Marion girls basketball team reaches quarterfinals of AA state playoffs
Swamp Foxes' Charles White II selected to SCBCA AA Boys All-State team
Marion – Justice Gee thought she had some good pieces to work with when she became the head coach of the Marion High School girls basketball team. However, she also knew the transition could be a problem in itself.
“It’s not easy adjusting to a new coach and a new system,” Gee said. “I know this because I’ve experienced it both as a player and a coach.”
The Swamp Foxes came through the transition pretty well. They finished with an 18-11 overall record, but more importantly, reached the quarterfinals of the AA state playoffs for the first time since reaching the state championship game in 2020.
“What I can say about this group is that they were willing to learn and eventually believe in the system,” Gee said. “The coaching staff and I are extremely proud of this group.
Believing, buying in and playing with confidence is what got us to the third round. It hurt to lose, but it was well deserved to make it that far and no one can take that away from those young ladies.”
Marion had two players named to the All-Region 7-AA team in seniors Maliyah Williams and Sheteira Bethea. Williams led the Swamp Foxes in scoring at 12.0 points per game to go with 2.3 assists, 3.0 steals and 5.3 rebounds. Bethea led in rebounding at 8.2 while scoring 7.0 points.
Marion had a senior-dominated rotation with Kristin Shaw, Ayoni Malloy and Shamya McKelvy seeing significant time along with Williams and Bethea.
McKelvy averaged 8.2 points and 2.0 steals, Shaw averaged 5.3 points and 5.3 rebounds, and Malloy led in assists at 2.8 and steals at 3.1 while averaging 4.4 points.
Sophomore Ashanti Gause averaged 7.2 points, and junior Keamani McClellan averaged 3.8.
Gee said the success has the returning players already looking toward next season.
“This season has already motivated our underclassmen to put in the work for next year so we can go even further,” she said. “As a coach, I’m excited to have a full summer with thee young ladies to work, grow and develop every single day.”
MARION BOYS FINISH 17-11
The Marion boys finished 17-11 overall and were third in the region at 8-4. They also advanced to the second round of the state playoffs, losing to Central 78-73 in overtime.
Senior Charles White II led the Swamp Foxes in scoring at 20.3 points while pulling down 7.6 rebounds. He was named to the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association AA All-State team and the All-Region team. He was chosen as the third best player in the region.
Junior Joshaun Grant, sophomore Rodrick Dickerson and freshman James Nowlin were honorable mention selections. Grant led in assists at 3.9 and steals at 2.5 while averaging 8.4 points and 4.0 rebounds. Dickerson averaged 6.7 points and 4.0 rebounds, and Nowlin averaged 7.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.1 steals.
Ian Gause, a 6-foot-8-inch sophomore, averaged 10.5 points to go with team highs in rebounding at 8.2 and blocked shots at 1.8.
With White and Willie Cross the only seniors, Marion sported a very young team.
“This season has been a journey of growth,” said head coach DJ Kelly. “This team has shown resilience, dedication and a a spirit of excellence to be so young.”
