By Thomas Grant Jr.
After winning the school’s first-ever state title in baseball, River Bluff finds itself opening the 2024 season in the same top position.
The Gators are the preseason number-one in their classification according to the South Carolina Baseball Coaches Association rankings. Blythewood, the team it defeated in last year’s final, is ranked fourth with River Bluff archrival Lexington ranked eighth.
The two Lexington School District One schools will open their respective seasons once again co-hosting the Opterra Solutions Invitational starting Feb. 29. Formerly the Naturchem Invitational, the tournament has included some of the Palmetto State’s top players and teams
S.C. BASEBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION PRESEASON TOP 10 POLLS
CLASS 5A
1. River Bluff
2. Summerville
3. West Ashley
4. Blythewood
5. Berkeley
6. TL Hanna
7. Dorman
8. Boiling Springs
9. Lexington
T10. Carolina Forest/Nation Ford
CLASS 4A
1. Catawba Ridge
2. North Myrtle Beach
3. Lugoff-Elgin
4. Laurens
5. AC Flora
6. Greenville
7. James Island
8. West Florence
9. Airport
T10. Indian Land/Easley
CLASS 3A
1. Hanahan
2. Blue Ridge
3. Clinton
4. Seneca
5. Gilbert
6. Beaufort
7. Powdersville
8. Cresecent
9. Aynor
10. Camden/Belton-Honea Path
CLASS 2A
1. Oceanside Collegiate
2. Gray Collegiate
3. Mid Carolina
4. Andrew Jackson
5. Strom Thurmond
6. Cheraw
7. Fox Creek
8. Bishop England
9. Buford
10. North Central
Photo courtesy of Walker Mitchell
