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 SCISA boys teams — Beaufort Academy, Hilton Head Christian Academy, Hilton Head Prep, John Paul II, and Thomas Heyward.
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
• Dawson Coleman, Sr., G/F, BA: Coleman was a monster on the wing and in the post for the Eagles last year, averaging 17.1 points and 10.2 rebounds, and he moves to the point this year to ensure the ball is in his hands every possession.
• Floyd Hargrove, Sr., G, HHCA: Hargrove thrived in the Eagles’ up-tempo style last season, averaging a team-high 18.2 points and dishing out 4.3 assists per contest.
• Tyrone Calloway, Sr., G, HHP: Calloway averaged double-digit scoring last season despite being the Dolphins’ third offensive option. Look for an uptick in scoring from the quick guard this year.
• Stone McDonald, Sr., F, HHP: The Dolphins’ quarterback on the gridiron, McDonald does the dirty work on the basketball court. Last year he averaged almost seven points and seven boards, along with three blocks per game while usually matching up on the opponent’s best big man.
• Elijah Fess, Sr., G, BA: Rangy guard can jump out of the gym and should be the Eagles’ No. 2 option behind 1,000-point scorer Coleman.
UNDER THE RADAR
• Jeremiah Young, Jr., G, JPII: Young showed off his athleticism and heart playing quarterback for the Warriors’ football team this fall, and he’s poised for a breakout on the basketball court, too.
• JP Peduzzi, Jr., F, HHCA: The same size and athleticism that made Peduzzi a tough matchup for opposing DBs will make him a problem on the hardwood, as well.
• Zach Black, Jr., F, THA: Big, strong post player will be a handful for most SCISA teams to deal with in the paint.
TEAM CAPSULES
BEAUFORT ACADEMY EAGLES
Coach: Bobby Smith
Record at school: 1st season as head coach
2018-19 record: 13-8 (reached SCISA 1A quarterfinals)
Returning starters: 4
Top returners: G/F Dawson Coleman, G Kai’Shawn Jenkins, G Elijah Fess, G Brandon Trapp, F Thomas Holladay, C Malachi Rodriguez
Key losses: David Mathai, Jaylen Reeves, Ja’Sean Lawson (injured)
Key newcomers: Sully Gay, Maleik Chalmers
Outlook: “This team was three points away from making the final four and returns nearly everyone who played significant minutes. The schedule has been upgraded and features both 1A and 2A state champions, and final four teams from both divisions, as well. We are really excited to see what our younger student-athletes are made of and expect a lot from our upperclassmen. We will be a team focused on defense and toughness and should make a deep run in February.”
HILTON HEAD CHRISTIAN EAGLES
Coach: Travis Priddy
Record at school: 1st season as head coach
2018-19 record: 8-18 (reached 2nd round of SCISA 2A playoffs)
Returning starters: 4
Top returners: G Floyd Hargrove (Sr.); G Jace Blackshear (Soph.); F JP Peduzzi (Jr.); F Daniel Harrington (Sr.); F Hayden Shinn (Sr.); F Robert Hall (Sr.); F Liam Sirgo (Jr.)
Key losses: F Lukas O’Grady
Key newcomers: F Quinn Ryan (Jr.)
Outlook: “We have some returners off of last year’s playoff team, but the schedule in December is very tough, and with football doing so well we may not have a ton of practice time under our belts before we start playing games. The goal is to be better in January and February than we are in November and December. It will probably be ugly early in the season, but I’m pretty confident that we can be a good team when region play starts, as long as we stay healthy and are coachable.”
HILTON HEAD PREP DOLPHINS
Coach: Jerry Faulkner
Record at school: 134-54 (8th season)
2018-19 record: 26-2, SCISA 2A state champions
Returning starters: 2
Top returners: G Tyrone Calloway (Sr.); F Stone McDonald (Sr.)
Key losses: F Avern Montaque; G Haddith Stewart; F Jack Braun; G Hunter Hopman; F Logan Blair
Coach’s outlook: “We are very inexperienced. We lost two players who signed college scholarships and had five great seniors. Our short preparation time will hinder our early-season results, but we hope to be competitive after Christmas.”
JOHN PAUL II GOLDEN WARRIORS
Coach: Mac Tamminen
Record at school: 15-16 (2nd season)
2018-19 record: 15-16, lost in first round of SCISA 2A playoffs
Returning starters: 2
Top returners: F Reco Anderson (Sr.); F Malone Kinard-Huisinger (Jr.); G Mark Knight (Soph.); F CJ Knight (Sr.)
Key losses: Zach Doe, Rashad Battiste, Sam Summa
Key newcomers: G Jeremiah Young (Jr.); G Jackson Ogden (Fr.)
Coach’s outlook: “We will rely on senior leadership and experience to keep us competitive in a very difficult region.”
THOMAS HEYWARD REBELS
Coach: Buzz Bonds
Record at school: 6-14 (2nd season)
2018-19 record: 6-14
Returning starters: 3
Top returners: Louie Smith, Zack Black, John Clark Tilton
Key losses: Bryce Tillotson, Joseph Gibson
Key newcomers: Jarius Gordon, Bruzza Pusha, Ely Mitchell
Coach’s outlook: “With only three returning players, we’re not sure what we have. We’re hoping to work hard and compete in a very tough league.”