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Kingstree boys fighting for playoff spot as season nears end

By David Shelton

Senior Writer

Kingstree – As the regular season draws to a close, the Kingstree High boys basketball team is fighting hard to earn a spot in the upcoming AA state playoffs.

As of January 31, the Jaguars were 11-9 overall and 2-3 in region 7-AA with three region games to play. The Jaguars had games remaining with Lake City, Manning and Timberland.

“We could finish fourth without winning another game but we are shooting for a better finish and a higher seed,” said coach Wintston Williams.  “We’ve lost some tough, close games this season. We’re very capable of competing with every team we play. We have had a lead or have been tied in seven of our nine losses so we know we can do it.”

The problem for Kingstree this season has come away from home. Eight of the team’s nine losses have come on the road this season.

“We’re in every game but we just can’t seem to find a way to finish out those close games on the road,” said Williams. “We’ve tried everything to change the mentality but we can’t get over the hump. I think if we can get just one it will give us some confidence.”

Senior Justin Burgess is Kingstree’s leading scorer this season, averaging about 15 points and seven rebounds per game. Burgess is a first-year varsity player.

Senior Steven Singletary averages 13 points per game while sophomore Anthony Fulton is scoring 12 points per game.

Rounding out the starting lineup are seniors J.C. Wright and Rashawn Mitchum, both fourth-year members of the program.

First off the bench is promising freshman Dyshane Murphy, a guard who started the season strong before hitting the “freshman wall” in January, according to Williams.

“He seems to be getting his legs back and if he can play well for us, we’re going to be a much better team overall,” said the coach.

Kingstree’s girls team, coached by Sonya Burgess, also is fighting for a high seed in region seven.

Kingstree had two region losses with three games to play and the region standings are very close.

“They could finish anywhere from first to third really and they have a great shot to win some games here late,” said Williams. “It’s very close between Kingstree, Manning and Lake City.”

Leading the way for the Lady Jags this season are sophomore guards Brittany Williams and Dejonae Chandler, along with junior guard Latoya Jones.

Kingstree also had games remaining with Lake City, Manning and Timberland.

 

 

The team's center is 6-foot-5 sophomore Rashon Mitchum.
"We brought him up as a freshman last year," Williams said. "We couldn't practice him some days, because he couldn't understand the speed of the game. He had a great offseason. He's shown enough improvement for us to put him in the starting lineup."
The team's top reserve is 6-foot-2 senior Dominique Mabry.
"He gives us a spark off the bench that is much needed," Williams said.
One player who isn't in the starting lineup is Devon Bay, who was an all-state player a year ago. Williams said Bay will not play until January for disciplinary reasons.
Williams is assisted by Steve Guerry.

Kingstree girls basketball up and down thus far


By Scott J. Bryan
Special Writer
Kingstree (12/21/09) Kingstree girls basketball coach Sonya Burgess could liken her team's 3-3 start to a roller coaster ride.
"We're kind of up and down," Burgess said.
Burgess isn't suffering from any motion sickness, and her frustration level is limited largely because she boasts a young and inexperienced team.
"We're just not playing consistent yet," she said. "We're playing up and down.
"I'm young this year, so I've got a lot of rebuilding, teaching and getting my young ones into the flow of things."
One of the team's top players is freshman guard Latoya Jones. Jones is the team's shooting guard.
"She's shooting the ball well, but we're still looking for that consistency," Burgess said. "She has those up and down games. When she shoots it, she shoots it well though."
The team's sophomore starter is Kelsey Weatle, who is playing power forward.
"She's very quick," Burgess said. "I'm just trying to get her to play more under control."
The team's top returner is point guard Jalissa Brown, a four-year member of the Jaguars' varsity club.
"She's kind of putting the team on her shoulder and carrying them," Burgess said. "When we're not doing so hot, with her being my only returning starter, she has big shoes to fill in that leadership role."
Tatanese Epps is the team's starter in the post, while Shaniqua Tisdale, Brittany McFadden and Crystal Moore are all rotating at the fifth starting spot.
Despite the team's inexperience, Burgess said she's encouraged by the willingness to learn.
"They're pretty receptive to learning," said Burgess, whose team has swept East Clarendon and topped Georgetown, while falling to C.E. Murray twice and Lake City. "They have to get used to the speed of the game. The speed is different for them. They're eager to learn. They're willing to learn. That's always a good thing. One thing I can say is I do believe I'm quicker than I've ever been in the past."
Kingstree will be playing in the District 9 Christmas tournament in Sumter on Dec. 28-30.
"We're just looking fore more of a connection," Burgess said. "We need to be more consistent. Hopefully, we'll be gelling by the end of Christmas break. Hopefully, we'll be on the right track when the region schedule begins."