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Hardeeville boy’s basketball team looking towards the future

By Billy G. Baker

Publisher

Hardeeville—Kevin Wilson has challenged the members of the Hardeeville High varsity boys’ basketball team (5-14, 3-8) to look beyond the results of this season and see the bigger picture of knowing your role and striving to be good teammates as they usher in the conclusion of this season.

This was the theme of his huddle talk in the locker room minutes after Bamberg-Ehrhardt hit a three point shot with five seconds left to take a 56-55 win over the Hurricanes. It was a bitter loss that all but eliminated Hardeeville from the playoffs.

“This loss pretty much eliminates us from the play-offs,” said Coach Wilson. “We had our chances this year and things didn’t work out. I had to fire a couple players early in the season. We are trying to build our guys into more of a team concept. We have been working though a few problems.”

The youth of the team is evidence by the co-captains being sophomore forward Richard Garven and freshman point Nazair Wilson, son of the coach. The team starts only one senior forward Aljarmy Manuel who is a top rebounder and scorer.

Wilson is described as a “good stabilizer” at the point position.  He also averaged three steals a game for the Hurricanes.

The top scorer in the Jan, 31 game with BE was senior Rico Bolden who had 14 points. Junior Garrison Steeden has become a good offensive producer after transferring in from North Carolina this year.  Tiquan Johnson is a key sixth man off the bench and he can play either 1-2 positions. “Tiquan is a good scorer in transition,” said Coach Wilson. “He also has a decent mid-range jumper.”

Hardeeville won region games over Branchville, Bamberg-Ehrhardt, and Estill.

“We were under-sized this year and we lacked a lot of senior leadership,” said Coach Wilson.

Coach Wilson is assisted by Tony Bruin who played at Syracuse in the 1980’s, James Reese and trainer Reggie Tompkins.

 

"They're a good football team," says Hardeeville coach Blake Raley. "They have a lot of playmakers. They come right at you. We have to stop their running game and block on offense. They have a strong defense."

Hardeeville relied on a record-setting performance at running back to defeat Military Magnet Academy last Friday, 24-8. When starting tailback Jarrell Knighton had to miss the game due to an injury, fullback Michael Kinlaw took his place and responded with 233 yards on 22 carries and scored two touchdowns. The 5-9, 180-pound junior had a long run of 52 yards and broke Knighton's school rushing record by 3 yards.

"Michael had a great game," Raley says. "He's a downhill runner and is tough as nails. He's a bowling ball."

Unfortunately, Kinlaw won't be able to knock down any more "pins" this week. He hurt his knee on his last carry and will have to sit out the game. Back to take his place will be Knighton, who's recovered from his injury and likely has the added incentive of reclaiming his rushing record.

Quarterback Phillip Harris didn't have a great statistical game, failing to complete any of his eight passes. Raley points out, however, that his receivers "didn't give him any love," dropping three to four passes. Harris had better luck running. The 6-1, 190-pound sophomore rushed for 15 yards on 16 carries and scored one touchdown. Freshman tailback Caylon Morrison-ford rushed for 24 yards on five carries.

On the offensive line, junior right tackle Jamal Kinlaw had a "solid game" blocking.

On the other side of the ball, Aaron Grant continued to belie his size (5-7, 150) with outstanding play. The junior defensive back recorded seven tackles and one interception.

"He's a hard-nosed player who has heart, passion and energy," Raley notes. "Every spring, he wins the award for hardest hitter."

Sophomore linebacker Dominique Riley also earned plaudits for his defensive play, making 10 tackles, two of them for a loss. Terrell Knighton, Jarrell's twin brother, proved there is room for more than one star in the family. The junior linebacker made 10 tackles against Military Magnet.

The game against Cross is the first of three consecutive region matchups. Games against St. John's and Baptist Hill await Hardeeville.

"They don't get any easier," Raley said.