Green Wave should be strong on the hardwood
ZJ Jenkins takes a shot for Summerville Dec. 30 during the Roundball Classic showcase.
By Roger Lee
Contributing Writer
Summerville – The Summerville Boys should be a contender on the hardwood once they knock off all the rust.
A deep playoff run by the Summerville Football team left the basketball team having to play its first two games of the season without several key players who are dual-sport athletes at full strength. The Green Wave lost its season opener to Cane Bay 76-54 and lost its first road game at Westwood 88-44.
However, Summerville hasn’t lost since and coach David Long says he is proud of the way his team played against Cane Bay.
“We feel good about our potential this season, but we expected a difficult start with so many football kids joining the teams so late,” Long said. “Our keys will be to figure out our playing rotation as soon as possible and get the football kids in basketball shape.”
The Green Wave is on a five-game winning streak. After defeating Westminster Catawba Christian out of Rock Hill, Peninsula Catholic of Newport News, Virginia and SCISA team Pinewood Prep during the Lowcountry Roundball Classic showcase Dec. 27-30, Summerville defeated Woodland 74-47 Jan. 2 and Berkeley 54-44 Jan. 3.
“In all three Roundball games we were behind in the fourth quarter and found a way to win,” Long said. “That is a credit to our kids who gave a great effort. So many of them haven’t gotten much practice in so we are still trying to build habits.”
The team does have some major contributors returning from a team that went 25-3 and advanced to the Final 4 last season and won 24 games and advanced to the Elite 8 during the 2022-23 season.
Senior Melvin Teal is back after surpassing the 1,000th point scored bench mark last season. A Flagler College signee, he is a three-time all-region selection, two-time all-state selection and was named one of the Top 5 Seniors statewide for his division this preseason.
Senior Yasir Smith returns after leading Summerville in rebounds last season and receiving all-region honors. Junior ZJ Jenkins is back after averaging 3 deflections and 2 steals per game last season.
Long is also expecting big things from senior guard Jeadon Baskerville, junior point guard Josiah Taylor and sophomore guard Jaden Kelly.
“Melvin is overcoming an ankle injury plus he doesn’t have quite as much talent around him as he is used to but he has stepped up big time,” Long said. “He nearly had a triple-double in two of the Roundball games. ZJ is our guy up top. Against Pinewood he did a good job pressuring the ball and forcing their guard to go left. The trap really caused a lot of turnovers. Coach Mike Jenkins suggested we extend our defense up rather than dropping back and it was the right call.”
Other members of the team are seniors Jaqueez Walker, Tanner Smith, Steele Robinson and Warren Nelson, juniors Derrick Grant and Jacob Bunao, sophomore Josiah Deas, freshman Yemilier Vazquez and eighth-grader Reed Robinson.
Summerville hosts Stratford at 8:30 p.m. Jan. 7. The Green Wave opens region play at 8:30 p.m. Jan. 10 when it hosts Stall. The Green Wave has a road trip to James Island Jan. 14 and returns home to host cross-town rival Ashley Ridge Jan. 17.
Summerville Girls
The Summerville Girls also have a promising team and are out to a 12-1 start. The sole loss came in overtime to Lafayette of Lexington Kentucky.
“We are still building on offense, but on defense we are solid and play hard,” Summerville coach Calvin Davis said. “We try not to give up many points.”
Summerville is led by its seniors. All-State guard/forward Molly Daugherty is the leading scorer, averaging 13.6 points per game. Point guard/forward Emma Daugherty averages 9.2 points and Cailah Tucker averages 9.0. The Daugherty twins, who have both signed to play for Abilene Christian University, both average a team-high 2.3 assists per game while junior Jayden Bennett averages 1.8.
Emma Daugherty leads in rebounds with 5.2 per game. Tucker averages 4.4 rebounds and Molly Daugherty averages 4.2. Emma Daugherty and Tucker lead in steals, both averaging 2.8, followed by Bennett with 2.1.
“I like to say we have a three-headed monster right now,” Davis said. “Emma, Molly and Tucker are stepping up. Then we have JB coming in and playing solid defense. Having that combination is very special.”
The Green Wave only lost two seniors in the offseason and has added five new players to its roster. Last season Summerville advanced all the way to the Lower State Championship game where it lost 35-27 to undefeated Sumter.
Senior center/forward Madison Thomas returns to ensure the team continues to have a strong inside presence. The other returning starters are the twins and Bennett. Also back are guards Madelyn Marsaa and Krissa Lavassar, forwards Destinee Grant and Jordan Espinal and center Ahniya Bellinger.
Tucker came to the team with varsity experience, having played previously at Fort Dorchester. Guards Mary Bryce Nye, Telissah Johnson and Makaila Sanders and forward Ciara Grant are also new to the team.
