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Wade Hampton on verge of region championship

By C.R. Cumbee

Staff Writer

Varnville—This season has the potential to be a special one for the Wade Hampton girls’ basketball team.  The Lady Red Devils are 12-8 overall, but 6-1 in the region with three games remaining.  They are tied with Silver Bluff for first place and are trying to capture the school’s first conference title in 12 years.

“We have to stay focused and come out with the mindset that we have to win out and get that playoff game with Silver Bluff to decide who’s going to be first and second,” head coach Romon Gray said.  “A region championship would mean a lot.  It would give us two home games in the playoffs and get a lot more girls interested in the program.”

Wade Hampton has been paced by junior shooting guard Jasmine Hill, who is scoring 14 points per game.

“She gives us a lot of leadership and gets us going.  If she has a bad night, we’re all going to have a bad night.  Everybody feeds off her,” Gray said.

Joining Hill in the starting lineup are guards Ta’sha Campbell and Lindsey Tuten, and forwards Kylie Godley and Stacia Frasier.

Coming off the bench in reserve roles have been freshman forward Ashley Walker, senior guard Vonie Gordon and junior forward Zanlinthia Jones.  Guard Alaya Drayton and forward Destiny Davenport are also on the roster.

The Lady Red Devils close out the season with games against Swansea, Edisto and Pelion.

“Right now our defense is what has been keeping us in games.  I’ve told the girls that if we play good defense, we can win.  That’s been the key to our success so far,” Gray said.

Contact C.R. at crcumbee2007@hotmail.com.

 

 

ies in that game, most notably to top running back Dondre Brown. Brown, who rushed for 91 yards in his team's lone win this season, over Estill, benefited from a bye week and returns to the lineup against Barnwell.

In Brown's absence, sophomore Corinthian Williams took over as leading rusher. He's also excelled on defense, leading the team in tackles from the linebacker spot.


Shuman recognized the play of junior quarterback Stevephen Walker, a first-year starter at that position. "He's making good decisions," his coach says. Another player cited for his play is center Austin Jarrell, who's done a "great job" both on the offensive and defensive lines.


Fellow offensive lineman Marion Young also drew praise from his coach. "He's really stood out on the offensive line," Shuman notes.  


Linebacker Carl Stevens, the Red Devils' leading tackler last season and among the team leaders in that category this season, has also performed well at fullback. Meanwhile, five-foot- eight defensive player Jerome Frier doesn't let his lack of size hinder his play.  "He hits and plays hard," Shuman says. "He's aggressive."


That style of play can also be ascribed to Curtis Lawson. His coach says he plays "really, really hard."


As Wade Hampton enters its "second season," Shuman is buoyed by the return of several key players.


"There was no better time to have a bye week," Shuman says. "That allowed us to get healthy again. Being healthy is the key to us being competitive and making a playoff run."