Gaffney Boys’ Basketball Striving Under First Year Head Charles Blue
By Billy G. Baker
Publisher
Gaffney - Charles Blue grew up in Texas but having the opportunity to be a star 6-6 guard on the Limestone College basketball team, 15 years ago; introduced him to new opportunities in the community, that included meeting his future wife (Summer Lacey Gardner) who is a three-sport Athletic Hall of Fame honoree at Gaffney High School.
After serving for two seasons as the head junior varsity coach at Dorman, where he was also a varsity assistant to Thomas Ryan, Blue was hired to rebuild the boys’ basketball program in his new home town. So far, the rebuilding project is ahead of schedule.
With four games left in the 2023-24 regular season the Gaffney team stands at (13-7, 3-1) on the season. Last years team won only five games and they finished 0-8 in the region.
“I feel like my strength is player development and I have been around basketball my entire life,” said Coach Blue. “My mind-set is going for the ring from day one. Do not do anything with a mediocre attitude. I worked with my players very hard over the summer and we have a great group of kids to work with here at Gaffney.”
Gaffney’s most recent win was over non-region foe Hillcrest (67-59) led by senior combo-guard Markell Hollis who scored 22 points and snared seven rebounds. Junior Kaleb Phillips (6-4) added 14 points as he made four three-pointers in the game. Freshman combo-guard talent Rickey Littlejohn added 11 points and dished out made six-assists against Hillcrest.
For the season, Hollis (6-4, 160) leads the team in scoring at 16.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Littlejohn is averaging 11.1 points and 4.4 assists a game and Phillips is a guard averaging 10. 7 points a game.
The other two starters include junior defensive specialist Londin Bailey who is averaging 6.5 points and 3.1 rebounds a game. The 5th starter is 6-2 center Judd Price at 5.1 points and 3.1 rebounds a game.
“We play our starters 75 per cent of the time in each quarter then we bring in several players off the bench to give them experience while the starters catch a breather,” said Coach Blue. “Developing a strong bench is key to your success in this sport.”
The first two players off the bench are usually senior guard Derek Kennell (5.3 points) and big- time power five football left tackle recruit Sheldrick Sarratt (6-5, 310). “I think Sheldrick went on a football visit to Georgia Tech this weekend and for a 300-pound athlete he runs the floor very well and he is actually a good shooter,” said Coach Blue. Sarratt is averaging 6.8 points and 5.9 rebounds a game. The 8th player who usually always subs in before the end of the first quarter is senior guard Sincere Lanair who is also a defensive specialist.
The other key reserve players on the 12-man roster include junior guard Darien Logan, 6-6 junior center Scotland Dover, 6-4 sophomore forward Zyon Ratchford and junior guard Joshua Smith.
The team’s most memorable game so far this season was their over-time win against Dorman (67-61) on January, 19. “We were up 12 points and after the first quarter, but we were trailing 9 points entering the fourth quarter when Hollis took over the game for us,” said Coach Blue. “After a defensive stop late in the game Harris drained a three from NBA range and then on Dorman’s final possession of regulation, he steals the ball on an inbound play and dunks to help us tie the game.
“Then in over-time Littlejohn took over scoring 10 of our 12 points that helped us win the game,” said Coach Blue. “The gym was packed out and it was a state championship atmosphere.”
Heading into the final four games of the season Gaffney is 3-1 in the region and holding down second place while Dorman is 3-2 holding down third place. Both team trail Byrnes who is 5-0 in the region.
After region games with Spartanburg and Boiling Springs the Indians are at Dorman on February, 6 and they host Byrnes in the regular season finale three days later. “We have the personnel to finish strong and win a region title and not finishing at least second would be disappointing,” said Coach Blue.
Coach Blue said that Hollis was invited to a “Top 80 SC Prospect Camp” in Charleston this past summer and he was awarded the “Best Shooting Award” at the camp. “This kid can shoot a basketball,” said Coach Blue. “He is a dead-eye shooter with NBA range on his three-point shots.”
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