By Thomas Grant Jr.
Dutch Fork and Irmo basketball programs have earned preseason recognition from the S.C. Basketball Coaches Association, with both schools’ girls and boys teams appearing in the Class 5A Division I and II polls.
(Photos by GoFlashwin.com)
The Dutch Fork girls open the season ranked sixth in Division I as they pursue a third straight Region 4-5A title. Under head coach Candace Bush, the Lady Silver Foxes have posted 25 wins over the past two seasons, though they will look to fill the void left by the graduation of two-time Region Player of the Year Michaela Fairwell.
Irmo and Chapin will both take the court with new head coaches this winter, yet each still landed in the Division II rankings at ninth and 10th, respectively. Former White Knoll head coach and 2024 Region Coach of the Year Coretta Ferguson now leads the Lady Yellow Jackets, while Chapin hired Terrance Jones from Denmark-Olar. Jones guided the Lady Vikings to three consecutive Class A state championship appearances from 2022–24 and a Lower State final berth in 2025.
Jones takes over a Chapin program coming off its first playoff win since 2013. “I am excited for this next chapter and I am ready to do the unthinkable,” he posted on social media after accepting the job.
BOYS
Dutch Fork’s boys team enters the season ranked fourth in Class 5A Division I. Senior forward Justus Bell, a 6-foot-6 standout, was selected as one of the SCBCA’s Top Five seniors after averaging 13.8 points and 6.5 rebounds last year.
Irmo’s boys are ranked eighth in Division II following a winning campaign in the first season after longtime head coach Tim Whipple’s retirement. Head coach Alex Quillen is still awaiting a few players finishing the football season, but guard Christian Brown and wing Jeremy Anderson are already available.
S.C. Basketball Coaches Association Preseason Poll
Girls
Class 5A – Division I
- Blythewood, 2. Dorman, 3. Clover, 4. Byrnes, 5. JL Mann, 6. Dutch Fork, 7. Lexington, 8. Carolina Forest, 9. Rock Hill, 10. Ridge View
Class 5A – Division II
- Berkeley, 2. Greenwood, 3. Gaffney, 4. Goose Creek, 5. Greenville, 6. Fort Mill, 7. North Myrtle Beach, 8. Westwood, 9. Chapin, 10. Irmo
Boys
Class 5A – Division I
- Ridge View, 2. Byrnes, 3. Dorman, 4. Dutch Fork, 5. James Island, 6. Sumter, 7. Mauldin, 8. Cane Bay, 9. Ashley Ridge, 10. Clover
Class 5A – Division II
- Greenville, 2. Fort Mill, 3. Goose Creek, 4. Riverside, 5. TL Hanna, 6. Westwood, 7. St. James, 8. Irmo, 9. Conway, 10. Berkeley
