Beaufort – While it looks like they will not win a third consecutive region championship, the Beaufort High boys basketball team will be headed to the Class AAA Lower State playoffs.
Beaufort enters their final two games of the region 8-AAA schedule at 9-9 overall and 3-3 in region play. They have games remaining with region leader North Charleston and with Hanahan. Beaufort already has one loss to North Charleston and dropped two close games to Philip Simmons. Those three losses will mean a likely third-place finish, but will include a playoff berth.
The record tells the story of how this season has went for the Eagles and coach Jeremy Huff. An up and down roller coaster ride where the Eagles have been unable to put together a string of successes. Nonetheless, Huff is quite pleased with his team’s effort.
“These guys work hard and play hard whenever they are on the court,” Huff reports. “They continue to improve each day and want to learn and get better. We would (have) liked to repeat as region champions and continue the success of the last two seasons. It’s a tough road as our region is very competitive and every team can win on a given night.”
Beaufort won region 8-AAA last season and won region 7-AAAA two years ago. The Eagles were 18-2 in region games prior to this season.
Junior small forward Samari Bonds continues to set the pace offensively for the Eagles. Bonds is averaging 13 points and nearly five rebounds per game on the year.
Senior guard Naiim Pope adds 8.9 points and 5.8 boards per game, while junior guard Amani Cleckley is averaging 8.4 points and 3.4 assists per game.
Rounding out the usual starting lineup are seniors AJ Newton, the center, and forward Guerin Willis.
Seeing considerable action off the bench are seniors Brandon Blackmon and Dondre Blount, and junior Jaemin Odom.
Meanwhile, on the girls side, the Lady Eagles appear to be headed for the playoffs as well. Entering the final two games, also against North Charleston and Hanahan, Beaufort was 6-13 overall and 3-3 in region play. They are likely headed for a third-place finish as well. Beaufort has two region wins over Battery Creek and one over North Charleston, with two losses to Philip Simmons and one to Hanahan.
The girls roster is quite young this season with only two seniors – Anaiya Houseal and Presley Kling.
All Rights Reserved | The High School Sports Report 1986-2021