By Thomas Grant Jr.
Both American Legion Academy boys and Lexington girls had high hopes towards reaching the state finals this weekend.
The Patriots were riding an historic run for the 3-year-old school in reaching their first-ever Upper State final. The Lady Wildcats were making their fourth state semifinal appearance in the school’s 100-plus history.
Each team’s seasons came to an end in somewhat similar fashions. On Friday, ALA led High Point Academy through the first three quarters at Mid-Carolina High School in Prosperity.
Senior Justin Richburg led the Patriots with a team-high 20 points and Braxton Redding had 15 rebounds.
High Point outscored ALA 28-9 in the fourth quarter to pull away for the 66-53 win. Chris Copeland had 22 points and 10 rebounds and J’Sean Sanders, who had 10 rebounds, Deylen Whitaker and Joc Miller, all scored 10 points.
“We had a great season,” Richburg tweeted. “Although it did not fall in our favor, we are still proud to make history.”
ALA finished with a school-best 21-9 record and Region 2-2A title.
The following day, Lexington faced Wando at the Florence Civic Center for the Class 5A Division I Lower State title.
The contest started out in strong fashion for the Lady Wildcats. All-State forward Sydni Anderson had 10 of her 12 points in the first half and Bradi Goodrich hit a halfcourt shot at the buzzer to give them a 28-15 lead.
Goodrich had a game-high 18 points.
In the second half, Wando looked to rally behind the 3-point shooting of Malaya Mazyck. It still trailed 45-35 going into the fourth quarter.
Lexington girls basketball coach Molly Goodrich with seniors Kate Wiggins, Logan Murillo, Kyrin Lavington, Jaleya Lytes and Sydni Anderson.
The Lady Warriors outscored Lexington 18-7 in the fourth quarter. Down the stretch, the Lady Wildcats missed 3-4 free throws, had a costly turnover and had two missed potential game-winning layups by Jaleya Lytes and Kyrin Livingston in the final five seconds.
“I am going to remember this team for how hard we work and how much of a family we really were,” Goodrich said. “That is why games like this are hard, because the season is ending and you aren’t done with them yet.”
Lexington finished the season with a 22-5 record, its second-most wins under Goodrich. She enters next season needing 12 wins to reach 200 and is already the winningest coach in school history.
Administrative News
The search for a new “D.A.D.” is underway in Lexington School District One.
Applications and interviews are underway to find a new District Athletics Director. The person will be responsible for supervising team sports at the district’s five high schools.
The current D.A.D., Chad Leaphart, announced his retirement from the position after two years. The former head football coach at alma mater Gilbert, where he holds the most career wins, replaced the first person hired for the position David Bennett.
Leaphart plans to serve as an offensive assistant at Saluda High School. He will also continue to teach as part of the state’s hire/rehire program for retired teachers.
Along with the D.A.D. position, the district is looking to fill the vacant boys’ basketball coaching position at River Bluff. Ben Lee, who led the program since its inception, announced his resignation two weeks ago.
Featured Photo by Thomas Grant Jr. – American Leadership Academy
