Byrnes, Greenville No. 1s as AAAAA playoffs near
Two AAAAA state champions to be crowned for first time
Sumter – With the South Carolina High School League’s AAAAA classification split into two
divisions this year, you’re going to have two state champions, and that’s a good thing.
On the other hand though, you’ll miss out on some intriguing matchups – and not just in the title
games. Your No. 1 team in Division I, according to High School Sports Report, Byrnes, will not get an
opportunity to play your No. 1 team in Division II, Greenville.
That doesn’t mean, however, you won’t get to see some of the traditional matchups along the
way. Let’s take a look at the top 10 teams in each poll as the playoffs draw nigh.
DIVISION I
1. BYRNES
Byrnes rolled through its first 23 games undefeated, but Region 2 foe and traditional power
Dorman brought an end to that on February 7. Still, the Rebels have to be considered as a favorite to win
state.
Byrnes is led by the son of head coach Layne Fowler in sophomore Colt Fowler. He is averaging a
double-double of 19.0 points and 11.7 – assists, not rebounds – per game. Four other Rebels are
averaging double figures in Sukhi Singh (13.3), Jamari Culllen (11.6). Fabian McClintock (11.8) and
Evan Enos (12.1).
Enos was rated as one of the Top 5 Seniors in Division I by the South Carolina Basketball
Coaches Association in the preseason.
2. RIDGE VIEW
Ridge View is just 17-7 on the season, but it goes up against a national schedule in non-region
games. The Blazers are undefeated against South Carolina foes, 10-0 in Region 5.
Ridge View is led by Korie Corbett, who was selected as one of the Elite Boys by SCBCA
regardless of classification or class.
3. RIVER BLUFF
River Bluff is 18-5 and undefeated in Region 4 at 8-0. The Gators too have a Top 5 Senior in
Yasir Cromer.
Cromer is the Gators’ lone double-figure scorer at 18.6 points. He also leads the tam in assists at
4.8 and steals at 2.4 while also pulling down 5.0 rebounds a contest.
4. DORMAN
Dorman improved to 19-4 with the win over Byrnes. Jaden Johnson led the way with 27 points.
Teammate Keenan Whiteside was labeled as a Top 5 Senior.
5. BLYTHEWOOD
Blythewood is a Region 5 foe for Ridge View and is 20-4. The Bengals have a Top 5 Senior in
Taurus Lewis. He is averaging 26.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.5 steals.
6. CANE BAY
Cane Bay is 16-6 and second in Region 7 behind Goose Creek, the No. 4 team in the DII poll.
The Cobras are led in scoring by Jarvis Roper at 12.7. Also averaging in double figures is Kevn
Dukes at 10.3
7. SUMMERVILLE
Summerville is only 11-5 and third in Region 8. However, the Green Waver are a dangerous team
with Top 5 Senior Melvin Teal.
8. DUTCH FORK
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Dutch Fork is second in Region 4 behind River Bluff. The Silver Foxes are 17-6 and are led by
senior Bryson Taylor (15.3 ppg) and junior Justus Bell (13.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg).
9. ASHLEY RIDGE
Ashley Ridge is 18-6 and second in Region 8. The Swamp Foxes are led by junior Clayton
Everett Jr., who is averaging 20.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 1.5 blocked shots.
10. JAMES ISLAND
And here you finally have the top team in Region 8 in James Island. The Trojans are only 15-7
but 6-1 in region play.
Senior Gavin Ward leads the way with a 14.5 scoring average and 4.4 assists, both team highs.
DIVISION II
1. GREENVILLE
Greenville is 22-2 and has one of the Top 5 Seniors in Division II in Roman Cooley.
Greenville’s only losses came to national power Oak Hill Academy and to Goose Creek.
2. FORT MILL
Fort Mill is 21-2 and undefeated in Region 3. It has a Top 5 Senior in Nas Berry, who is
averaging 13.8 points.
Three other players are in double figures with Logan Parker the leading scorer at 14.3.
3. INDIAN LAND
Indian Land is 22-2 and just a game behind Fort Mill in Region 3. Junior Michael Jones leads the
way with a 22.4 scoring average.
4. GOOSE CREEK
Goose Creek is 20-2 and has a Top 5 Senior in Shane Potts. He is averaging 15.0 points and 7.3
rebounds. Junior Ja’Quell Brown is the leading scorer with a 19.7 average.
5. WESTWOOD
Westwood is 15-7 overall but finds itself at 3-7 in Region 5. However, it is behind three Division
I schools in Ridge View, Blythewood and Sumter.
6. CONWAY
Conway is 20-4 and leads Region 6. The Tigers are led by Trevon Johnson, who is averaging
12.5 points.
7. BERKELEY
Berkeley is 16-5 and third in Region 7. It finds itself behind Goose Creek and Division I No. 6
Cane Bay though.
8. GREENWOOD
Greenwood is 14-9 but just fourth in Region 1. The Eagles do have a Top 5 Senior in 6-4 CJ
Terrell. He is just missing a double-double, averaging 16.7 points and 9.5 rebounds.
9. RIVERSIDE
Riverside owns a 16-7 record and is third in Region 2. However, it owns a win over Dorman, lost
to Greenville by a point and lost to Byrnes in double overtime.
10. MYRTLE BEACH
Myrtle Beach is 10-7, but has a Top 5 Senior in John Simmons. He averages 11.7 rebounds, 2.0
blocks and 2.8 steals to go with an 8.9 scoring average.
