10 players to watch among Grand Strand schools

The Grand Strand is loaded with impact players this season, some of whom might get the chance to lead their team to a state championship.
Many of the beach area’s top players have a shot at a football scholarship at the end of the season and some have barely scratched the surface of their high school careers.
Here are the top 10 Grand Strand players to watch in 2008 (in alphabetical order):

Nick Asbury, WR/DB, Jr., 5-9/160, Aynor
Going into his third year as starter for the Blue Jackets, Asbury might be the most versatile player in the Grand Strand.
Asbury will start at wide receiver, defensive back and punter, but he also can play quarterback and running back if needed.
Last season, Asbury racked up 540 rushing yards, 360 passing yards four touchdowns and 31 tackles.
“He can play anywhere,” Aynor coach Jody Jenerette said. “He’s going to play all night. He can play any position.”

Jordan Forcier, MLB, Jr., 5-9/210, St. James
After starting last season for the Sharks as a sophomore, Forcier returns as the leader on defense for St. James. He’s the starting middle linebacker, but he can also play on the outside.
The 5-foot-9 junior spent the summer working on his speed and playing basketball while training for the season.
“He’s twice as quick and fast as he was last year,” St. James coach Billy Hurston said. “He’s a hard-nose kid, he gets to the ball, he reads well and he’s a hitter.”

Michael Frazier, MLB, Sr., 6-1/201, Conway
On a defense that uses five linebackers, Frazier returns for his senior year as Conway’s leader on and off the field.
Frazier, one the team’s captains, led Tigers in tackles last season and is expected to have the same presence this year.
“He’s just an all-around player,” Conway coach Chuck Jordan said. “He has trained extremely hard to get where he is, and he makes a lot of plays on the field. He’s the kind of player you want to have.”

Kinard Gadsden-Gilliard, TE/DE, Sr., 6-4/240, Georgetown
Gadsden-Gilliard led a struggling Bulldog team last year with 20 catches for 366 yards and two touchdowns.
The 6-foot-4 senior has received an offer from S.C. State and he remains a prospect for the University of Georgia.
Along with starting at tight end, Gadsden-Gilliard will also contribute at defensive end.
“Because of his size (and) his strength, he’s a great receiver,” Georgetown coach ?? said. “He’s a very explosive player on the defensive side of the ball, very physical.”

Everett Golson, QB, So., 6-0/167, Myrtle Beach
Golson split time last season as a freshman with Princeton-bound quarterback Andrew Ellis. This season, the job is all Golson’s, and he might be the most explosive player in the Grand Strand.
In sharing time with Ellis in 2007, Golson still managed to pass for 2,802 yards and 35 touchdowns, while throwing just 11 interceptions.
The Seahawks have high expectations this year, and Golson will be heavily relied on.
“Everything he does makes him good,” Myrtle Beach coach Scott Earley said. “He’s a good thrower of the football. He’s just a well-rounded smart quarterback.
“He’s the best quarterback I’ve ever seen in my career.”

Drew Herring, OL, Sr., 6-4/320, Carolina Forest
Herring is the only offensive player on the top 10 list who doesn't play a skill position, but his experience and leadership make him a key factor for Carolina Forest.
After starting at left tackle the past two seasons, Herring was switched to center this year, where coach Drew Hummell said he’ll make the line calls.
Hummell said Herring is on Clemson’s “radar” and that he has gotten looks from Coastal Carolina, as well as some smaller colleges.
“He’s come a long way,” Hummell said. "We think he has a bright future. We think he’s going to be a big anchor for us.
“His presence there making our calls is a big plus for us.”

Titus Leaks, TB, Sr., 6-0/195, Loris
Leaks returns to Loris’ backfield as the starting tailback after splitting time as a starter last season.
The Lions struggled in 2007, going 2-8 and winning just one region game, but coach Jimmy Longerbeam expects Leaks’ experience to be a key factor for a better season this year.
“He’s very strong, has a great work ethic, and has break-away speed,” Longerbeam said. “He’s just a great kid.”

Akeem Point, RB, Sr., 5-10/185, Waccamaw
Last season, Point played behind Eric Sparkman, but was a key contributor with 512 yards on 108 carries. He also scored three touchdowns and didn’t give up any fumbles.
Waccamaw coach Burney Bourne called Point “a real good college prospect.”
“He’s our strongest player,” Bourne said. “He’s worked really hard in the weight room, and he’s just a really intense, tough competitor.”

Daniel Smith, QB, Sr., 6-0/175, North Myrtle Beach
Smith has spent time as a starter for the Chiefs since his sophomore year, and this season the quarterback position is solely his.
As a partial starter last season, Smith threw for 1,046 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions.
“His leadership experience is tremendous,” North Myrtle Beach coach Denver Cromer said. “And he’s a very good quarterback.”

Delton Walters, HB/FS, Sr., 5-11/160, Socastee
A starter on both sides of the ball, Walters is expected to be a key contributor for the Braves.
Walters rushed for six touchdowns and more than 500 yards last year as a junior.
This year, he’ll start at halfback and free safety, along with being Socastee’s main punt returner.
“He’s a good athlete,” Socastee coach Delton Walters said. “He’s started for us two years back there, and we feel like he knows what we’re doing.”