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Page 2 December 31, 2018 THE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS REPORT
A Message From The Publisher
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Billy G. Baker
email: bilrecruit@aol.com
Basketball talent at all-time high in South Carolina in 2019
Moncks Corner—As we enter the stretch part of the 2018-19 basketball season in South Carolina you cer- tainly need to give a high five to the ever-improving prep basketball talent in the Palmetto state in both the boys and girls level of competition.
worth in a few years after Williamson leads an NBA team to a world NBA championship, after possibly leading Duke to an NCAA title this season? I know I have not even thought about washing the tee shirt he signed for me unsolicited after the banquet last year. It never occurred to me to ask him for an autograph; he just tossed me a signed tee shirt as he was getting up from the table to leave.)
on the game before moving on after high school.
A brief look at the top 2019 boy’s players in South Carolina reveals a lot about our rise in talent with this group as well. Josiah James (6-5, 200) from Porter-
Solid coaching from a dedicated group of high school an AAU coaches certainly factor into the increased level of basketball talent in South Carolina as well. When you combine great talent with great coaching positive out- comes result.
Basketball talent not only abounds in the state of South Carolina this season but for the foreseeable fu- ture. At the girl’s level you have two nationally known freshman prospects in East Clarendon six-foot point guard taylaysia Cooper an 6-3 center ashlyn Watkins of Cardinal Newman who is already dunking a basket- ball. Both of these talented players have already caught the eye of colleges all across the nation.
Gaud has signed with tennessee in the number one spot followed closely by Sumter forward Calvin Felder (6- 7,225) headed to Boston College. Hartsville guard trae Hannibal is headed to South Carolina while 6-10 Mal- colm Wilson of Ridge View is headed to Georgetown. Guard tre Jackson of Blythewood is headed to Iowa State.
It was just 10 months ago current Duke all-everything wonders Zion Williamson (formerly Spartanburg Day) sat at the head table of the HSSR winter banquet smiling from ear-to-ear when I asked him if he would mind hang- ing around a few minutes after the banquet to sign a few autographs. Never in 33 years of sponsoring banquets had I been asked by so many people if they could ask the highly regarded two-time HSSR Mr. Basketball for his autograph. He said “sure” and the crowd rushed towards him like trick or treaters on Halloween night when the banquet concluded.
You might be wondering about alabama signee Juwan Gary (6-6, 200) formerly of Gray Collegiate. He has transferred to West Charlotte High in North Car- olina for his senior season. Regardless, he will continue to have strong roots to the Palmetto State.
Williamson signed autographs for 30 minutes and he was polite, humble and smiling the whole time. He even took selfies with a lot of people. So, when I turn on the television now and see him playing for Duke a couple nights a week I can’t help but remember what a nice young man Williamson truly is. I catch myself pulling for him and the great future he will soon have in the NBA. Williamson has managed to remain humble, polite and caring despite being a truly once in a generation athlete. He is just a few months away from possibly being the number one pick in the NBA draft and we wish him well going forward.
Cooper led East Clarendon to a Class A state title last season as an 8th grader averaging over 20 points and 12 rebounds a game. When USC coach Dawn Staley walked into the tiny and outdated gym at East Clarendon to watch Cooper play a year ago most of the fans at the game were stunned to see the Hall of Fame coach walk in, sit down on the front row, and enjoy the game. As Coach Staley left the game she walked by East Clarendon head coach Mike lowder and uttered words similar to these: “Remember coach when the others come, remem- ber who got here first, remember she’s mine!”
Thus, our basketball talent just keeps getting better and better. We at the HSSR extend best wishes to all the teams to have a successful 2018-19 season. In just over six weeks state champions will be crowned at the USC Colonial Life arena for SCHSL teams and the SCISA teams will compete for championships at the Sumter Civic Center. These young people certainly deserve your support so make plans now to attend these events.
As someone born and raised in South Carolina I hope we all feel a sense of pride when one of our native sons/daughters makes a name for himself/herself on the big stage. Williamson’s play brought national attention to the state of South Carolina for the time he starred and dominated play at Spartanburg Day. His dunks have been the highlight of social media all around the world. He might be the next labron James for all we know. His talent just validates that the sport of basketball continues to rise across South Carolina. Who will be the next Zion Williamson from the state of South Carolina?
McQueen is the daughter of a high school basketball coach. She handles the basketball with the skill of a globe trotter and she is a national rated prospect in her own right. No doubt Sylvia Hatchell at UNC is proud to get her on board.
Erskine College cross country coach Dylan alexan- der will keynote the 1 p.m. non-football banquet for the other sports being recognized. If you need information about the two banquets, please call the HSSR office at 843-553-0264.
(Wonder what all those autographs he signed will be
Watkins, who wears number 22 at CN (same number a’Ja Wilson wore at Heathwood Hall and USC) is thought to be favoring South Carolina. Cooper, who has grown up a Gamecock fan, visited a Clemson football game during the fall and was totally impressed. It is still a three-year developmental process for Watkins and Cooper, but both talented players will leave their marks
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Letters of invitation to the upcoming banquet involv- ing HSSR Fall all-state honorees from the sports of vol- leyball, football, cross country, swimming, tennis and golf were put in the mail on Friday, January 18th.
Wilson High 5-7 junior guard loyal McQueen com- mitted to North Carolina in November. She averaged over 20 points and six assists a game as a sophomore in helping lead Wilson to the AAAA state finals. McQueen is a lefty with great ball skills.
The HSSR is pleased to have newly hired Erskine College head coach “Shap” Boyd keynote the football banquet which starts at 4 p.m. on the 10th. Erskine is re- starting the football program it suspended in 1951. We are pleased to know Erskine will focus a lot of its recruit- ing efforts on in-state football talent and hopefully a few senior players still seeking next level opportunities will connect with Coach Boyd’s remarks at the banquet.
Fall Banquet to Be Held once again at Seawells on February. 10th
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