Welcome! Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Login | Register
   

Glance at Upcoming Rutherford County High School Hoops

Comment     Print
Related Articles
Kevin Carver

Well, Rutherford County hoops have just started this season, so here is a quick glance of players to watch and the outlook of our teams for the upcoming season.

East Rutherford boys are still among the top teams in the state and in 2A this season. You really can’t fault anybody for saying so when two college bound kids are back for their senior year.

Guard, Devonte Boykins (Georgia Southern) and shooting guard, Travis Waldroup-Rodriguez (Army) will lead the Cavalier charge as just five guys return in all from a season ago. Depth and experience are question marks, but trying to replace their best defender in T.J. Watkins from a year ago makes it even tougher to figure how far the Cavs will go this season. While Shelby will be favored in conference, East Rutherford maybe the biggest challenger of the Golden Lions among them all in the SMAC.

East Rutherford (1-1) just lost to defending 4A state champion Olympic 72-58 this past weekend. That game should only make them a better club as the season progresses. The next home game will be when East Burke shows up on Tuesday (Dec. 10th).

Over at R-S Central, the Hilltoppers should finish in the top half of the conference and have the most experienced team among the guys this year in Rutherford County

Jaylen Hollis and Rashaun Whitesides are the two forces that lead this group from the forward spots. Desmond Whitesides and newcomer, Brain Hunt should be reliable guards with senior Shawn Hines adding depth to that spot. The Hilltoppers are 3-1 so far this season with Shelby coming to town on Friday.

Chase will be really young and inexperienced. The conference will get four 2A playoff berths and that is what they will have to shoot for in Harris. Being without Shad Blanton this season is difficult to overcome, but Tyrell Boykins and Caleb Lancaster are back.

Respectable Coach Joe Jessen should put them in situations to compete, but whether they can get produce that into wins is the question. 

The same problems facing Chase, Thomas Jefferson (0-1) faces as well. Coach Ken Hines and his club should battle for the middle of the pack. With Highland Tech or Cherryville set to be the favorites and Bessemer City trailing just behind that, fourth in conference and a playoff chance is reachable.

They will host 1A power Hendersonville Friday (Dec. 6)

Girls: There has only been one team in the last five years who have won 17 games or more in Rutherford County girls basketball. R-S Central has the potential to make it six straight. Losing the toughness of point guard Alyssia Watkins was huge, but they are able to replace her with freshman Alina Chavez. Tia Bristol leads the seniors and likely is the glue of the Lady Hilltoppers this season. Sophomore Te’ja Twitty comes back to help in the post. I don’t believe that they will be as solid as they have in past seasons, but they will be a conference threat. Winning games ugly and playing better defense maybe something that works this season for them since depth is an issue.

In Bostic, it’s a Rachel Camp world. East Rutherford’s Camp should be the leading candidate for player of the year in conference. This will be her senior year and the dynamic gym rat will give every team they play this season a headache. The question becomes as to whether or not they have anybody who can help her. Guard, Shay Dewberry and forward, Justine Greene have shown flashes of great play and both are now seniors. I actually think East Rutherford (0-1) will challenge for the conference title and make the playoffs, but it will be tough. Crest, R-S Central, Kings Mountain, East Burke and possibly Shelby are in the way.

As for Chase (1-0), freshman, Kyra Davis and sophomore Takirah McKinney will lead a very young team this season. It will be an uphill climb, but if Burns and Shelby and Draughn struggle, they might grab that fourth playoff spot.

And finally, Thomas Jefferson (0-1) could struggle again this season. Scoring and inexperience are the two biggest issues. However, two teams in the conference should have the same issue and give them a chance to make playoffs if things go as needed.

Congrats to Nathan Daisley, who won at the Air Force Jet Invitational becoming the wrestling champion of the 152 lbs. weight division at Enka this past weekend.

I hate to mention this, but Chesnee (12-2) will not win a state football title. Unfortunately, this maybe one Chesnee never forgets after leading 33-14 at half. Batesburg-Leesville scores 20 unanswered points in the second half and beats the Eagles 34-33. Congrats on a great season though Chesnee!

Read more from:
Latest News
Tags: 
None
Share: 
Comment      Print

Powered by Bondware
News Publishing Software

The browser you are using is outdated!

You may not be getting all you can out of your browsing experience
and may be open to security risks!

Consider upgrading to the latest version of your browser or choose on below: