Walterboro – Firmly into his second season, Colleton County boys basketball coach Dominic Kahee feels he is finally getting his team to play the way he wants them to play.
Kahee was hired late in the summer of 2023 and was unable to fully implement his offseason program with his new team. The Cougars managed eight wins last season and their fourth-place finish in region 7-AAAA earned them a spot in the Lower State playoffs.
“We started off behind and it was a slow process, but I could see things coming together late in the season,” Kahee said of his first season. “We were up and down last year but I felt good about our potential once we could get a full offseason program in place.”
With a full year to put in place his offseason program, the results this season have been much better. Entering the final week of play in January, the Cougars were 12-6 overall and off to a 2-0 start in region play.
“The kids have bought into the system and the offseason in terms of strength and conditioning helped us a lot,” Kahee said. “We just have a better understanding of the game and they know how I want us to play and what I expect. Everyone understands their role and how they can help us succeed as a team.”
This year’s team is led by three seniors – Mykeem Gant, Brian Hamilton and Nick Williams. All three are scoring in double figures with Gant pacing the group at 13.2 points per game. Williams and Hamilton average right at 12 points per contest. Gant and Williams are third-year varsity players while Hamilton is a fourth-year varsity performer.
“Those three set the tone but we are seeing a lot of guys stepping up to contribute,” Kahee said. “We play 10 guys regularly. We sub in five at a time and I think that is helping us to remain fresh and engaged in the game. When they know they are going to get their time on the court, they practice harder.”
Junior Da’veon Varner adds eight points per game and senior Javarious Doctor is scoring just under five points per contest.
The roster has a bevy of more seniors, including Tremari Davis, Chazz Frazier, Kenneth Hand, Melvin Powell and Jamaure Manigo.
Rounding out the roster this winter are juniors Robert Parks, Hykeem Ladson, Daishawn Flanagan and Jaden Williams.
Kahee says his roster is undersized compared to other teams but they try to use their athleticism and quickness to play pressure defense and create scoring opportunities through turnovers.
“We start pressing in the parking lot,” the coach says. “That’s why our depth and conditioning is so important.”
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