Power 5 prep basketball rankings: A look at top Rock Hill-area teams still in playoffs
Eight of the 10 teams in last week’s (and this week’s) Power 5 high school basketball rankings are still alive in tournament play.
But the coming week certainly will thin out the field, with three quarterfinal games set to pit area teams against another.
Last week, we talked about potential trouble areas for the ranked teams in the playoffs. This week, we’ll do a progress report on those possible pitfalls.
Boys
1. LANCASTER (24-1)
Last week: No. 1
Last week’s results: beat Emerald 98-51; beat A.C. Flora 73-58
Can the Bruins make 3-point shots if they’re forced into that situation? That was the question raised last week, and we still don’t know the answer. But it’s clear that Lancaster is on a roll, as the Bruins cruised past an A.C. Flora team that gave them fits during the regular season. Perhaps Lancaster won’t need the 3-pointer in the playoffs? Jordan Watford continues to do it all for the Bruins — shooting, rebounding and defense. He makes this team tough to stop.
Next up: home vs. South Pointe in 4A quarterfinals (Tuesday)
2. FORT MILL (25-2)
Last week: No. 2
Last week’s results: beat Woodmont 68-54
The Yellow Jackets seem as complete a team as you’ll find, but the question raised last week was whether playoff pressure might get to freshman Jermier Nelson. So far, so good. Nelson played well against Woodmont, even though Fort Mill got much of its scoring from other players.
Next up: home vs. Indian Land in 5A/Division 2 quarterfinals (Wednesday)
3. INDIAN LAND (24-3)
Last week: No. 3
Last week’s results: beat Easley 92-67
Rebounding was a problem for the Warriors in their losses this season against Fort Mill and Cross Creek. We could get an answer to that question Wednesday night.
Next up: at Fort Mill in 5A/Division 2 quarterfinals (Wednesday)
4. SOUTH POINTE (18-8)
Last week: No. 4
Last week’s results: beat Seneca 72-35; beat Berea 54-43
The Stallions suffered from some off nights during the regular season, but it’s been so far, so good in the playoffs. They’ve been extremely sharp in their two playoff victories, but a big test comes Tuesday.
Next up: at Lancaster in 4A quarterfinals (Tuesday)
5. ANDREW JACKSON (19-5)
Last week: No. 5
Last week’s results: beat Whale Branch 95-47; beat Manning 67-55
The Volunteers have won 17 in a row, and the question raised last week was whether they’d be ready for tougher competition. That was based on an assumption that Region 4 2A, which they won, was not strong. But the region’s second-place team, Pageland Central, has reached the playoff quarterfinals. So maybe there’s nothing to worry about?
Next up: at Hampton County in 2A quarterfinals (Wednesday)
In contention: Clover (19-10); Catawba Ridge (11-17)
Girls
1. SOUTH POINTE (28-0)
Last week: No. 1
Last week’s results: beat Bluffton 90-12; beat Wren 90-36.
The question last week: Can anyone stop the Stallions? Look at those scores from last week. South Pointe will be a big favorite against Lancaster. If the Stallions win that game, they’ll face either Daniel or Westside in the Upper State finals. Those teams could provide a real test.
Next up: home vs. Lancaster in 4A quarterfinals (Wednesday)
2. ANDREW JACKSON (24-3)
Last week: No. 2
Last week’s results: beat Barnwell 79-5; beat Marion 100-41
The question surrounding Andrew Jackson was the same as with South Pointe: Can anyone stop the Volunteers? It looked as if Lake Marion, which took a 21-1 record into its Round of 16 game last week, could challenge Andrew Jackson. But Lake Marion lost to a 9-12 Atlantic Collegiate team.
Next up: home vs. Atlantic Collegiate in 2A quarterfinals (Tuesday)
3. ROCK HILL (20-6)
Last week: No. 5
Last week’s results: beat River Bluff 74-57; beat Clover 62-59 (2 OT)
Rock Hill went 8-1 down the stretch this season but had lost to the toughest teams on its schedule. That ended with the victory over Clover. The Bearcats reached the state title game last season and could get there again.
Next up: at Blythewood in 5A/Division 1 quarterfinals (Monday)
4. CLOVER (23-3)
Last week: No. 3
Last week’s results: lost to Rock Hill 62-59 (2 OT)
Turnovers hurt Clover in its two regular-season losses, but that wasn’t the problem against Rock Hill. The Blue Eagles simply couldn’t stop Rock Hill’s Chloe Hudson, who scored 38 points. When two really good teams meet, someone has to lose.
Next up: season finished
5. LEGION COLLEGIATE (18-6)
Last week: No. 5
Last week’s results: season finished
With no tournament to play in, the Lancers are dealing with spring sports now.
Next up: season finished
In contention: Lancaster (14-13); Rock Hill (16-11)