By Thomas Grant Jr.
Coming off winning the program’s first region title, the Westwood boys basketball team looked to continue that momentum this season moving up to Class 5A Division II.
Winning the Lake Murray Tipoff at Lexington High School could serve as fuel to motivate the Redhawks into more success.
“Moving to 5A, I believe we will compete and build what we started last year,” Westwood head coach Trent Robinson said. “I think last year was just a start to the culture building at Westwood. I think there are a lot of under estimating (out there).”
The Redhawks opened with a 56-42 win over Fox Creek. D’marcus Thomas had 16 points and five assists, Daytron Cockfield finished with nine points and six rebounds and senior forward Sean Goddard posted a double-double (14 points, 10 blocks) with eight points.
Thomas continued to lead the way on Day Two for Westwood. He scored 23 points and dished out four assists in a 79-53 win over Ben Lippen.
Both Goddard and Quentin McGill had 12 points and five rebounds and Cockfield finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
This set up a final matchup with last year’s Class 5A champion and defending tournament champion Lexington .
The game was tied 11-11 after one quarter when the Redhawks broke things open. This time, it was Jayden Crews who emerged as he scored 14 of his game-high 24 points in the second quarter to give Westwood a 36-20 halftime lead.
Pressuring the Wildcats’ young guards into turnovers and keeping guard on preseason Top Five senior Kaleb Evans, Westwood extended their lead to as many as 21 points. Marcus also had 10 points to average 16.1 points in the three games.
The Redhawks went on to defeat Lexington 59-44 and claim the tournament title.
“Although we lost a lot of seniors, I knew we would build the skill and this young group could even possibly be a more skilled unit than last year,” Robinson said. “I didn’t know the toughness would stay the same. We have a group of really tough competitive players.”
Robinson sees Goodard, who arrived during the summer, and juniors Thomas and Crews as players poised to take up the leadership role.
The Lady Warhawks spend the holiday weekend in Summerville for the Teresa Kindle Classic. They opened with a 55-28 win over Porter-Gaud.
Si’Naya Curry had a game-high 14 points and Thanna Davis and Amari Alexander both had eight points.
The next night, they defeated Burke 59-39 as three players posted double-doubles. Aneya Britt had 19 points and 10 rebounds, Teoni Cummings had 11 points and 10 rebounds and preseason Class 5A Division II Top Five senior Destiny Omeire had 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Westwood fell to the host school Lady Green Wave 49-32 in the final to drop to 3-2 on the season. Britt finished with 15 points 10 rebounds and Omeire had 10 in the loss.
BLAZERS OPEN IN SUNSHINE STATE
The Hoopfeast Tampa in Florida was where the top-ranked Ridge View boys’ basketball team spent the Thanksgiving break.
The Blazers opened with a 75-45 loss to Calvary Christian Academy out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The following day, they were defeated 57-51 by Riviera Prep out of Miami, Fla.
Ridge View returned to the Palmetto State for its home opener against Cardinal Newman Tuesday.
COLUMBIA TIP OFF TOURNAMENT
Both Blythewood and Richland Northeast boys took part in the Columbia Tip Off Tourmament.
Each team competed in the Bethel Hanberry Alumni Bracket.
The Bengals opened with a 69-62 overtime win over Christ Church Episcopal.
On Tuesday, they faced the Cavaliers and won the All-Northeast matchup 65-46. Preseason Class 5A Top Senior T.J. Lewis had 18 points and Tyler Stephens finished with 12.
Emanual Ard had 17 points and Josh Nunn added 16 to lead Richland Northeast.
SHE GOT NEXT
On Friday, Northeast girls’ basketball teams took part in the She Got Next 2-day tournament.
Ridge View edged J.L. Mann 42-40, led by Anasia Harvey with 12 points. Spring Valley also came away with a close 69-68 win over Ashley Ridge as Lauren Crosland had 13 points.
Both teams fell in their second games. The Lady Blazers lost to North Augusta 41-19 and the Lady Vikings fell 67-59 to South Pointe.
After wins over Cardinal Newman and Orangeburg Prep, Richland Northeast opened play in the She Got Next against Irmo. Sasha Cebula had 16 points and Amaiya Gadson added 10 in the 45-34 loss.
The Lady Cavaliers rebounded with a 50-25 win over Marlboro County. Cebula led the way with 18 points.
HOOPS SCHEDULE
(Friday’s Games)
A.C. Flora at Ridge View 6:30 p.m.
River Bluff at Blythewood 6 p.m.
Richland Northeast at Westwood 6 p.m.
Christ School vs. Cardinal Newman 7:30 p.m.
(Saturday’s Games)
Lexington at Ridge View (girls) 9:30 a.m.
Gray Collegiate at Richland Northeast 4 p.m.
Military Magnet at Westwood (girls) 5:30 p.m.
Curtis Baptist at Cardinal Newman (girls) 5 p.m.
Richland Northeast at Cardinal Newman (girls) 8 p.m.
(Monday’s Games)
Dreher at Ridge View 6:15 p.m.
Blythewood at River Bluff 6 p.m.
Westwood at White Knoll 6 p.m.
(Wednesday’s Games)
Heathwood Hall at Ridge View (girls) 6 p.m.
Westwood at Richland Northeast 6 p.m.
Cardinal Newman at Combined National Academy 7 p.m.
S.C. BASKETBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION TOP 10 RANKINGS
BOYS
Class 5A
(Division I)
1. Ridge View
2. Dorman
3. Summerville
4. Mauldin
5. Sumter
6. Dutch Fork
7. Byrnes
8. Blythewood
9. River Bluff
10. Clover
GIRLS
(Division I)
1. Rock Hill
2. Summerville
3. Dutch Fork
4. Mauldin
5. Byrnes
6. Carolina Forest
7. Blythewood
8. Spring Valley
9. Dorman
10. Ashley Ridge
(Division II)
1. Gaffney
2. Riverside
3. Berkeley
4. North Myrtle Beach
5. Irmo
6. Westwood
7. Greenville
8. Eastside
9. Nation Ford
10. Lucy Beckham
CLASS 4A
1. North Augusta
2. South Pointe
3. Lower Richland
4. Westside
5. Wilson
6. Laurens
7. Camden
8. Daniel
9. AC Flora
10. Richland Northeast
