Lytes leads Aiken to overtime win over rival South Aiken

Jordan Lytes scored 20 points, including 13 after halftime, to lead Aiken to a 58-53 overtime win on the road against rival South Aiken in both teams' region opener. Lytes scored the final 5 points of regulation to force overtime, first stealing the ball and making a basket that cut the Thoroughbreds' lead to 47-46 with 1:29 remaining, and next burying a three pointer from the left corner with 7 seconds left to tie the game at 49.

Lytes scored 4 more points in overtime when the Hornets (12-1, 1-0) took their first lead since early in the second quarter. South Aiken controlled most of the second half after ending the second quarter on a 14-3 running and taking a 22-17 lead into intermission. Melvin Mckie scored 8 of his 13 points during a three possession third quarter stretch that gave the Thoroughbreds a 36-27 lead.



Aiken responded with a 9-0 run that ended when Lytes tied the game at 36 on the first play of the fourth quarter. George Williams, who scored all 10 of his points in the second half, made key baskets down the stretch for Aiken, as did Calvin Mathis (10 points and 11 rebounds) and Nazae Baltimore (10 points and 12 rebounds).

Dra Patterson and Josh Drayton led South Aiken (7-5, 0-1) with 14 points each. The duo combined to lead SA's second quarter spurt that gave the Thoroughbreds their first lead.

Also on South Carolina's class AAAA, region 4 opening night, Midland Valley (7-8, 1-0) topped Airport (12-4, 0-1) 70-58. The win sets up Friday's visit from Aiken, which will feature two 1-0 teams.