The season-long theme for the National Football League is “Believe in Now.” The Darlington girls basketball team might have adopted a similar motto earlier this season.

As is normally the case when Darlington and Wilson meet on the basketball court, Friday’s capacity crowd got its money’s worth and then some.

Lakewood’s girls basketball team knew it was running into a challenge Tuesday night when the Gators faced Darlington’s high-powered offense. They didn’t run into a challenge, but a buzzsaw instead.

For much of Friday night’s Region 6-3A opener between Marlboro County and host Darlington, it was impossible to determine who was winning based on the crowd response.

Anyone who knows Donnie James can tell you how hard last season was for him. Not the six months of intensive rehab for a torn ACL, although that took it’s toll of course. No, James’ somber year came from being denied the opportunity to play basketball.

The Darlington varsity boys’ basketball team has gotten the 2008-09 season off on the right foot.

Darlington coach Ken Howle and West Florence coach Bion Shoemaker each had the same remark about their teams’ performances Wednesday: Missed opportunities.

Hartsville’s Jordan Scott’s 30-point performance was overshadowed Friday night by a 19-point loss to county-rival Darlington in boys’ basketball action.

Darlington High School’s girls’ varsity basketball team defeated the Hartsville Lady Foxes Friday night in the first of two games between the talented rivals. Darlington won by a score of 63-61.

Tuesday night’s boys basketball game between Darlington and West Florence pitted the Falcons’ high-powered fast break attack against the Knights’ Princeton-styled offense.

Phil Magdic doesn’t hesitate when talking about the biggest adjustment from coaching high school football to college football. “You put in way more hours,” said Magdic, the former Darlington High coach who now serves as defensive coordinator at Presbyterian.

A 17-year-old who walked away from Darlington High School on Tuesday has been found safe.

The Darlington Falcons took on the Marlboro County Bulldogs in prep football action on Friday in the first conference action for both teams. Marlboro County managed to hold on to a victory 26-18.

The Darlington Falcons had the best of all possible scenarios late in the fourth quarter of their game against Lamar. The Falcons had the lead, the ball deep in Lamar territory and the Silver Foxes were out of timeouts. All that changed in one play.

South Florence swept all seven matches in beating Darlington 7-0 in girls’ tennis on Wednesday in the Falcon’s season opener