High school basketball gameday: Teams jostle for region positions as postseason nears

With two weeks remaining in the regular season, teams are still trying to secure a playoff spot for an opportunity at a state championship. Here are the games to watch:

(Girls) Spring Valley (11-10, 3-3) at Clover (14-7, 3-3); Jan. 30 at 6:30 p.m.

A 55-54 road loss for Clover is all that separates the Blue Eagles (fourth) from Spring Valley (third) in the region. A win would be huge for Clover, as the top three seeds in the region get a home playoff game in the first round. Clover’s 54-33 win against Nation Ford in its previous game snapped a three-game losing streak.

(Boys) No. 8 Blythewood (17-5, 5-1) at Nation Ford (10-11, 3-3); Jan. 30 at 7:45 p.m.

Nation Ford sits third in the region, and these next four games are crucial for the Falcons to hold on to secure a top three region position for a first-round home playoff game. The first of these games is against Blythewood, the top team in the region and the No. 8 5A boys team in the state. Nation Ford lost to Blythewood 70-61 on Jan. 13, but a win here could be a major boost for the Falcons.

(Boys) South Pointe (8-14, 2-4) at Lancaster (16-6, 5-1); Jan. 30 at 7:45 p.m.

This will be the second straight game between these two schools, with Lancaster eking out a 57-55 road victory Saturday. Six-foot-five junior Jordan Watford led the Bruins with 26 points to go along with eight rebounds and three assists in the win. South Pointe currently sits in the fourth and final automatic qualifying spot in the region, while Lancaster is second with four games remaining for both schools.

(Boys) No. 7 Fort Mill (13-9, 3-3) at Rock Hill (6-16, 1-5); Jan. 30 at 8 p.m.

Following 0-2 weeks for both schools, Fort Mill and Rock Hill sit fourth and sixth, respectively, in the region. The Yellow Jackets could clinch a playoff spot with a win, while a win for Rock Hill keeps the Bearcats in the hunt for one of the region’s five automatic qualifying spots for the postseason. Fort Mill is led by sophomore AJ Washington (16.5 points, 4.6 rebounds), while senior Malik Ashe leads the Bearcats averaging 11 points per game.