Mullins Auctioneer is State Player of the Year

Mullins Auctioneer Senior forward Andrew “Chuck” Crawford has enjoyed a remarkable season.

He led his team in scoring and rebounding, helping them to earn a “pristine” 21-0 regular season record that resulted in a region 7AA championship. In recognition of his efforts, Crawford was named Class 2A State Player of the Year.

“It feels good, I worked hard for it. When we played Loris the first time, coach said I had a good chance of winning because I rebound and score points. He said just keep doing what I was doing,” Crawford said, adding that the next thing he knew, the award was his.

It’s been a steady climb for Crawford in his four years playing for the Aucs varsity boys coach Mark Gerald. The three-year starter has played the center role for an undersized team and still managed to average double figures in rebounding. In a region loaded with explosive scorers, such as AAU teammates from Dillon Lashay Page, and Alyn McCrea, along with Loris guard Patrick Jenkins, Crawford’s complete game of 22 points, 12 rebounds, and three steals per contest won over the coaches in an unanimous vote as the best player in the conference.

“I tried to be a threat in multiple areas. We have really good shooters, so rebounding and defense are important,” Crawford said.

An integral part to the “Fantastic Four” crew that features Eric “E-Wade” Smith, Seqwan “Megatron” McFarland and Stacy “Flip” Wilson, Mullins has enjoyed a stellar season heading into the playoffs as the number one seed. Crawford’s efficient scoring, supported by the double digit scoring punch from each of his fellow starters, helped to produce a team scoring average of 79.7 points per game. 

“It’s a testament to what hard work can do ... a lot of those kids have been working hard since the summer. It’s good when it pays off in an undefeated season, and to get awards like that ... it’s a good feeling and good for the team,” Gerald said.

Crawford’s laid back demeanor and leadership hasn’t gone unnoticed by his coach, who says he is happy that his player has begun to garner recognition.

“I’m real proud of where he came from. Coming into this season, I think people in our region knew about him, but overall in the state, he pretty much made a name for himself in this one year,” Gerald said. He added that it’s a compliment to the budding star that the coaches gave him the honor.

Crawford was awarded MVP of this past December’s Carolina Classic tournament at West Florence High School, highlighting a 31-point, 20-rebound performance in the semi-final game against Dillon.

Crawford says he hopes to leave a winning legacy behind for the Aucs basketball program. Younger brother B.J. Crawford is a freshman forward on the J.V. squad, a player who coach Kelvin Edwards raves about in terms of hustle, work ethic and discipline.

That could be attributed to their father Bobby Crawford, who just returned from a year-long tour of duty in Afghanistan with his National Guard Unit, 1st Battalion, 263rd.

“He tells me to work harder and shoot when I’m open ... work on my free throws ... just about everything,” Crawford said about the basketball guidance from his dad.

Crawford said he can see himself playing guard or forward on the next level and is mulling over his college choices, but the prep star would like to draw more attention from recruiters during the playoffs as the Aucs attempt to take the state championship.

Now the hope for Auctioneer fans is that Crawford will be among the players chosen to represent the state in the upcoming Carolinas All-Star Classic event  set to be played in Charlotte, in Bobcats’ Arena.