis led a quartet of double-figure scorers with 29 points, 10 rebounds, four steals and three blocks.

D.J. Wylie had 16 points, J.T. Vankallen had 11 points and five assists and Talon Staley finished with 10 points and six assists.

In the second game, they defeated Gaston Christian 71-60 behind 28 points and seven rebounds from C.J. Moore, 16 points from D.J. Wylie and 15 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks by R.J. Davis.

Up next is the 3-day Arby’s Classic where Ridge View opens against Mount Bethel Christian Academy on Saturday.

The Ridge View girls closed out its 2025 schedule at the Beachball Classic. It dropped two of its three games by two points to George Washington (West Va.) 64-62 and Greenville 47-45.

The Lady Blazers’ lone win was a 56-34 victory over Bishop O’Connell.

WESTWOOD

Both Westwood teams travelled to the Pee Dee/Grand Strand area for Classic games.

The boys teams split two games at the Magic City Invitational at Wilson High School in Florence. It opened with a 52-46 win over former Class 4A number one North Augusta.

Jayden Crews had 15 points, D’Marcus Thomas finished with 14 and Daytron Cantrell scored 10 in the win.

The following game, the Redhawks fell 50-45 to Greenville. Cylan McLeod had 11 points and Crews and Thomas each finished with 10 points.

The Lady Redhawks were one of three Northeast teams to compete at the Beachball Classic in Myrtle Beach. They played two games on the opening day, losing 41-40 to Kay Yow Division champion St. James in the afternoon and 54-46 to Deep Creek (Va.) in the John Rhodes Division.

Westwood finished play with a 39-26 loss to James Island.

In the same Kay Yow Division bracket, defending Class 5A Division I champion Blythewood opened with a 61-44 win over Greenville. The Lady Bengals then fell 56-46 to Deep Creek as Chase Thomas posted a double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds and India Williams added 10 points.

The final game of the tournament saw Blythewood roll past Keenan 67-39 in a matchup of Top 10 teams.

S.C. BASKETBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION RANKINGS

BOYS

Class 5A

(Division I)

1. Ridge View, 2. Dorman, 3. Dutch Fork, 4. Sumter, 5. Cane Bay, 6. J.F. Byrnes, 7. Ashley Ridge, 8. Clover, 9. Spartanburg, 10. Carolina Forest

(Division II)

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

GIRLS

Class 5A

(Division I)

1. Spartanburg, 2. Byrnes, 3. Lexington, 4. Mauldin, 5. JL Mann, 6. Dutch Fork, 7. Wando, 8. Dorman, 9. West Ashley, 10. Blythewood

(Division II)

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

Northeast teams competing in holiday tournaments

By: John

On: December 24, 2025

In: Sports

(Photo by Ridge View High School) By Thomas Grant Jr. A week after battling C.A. Johnson on its homecourt as part of the “Bojangles Bash”,Continue Reading

Westwood Set to Move Back to Class 4A

By: John

On: December 22, 2025

In: Sports

By Thomas Grant Jr. The Northeast region will have one fewer Class 5A school beginning this fall. According to the newly released South Carolina HighContinue Reading

Colonial Life Commits $75,000 to Support Junior Achievement Finance Program

By: John

On: December 22, 2025

In: Business

COLUMBIA — Junior Achievement of Greater South Carolina (JAGSC) has received a three-year, $75,000 commitment from Colonial Life to support its JA Finance Park MobileContinue Reading

Columbia Chamber Honors AgFirst Farm Credit Bank with Workforce Development Award

By: John

On: December 22, 2025

In: Business

COLUMBIA — AgFirst Farm Credit Bank was recognized with the annual Workforce Development Award at the Columbia Chamber’s Breakfast Briefing on Dec. 10. Sponsored byContinue Reading

Wicked to return to the Koger Center

By: John

On: December 22, 2025

In: Entertainment

The Broadway sensation Wicked will return to the Koger Center for the Arts from March 25 through April 5, 2026. Tickets go on sale DecemberContinue Reading

Golf Tips for Seniors: Backswing Plane & Winter Play

By: John

On: December 22, 2025

In: Sports

By Robin All Many players swing too flat because they let their arms follow their body’s rotation. Instead, think of your arms swinging more upContinue Reading

Pelion kart racer places second in outdoor karting

By: John

On: December 22, 2025

In: Sports

By Thomas Grant Jr. During the summer, Pelion native Kenneth Blevins Jr. made a name for himself on the kart racing circuit. The 11-year-old capturedContinue Reading

Shrine Bowl relay runners

By: John

On: December 22, 2025

In: Sports

(Photo by Blythewood High School) By Thomas Grant, Jr. Jack Powell and Anna Kelly of Blythewood High School served as Shrine Bowl runners last SaturdayContinue Reading

Cardinal Newman signees

By: John

On: December 22, 2025

In: Sports

By Thomas Grant, Jr. (Photo by Cardinal Newman)Cardinal Newman baseball players Chaplin Cox (Newberry College), Roland Boyd (University of Maine at Presque Isle), Connor HooksContinue Reading

Columbia-Richland Fire Department Celebrates Firefighter Promotions

By: John

On: December 17, 2025

In: Public Safety

COLUMBIA — The Columbia-Richland Fire Department recognized 21 of its members who advanced to new leadership roles during a promotion ceremony held Dec. 1 atContinue Reading

Red wine, leftovers, and… a red face?

By: John

On: December 17, 2025

In: Columns

When Holiday Meals Trigger More Than Fullness: Understanding Histamine Reactions You didn’t overeat. You skipped dessert and passed on the bread. Yet halfway through dinner,Continue Reading

Northeast teams competing in holiday tournaments (Page 25)

Northeast teams competing in holiday tournaments

Westwood Set to Move Back to Class 4A

Colonial Life Commits $75,000 to Support Junior Achievement Finance Program

Columbia Chamber Honors AgFirst Farm Credit Bank with Workforce Development Award

Wicked to return to the Koger Center

Golf Tips for Seniors: Backswing Plane & Winter Play

Pelion kart racer places second in outdoor karting

Shrine Bowl relay runners

Cardinal Newman signees

Columbia-Richland Fire Department Celebrates Firefighter Promotions

Red wine, leftovers, and… a red face?

Send Us Your News Ideas

Drink Pink Rosé Festival May 16

Dido and Aeneas performances start May 14

ColaJazz Festival returns May 15-16 at Finlay Park

Get in Touch

Call Us