By Jed Blackwell/The Spartanburg Sports Report
The first round of the SCHSL playoffs will wrap up for local teams tonight with three 5A boys teams in action.
Dorman will host Northwestern, and as the No. 1 seed from Region III-5A, the Cavaliers have home-court advantage through the first three rounds as long as they are able to advance.
The Cavaliers are led by Zach Butler, who averages 13 points, six rebounds and five assists per game. Tae Cannon and Tyson McClain each average 12 points for the 18-5 Cavaliers, with Cannon chipping in six rebounds and two blocks and McClain adding three steals per contest.
Northwestern is led by guard Myleik Durham, an all-region selection who averages more than 19 points per game. His all-around game mirrors much of the team, Dorman coach Thomas Ryan said.
“Northwestern is ultra-athletic and really plays hard,” Ryan said. “A key for us will be handling their quickness and overall athletic ability. We really need to take advantage of our height advantage and depth.”
Defending 4A state champion Byrnes will travel to Region IV-5A champion Fort Mill to open the playoffs.
The Rebels are led by Hayden Brown, who averages a double-double with 20.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. Dreek Morgan adds 11.8 points per game for Byrnes.
Fort Mill uses a balanced offensive attack led by point guard Ryan Deluca.
“He’s their engine,” Byrnes coach Layne Fowler said. “To use an old-school reference, he’s like Chris Corchiani. He’s fast as lightning.”
Fowler said if the Rebels are to pull off a win, they’ll have to protect the ball.
“We will have our hands full, but I feel like we can play with them if we take care of the ball against their 2-2-1 zone and stay out of foul trouble.”
In the other local 5A game, No. 3 seed Spartanburg will visit Region IV-5A No. 2 Clover.
