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Warhorses’ season not going as expected

By C.R. Cumbee

Staff Writer

Barnwell—Horseshoes are usually a sign of good luck, but this season the Barnwell boys’ basketball team has had little of it.  The Warhorses are 9-8 (2-5) heading into the final two weeks of the regular season and most likely need to win out in order to make the playoffs.

“We’ve played really well throughout most of the games, just have a couple of turnovers or can’t hit free throws down the stretch to win.  We should have beaten Silver Bluff, Edisto and Wade Hampton, but we couldn’t close it out.  I feel like we’ve beaten ourselves more than other teams have,” head coach Mike Highsmith said.

Senior center Phazahn Odom has led the team with 17 points and 12 rebounds per game and recently signed with Fordham (NY) University.

“Fordham is getting a very special athlete.  He’s a kid that they can count on, that will do all his work in school, that has great character and won’t get in trouble off the court.  He’s one of the best people Barnwell High could have produced,” Highsmith said.

Along with Odom, the Warhorses have four other senior starters that will graduate.  Forward Ferris Nickens averaged a double-double while guard Mark Riley scored 11 points a game.  Octavius Baynes and Edward Johnson also made key contributions.

“This group of seniors has been a special group.  I can see it in their faces how much it has hurt them the way this season has gone,” Highsmith said.  “They’re all smart kids and they’re going to make a lot of money someday.  They never missed practice and I never had to worry about them.  It hurts me more than you know to see them go out like this.”

It will be a big transition going into next year, as Barnwell will change its philosophy.  They’ll return several players, including Jevonta Dunbar, Trent Elmore, Shyheim Badger, Richard Huggins and Charles Williams.

“We’re going to be more of a running team next year because we’re not going to have the height that we’ve had recently.  We’ll have to press and trap and our jayvee team was pretty good this year.  The players that are leaving have set a good example for them to follow,” Highsmith said.

 

 


Barnwell (10/29/09) Barnwell's football team is in a precarious position ? the Warhorses must beat rival and Region 5-AA leader Silver Bluff or receive some help to reach the Class AA playoffs.
Because of an eligibility concern that cropped up during the season, Barnwell (2-7 overall, 2-2 region) was forced to forfeit two region victories ? Wade Hampton and Edisto ? and by virtue of those forfeits, the Warhorses are currently tied for fourth with Ridgeland in the region.
Despite opening season with five consecutive losses, Barnwell coach Joey Still said he's still pleased with the team's effort and intensity.
"Our kids are playing hard," Still said. "I can't ask for anything more from our kids. The way that we take it, we're 4-5. That's how we're taking it. That's the attitude we're approaching to that. That's keeping our kids motivated.
"We started out 0-5, and as each week went by we were getting better."
Offensively, Barnwell has been led by Colby Carter, who has amassed 1,800-plus yards through nine games.
"He's the real deal," said Still, who hopes Carter continues to garner interest from colleges.
"He's a kid full of character."
Still credited the offensive line ? center Trey Still, right guard Steven Keith, right tackle D.J. Williams, left guard Jamie Randall and left tackle Jacob Bridgemon ? have been integral parts of Barnwell's success.
"The whole entire offensive line, as a unit, has gotten better," Still said.
Defensively, Still said he's seen rapid improvement.
In last week's 2-0 victory over Ridgeland, middle linebacker Trey Still had 19 tackles, the most tackles by a player during Still's tenure.
Defensive lineman Dakota Priester had 16 total tackles against Ridgeland, and defensive back Patrick Green has seven interceptions in the last four games.