Blythewood High School Basketball Coach Inducted into the SCBCA Hall of Fame

Blythewood High School varsity boys Coach Ezekiel "Zeke" Washington, one of South Carolina's most respected and accomplished high school basketball coaches, has been inducted into the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association (SCBCA) Hall of Fame. The recognition marks a crowning achievement in a 38-year career. He will be formally honored at an induction ceremony on July 29, in conjunction with the annual statewide SCACA Clinic in Greenville.

"I am reminded of all the people who have been a part of my journey," Washington said. "This is not just for me, but for all the players I have coached and all the coaches I have had the privilege to work with."

Washington’s journey began in 1987 at Branchville High School, where at just 23, he stepped onto the hardwood as head coach and immediately found success. In his very first season, Washington guided the Yellow Jackets to a Region Championship—a feat that earned him Region Coach of the Year honors. His impact extended beyond basketball, as he mentored student-athletes in track and football as well.

Throughout his career, Washington sought mentorship and inspiration from some of South Carolina’s coaching legends. At Dreher High School, serving as an assistant coach in both football and basketball, he absorbed the wisdom of icons such as George Glymph, Ben Trapp, Carl Williams, and others. Washington has often described his time at Drehere as transformative, citing those experiences as fundamental to the development of his coaching philosophy and approach to leadership.

His next chapter at Fairfield Central proved equally momentous. As the head coach, Washington helped lead the Fairfield Central boys' basketball team to an AAA State Championship in 1998. One year later, he joined Chester High School, where he wore many hats—athletic director, assistant football coach, and, beginning in 2000, varsity girls’ basketball coach. In 2004, he joined an elite group of South Carolina coaches by guiding the Chester Girls Basketball Team to the AAA State Championship—making him just the fourth coach in state history to claim titles with both boys’ and girls’ teams.

From 2007 to 2012, Washington reinvigorated Lower Richland High, where his boys’ basketball teams notched five straight region titles and multiple state playoff runs, including appearances in both the Upper and Lower State Championships. Since 2012, he has been at the helm of Blythewood High School’s boys’ basketball program, leading the Bengals to their first State Championship game in 2017—and returning again in 2025.

His teams’ achievements are staggering: 538 wins, 278 losses, 14 Region Championships, two Upper State and two Lower State Championships, and two State titles, plus 28 playoff appearances. Washington’s leadership has earned him 13 Region Coach of the Year honors and three Sports Report State Coach of the Year awards. He’s also led the South Carolina Team in the Carolina Classic.

Yet, for all the records and accolades, Coach Washington says his greatest pride comes from the lives he’s touched.

When he's not challenging players to be their best, he enjoys watching Korean movies and listening to different genres of music