Holly Hill – After a slow start to the 2023-24 season, the Holly Hill Academy boys basketball team seems to have found its mojo as the regular season finishes the final stretch.
The Raiders are under new leadership this season as Mason Padgett takes the reins. The new coach and his new team went through a transition period early but seem to have everyone on the same page late in the season.
Holly Hill entered play on Jan. 30 with an 8-10 record and on a three-game winning streak.
“We got off to a rocky start,” Padgett said. “With me being new, it took us a while. Every time you have a change in leadership, in any business, there is a period of adjustment for everyone involved. It took us about three weeks to finally get together and for them to adjust to me.
“I think this team has bought in. They got a taste of winning. They now understand how important basketball is to me. It’s serious. It’s more than just something to do between football and baseball season.”
Another factor in Holly Hill Academy’s slow start was the absence of junior guard Jody “Boogie” Gilliam, a transfer from Orangeburg Prep who missed several games early on. Gilliam’s presence in the lineup has given the team a boost. He is averaging 18 points per game overall.
The Raiders are getting surprising production from an unlikely source. Eighth-grader Nick Lindsey, a junior varsity player last season, is averaging 17 points per game for the varsity this season.
“He’s an excellent shooter,” Padgett says. “Still a lot to learn and has some growing to do but he can shoot.”
Junior Ashton Soles is a starting wing and is averaging 10 points per game. Senior Mason Rudd is a starting forward and excels as a defender and rebounder.
Starting at center is the best athlete, 5-11 senior Tyree James, who is averaging about 10 points and 10 rebounds per game this season.
First off the bench for the Raiders is junior guard Ethan Siau. Freshman Tyler Green comes off the bench as a defender and rebounder.
Padgett says his team lacks overall size but they aim to use their athleticism to offset dominance inside.
“We push the ball, try to press a lot, and create some easy offense off the defense,” the coach said.
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