Batesburg-Leesville boys fighting for playoff berth
By David Shelton
Senior Writer
Batesburg – After missing the state playoffs last season, the goal of the 2011-12 Batesburg-Leesville boys basketball team was to advance into the post-season.
With four games remaining in the regular season, the Panthers have a shot at attaining that goal. Batesburg-Leesville entered a January 31 game with Eau Claire with a 13-8 record overall and a 4-2 record in region 3-AA.
The Panthers have three other games remaining with Columbia, Strom Thurmond and Keenan.
Head coach Bob Roudybush, now in his 12th season as head coach, says the Panthers are capable of playing themselves into a playoff spot.
“We need to win a few games to make the playoffs sure but we’re in position to earn our way in without any help, which is a good thing,” said Roudybush, who has missed the playoffs only twice in his previous 11 seasons. “It’s a very competitive region and every night is a real dogfight, especially for us. We don’t get a night off in this region. We certainly would like to finish strong and get into the playoffs with some confidence.”
The coach says he felt this year’s team would be more competitive and feels the team has played to its potential for the most part this season.
“We had some decent experience returning so I felt like we had a chance to be better,” he said. “We have played, overall, about how I thought we would. The guys give a good effort. We’re not the most talented team in the league but we are a capable team when we can play fast. Overall I’m pretty pleased.”
Leading this year’s team are guards Ty Jones and Quinn Brunson. Jones, a junior, is the most consistent player on the team and the “glue” of the team, according to Roudybush.
Brunson is the team’s leading scorer and the lone double figure scorer this season.
“We flow everything through those two and when the other guys are playing well with those two, we can compete with anyone,” said the coach. “We have about six guys that we count on and when those six are clicking together we are pretty good.”
Seniors Omar Hair and Sheldon Foulks join juniors Sammy Gilliam and Jocqui Merritt as the top six players on the roster this season.
With four games left in the region, Keenan was undefeated at 6-0 and is the state’s top-ranked AA team. Eau Claire was 4-2, Strom Thurmond was 3-3 and Columbia was 1-5 in league play. Batesburg-Leesville’s two losses were to Keenan and Eau Claire.
