Sports
Ridge Views Varsity Boys Basketball Team wins 2019 4A State Championship
On March 2, Ridge View High School defeated Wilson High School 65-52 for the 4A State Basketball Championship at Colonial Life Arena. This was a rematch of last year’s game where Ridge View beat Wilson 74-70. 9
“It’s a big relief because last year we made history; this year we were able to go handle business and let Big X (Xavier Major) be able to play and score in the state championship game.” basketball player Patrick Jenkins stated.
At the end of the first quarter Ridge View led 11-10. By halftime, Ridge View increased the score to 32-22. Ridge View maintained the lead 49-31 as they entered the fourth quarter.
Within the last few minutes of the game senior, Xavier Major made the final basket to end the game with 65-52.
“It feels good to win the state championship back-to-back. It’s a blessing. It was a special moment for X (Major) when he got in and got a little layup,” said Walyn Napper.
When asked about Back-to-Back Championship Coach Stoneman said “It was just a lot of pressure we put on ourselves, trying to make sure that we did it again because it was expected. So, it’s good to get that pressure off your back and be able to relax until next season.”
RV – Crosby Harris-James 20, Walyn Napper 17, Javon Anderson 16, Malcolm Wilson 15, Jenkins 4, Bynum 2. W – Alex Caldwell 30, Allen Williamson 11, Maine Gibson 11, Darius Rhodes 10, Williams 4, Carfley 4.
By Brianna Singleton-Phillips
Photo Credit : Leah Williams
Many upset with Demar Derozan trade
Last summer,a few big trades happened in the NBA. One particular trade that happened was between the San Antonio Spurs and the Toronto Raptors. The trade involved Toronto getting Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, and the Spurs would receive Demar Derozan, Jakob Poeltl, and 2019 second round pick. Toronto Raptors fans were upset about this trade, including Demar Derozan’s best friend Kyle Lowry. They had become the best of friends and he didn’t understand why would his friend be traded with a warning or anything. In an interview Lowry said, “I felt betrayed because he felt betrayed because that’s my guy, that’s my best friend.”
Demar Derozan was drafted to Toronto in 2009, wanting to spend his whole career there. When rumors surfaced about a possible trade, Derozan inquired Masai Ujiri, Toronto’s general manager. Ujiri declined, which was a disappointment. Analysts predict that Kawhi is not going to stay in Toronto, and that after this season is over he is going to leave to go to Los Angeles. Even though many fans in Toronto hated the fact that Derozan was leaving, fans were happy that they might have a chance to compete in the playoffs with their new all star player.
On February 22, 2018, Spurs played against the Raptors. This was DeRozan first time back in Toronto since the trade. When he was introduced during the game he got a long standing ovation from the crowd and he also got a tribute and another standing ovation. With 15.1 seconds left, Leonard came up with a steal from DeRozan giving, Raptors a two point advantage. The Raptors won the game 117-120.
In his post game interview, Derozan said “It was a really fun game.”
By Kayla Crawford
Back Row: (L-R) Coach Seth Gilmer, Jacob Fink, Christian Wilson, Reagan Keefe, Asst. Coach Edward Wilson
Front Row: Artorious Legrone, Brent Wilson (not pictured: Kaiden Walker)
Ridge View Boys Golf concludes the season with winning record
COLUMBIA, S.C. — This year the Ridge View Boys Golf had one of their best seasons in over 10 years. The Blazers finished off their season with a winning record of 10 wins and eight losses.
Stand out, sophomore, Jacob Fink led the team with the lowest stroke average. He also became the first Ridge View golfer to score in the 30s for a nine hole match in over 10 years. He shot a 39 against Lugoff-Elgin High School in the last match of the season.
Coach Seth Gilmer believed that the team’s biggest achievement this year was qualifying as a team for the AAAA Upper State Tournament. This was the first time in over 10 years a Ridge Views boys team qualified for the tournament.
Senior Jose Ramos getting ready to bat vs York. Photo Credits: DaQuan Gladden
Ridge View baseball continues to improve
COLUMBIA, S.C.– Ridge View Baseball has seen some rough seasons in recent years, but with Coach Iglesias, things are beginning to look up.
“We are improving as a team and we currently have mostly freshman and sophomores on the team,” remarked Iglesias.
Senior Daniel Korn, who was named to the All Regional team, said, “The future for Ridge View is getting better and is competing with other teams.”
Up and coming talent is junior Christian Moody who is projected to increase his level of play next year.
The Blazers finished the season 3-10. The team got their first regional win in three years after defeating Westwood 4-3.
Coach Iglesias was also named Regional Coach of the Year
By DaQuan Gladden
Boys basketball wins state title
On Saturday, March 3, 2018, The Ridge View Blazers beat the Wilson High School Tigers, 74-70, In Colonial Life Arena for the South Carolina Class 4-A State Championship. This is the Blazers’ first state championship in two appearances.
-Jonathan Cardona
Ridge View beats Wilson for Class 4-A State Championship
published 3/15/2018
COLUMBIA, S.C. — On Saturday, March 3, 2018, The Ridge View Blazers beat the Wilson High School Tigers, 74-70, In Colonial Life Arena for the South Carolina Class 4-A State Championship. This is the Blazers’ first state championship in two appearances.
In the 2018 South Carolina High School League Boys Basketball State Championship playoffs, Ridge View came in with high expectations, finishing off the regular season on a five-game winning streak. The Blazers were playing their best basketball of the year, and seemed poised for a deep tournament run.
Ridge View faced off against the Midland Valley Mustangs at home in the first round. Ridge View showed no mercy against a lower ranked Midland Valley, blowing out the Mustangs 72-38 on their way to the second round.
Their next game was scheduled at home against the Eastside High School Eagles from Taylors, South Carolina. With home court advantage, the Blazers were confident and brought down the Eagles, 63-45, heading into the third round.
In the third round of the playoffs, Ridge View traveled to Aiken High School. With the team keeping their eyes on the prize, settling for nothing less than a state title run, they fought hard and came out with a big win, 77-61.
Ridge View went up against South Aiken High School in the third round. The Blazers took an early lead in the first half. Late in the fourth quarter, the Blazers gave South Aiken no chance of a comeback. The Blazers took the win by a comfortable 60-47 margin.
In the final game, Ridge View faced off against the Wilson High School Tigers for the 4-AAAA Boys Basketball State Championship game at Colonial Life Arena. Going into halftime the Wilson Tigers lead 36-32.
The halftime deficit gave the Blazers a wake up call, beginning the second half with a 12 – 6 run. The run lead the Blazersto a two-point lead at 44-42. With the game being neck to neck, Ridge View began a slight run to extend their lead, making it more difficult for the Tigers to come back.
Ridge View center Malcolm Wilson saved his biggest block of the season for last, with a huge rejection late in the fourth quarter that gave Ridge View the momentum they needed to close out the game with their lead. He then shot a dagger free-throw to finish the Tigers’ hopes, as the Blazers won a close one, 74-70, becoming state champions for the first time.
With only being head coach for two seasons, Head Coach Yerrick Stoneman said, “This is a huge accomplishment for the team, but it’s not just me it’s about all of the people who are involved from coaches to players. ”
Crosby Harris-James finished the game with a team-high of 20 points. Walyn Napper finished with 17, and Javon Anderson and Malcolm Wilson chipped in with 16 and 15 points, respectively.
With a majority of the players returning for next season, Coach Stoneman wants his players to continue to work hard to achieve another state championship next season.
By Jonathan Cardona, High School Sports Editor
Boys basketball advances
The Ridge View Blazers defeated their opponent, the Midland Valley Mustangs with no hesitation in the first round of the South Carolina High School League 4A Region Playoffs with a final score of 72 – 38.
They will proceed into the second round facing off the Eastside High School Eagles. This will take place Saturday February 17, 2018 at Ridge View High School.
-Jonathan Cardona
Ridge View Football presses for winning season
COLUMBIA, SC — Ridge View Football is back in action winning four out of their first six games. After losing their first game to Sumter High School, the Ridge View Blazers began their four-game winning streak.
After losing many players from the class of ‘17 who left strong memories and legacies for the team this year, Head Coach Perry Parks felt as if they will be alright.
“ I like our chances this year, we got to get into region play and continue to play well but I think this team will get into the playoffs”, Coach Parks stated.
Ridge View has two prospects, Damion Daley and Bernard Porter, who have Division 1 Scholarships to play football so far.
Damion Daley has a total of 18 D1 Scholarships in which he already visited the University of South Carolina, University of Georgia, and University of North Carolina.
Damion’s brother, South Carolina’s star Dennis Daley, Damion feels as if, “ It would be a dream come true “ if him and his brother played together.
Ridge View played their toughest opponent on their schedule, the South Pointe Stallions, on Thursday. The Blazers came up short to South Pointe, one of the nation’s top 50 teams, dropping their record to 4 – 2.
By Jonathan Cardona
NBA Finals: Warriors and Cavs rubber match brewing?
The NBA Playoffs are well underway, with the remaining teams currently playing in the Conference Finals. In the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers routed the Indiana Pacers and the Toronto Raptors in four-game sweeps. Their opponent, the Boston Celtics, had a little more trouble. The No. 1 seeded Celtics beat the Chicago Bulls in six games, then went on the beat the Washington Wizards in a thrilling seven-game series. In the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors swept both the Portland Trail Blazers and the Utah Jazz to advance to play the San Antonio Spurs, who beat the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets in six games apiece. The Conference Finals are set, both with a 1-seed playing against a 2-seed, so it figures that any team could win and that each game will be a good one. However, the wide consensus around the league would beg to differ. It seems to many like the Warriors will win the West and that the Cavs will win the East, creating the long-awaited Finals rubber match that will settle the score between the last two Finals, with the Warriors winning in 2015 and the Cavs winning in 2016.
The Warriors’ road to the Finals has been, for the most part, a smooth ride. This much was expected by most of the country, as the Warriors came into the year favored to win the Finals. With the blockbuster acquisition of superstar Kevin Durant during the summer, the Warriors, already lethal, seemed primed to make a championship run. The Warriors cruised to a 67-15 regular season record, which was a slight departure from their 73-9 record last year, but impressive nonetheless. The Warriors led the NBA in both offensive efficiency and defensive efficiency this past year, adding to the list of daunting statistics that the Warriors have put up this year, putting the 2017 Warriors in a great position to avenge last year’s Finals loss to Cleveland.
The Cavaliers’ path to the Finals has been a little bit different, and has come with more challenges. The defending champs finished the regular season with a 51-31 record, a demotion from their 57-25 record in 2016, and finished second in the Eastern Conference standings. The Cavaliers’ offense this year has been exceptional, as expected, anchored by Lebron James and Kyrie Irving. They finished second in the NBA in offensive efficiency and fourth in points per game. However, the Cavs’ defense has been suspect, evidenced by their lackluster record and their 21st place ranking in defensive efficiency this year. The Cavs also dealt with injuries, losing J.R. Smith for a large part of the season. However, the Cavaliers also made some key free agent pickups this season, getting veteran scorer Deron Williams and 3-point specialist Kyle Korver. If the Cavs tighten up their defense against the Celtics, the series will be over quickly and the league will have a Finals rematch that will settle the score between the two superpowers of the NBA.
By Chris Kennedy
Ridge View’s new baseball coach, Julio Iglesias.
Baseball: spring baseball season gets underway in March
Posted: March 27, 2017
The Ridge View spring varsity baseball season got underway earlier this March. The Blazers go into the 2017 campaign looking to improve upon last year’s dismal season, which did not include a single win. Though the Blazers went winless in 2016, 2017 looks to be much better, as new coach Julio Iglesias looks to take the team in a new direction
Coach Iglesias said “We’re going in the right direction as long as we stay together and all buy into what we are trying to do; then we’ll be okay.”
In response to the pressure to improve upon last year, Coach Iglesias said “Yes, we have a lot of room for improvement, but I think we will be better than last year”
Coach Iglesias noted that one of the main problems of last year’s team was the lack of discipline, something that he plans to address this year. He stated “Instilled discipline, organization and emphasis on commitment.”
Iglesias also seems optimistic about the team not only from a directional standpoint, but a talent standpoint as well.
“We’re really young, we’ve only got two seniors, but our younger group of guys is very promising.”
The future looks to hold great things for the Blazers, as they play Westwood on Tuesday, March 28 at 7:00pm.
By Chris Kennedy