Lake City - For 10 seasons, Robert Phillips guided the boys basketball program at Carolina Academy. The Bobcats were a perennial participant in the SCISA state tournament during his run as coach.
After the 2020-21 season, Phillips stepped away from coaching and thought he was done for good. The coach had decided to focus on his work and family and felt content with the decision.
Two years later, the coach finds himself walking the sidelines and barking instructions. When Phillips’ replacement, TJ Stack, accepted a coaching opportunity at another school last summer, the former coach was asked if he would come back and take the program again. The Carolina Academy graduate agreed to do so.
“The time away was good for me but they (the school) needed a coach so I decided I would come back and coach,” Phillips said. “I obviously still loved the game and I love Carolina Academy so why not?”
Through mid-December, the coach is happy that he did return. He has a very competitive team with loads of playing experience. As of Dec. 17, the Bobcats are 9-2 on the season, which includes wins over SCHSL public schools Hannah-Pamplico and Aynor.
“We’ve done fairly well so far,” the coach said. “This is a pretty experienced team. We have a lot of seniors and juniors who have been playing. Really, most of last year’s team returned.”
The starting backcourt did return as senior Garrett Sauls runs the point and senior Dyson Lamb is starting as the two guard. Both are third-year varsity performers. Sauls currently leads the team in scoring, averaging about 14 points per game. But, the strength of the team is balance. Nine players scored in a recent win over Conway Christian. There have been several different leading scorers already this season.
“Pretty much the strength of our team is our offensive balance,” Phillips said. “We have some scoring options offensively. We also have played pretty good defense as a team. No real star players but a bunch of guys who play hard.”
Junior wing Landon Turner has been in double figures several times and is averaging about 10 points per game overall, according to Phillips.
Sophomore Walker McCutcheon is around eight points per game and brings a lot of energy on the boards and on defense.
The fifth starter is senior John Tyler McElveen, who scores about eight points per game.
Seniors Collin Epps and Jackson Altman, both third-year varsity players, see a lot of playing time off the bench. Junior Blanding Franks also has worked in the rotation, with juniors Mason Huggins and Thomas McDaniel rounding out the roster. Altman has been a leading scorer off the bench and Franks has produced as well.
Following the holidays, the focus will turn to region play. The Bobcats will be contending with the likes of Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach, Williamsburg Academy, Pee Dee Academy and Florence Christian. As Phillips remembers, a very competitive region from top to bottom.
“I feel good about this team,” the coach said. “I think we can be a competitive team with everyone on the schedule. We still have work to do, always looking to improve. But it’s a really fun group to coach. They have a good attitude and they work hard. I am having fun with this team.”
All Rights Reserved | The High School Sports Report 1986-2021