Nation Ford High School won the South Carolina Band Directors Association Class 5A State Championship, scoring a 93.20 to finish two tenths of a point ahead of Catawba Ridge High School, which took the silver medal with a 93.00.
The result gave Fort Mill School District bands the top two spots in 5A. Combined with Fort Mill High School’s bronze medal in the 6A finals, all three of the district’s high schools left the state championships with medals this season.
A Close Finish at the Top
West Florence High School earned the 5A bronze medal with a 90.20, finishing 2.80 points behind Catawba Ridge. The gap between Nation Ford and Catawba Ridge was the narrowest among the medalists, with the two Fort Mill programs separated by 0.20 points.
Strong Showing for York and Lancaster Counties
Five bands from York and Lancaster counties advanced to the 12 band finals. Indian Land High School placed fifth with an 84.25, and Northwestern High School in Rock Hill finished sixth with an 83.85. Rock Hill High School placed 12th with a 76.85.
T.L. Hanna High School of Anderson took fourth with an 87.15. Easley finished seventh at 83.45, followed by Riverside at 82.05, Lucy Beckham at 81.30, Hillcrest at 79.25 and Goose Creek at 76.95.
The state finals close the competitive marching season for 5A programs.
2026 SCBDA 5A State Championship Results
- Nation Ford High School, 93.20
- Catawba Ridge High School, 93.00
- West Florence High School, 90.20
- T.L. Hanna High School, 87.15
- Indian Land High School, 84.25
- Northwestern High School, 83.85
- Easley High School, 83.45
- Riverside High School, 82.05
- Lucy Beckham High School, 81.30
- Hillcrest High School, 79.25
- Goose Creek High School, 76.95
- Rock Hill High School, 76.85
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
