Walterboro – Veteran coach Belinda McCoy has been tasked with rebuilding the basketball programs at Colleton Prep Academy. Not just one program, but both the boys and girls programs.
McCoy, who achieved great success in more than two decades as a coach at Patrick Henry Academy, was originally hired by Colleton Prep to take on the girls program. Just weeks before the start of the season, McCoy also was handed the boys varsity program. So, assisted by former Warhawks athlete Josh Craven, McCoy is coaching all four teams, the varsity and junior varsity teams for both boys and girls.
“I’ve done it before, at Patrick Henry, but it is a challenge,” McCoy said. “Having Josh to help is a big plus. He brings a lot of energy and he loves the game. We will make it work. It’s a chance for me to work with the junior varsity teams and that will help develop the program over the next few years.”
The girls program has a strong history of competing for state championships but has struggled a little in recent years. McCoy has the team off to a 4-3 start this season and the coach sees potential.
“We’re coming along, making progress each day,” McCoy said. “I think we’re going to be competitive. We need to be more consistent but I think that will come as we play more. They have a good attitude and I’ve been pretty pleased with their work ethic and focus.”
McCoy has three seniors on this year’s roster and all three are contributing. The seniors are Hannah Strickland, Sidney Bailey and Kara Fargnoli. Strickland and Bailey work in the post area and have been among the leading scorers and rebounders all season.
Contributing from the junior class are Anne Hatcher White, Shelby Baker, Jillian Mitchell, Anne Lewis High and McKayla Odom. Sophomore Ava Murray, freshman Millie Drew and eighth-grader Bre Cain are seeing major minutes in the backcourt.
“Being new here, I am still learning the girls and finding out what each can do,” McCoy said.
The boys team has won very few games in recent years but McCoy says this year’s team is showing a good competitive spirit. The team recently earned a double overtime win and they have lost a few games by less than five points.
“We have been getting more and more competitive and to have close games shows we are making progress,” McCoy said.
One of the team’s four seniors, Wylan Sheffield, has been the leading scorer and rebounder early on, averaging about 11 points and seven rebounds per game. The other seniors are Will Cain, Raleigh Obenhaus and Will Brady.
Junior Bryce Kinard has been a solid leader in the backcourt. The other juniors are Braedon Hiers and Blake Spears. Also getting minutes are sophomore Collin Hiers and Dale Owens.
“The biggest thing we’ve been working on is just changing the mindset and the culture,” McCoy said. “The boys program has not had a lot of success so it’s been a struggle at times to make these kids believe. As we compete better, they are gaining confidence.”
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