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The Halftime Report: Boys and Girls Basketball Preview
It’s that time of year again! The cool weather has officially moved in, and it is time for our athletes to take it indoors. Basketball season has arrived!
The Golden State Warriors look primed to repeat. Lebron has taken his talents to Hollywood. Duke appears poised to compete for another National Championship with their freshmen all-stars. And, your CCES boys and girls basketball players are back in the gym preparing for an exciting season of Cavalier basketball! This month’s edition of The Halftime Report previews the upcoming 2018-2019 seasons for both teams.
Boys Basketball
John Butler, heading into his second season as the Head Coach of the CCES Varsity boys basketball program, is excited and optimistic about the opportunities on the horizon for the 2018-2019 Cavs. The Cavs lost five players to graduation last year; David Garrett, Cliff Gandis, Jacobe Putman, Graham Haley, and Roscoe Cox, but they return seven players and a young, hungry, and talented group of underclassmen.
After a 13-9 season last year, Coach Butler describes the challenges the team must overcome this year, noting that they have no seniors on this year’s team. “First of all, the team is very young, we have no seniors and only three juniors. We also have two middle school students who will see significant minutes— 7th grader DJ Harvey and 8th grader Jordan Butler”. He also describes how they’ve already experienced injuries with this year’s team and will need new guys to step up as they fill in for their injured teammates.
The Cavs return one of their leading scorers, Sophomore, 7’ forward, John Butler Jr.,. He had an impressive freshman campaign, and is hoping to build off that success as he steps into more of a leadership role. Additionally, Ethan Riordan and Jordan Butler are two emerging players that will have a significant impact on this year’s team combined with the return of Jack Sanford, Bennett Rogers, Rayshon Harrison, and Charles Sagedy.
“We are focused and prepared mentally for competition,” stated junior Rayshon Harrison. His teammate Jordan Butler commented, “we’re excited for this season. Having no seniors on this team has afforded empty space for leadership to emerge. One of our major goals is to develop the younger players and build our core.”
Girls Basketball
Ja’Net Vicks is entering her fourth season as Head Coach of the Lady Cavs and looks to replace three experienced players from last years team with seasoned veterans and young, up and coming talent. Coach Vicks is excited about the core that returns this year after graduating Paula Pieper (MIT), Lawren Cook (Wofford), and Marion Geary,. Coach Vicks says, “we’re returning five seasoned players who have all impacted our team and helped lead our team last year to upper state.”
After an impressive 22-5 season and an appearance in the SCHSL-AA State Semifinals (Upper State Finals), the Cavs bring back leading scorer Marisa Powe, versatile shooter McCall King, competitive and defensive stalwart Emmy Dickerson, inside player Erica Harris, and the steady and consistent Diana Geary as the core of the Cavs roster. Senior Erica Harris stated, “We hope to replicate last season's successes, moving along the younger players and advancing into playoffs.”
After being pulled up from JV for the playoffs last year, the freshmen duo of point guard Mary Wilson Reyner and strong forward Betty Frances Thomason are ready to help fill in the void left by last years graduates. Coach Vicks also highlighted the return of Ayana Richburg, who brings her speed back to the team after not playing last season. “It’s a big adjustment,” said senior Emmy Dickerson, “new people are filling big roles and teamwork is going to be crucial, but I think we can get the job done.”
Cavalier Boys and Girls Basketball open up season play with an away game at Carolina Academy on November 26th before returning home on November 27th with a game against Blue Ridge. The Cavs will host Class AA - Region 1 rival St Joseph’s on December 7th in McCall Fieldhouse. Click here for information on the 2018-2019 Cavalier Boys Basketball team, and click here for more information on the 2018-2019 Girls Basketball team. Go Cavs!
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