Abbeville – By mid-December, most of the state’s high school basketball teams have played at least six games of the 2023-24 season. Many have played even more contests prior to the Christmas holiday break.
That is not the case for the Abbeville High boys basketball team. The Panthers did not play their first game of the season until Dec. 15. And this is normally the case every year.
Abbeville’s football program is one of the top Class AA programs in the state, often advancing deep into the state playoffs. It is not unusual for the football team to play for the Upper State or state championship, which extends the season past Thanksgiving.
Abbeville basketball coach Doug Belcher, entering his 12th season, says starting basketball practices and games in early December does not make sense, primarily because many of the players on his basketball team also play on the football team. The coach is not worried that his team will be behind while other schools get a head start on the season.
“It’s not a problem, in fact it’s a great thing,” Belcher said. “I want our players to enjoy their opportunity to win a state championship in football. For me, it’s not a negative thing. When the football season is over, we start basketball. I don’t worry about playing a bunch of games in December. The most important part of the season is region play and that’s in January. We take our time to get in basketball shape and we play when we are ready. We know here that every football season is going to go longer so we just let those guys focus on football and then we focus on basketball.”
Abbeville has been a solid, competitive basketball team for several years and Belcher likes the potential of his 23-24 team. The Panthers finished 13-5 last season and lost in the state playoffs to eventual state champion Gray Collegiate.
All but two players on this year’s team played football and this year’s team is less-experienced than his teams of recent years. He knows patience will be the key.
“We’re 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 will be sophomore guard JD Baylor, a returning all-region performer who was the second-leading scorer last season.
Sophomore Justin Rollinson did not play last season but Belcher expects him to be a major contributor. Sophomore Darius Riley and sophomore Jaylen Baylor also will be significant contributors.
Junior Demarcus Leach, a 6-3 post player, will be a key mainstay in the paint. Leach quarterbacked the football team this fall and is a Division I football prospect.
“Playing as a team will be important and we need every player to contribute in his role,” Belcher said. “We’re athletic and we need to use that on the defensive end. We have good speed that allows us to press. I think team speed is probably our biggest strength.”
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