Hartsville – While there is still plenty of work to be done in the final stages of the regular season, the Hartsville High girls basketball team finds itself in contention for the region 6-AAAA championship this season.
Hartsville entered action on Jan. 26 riding a four-game winning streak and sitting in a first-place tie in region six. The Red Foxes went 16-6 overall in their first 22 games and won five of their first six region games.
With four region games remaining, Hartsville was 5-1 in league play, tied for the top spot with Wilson. North Myrtle Beach had two region losses. Hartsville plays North Myrtle Beach on Jan. 30 and closes the regular season against Wilson on Feb. 6.
Justin Johnson is in his sixth season at Hartsville and feels this is his best team to date. He loves the focus and energy this year’s team plays with in every game.
"As a team we are focusing on one game, one practice and one rep at a time,” the coach reports. “This is one of the better rosters we have had in my six seasons here in Hartsville. They embody the toughness and fire on defense we've been looking for. I truly feel we will go as far as our defense allows us to. We are small, but mighty.”
Johnson relies heavily on leadership and production from his two seniors. Guard Jazz Frierson is the top player on the roster. She averages 15.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 4.0 steals per game.
Center Tatiana Fisher is the other senior and she produces 10.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per outing.
Another key performer is junior guard Brooke Mitchell, who is averaging 9.8 points and 6.2 boards per game.
“We count on our big 3 to lead by example,” Johnson says.
The roster is fairly young after the big three. Shaniah Abraham and Blakney Dawson are two other juniors. Freshmen Chaniya Thompson, Zenaria Gibson and Jasmine Reyes are providing quality minutes and production. Reyes is fourth on the team in scoring at 6.2 points per game.
“Our young freshmen Chaniya Thompson, Zenaria Gibson and Jasmine Reyes are growing up at a good rate. The faster they grow up, the better we will be," Johnson said.
Rounding out the roster this season are freshmen Ariel Leatch and Ja’Niya Hickman, and eighth-grader Trinity Thomas.
Chavis reaches 100 career wins in wrestling
Hartsville senior wrestler Jackson Chavis recently recorded his 100th career win. Chavis is one of the state’s top performers in the heavyweight division and is a strong contender for the AAAA state title this season.
Other top performers this season include Tyrese Mitchell (215), Darren Haney (113), Jacob Gilbert (126), Zach Lynch (132), Noah Gilbert (138), Jared Wilson (145), and Camden McNeal (113).
Hartsville, as a team, is in contention to win the region championship as the regular season ends.
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