Lamar – The Lamar High School boys basketball team got off to a rough start in its first season under head coach Brian Scott. The Silver Foxes won only four of their first 18 games.
However, they are 2-3 in Region 6-Class A, and that has Scott thinking his squad is making progress.
“We are starting to play to what I expected now since we started back after the holidays,” said Scott, the former University of South Carolina football standout who had previously coached basketball at Marion. “I have some football players that were major contributors on the football team and are now coming into their own on the basketball court.
“The team chemistry is better now that we have played some games together with the kids who didn’t play football. We are looking forward to region play and playing our best and see what happens.”
The starting lineup is made up of senior Jacari Mitchell, juniors Nyshaun Quillen, Alvion Ward and Xavier “Zoom” Jackson and sophomore Nygel Eaddy.
Quillen leads in both scoring and rebounding with per-game averages of 9.9 and 7.5, respectively. Jackson is second in scoring at 7.1 followed by Ward at 6.1. Eaddy at 5.2 and Mitchell at 4.7.
Some of the key reserves are senior Xavier Tedder (3.9 ppg), senior Keaton Braddock, junior Kendall Walton, junior Van Ervin and senior DP Peoples.
Lamar won its two home games in region play and lost its three road contests. Each of the five have been tight contests. The Silver Foxes beat Hannah-Pamplico 40-30 and Lake View 67-55 while losing to Latta 51-45, Green Sea Floyds 49-47 and H-P 49-43
Scott is an assistant coach on the Lamar football team. He thinks that has helped ease the transition between him and his players in his first year as head coach.
“The adjustment has been good,” he said. “I coach football also and have built relationships with the players. The kids who didn’t play football, I’ve seen them around and have been able to talk with them. From knowing the kids’ aspect of it, we have a good relationship with them.
“The kids have adjusted well to my coaching style and see what expectations are. We’re going to look to continue to build and finish the season strong, but we’re also looking to build the program as well.”
Scott said the Silver Foxes have to do a better job of limiting turnovers, connecting on their free throw attempts and playing defense.
“If we can do that along with the intangibles, we will have a chance to win some games,” he said.
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