5 Takeaways from SCBCA Media Day
5 Takeaways from SCBCA Media Day Thursday November 14, 2019 The South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association held their annual pre-season media day. This event is used to highlight the pre – season Top 10 list of teams for each…
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Continue Reading5 Takeaways from SCBCA Media Day
Thursday November 14, 2019 The South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association held their annual pre-season media day. This event is used to highlight the pre – season Top 10 list of teams for each classification along with the Top 5 Seniors and Elite Players. All of the players that were nominated and there coaches were invited to the event to take pictures and also meet with media professionals in attendance. I was able to attend and walked away with a few questions that will help to shape the picture of the 2019 – 2020 season in South Carolina.
1. Can anyone prevent Milaysia Fulwiley and Keenan High School from Winning the 2020 3A State Championship.
Coming off a tough loss in last years State Championship game, Keenan High School brings back there entire starting 5. The key piece to the success this year is 2023 – Guard – Milaysia Fulwiley, ( # 1 Ranked player in PGH 2023 Rankings) the star Guard has lead this team to the last 2 Championship games, winning it all in 2018. This team also brings back sharpshooter – 2020 – Guard – Dyani Burke (Newberry College signee) who can stretch the floor from a deep range.. Head Coach Reggie McClain – Is expecting his senior class to provide leadership to the younger players, he has 7 Seniors that are going to set the tone this year. This Keenan team will be a tough team to beat come February & March during the State Playoffs & Championship weekend March 7 & 8, 2020
2. Will North Augusta be able to make it 4 in a row – They are going for another 4A State Championship.
They say it is tough to repeat, how about 3 State Championships in a row following a coaching change? Well… How about 4 Consecutive.. North Augusta HS is seeking to make that happen this year. I am looking forward to see who will step up this year for North Augusta, they always seem to have a new player contribute in a big way. This team brings back 1 of the most experienced backcourts in the State – 2020 – Guard – Tyliah Burns (WSSU Signee) and 2020 – Guard – J’Mani Ingram (Winthrop Signee) have been apart of the last 3 Championships and are looking to get 1 more before heading to college next year. The new players that can match the intensity of these 2 top seniors will make a name for themselves after this season. 2 Major contenders are South Pointe HS, who was the opponent in last years Finals, they also are bringing back 2020 – Guard – Jamia Blake (Top 5 Senior Players) and a strong supporting cast. Wilson HS is another school that will be a major contender, they played against North Augusta at Colonial Life Arena in 2017 & 2018, they return 2020 – Guard – Loyal McQueen ( SCBCA Elite Player) who is a Georgia Tech Commit and will be looking to make it back to the her 3rd Final in the last 4 years.
3. The tightest race for a State Championship will be in the 2A Classification?
Who will make enough plays to come home with the Championship?? Defending Champion Christ Church is returning there 2 leading scorers – 2020 – Guard – Marissa Powe ( SCBCA Top 5 Senior) and 2022 – Wing – McCall King, they will be a tough team to stop come February & March. Mullins has played for the last 2 State Championships in the 2A Classification, winning it all in 2018 & losing a tough game last year, they lost leading scorer Janell Sindab (USC-Salk) but bring back a tough matchup in 2021 – Wing – Jen’Lea Nichols – who can score it inside & out. The other team I am looking forward to watching this year is East Clarendon HS, they were 1 game away from the Finals last year, losing a hard fought game vs Mullins in the Lower State Championship game. East Clarendon was in their 1st year at the 2A level in the 2018-2019 season, after winning the 1A State Championship in 2018. 2022 – 6’0” – Guard – Talayshia Cooper is ranked # 2 in the PGH 2022 Rankings and holds scholarship offers from UNC, USC, Louisville, Kentucky & others, and she leads this team. Cooper will get help from 2020 – 6’2” – Post – Rhamey Floyd – who is a player that is playing at a high level. These are the 3 Top teams in the SCBCA 2A Top 10 list and you can see why.
4. Who is going to take the lead in the 5A Classification for the 2019 – 2020 Season?
Goose Creek won the 2019 5A State Championship that made it 2 in 3 years including 2017 as well, they lose 5 Seniors that all sign with Colleges to play Basketball. Spring Valley Played in 3 of the last 4 State Championship games including the last 2 in 5A, winning it all in 2018 and they graduated 4 Seniors that all signed to Play College Basketball, both of these programs are still good, but lost a lot of talent this summer. Byrnes is ranked #1 in the pre – season 5A Top 10 by the SCBCA and they are lead by 2020 – Guard – Jada Burton (Top 5 Senior in the 5A Class) they are looking to make a run this year to Colonial Life Arena. Dorman comes in ranked #2 and they were 1 of the top teams heading into the State playoff last year before being bumped out early. This season Dorman is more experienced and are lead by 2020 – Guard – Alexis Rice (Top 5 Senior in the 5A Class) who looked extremely sharp over the summer with her AAU/Club team, everyone should be on notice. The other team that rounds out the top 3 is Sumter, they lost in the Upper State Championship game to Spring Valley and come back loaded even after losing All – State Guard Ki’ara Cain (Gardner Webb SIgnee) . They are lead by 2020 – Guard – Tamerah Brown (Lenoir-Rhyne Signee) that is a shooter that can score in bunches, once you add in 2021 – 6’1” – Forward – Layken Cox – and returning Varsity player – 2024 – Guard – Kiara Croskey – they will be a team to watch come February & March.
5. Can Scott’s Branch make it 2 in a row in the 1A Classification?
The Championship game from 2019 featured Scott’s Branch and High Point Academy, both of these teams enter this season as the Top 2 ranked teams in the SCBCA 1A Top 10 list. The Championship game was a tale of two halves, High Point held the lead going into halftime by shooting very well and getting great ball movement and scoring from 2020 – Wing – Taniah Wilkins ( SCBCA Elite Girls list). Scott’s Branch came back in the 2nd half by turning up the pressure on their full court defense to force 20+ turnovers on there way to their 1st State Title in School History. Scott”s Branch Head Coach – Lucinda Stukes – iS going to rely heavily on her Senior Guard – Jazzlyn Bowman ( SCBCA 1A Top 5 Senior)to set the tone this season. 2 other teams to watch are #4 ranked Timmonsville and there Senior – Wing – Makayla Commander ((SCBCA 1A Top 5 Senior) they have been a consistent contender throughout her career and she lead her team to the Finals in 2018. SCBCA # 6 – McCormick is another school that may be able to make a run at earning a spot in Colonial Life Arena in March, they have a Dynamic Guard in 2020 – Jordan Brown (SCBCA 1A Top 5 Senior) who is coming off a great summer on the AAU/Club circuit and can carry the scoring load when needed.