Saturday’s “Showdown in Shandon” between top-ranked and defending Class 5A Division I champion Ridge View and Class 4A number three Gray Collegiate pitted two of the Midlands’ top boys’ basketball programs against each other.

Since 2017, each team has won six state titles and produced college players like current Memphis Grizzlies forward G.G. Jackson and Tommy Bruner.

The anticipated early-season matchup produced a sizable crowd at Dreher High School. The game was also the finale of a 3-game event that also saw the host school drop a 66-65 game to SCISA school Ben Lippen, defending Class 4A champion Lancaster falling to Wilson 87-74.

For Blazers’ head coach Joshua Staley, such events bring out his team’s competitive spirits and serve to prepare them for their expected playoff run.

“Th

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