The high school basketball season is already underway for a handful of local teams, but before things really ramp up, you can get up to speed on the upcoming season with our season preview package.
In this edition, we preview area SCHSL boys teams — Beaufort High, Bluffton, Hilton Head High, Battery Creek, May River, Ridgeland-Hardeeville, and Whale Branch.
You can also hear more extensive previews of each team on this week’s episode of the LowcoSports Lowdown podcast.
Hear local sports news and analysis every week from LowcoSports founder Justin Jarrett and Wes Kerr on the LowcoSports Lowdown podcast! Available now on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts!
FIVE STARS TO WATCH
• Harry Cash, Sr., F, MRHS: One of two underclassmen on the first-team All-Lowco squad last season, Cash averaged 14.2 points and 8.8 rebounds and was the Sharks’ defensive catalyst at the top of the press. He’s the only area player named to the S.C. Basketball Coaches’ Association’s top five players in their classification.
• Nick Pringle, Sr., F, WB: Wofford signee shot up to 6-foot-8 in the offseason and had a monster summer on the AAU circuit. His numbers might be somewhat depressed because he plays on a balanced team, but he will be a huge factor for the Warriors.
• Shawn Chisolm, Sr., F, WB: Overshadowed by Pringle’s breakout is the fact that Chisolm was Whale Branch’s most productive player last season, averaging 13 points, eight boards, and three assists. With Pringle drawing more attention this season, he could be poised for an even bigger senior campaign.
• Lee Kirkland, Sr., C, BLHS: From playing under center to playing center, the Bobcats’ QB1 is a major factor in the post. He averaged 9.8 points and 12 boards a year ago and will be Bluffton’s main man in the paint this season.
• Jamaad Rivers, Sr., G, BHS: Shifty guard can really shoot it from long range and leads a talented backcourt that will look to push the tempo.
UNDER THE RADAR
• Sam Summa, Jr., F, HHIHS: Summa was the heart and soul of John Paul II’s team last season, and now he makes the move to Hilton Head High, where he steps into the role vacated by Davis Molloy’s graduation. If he has a breakout year, the Seahawks could make a big step forward in coach Chane Brown’s first season.
• Rashard Baker, Sr., G, RHHS: With the Butler brothers graduated, it’s Baker’s turn to run the show. He’s the only full-time starter back from last year’s senior-laden squad.
• AJ Waring, Sr., F, BCHS: Transfer from Columbia High will be one of the biggest keys to the Dolphins getting coach CJ Brown’s career off to a bright start.
TEAM CAPSULES
BEAUFORT HIGH EAGLES
Coach: Jeremy Huff
Record at school: 1st season as head coach
2018-19 record: 9-15 overall, 2-4 region (lost in first round of Class 4A playoffs)
Returning starters: 2
Top returners: G/F Jamaad Rivers (Sr.); G Oliver Holmes (Jr.); G Josh Aiken (Sr.); G Rush Riley (Sr.); G/F Zyrin Odom (Soph.); F CJ Smith (Sr.); F Jontavious Murray (Sr.)
Key losses: G Trae Heyward; F Desmond Gaillard
Key newcomers: C Ben VanHise (Jr.); F Davis Willis (Soph.); F Christian Wilborn (Jr.); G Malcolm Murray (Soph.); G David Smith (Jr.); G Christian Miles (Jr.); F/C Sam Horton (Sr.)
Coach’s outlook: “We have had a great fall and the guys have been working hard. We are looking to improve and rebuild the basketball culture that was such a tradition at Beaufort High for so long. We play both a very tough region and non-region schedule, but we are certainly up for the challenge. As a team we are getting better and stronger every day, and the cohesiveness is kicking in, which is something we all like. We are looking forward to being competitive this season and being in the mix in a region that is very good top to bottom come January.
BLUFFTON BOBCATS
Coach: Michael Tew
Record at school: 37-32 (4th season)
2018-19 record: 15-8, reached first round of Class 4A playoffs
Returning starters: 3
Top returners: C Lee Kirkland (Sr.); F Tyler Rice (Sr.); G Jatelvayn Mosley (Sr.); F Eric Eastham (Jr.); G Jayden Chance (Jr.)
Key losses: F Donovan Raines, G Ramell Rivers
Coach’s outlook: “I feel like we will be competitive. It will depend on how well we jell as a group and how we accept our roles on the team.”
HILTON HEAD HIGH SEAHAWKS
Coach: Chane Brown
Record at school: 1st season as head coach
2018-19 record: 6-19
Returning starters: 3
Top returners: G Dean Seelbach (Sr.); F Gaston Moore (Sr.)
Key losses: F Davis Molloy
Key newcomers: F Sam Summa
Coach’s outlook: “I believe that we will be more competitive this year, as we only lost one senior and had some young players play significant minutes last year. Though the record doesn’t show, a lot of valuable experience was gained that will help us be more focused and
dedicated to the process.”
MAY RIVER SHARKS
Coach: Matt Whitmore
Record at school: 38-25 (4th season)
2018-19 record: 15-8, reached 2nd round of Class 3A playoffs
Returning starters: 1
Top returners: F Harry Cash (Sr.)
Key losses: F Josh Patterson, G Jack Hegan, G Deshawn Martin, F Nick Bass, F Michael Ludwig
Key newcomers: G Gavin Blocker (Fr.)
Coach’s outlook: “We must replace seven of our top eight from last year, so our success will be determined by how quickly the newcomers can learn to play with the toughness and speed that is necessary at the varsity level. Our goal is to be playing our best basketball after Christmas break and into our region schedule.”
BATTERY CREEK DOLPHINS
Coach: CJ Brown
Record at school: 1st season as head coach
2018-19 record: 3-20 overall, 1-7 region
Returning starters: None
Top returners: None
Key losses: None
Key newcomers: AJ Waring
Coach’s outlook: “This is a whole new team. Look for us to be fast and athletic. A team that loves to play full-court man-to-man for 32 minutes and push the ball. We have great ball handlers that can create shots for our shooters. We are excited and look forward to competing this year.”
RIDGELAND-HARDEEVILLE JAGUARS
Coach: Kevin Wilson
Record at school: 1st season as head coach
2018-19 record: 26-4 (Class 3A runner-up)
Returning starters: 1
Top returners: Rashard Baker, Shaleaf Cherry, Mauriq Singleton
Key losses: Rashamel Butler, Devin Butler, Ny’gel Boozer, Ronald Zimmerman, DeQuandre Hamilton
Key newcomers: Brandon Howard, Dennis Holmes
Outlook: “We will have to be aggressive on both sides of the floor,” says Wilson, who takes the helm after seven seasons as an assistant under legendary coach Jeremiah Faber. Wilson has some big shoes to fill — not only his own, but also on the court. The Jags don’t rebuild, though; they reload.
WHALE BRANCH WARRIORS
Coach: Jim Raymond
Record at school: 49-45 (4th season)
2018-19 record: 14-10 overall, 4-4 region (reached Class 2A second round)
Returning starters: 3
Top returners: F Shawn Chisolm (Sr.); F Nick Pringle (Sr.); G/F Shemar Williams (Sr.); G Javon Hogue (Sr.)
Key losses: G JaQuan Watson, G RaQuan Brisbane
Key newcomers: G Jaylen Reeves (Sr.)
Outlook: Reeves returns after a year at Beaufort Academy and joins Hogue in the backcourt to complement what could be a dominant front court. Big men Pringle and Chisolm are going to a be a problem for most opponents, especially when they’re on the floor together.