Boys Varsity Basketball
East Clarendon comes up short
East Clarendon was not able to break out of their rough patch on Wednesday as the team picked up their ninth straight defeat. They were four points away from ending the streak, but they lost a 59-55 heartbreaker at the hands of the Latta Vikings. The Wolverines were not able to repeat the success they had when they faced the Vikings earlier this season, when they won 56-48.
Latta got their victory on the backs of several key players, but it was Isaiah Mcrae out in front who dropped a double-double on 15 points and 12 boards. Mcrae is trending in the right direction considering he’s improved his point production for three straight games. The team also got some help courtesy of Shayon Mcgruder, who posted 16 points along with five rebounds and three steals.
East Clarendon’s loss dropped their record down to 5-13. As for Latta, they pushed their record up to 8-11 with the win, which was their third straight at home.
Both squads will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. East Clarendon will head out to take on Kingstree at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. East Clarendon is facing Kingstree at the right time seeing as Kingstree is stuck on a four-game losing streak. As for Latta, they are taking a road trip to square off against Green Sea Floyds at 7:45 p.m. on Friday.
Trayvon Bannister’s Big Game Can’t Quite Lead Scott’s Branch over Baptist Hill
Scott’s Branch was not able to break out of their rough patch on Saturday as the team picked up their fourth straight loss. They might be feeling deja-vu: they lost 68-63 to the Baptist Hill Bobcats, which was the same score (and result) they got the week prior. The Eagles were given a dose of their own medicine in this game as the Bobcats apparently hadn’t forgotten their defeat the last time these teams played back in February of 2024.
Several Eagles players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Trayvon Bannister, who posted 15 points. The team also got some help courtesy of Dayvon Bannister, who had 13 points.
KyiLann Gordon was his usual excellent self, dropping a double-double on 20 points and 13 rebounds for Baptist Hill. Gordon is also on a roll when it comes to steals, as he’s now grabbed two or more in the last 12 games he’s played. Another player making a difference was Jaden Douglas, who dropped a double-double on 15 points and 11 boards.
Scott’s Branch’s loss dropped their record down to 5-14. As for Baptist Hill, the victory made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 10-11.
Scott’s Branch will host Bethune-Bowman at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. As for Baptist Hill, they will head out to take on Branchville at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Baptist Hill has been dominant on offense recently, having racked up an incredible 204 points over their last three games.
Manning victorious over Mullins
If Mullins wanted to avenge their loss from the last time they played Manning, they should’ve done a better job of containing Lovon Stevenson. The Manning Monarchs managed a 60-54 victory over the Mullins Auctioneers on Friday thanks in part to Stevenson, who went 9 for 13 on his way to 24 points and seven boards. The dominant performance also gave him a new career-high in blocks (two).
Taivon Carter was another key player, putting up eight points and five rebounds. He has been hot recently, having also posted two or more blocks the last three times he’s played.
Despite the defeat, Mullins had strong showings from Dakarai Worley, who dropped a double-double on 14 points and 12 boards, and Deyon Ford, who went 9 of 20 en route to 22 points and five rebounds.
Manning’s win bumped their record up to 13-4. As for Mullins, their loss ended a five-game streak of wins at home dating back to last season and dropped them to 14-4.
Both teams will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Manning will head out to square off against Atlantic Collegiate Academy at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. One thing working in Atlantic Collegiate Academy’s favor is that they have posted at least 55 points in their last 13 matchups. As for Mullins, they will head out on the road to take on East Clarendon at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Laurence Manning Academy Now 7-2 over Last Nine Games
Laurence Manning Academy won the last time they faced Hilton Head Christian Academy and things went their way on Friday too. The Laurence Manning Academy Swampcats took down the Hilton Head Christian Academy Eagles 64-48.
Hilton Head Christian Academy’s defeat came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Finn Ussery, who went 6 for 12 en route to 15 points. The dominant performance gave Ussery a new career-high in points. The team also got some help courtesy of Ethan Foster, who posted 12 points and five rebounds.
Laurence Manning Academy is on a roll lately: they’ve won seven of their last nine contests, which provided a massive bump to their 13-10 record this season. The wins came thanks to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 62.1 points per game. As for Hilton Head Christian Academy, they have been struggling recently as they’ve lost 12 of their last 13 matchups, which put a noticeable dent in their 3-17 record this season.
Laurence Manning Academy will be playing in front of their home fans against John Paul II at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Hilton Head Christian Academy has already played their next game (against Trinity Collegiate), but no score has been uploaded at the time of writing.
Clarendon Hall Comes Up Short
Clarendon Hall was not able to break out of their rough patch on Tuesday as the team picked up their 13th straight loss dating back to last season. They were beaten by the Orangeburg Prep Indians 64-27. While losing is never fun, the Saints can’t take it too hard given the team’s big disadvantage in MaxPreps’ South Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 310th, while the Indians are ranked 113th).
Orangeburg Prep got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Hunter Judy out in front who posted eight points along with 11 boards and three steals. Hart Wiles was another key player, putting up five points and six steals.
Clarendon Hall’s defeat dropped their record down to 0-12. As for Orangeburg Prep, the victory was the third in a row for them, bringing their record for this year to 12-3.
Coincidentally, the two teams will both be playing Thomas Sumter Academy the next time they take the court. Orangeburg Prep will head out to face Thomas Sumter Academy at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, while Clarendon Hall will host them at 7:45 p.m. on Friday.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
