State Championships Return to Columbia

0:00On March 5th, high school basketball state championships are returning to Columbia this week at Colonial Life Arena after three years away. Carrie Rich, a former state champ from CA. Johnson High School, nearly 40 years ago, and now on the University of South Carolina, men's basketball staff, worked behind the scenes to make it happen. 12 title games kick off Thursday through Saturday, with four matchups each day. The games have been held in places like Aiken and Florence due to scheduling and cost problems since 2021. Local leaders, including the city of Columbia and Richland County, stepped up with financial help to cover expenses and avoid conflicts with the upper G. Gamecock schedule. The high school league approved the move on April 9th. Coaches and players are thrilled about the bigger stage and expected larger crowds. Teams like Greenville's Boys and Girl Squads are in the class 5 at Division 2 finals for the first time ever, facing Westwood and Berkeley on Thursday.

1:00Carrie Rich's old school, CA Johnson, returns to the boys class A title game against Bethune Bowman on Saturday. Each finalist school gets $1,000 and daily tickets cost $20, up five bucks from last year to offset costs. Live vape free is the presenting sponsor. The shift brings an economic boost of around $900,000 to the area, plus easier travel for families stay wide. Everyone involved hopes this becomes a regular spot for these big games.