Former Marion County high school stars continue aiming for the rim

Four former Marion County High School basketball stars are each taking different paths in accomplishing their goals of playing at the next level.

Through perseverance, enduring talent and willing coaches lending their support, Joe Wright, Maurice Grant, Lenzor Williams and Romel Kemp have each joined junior college basketball programs, with the exeption of Grant, who is playing for a prep school in La Grange Georgia.

Grant, an All-Region guard, played alongside Kemp and Wright on Marion’s 24-win varsity basketball team in 2006-2007. The squad advanced to the second round before the South Carolina High School Leagues dropped the team from the playoffs due a violation. He now is a post-graduate student playing basketball at Sound Doctrine Christian Academy.

“He had 18 points the last game he played, hopefully he will catch on with a college after this season,” Marion varsity basketball head coach Pete Ellis said.

Wright is in his second year on scholarship, playing for the Olney Central College Blue Knights in Olney, IL. According to the school’s athletic Web site, the 6-7, 240-pound forward will be heading to South Carolina State University.

“South Carolina State has been recruiting Joe since the early summer and he took a official visit there back in September and really enjoyed it. I think Coach Tim Carter and his staff did a great job of recruiting him and it also gives Joe a chance to get back closer to home,” Olney Central College Head coach Mike Burris said, adding that Wright “plays within his game and always plays hard and does what you need him to do on the floor and off the floor.”

On Nov. 1, the former teammates faced off in Illinois, with the Blue Knights coming away with a thrilling 108-100 victory. Wright had six points and eight rebounds, and Grant produced with eight points and four steals.

The Blue Knights also recruited Mullins Auctioneer All-State Forward Lenzor Williams, who is embarking on his freshman season with the team. The 2005 graduate averaged 19 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 4.2 blocks per game as a senior. The 6-7, 230-pound forward is already off to a great start, according to Justin Hatten’s report on the Blue Knights Web site/ He recently scored 17 points and had nine rebounds on Nov. 7 in a game against Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College.

“We can’t be happier to add Lenzor to finish off our recruiting class,” Burris said. “He loves to play and will only get better.”

“V.I.C” Williams has remained on the team’s radar since his playing days ended at Mullins High School. “We recruited Lenzor very heavily three years ago but at that time he wasn’t ready to leave home. He recently played in an alumni game at Mullins High School and we got wind that he was ready to leave home and attend college. He’s a phenomenal athlete who is strong and physical. Lenzor has the potential to be a very good post player for us.”

“I am really happy for Lenzor. It took him a while before he realized he had to leave home. After the last Alumni Game so many former players were talking to him and getting on him and I quess he did not want to let them down. If he stays there he will do well because talent is not a question. He is in the top five players that I have ever coached when it comes to talent,” Mullins varsity basketball head coach Mark Gerald said.

Marion All-State basketball forward Romel Kemp was among the best players in the state and has joined the defending JUCO National Champions South Plains College Texans in Levelland Texas. Kemp averaged 21 points, 12 rebounds, six blocks and five assists per game as a senior for the Swamp Foxes.

The coaches say they are proud of their former players and continue to have high expectations for them. “They will help others, hopefully, make good decisions. I know our guys look at this stuff and work harder because of it,” Ellis said.