Camden – Israel Macklin is having an outstanding season for the Camden High School boys basketball team. However, against Lake City on Tuesday, he had perhaps the most memorable game of his career.
Macklin scored 40 points in the Bulldogs' 82-66 victory. Macklin scored 13 points in the first quarter and had four more in the second quarter for 17 first-half points. Macklin had 19 points in the third quarter.
Camden is 10-1e overall and 4-3 in Region 6-AAA. Head coach Sterling Council is looking for more consistent play.
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“We're doing OK,” said Council, who is in his second year in charge at his alma mater. “I’m looking for us to be a little consistent in our play and execution We’ve got a lot of guys who didn't play a lot of varsity as we graduated five seniors.
“The games we’re losing is due to execution and mental lapses in third quarter. For the most part we’ve got to pay a little more attention to the game plan on game days.”
The 6-foot-4-inch Macklin, who was named one of the top five seniors in AAA by the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association in the preseason. He is averaging 21.9 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Senior Damon Howey is averaging 16 points, three rebounds and two assists, while junior Jahmarie McLeod is averaging 12 points and a team high seven rebounds coming off the bench.
Senior Tezzie Stradford is averaging nine points, six rebounds, two assists, three steals and three blocks, while senior Amauri Simon is averaging four points, three rebounds and three assists. Junior Lavonte Williams is averaging eight points, five rebounds and two blocks.
Donald Moore also sees quality time off the bench playing inside.
CAMDEN GIRLS AFTER SECOND STRAIGHT TITLE
There were high expectations surrounding the Camden High School girls basketball team entering the 2022-23 season. The Lady Bulldogs were coming off of a season where they had basically everyone returning from a team that lost in the AAA state championship game, including Joyce Edwards, who was considered the top player in the country in her class.
CHS answered the call, winning the state title. So with the 6-foot-3-inch Edwards and most of the team back again, the expectations have been raised again. Camden has never won consecutive state titles in girls basketball.
Lady Bulldogs head coach Natalie Norris said her team is handling things well.
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“We feel good about where we are right now,” said Norris, whose team is 21-2 overall and ranked first in the High School Sports Report AAA poll. “We have played a very difficult schedule with the desire to point out weaknesses and correct them. We have gotten off to a good start in region play and hope to be hitting our peak at the right time of the year.
“We have stressed the need for being focused each game and being prepared to take each team's best shot.”
CHS has been dominant in the state of South Carolina with the only losses coming against out-of-state competition.
Leading the way, of course, is Edwards. The University of South Carolina signee is averaging a double-double of 30.3 points and 13.1 rebounds per game. She’s also averaging 3.1 assists, 3.4 steals and 2.9 blocked shots. She recently had a 50-point game.
Norris said all of the accolades and attention Edwards deals with doesn’t adversely affect her.
“Joyce continues to handle everything with remarkable poise and class. She still has the same drive and work ethic that made her into the best player in the country. Joyce continues to play with high expectations for herself and for her teammates.”
Freshman Braylin Mungo is the second leading scorer at 11.0. She’s also averaging 3.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.3 steals. Junior Morgan Champion is averaging 10.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.8 steals.
Rounding out the starting lineup are seniors Zyasia Carter and Deanna Jeffcoat. Carter is averaging 9.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.9 steals, while Jeffcoat averages 5.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.7 steals.
A pair of freshmen, Harmony Jefferson and Shanaryah Wright, see time off the bench. Jefferson is averaging 3.9 points and Wright is at 2.6.
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