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jjarrett@islandpacket.com
jjarrett@beaufortgazette.com
It seems the high school basketball season comes earlier every year. Before you've even had a chance to process the end of the football season, the familiar thump of leather on the hardwood is ringing in our ears.
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That time has come again, so it's time to get familiar with the hoops landscape in the Lowcountry -- who will contend for region titles, who has the talent to make a postseason push, who will be the area's top players? Today we tackle the area's boys basketball teams.
Here's your idiot's guide (I'll let you be the judge of whether that's a reflection of its creator).
Most likely to succeed
If I had to name the one team in the area with the best shot at winning a state title, it would be ... wait for it ... Beaufort Academy. No, really. The Eagles return virtually everyone from last year's 17-14 team, including a pair of proven scorers in Chris Ernestine and Chris Canavan, and they've added a dynamic guard in sophomore Larry Stevenson. Throw in 6-foot-5 center Daniel Zeman, and new coach Tony Kitchings has inherited a sure-fire contender in SCISAA Class 2-A.
Don't sleep on ...
Hilton Head Christian: The Eagles overachieved a bit in coach Mike Colella's second year at the helm, going 15-11 last season, but the expectations will be a bit higher this season. With a number of key players back, including versatile senior Corey MacDonald, veteran guard Joey Davis and athletic big man Ethan Gort, Christian Academy could make some noise in an ultra-competitive region that includes powerhouse Pinewood Prep and perennial contenders Porter-Gaud and Hilton Head Prep.
Battery Creek: Much like the football team, the Dolphins could benefit from a move to Class 3-A. Lake Marion and North Charleston are expected to be the top contenders for the region title, but don't be surprised if Creek works its way into the conversation. The Dolphins return a pair of starting guards -- C.J. Brown and Chris Thomas -- to go along with a potential star in forward Brent Evans.
Names you should know
Ahmad Aiken, Hilton Head High: At 6-foot, Aiken is a mightily undersized power forward, but that hasn't stopped him from being one of the Seahawks' top players the past couple of years, even in a region that has been loaded with talented forwards. He averaged 10.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game last season, and Seahawks coach Greg Elliott knows he can count on his senior leader for more of the same this year.
Dominic DiGenova, Hilton Head Prep: The youngest in a line of brothers who can light up the scoreboard, DiGenova averaged 12.7 points per game for the Dolphins last season. He is lethal from 3-point range, and his quick hands and feet help fuel Hilton Head Prep's up-tempo style.
Chris Ernestine, Beaufort Academy: OK, so you probably already know this name, because Ernestine is the reigning Island Packet/Beaufort Gazette Player of the Year, but if you're new to the area or spent the past year in a cave somewhere, get ready to hear about this guy. He's a point guard with shooting guard skills in a power forward's body, which is a recipe for matchup problems no matter who the Eagles are playing.
Brent Evans, Battery Creek: Don't let his 6-foot-6 listing fool you -- Evans won't be anchored in the paint. He's a versatile forward who provided 7.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game as a sophomore role player last season and will be expected to carry more of the load with Cameron Blake and Trumain Spencer gone to graduation. The Dolphins are expecting big numbers from Evans this season, and if they get the kind of play they're hoping for, Creek could emerge as a contender in Region 8-AAA.
Ethan Gort, Hilton Head Christian: Gort carried the Eagles down the stretch last season, and he has picked up where he left off. Only four days after the Eagles' football season ended, Gort was dominating the post, scoring 20 points and grabbing seven rebounds in a season-opening win against St. Andrew's. Not only is he 6-foot-7, but he can run the floor -- he's a wide receiver on the football team -- so he will create matchup problems for just about every team on the Eagles' schedule (Pinewood Prep excluded).
Tremayne Harris, Hardeeville: Also the quarterback on the football team, the elder of two Harris brothers on the Hurricanes' roster is a versatile player who can bring the ball up the floor or post up a defender on any possession. With leading scorer Derrick Roberts gone to graduation, the Hurricanes are counting on Harris to carry the load.
Marquis Simmons, Beaufort High: The Eagles are light on experience, so they'll need Simmons, one of two returning starters, to give them a spark. The 6-foot senior can do exactly that with his solid defense, which leads to easy transition baskets, and he'll need to be a major scoring threat for Beaufort to be successful.
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