Abbeville – While there is no doubting that football is king when it comes to Abbeville High athletics, the boys basketball program has been doing plenty of winning as well.
Doug Belcher took over as the boys basketball coach for the 2012-13 season and has done nothing but win since taking the helm.
The 2023-24 Panthers had another solid season, finishing with a 12-6 record overall and a 6-2 record in region 2-AA. Belcher has had only one losing season (8-9) since taking over. The Panthers have had seasons with 21 wins, 20 wins, and two with 17 wins under Belcher’s leadership. After this season, the coach has an unofficial coaching record of 173 wins and 72 losses.
For the second straight season, the Panthers were eliminated from the Class AA Upper State playoffs in the second-round by perennial power Gray Collegiate, which won their sixth state title in seven years on Mar. 1.
Abbeville did notch an impressive first-round playoff victory, beating Silver Bluff in over time.
Abbeville basketball routinely gets off to somewhat of a late start due to extended playoff runs deep into November by the football program.
Belcher does not schedule many games early on, choosing to wait for the football players to get their basketball legs under them. On this year’s roster, all but two players were on the football team.
This year’s basketball team was fairly young and inexperienced overall as Belcher had a bevy of sophomores and juniors this winter. The coach said earlier in the season that those young but talented players would have to provide solid minutes.
“Pretty much sophomore and junior loaded,” Belcher said. “We have some experience but a lot of young guys who will need to perform for us. We have three seniors but none of those start. Most of the playing will come from underclassmen. We’ll have some growing pains but I think we will compete. The guys will work hard.”
One of the top players this season was sophomore guard JD Baylor, who has twice been named all-region in just two varsity seasons. Baylor again put up solid numbers this season, averaging 12.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
Sophomore Justin Rollinson did not play last season but made a huge impact this season. Rollinson led the Panthers in scoring at 16.4 points per game. He also added 5.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists.
Rollinson and Baylor are sure to be a dangerous tandem next season. In the playoff win over Silver Bluff, each scored 22 points with Baylor grabbing eight boards.
Another sophomore, Darius Riley, averaged 9.5 points per game this season, and sophomore Jaylen Baylor also was a significant contributor.
Junior Demarcus Leach, a 6-3 post player, was a key mainstay in the paint. Leach quarterbacked the football team this fall and is a Division I football prospect. On the court this season, Leach averaged 7.4 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. In the win over Silver Bluff, Leach scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
Junior Altavious Patterson averaged just under six points and six rebounds per game, putting together 11 points and eight boards in the playoff win over Silver Bluff.
Wrestling Update
Abbeville’s Na’Gaevian Calhoun competed in the Class AA state wrestling individual tournament after winning the 215-pound weight class in the Upper State qualifier. Calhoun reached the finals of the state tournament but came away with a silver medal.
Carter Eby also qualified for the state tournament after finishing third at 150 pounds in the Upper State tournament.
On the girls side, Brittany Gordon finished fourth at 135 pounds in the state open tournament. Also qualifying for the tournament were Cecilia Cramer (130) and Kylee Price (110).
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