Walterboro – Veteran coach Belinda McCoy has been tasked with rebuilding the basketball programs at Colleton Prep Academy. Not just one program, but both the boys and girls programs.
McCoy, who achieved great success in more than two decades as a coach at Patrick Henry Academy, was originally hired by Colleton Prep to take on the girls program. Just weeks before the start of the season, McCoy also was handed the boys varsity program. So, assisted by former Warhawks athlete Josh Craven, McCoy is coaching all four teams, the varsity and junior varsity teams for both boys and girls.
The girls program has a strong history of competing for state championships but has struggled a little in recent years. McCoy has seen solid progress from the squad this season. Entering play on Jan. 30, the Warhawks were 12-7 overall and 4-2 in conference play.
“We’re coming along, making progress each day,” McCoy said. “We are definitely competing and playing with good effort. There are still come inconsistencies but that’s really expected because a lot of these girls have not played at this level. We are doing some good things though. I see us getting better. They have a good attitude and I’ve been pretty pleased with their work ethic and focus.”
McCoy has three seniors on this year’s roster and all three are contributing. The seniors are Hannah Strickland, Sidney Bailey and Kara Fargnoli. Strickland and Bailey work in the post area and have been among the leading scorers and rebounders all season.
Contributing from the junior class are Anne Hatcher White, Shelby Baker, Jillian Mitchell, Anne Lewis High and McKayla Odom. Sophomore Ava Murray, freshman Millie Drew and eighth-grader Bre Cain are seeing major minutes in the backcourt.
The boys team has won very few games in recent years but McCoy says this year’s team is showing a good competitive spirit. Entering play on Jan. 30 the Warhawks were 4-16 overall and 1-4 in region play.
“We have been getting more and more competitive and to have close games shows we are making progress,” McCoy said. “We have had several games that were in single digits. We just haven’t learned to finish strong. But they are competing better than they have in recent years.”
One of the team’s four seniors, Wylan Sheffield, has been the leading scorer and rebounder early on, averaging about 11 points and seven rebounds per game. The other seniors are Will Cain, Raleigh Obenhaus and Will Brady.
Junior Bryce Kinard has been a solid leader in the backcourt. The other juniors are Braedon Hiers and Blake Spears. Also getting minutes are sophomore Collin Hiers and Dale Owens.
McCoy also is seeing solid progress from the junior varsity teams. The boys team has lost only three games this season.
“That’s encouraging,” she said. “A lot of those boys will be on the varsity next year so it’s good they are learning to play together and win.”
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