Before we were overcome with the deluge of the spring sports season, we spent the winter in gyms around the Lowco living and dying with every 3-pointer, rebound and fast break.
Hilton Head Prep brought home a state title in a Lowco-on-Lowco final, Beaufort High made a deep run, and the Estill Gators and Wade Hampton Red Devils closed out their program histories with epic seasons.
Better late than never, we honor the Lowco’s top coach and the top 40 high school boys basketball standouts from the 2022-23 season with the All-Lowco Boys Hoops Team presented by Mikkelson Law Firm and Hospice Care of the Lowcountry.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Richard Barron | Hilton Head Prep
SCISA 3A State Champions
In his first year replacing the legendary Jerry Faulkner, Hilton Head Prep’s Richard Barron took the Dolphins back to the top in 2022-23. Powered by outstanding big man Sean Cusano, Barron adopted a multifaceted motion offense and a stingy defensive approach to lead a motivated group to the SCISA 3A boys’ state title. After falling to rival Hilton Head Christian Academy in overtime, the Dolphins won their last nine games of the year with two of them against those Eagles including the finale in the state championship game. Barron’s group relied upon a steady senior duo of Cusano and Kane Eanes alongside excellent growth from underclassmen guards Ben Frey and Connor Campbell. — Wes Kerr
2022-23 All-Lowco Hoops Boys Top 40
LOWCO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sean Cusano | Sr. | F | Hilton Head Prep
21.6 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 1.6 bpg, 11 double-doubles
The catalyst of a memorable state championship season at Hilton Head Prep, Sean Cusano starred on both ends to put the Dolphins on top in SCISA 3A. At 6-foot-9, Cusano’s extraordinary play close to the basket was paramount to the Dolphins’ success. The Chattanooga signee averaged a double-double while stretching the floor with his multi-level scoring ability. His constant defensive intensity protecting the rim and shot-blocking were just as important, helping shift the momentum and energize his group.
A proven leader who aided the growth of his teammates, Cusano always found a way to orchestrate the key play when his Dolphins needed it. — Wes Kerr
ALEX SHERRILL HEART & HUSTLE AWARD
Braydon Dineen | Sr. | G | Beaufort Academy
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An exemplary multi-sport athlete at Beaufort Academy, senior Braydon Dineen stands out as this year’s boys’ Alex Sherrill Heart and Hustle award winner. Dineen fits the award perfectly – a young man who will stop at nothing to make the little plays that matter on the court. Carrying a constant drive to perform and improve, Dineen soared above the rest to hustle for loose balls, come away with key steals, make the extra pass, and hit the open shot. A terrific team-first player and leader on the court, Dineen fits the award’s bill perfectly. — Wes Kerr
ALL-LOWCO 1st TEAM
G ISAAC GRAY
Sr. | Wade Hampton HS
Region 6-2A POY avg 17.5 ppgG QAYDEN TURNER
Jr. | HHCA
12.3 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 3.8 apgF JOSHUA GOODMAN
Soph. | Wade Hampton HS
13.6 ppgF MICHAEL DENNISON
Sr. | Beaufort HS
15.4 ppg, 12.8 rpg, 1.1 bpgC KAVON CHISOLM
Jr. | Estill HS
15.6 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 1.8 bpg
ALL-LOWCO 2nd TEAM
G DEVON ALLEN
Jr. | Wade Hampton HS
13.4 ppgG SULLY GAY
Jr. | Beaufort HS
12.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.0 spgF ELIJAH WHITE
Jr. | HHCA
9.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.1 apgF ISAIAH ANDERSON
Jr. | HHCA
12.5 ppg, 8.0 rpgC AMARION WILSON
Soph. | Bridges Prep
12.0 ppg, 15.4 rpg, 1.2 bpg
ALL-LOWCO 3rd TEAM
G HARRISON SKINNER
Fr. | HHCA
8.8 ppg, 1.8 apg, 1.6 spg, 57 3FGG KANE EANES
Sr. | Hilton Head Prep
10.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.8 apgF JAYLIN LINDER
Sr. | Bluffton HS
18.5 ppgF NOAH ALTMAN
Sr. | Patrick Henry
18.6 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.8 spgC TONY O’BANNER
Fr. | Thomas Heyward
18.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.3 bpg
ALL-LOWCO BOYS HOOPS HONORABLE MENTION
GAVIN BLOCKER
Sr. | May River HS
SAMARI BONDS
Soph. | Beaufort HS
BRANDON BRYANT
Jr. | Bluffton HS
PONCIE CAPERS
Soph. | Ridgeland
MEKHI DAVIS
Jr. | Wade Hampton HS
LEVI DYER
Sr. | Holy Trinity
FOREST FAIREY
Jr. | Patrick Henry
QUEASHAWN FIELDS
Sr. | Whale Branch
KANYE FREEMAN
Sr. | Battery Creek
BEN FREY
Jr. | Hilton Head Prep
MYKEEM GANT
Jr. | Colleton Co. HS
XAVIAR GARVIN
Jr. | Estill HS
ANDREW HELMS
Sr. | Hilton Head Prep
TE’SHAUN HEYWARD
Jr. | Beaufort Academy
ANGELO LEWIS
Sr. | Estill HS
DIETRICH SHUFORD
Soph. | Thomas Heyward
REECE STEWART
Soph. | Hilton Head Island HS
BRADFORD THOMPSON
Jr. | Whale Branch
CHRISTIAN TILTON
Jr. | John Paul II
JOCOREY WALTERS
Sr. | Hilton Head Island HS
NICK WILLIAMS
Jr. | Colleton Co. HS
LARON WRIGHT
Jr. | Whale Branch
Q.J. YOUNG
Soph. | Bridges Prep
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