Throughout the high school boys basketball season, we recognize the standouts from the previous week’s action with the Lowco Boys Hoops Spotlight presented by Rogers Electric.
We select our Starting Five of the top players of the week, as well as a Team of the Week, and highlight the biggest game of the upcoming week. For this first installment, we’re considering all games played up to this point for our Starting Five and keeping those who just missed the cut In The Rotation.
Here’s this week’s installment of the Lowco Boys Hoops Spotlight presented by Rogers Electric.
STARTING FIVE
JJ Hayes, HHP: Hayes has been a workhorse since he arrived at Hilton Head Prep last year, and he continues to put up ridiculous stat lines night in and night out as a senior. The recent U.S. Merchant Marine Academy commit is averaging 14.9 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.4 blocks, and he can play anywhere on the court, making him a formidable matchup concern.
Sully Gay, BA: Beaufort Academy’s most versatile player appears poised for a breakout sophomore season, and he has the Eagles off to a great start. Gay is averaging 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.6 steals, and that’s with him struggling with his shot for a couple of games last week. He can shoot it from the outside and get to the rim, and he’s a 68% foul shooter, so he always finds a way to get his.
James Dennison, BHS: OK, he’s only played two games, but this stat line is impossible to overlook. Dennison is averaging 19.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in his first two contests, and that’s coming straight from the Class 4A State Championship football game. When he and his two-sport teammates get their basketball legs, Beaufort will be tough to beat.
Damien Bee, BP: The Buccaneers have come out of nowhere to start 8-2, including an overtime win over Hilton Head Christian Academy, and their senior point guard is a big reason why. Bee is averaging 14.4 points, seven rebounds, nine assists, and two steals, and he’s getting his supporting cast involved in what has been a remarkable early-season run.
Brandon Howard, THA: “Budda” stayed off the court last season, instead focusing on developing his football prowess, but with his college decision nearing he returned to balling for his senior season, and thank goodness for that. One of the area’s best point guards as a sophomore at Ridgeland-Hardeeville, a bulked-up Budda has been a force for the Rebels thus far, averaging 20.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 4.3 steals.
In the Rotation: Desmond Locke, BP; Amarion Wilson, BA; Sean Cusano, HHP; Garvin Douglas, MRHS; Preston Hamilton, THA; Levi Dyer, HT; Karyce Campbell, HHIHS; Jaylin Linder, BLHS; Deshaun Blocker, CCHS; Antoine Singleton, WB
Photo by Justin Jarrett / LowcoSports.com
TEAM OF THE WEEK
Beaufort Academy Eagles (4-1 this week, 11-3)
When former athletics director Nick Field took over the boys basketball program at Beaufort Academy this season, it seemed as if the Eagles might experience some growing pains early in the season. Instead, they’ve been dishing out the pain. After losing both games in a season-opening tournament at Cathedral Academy, the Eagles have won 11 of 12 since with the only defeat coming in a nine-point game with Hilton Head High, last year’s Class 4A runner-up. BA has some talent back in the form of Sully Gay and Braydon Dineen, and the addition of freshman big man Amarion Wilson has created a difficult trio to guard, especially with pass-first point guard Zeke Gonzalez, 3-point specialist Timmy Horgan, and junior wing Gavin Midyette regularly contributing. The Eagles also have some nice bench pieces who can provide quality minutes, making them a dangerous team to face.
Honorable Mention: Hilton Head Prep (5-2), Whale Branch (3-0), John Paul II (4-1), Bridges Prep (8-2)
GAME OF THE WEEK
Northwood Academy at Hilton Head Prep, 7:30 p.m. Friday
The Dolphins have shown off improved depth and some serious potential in the early going, as we expected they would. But after running through their region as a SCISA 3A flex team last year, they ran into trouble in the first round of the playoffs and lost 58-50 to Northwood Academy. Jerry Faulkner’s promising squad gets a chance to avenge that loss and change the narrative when it faces the Chargers at home Friday. Star forward JJ Hayes, a recent commit to play at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, is still putting up big numbers, and he has help inside from Tennessee transfer Sean Cusano, as well as a bevy of talented players in the supporting cast. The Dolphins have a great chance to take advantage of a rare opportunity to take on a SCISA 3A foe in the regular season.
Some local sports content that is not sponsored is now available only to LowcoSports.com’s Patreon supporters. Pledge your monthly support here for as little as $1 per month to ensure you have access to all of our grassroots LOCAL sports coverage!