Marion County prep basketball teams hit the court
Photos by Steffani Nolte
Lady Foxes guard Shay Ellison passes out of a trap set by Lakewood defenders during the second round of the Swamp Fox Invitational. Marion played Myrtle Beach in the championship game.
Published: December 2, 2009
Updated: December 2, 2009
This past week, Marion County prep basketball finally got underway as the Lady Foxes hosted their second annual preseason tournament during the week and the Mullins Auctioneers welcomed fans to their annual Thanksgiving Jamboree.
The three-day basketball tournament at Marion High School featured six of the top girls basketball teams in the region, including powerhouse programs Myrtle Beach and Marion.
Lady Foxes Head coach Leon Sturkey and the squad won the first game against West Florence 60-41, thanks to 19 points from center Geneika Brantley, along with 11 points from Jessica Grant and 10 from newcomer Tyshana Lester.
The Lady Foxes followed up with a 65-62 victory over Lakewood High School. Brantley lead all scorers with 24 points, along with 15 points from Candice Wright and 10 points from Lester.
However, in the final for the Swamp Fox Invitational, Myrtle Beach took the title game 63-51 this past Wednesday. Tourney MVP Khadijah Sessions scored 21 points along with 15 from Keyaurna Wilson. Brantley led the Lady Foxes with 19 points along with 18 points from Wright.
Sturkey said he thought the event went well. “I think everyone got the opportunity to see their kids in action before the season starts,” he said, adding that the Lady
Seahawks is going to be a very good team while the Lady Foxes have potential if all the players remain healthy.
Aucs Head coach Mark Gerald enjoyed a full house of spectators. Saturday’s jamboree featured Dillon, Hemingway, Wilson, Latta, Conway Marlboro County and the Marion Swamp Foxes led by Head coach Pete Ellis.
The 2009-20010 Marion Lady Swamp Foxes basketball team are the defending Class 2A state champions and are poised for another run.
Weekly Dime: 10 drops on prep basketball
1. Geneika Brantley has been named 2009-2010 Florence Morning News Preseason Basketball Player of the Year. Brantley averaged 17.1 points, 12 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 1.5 steals last season. The junior center is a hot prospect and maybe the most dominant force is Class 2A.
2. Lady Foxes junior forward Candace Wright is also named among the top five players in the Pee Dee after scoring 14 points per game along with nine rebounds. Wright provides that winning combination that is too tough to stop in Marion, thanks to her rebounding ability and easy buckets in transition.
3. Pee Dee Academy senior center Katelyn Browne is poised for a big year. Browne loves to crack that bright smile when around friends but on the court she plays with a high level of intensity. Browne scored 22 points in the season opener then followed with 11 points in a victory over Robert E. Lee Academy. A formidable defender and rebounder, Browne will provide a big scoring lift for the Lady Golden Eagles.
4. New cast and character for the Auctioneer boys basketball team, as they start the season with a new starting five. B.J. Crawford is solid at power forward and the one player with experience. Coach Mark Gerald said it’s rewarding to teach players eager to learn and his young group will be eager to show opponents that Mullins basketball maintains high expectations, which includes defending their Region 8-2A championship.
5. Junior guard Trevor Dantzler is poised to lead the Aucs basketball program. After years of dedication to practice and leading the junior varsity program, Dantzler has a high basketball IQ and the talent to provide the Aucs with steady play from the backcourt.
6. Marion will be a contender as well. Coach Pete Ellis returns and core group of players that include D.J. Rowell, Justin Gause, Devonte Gilbert, Corey Moore and Deonte Johnson, not to the mention good depth that features freshman forward Marqui McKelvey.
7. A key factor in the Lady Swamp Foxes chances to repeat as Class 2A state champions will be senior point guard Jessica Grant. Sure the Lady Foxes return nine players from last season’s squad but the play of Grant provides that spark. A terrific defender a solid all-around player, Grant will be counted on heavily as a team leader.
8. Coach Paul Hudacko and the Creek Bridge Warriors opens the season against Mullins this week. The Warriors have continued to improve and it will be interesting to see how the squad plays in a tough region. Slasher Rakeem Williams will be a factor at guard along with point guard Vic Williams.
9. Lady Aucs forward Brittany Rowell will have to play a major role for the squad to be successful. Coach Fred Senter has managed to keep his squad in playoff contention despite the lack of experience players. Senior guard Danielle Edwards is a scorer that can provide points when needed.
10. I’m really looking forward to getting a look at some young players with potential, including Jeffre Rogers and Bradley George at PDA, Johnathan Jenkins, Chris Harley and Kenny Wayne Jackson for the Aucs along with Rowell and McKelvey for the Foxes. Rowell was lights out shooting during Saturday’s jamboree and McKelvey looked smooth on a two-hand dunk during the exhibition game versus Conway. Jackson adds size to the Aucs roster and had a highlight offensive tip-in for a key bucket Saturday. Good luck to all the area teams.
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