Kingstree – With three starters back from a team that went 16-7 and reached the third round of the AA state playoffs, Kingstree High School girls basketball head coach James Price is stressing to his players to not let the opportunity pass it by.
“I have stressed to the team that we need to seize the moment and be excited to have an opportunity to compete for region titles and potentially a state title,” said Price, whose team won 12 of its first 15 games and was 2-0 in Region 8. “Last year was definitely a turning point for the program and this year we are out to prove that we are not a 1-hit wonder. Staying focused and consistent has been our motto.”
The returning starters are senior point guard Makayla Dukes, senior power forward Saniya Taylor and freshman center Naydia Shaw.
Dukes is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 14.3 points per game. She is averaging a double-double with 10.2 steals along with 4.7 assists.
The 6-foot-tall Shaw is averaging a conventional double-double of 13.6 points and 10.2 rebounds.
Taylor is averaging 4.7 points and 4.8 rebounds.
The other starters are senior small forward Destiny Mosley and sophomore shooting guard Demia Mosley. Demia is averaging 7.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.9 steals, while Destiny is averaging 5.1 points, 3.4 assists and 3.6 steals.
Key contributors off the bench are sophomores Nyla Wallace (3.1 ppg) and Kylee Kelty (2.2 ppg, 5.1 rep) and freshman Jaiden McKnight (2.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg).
Price believes the Lady Blazers are making steady progress, especially offensively.
“I think we have shown a lot of improvement in the areas of ball movement on offense,” Price said. “Giving up the good shot for a better shot, being unselfish and taking pride in playing smothering team defense has gotten us off to a great start on the season.
“We value each possession on the offensive end of the floor, make sure that we can execute at a high level and finish with a bucket or an opportunity to go to the free throw line. No empty possessions. On the defensive end, we want to remain sound and connected as a team. One possession only, so that means we have secured the rebound or forced a turnover.”
KINGSTREE BOYS START 1-1 IN REGION PLAY
The Kingstree boys are in their first season under head coach Tony Dunkin. They were off to a 10-5 overall start and a 1-1 start in region play.
Dunkin, the Coastal Carolina legend, said the team is starting to round into shape.
“Our expectations are high, but we also understand the steps it’s going to take to get there.,” Dunkin said. “We are putting focus on the details to help improve as individuals and as an entire team.
“They are beginning to truly understand our expectations and reasoning behind why we hold them to such high standards and why we don’t except anything but your very best. Adjusting to a new coach and new ideas takes time, but they have handled it very well.”
The Blazers are led in scoring by seniors Michael Kelly, Adarius Hilton and Antonio Kingcade. Kelly is in the starting lineup and is averaging 11.5 points to go along with 5.6 rebounds, both team highs.
Hilton and Kingcade come off the bench, averaging 11.0 points and 9.1 rebounds, respectively.
The rest of the starting lineup consists of senior Ja’Shaun Dorsey, juniors Ashton Woods and Malachi Matthews and sophomore Benjamin Washington.
Dorsey is averaging 6.4 points, while Matthews is at 5.3, Woods at 3.6 and Washington at 1.6.
Other members of the rotation are freshman Trumaine Myers (5.0 ppg), junior Terrance Scott (1.4 ppg) and junior ChiQuan Giles (0.9 ppg).
Dunkin said Kingstree has to improve its ballhandling.
“We have to remember to take care of the basketball,” he said. “Turnovers hurt no matter how many you may have. We will have to continue to play with intensity on offense and most certainly on defense.”
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