Champs earn state trophy

This past season, the Johnakin Middle School basketball team enjoyed an undefeated championship season. Now, into the summer break from school, a few player from that team have earned themselves another championship trophy.

Darryl “D.J.” Kelly Jr., Marqui McKelvy and Michael Outlaw are part of the Pee Dee Basketball Association, playing for the Team Phoenix Florence 14-under team. In its fifth year, the squad won the South Carolina United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) 14-under State Championship at Socastee High School in Myrtle Beach May 30-31.

The event featured dozens of teams and the Team Phoenix Florence squad captured the championship with a dramatic overtime victory. Kelly’s father Darryl Kelly Sr., is an assistant coach along with head coach Kenneth James.

Kelly Sr. said the team is currently ranked the fourth best team in the nation out of 456 teams and it’s the fourth year his son has played with the team and the squad is preparing for the National Champions at Ft. Wayne Indiana in July.

“We’ve won four tournament championships with a record of 27-10,” he said, adding the experience gives the young student athletes an opportunity to travel on a regular basis and be part of a team learning more about self-improvement.

McKelvy is solid power forward with tremendous rebounding and shot blocking ability, while Outlaw is another low post scorer with the tools to dominate in the painted area. Kelly Jr. is a dynamic point guard who attacks the entire game by putting pressure on opponents with his ball handling skill. All three are incoming freshman at Marion High School.