Hurricane Basketball Begins
The Jasper County High School varsity basketball program had a 2018-2019 preseason scrimmage last week by hosting Eastside High School of Covington.
The Lady Canes, coached by returning head coach Shakeirra Middlebrooks, didn’t fair so bad against the AAAA squad in their 45-32 loss.
“We are looking for great success this year,” noted the coach. “We have many players on the team with varsity experience. Our region is very challenging, however, we as a team have set a goal so please be on the look out for your Lady Canes.”
The 2018-1019 Lady Canes Squad includes seniors Mia Jenkins, Mackenzie Tripp, Madison Abbott, and Mackenzie Abbott; juniors Emily Calvendar, Alicia Tripp, Jaydin Thomas and India Thomas; sophomores Janesia Wyman, Hallie Tripp, Madison Smith, Dasia Smith, Bailey Jenkins, and Kishawna Hardwick; and freshmen Ashton Whitener, Jazmyne Thomas, Jasmine Stone, Kate Robinson, Josalyn Morris, and Azure Guli.
The squad will be assisted by coaches Tracie Glawson and John Hopper.
The next game for the squad will be Saturday, Nov. 24 when the team will host Jones County.
Unlike the girls, the varsity boys will see action in the Impact Sports Invitational on the road in Spartanburg, S.C. beginning Monday, Nov. 19 and continuing through Wednesday, Nov. 21. The squad has participated in the tournament for the past four seasons and it is held at Spartanburg Christian Academy, the host school of former Hurricane student and athlete Chris Arp. The team uses the annual journey as a team bonding and building experience.
Like the girls, the Canes boys played Eastside falling 69-34.
“We had more turnovers than we did points which is not a very good thing; however its is all fixable with a little hard work, dedication and lots of focus and concentration,” said head coach Chris Pennamon.
Though it was a lopsided loss the head coach said the scrimmage showed him what some of the players were capable of doing along with what things needed further work. It is worthy to note that the basketball squad has been without several key players who were still playing football up until last Friday. The prospective on the floor will change once those players join the ranks With that in mind, Coach Pennamon said he has incorporated some offensive and defensive rules that must be followed to start the season off and help them get more organized as everyone gets up to speed on how we will be playing this year.
“Losing Ashton Bonner, De’Ivion Lawrence, Cordarius Brannon, Devin Robinson and Chris Pennamon will be hard shoes to fill this season. They all did different things that we needed last year for us to be successful,” said the coach. “Of course Ashton, De’Ivion and Malik put up big points with Malik, De’Ivion, Devin and Chris being solid on defense. Devin and Chris took charge when other players were in foul trouble. Those things are going to have to be done by committee this year in order for us to have a chance at making it back to state.”
“It may be a rebuilding year but we have big shoes to fill and fill them quick we must!”
Coach Pennamon does not have a complete roster of players compiled yet but looks to add his only returning starter, Jay Fleetwood, from last year this week as football has concluded. He is also excited about adding big man Johari Stone giving the team some added depth in the post and a real physical presence in the paint.