By Thomas Grant Jr.
The final home game for top-ranked Lexington boys’ basketball team’s heralded senior class ended in another victory.
The Wildcats defeated Sumter 57-37 in the third round of the Class 5A Lower State playoffs. It was the 25th straight home win for Lexington, the last loss occurring on Jan. 4, 2022, against Irmo and closed out the four-year players’ home record at 35-3.
Lexington (27-2) jumped out to a 28-15 lead at halftime. The Wildcats stretched their advantage to as many as 22 points in the third quarter.
Seniors Kaleb Evans and Jaxon Prunty, both of whom arrived last season, each had a game-high 14 points.
Fellow senior and S.C. Basketball Coaches Association Class 5A Player of the Year Cam Scott finished with 10 points before taking a curtain call in the final seconds. It was the lowest point total in three playoff games for Scott, but it did not diminish the “heartfelt” moment experienced at the end of the game.
“It was definitely big,” said Scott about leaving the homecourt for the final time. “I tried keeping my composure, but five years is a lot of time, a lot of hard work and effort to put into this. Especially going out the past couple of seasons only losing one game year.”
Standing in the way of the Wildcats’ first state title appearance since 2012 is a familiar foe in Summerville. Lexington defeated the Green Wave 68-63 on the road on Jan. 2.
“Determination and drive to win. That was really big the whole game,” said Scott, who had 28 points in the win. “I feel like for us we had a couple of people who wanted to win. A couple of people who felt a little pressure, a couple of people who felt this and that. But just the drive to win it.
At the end of the day, you could tell they wanted it, especially at their place. But now we’re on a bigger stage with bigger stakes. Season on the line every game now. So preparation for that starts today. We’re going to enjoy this win, but we’re getting ready for Summerville now.”
The game is set for 8 p.m. Friday at the Florence Civic Center. It’s also available for streaming for a fee at www.nfhsnetwork.com.
Photo by Thomas Grant Jr. – Lexington guard Coulter Bell with the floating jumper against Sumter.
