Region 5-AAAA remains tough turf for North Augusta High School's boys' basketball squad with the team entering its second swing through the region schedule, sporting an 11-4 overall record but a 2-4 tally in the region.

Coach Al Young's squad hung with Lexington for three quarters in the most recent loss at home Friday, but the Wildcats turned it into a blowout in the fourth quarter, winning by a 78-52 margin. Shaq Roland, a sophomore, led all scorers, pouring on 32 points. Teammate David Burns added 21.

The Yellow Jackets got 19 points from Devon Davis and 12 more from Jaylon Myers. The Wildcats' tally improved to 14-4 and 4-2.

Lexington led 50-41 after three quarters, but in the final frame Roland turned up the heat, racking up 12 points as an individual to North Augusta's 11 as a team.

Entering this week, the Jackets were seventh in the region. Dutch Fork, at 5-1, was atop the region standings, having dumped North Augusta 83-68 on Dec. 15 in their first meeting.

Irmo trailed Dutch Fork, followed by Lexington and Richland Northeast (tied for third), Aiken and White Knoll. Orangeburg-Wilkinson was in the cellar.

The remainder of the month, for the Jackets, includes match-ups at Aiken on Friday, at White Knoll Jan. 26 and at home against Irmo Jan. 29. Young's squad also played host to Dutch Fork on Tuesday.