War Eagles trying to match last year’s success
By C.R. Cumbee
Staff Writer
Greeleyville—The C.E. Murray boys’ basketball team had an outstanding showing last season, making it to the Lower state championship before falling to Burke. However, most of that team graduated and left a much younger group behind.
The War Eagles are in second place in Region 7-A with a 10-5 (5-2) record. If they win their final three games they will claim another conference title.
“I’m actually happy with where we’re at right now. Coming off last year we thought we’d be in a rebuilding stage, but the guys have worked really hard and have maintained that success. I know they felt the pressure of having to make it back to Lower state so sometimes they’ve tried too hard instead of just settling down and playing basketball. The focus is getting to where it was at the end of last year,” head coach Neilson Hilton said.
Leading the way for the War Eagles has been senior guard Davenick Tisdale and junior guard Darien McCray. Tisdale is averaging 14 points, 4 steals and 4 assists per game while McCray is at 14 points, 3 steals and 3 assists.
“We’ve relied on them more than I would have liked to. I was hoping to have even more balanced scoring, but they’ve been the guys that have been able to produce. Hopefully we’ll have some other guys that can take some of the pressure off them,” Hilton said.
Four players have rotated into the starting lineup at the three post positions. Sophomore Oceanez Fluitt (7 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals), junior Jamel Williams (8 points, 3 rebounds), sophomore Gregory Gamble (6 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks) and senior Donovan Capers all see significant action.
Key reserves include forward Willie Stephens and guards Jarvis Dotts and Damian Berry. Hershel Tisdale, Martin Bufkin, Tracey Bradshaw, Alexander Bradley and Richard Harmon are also on the roster.
C.E. Murray will have its senior night Feb. 3 against Timmonsville before closing the season with road games at East Clarendon and Scott’s Branch.
