East Clarendon basketball teams trying to secure playoff berths

           Turbeville – The boys and girls basketball teams for East Clarendon High School are trying their best to earn a berth in the AA state playoffs. Both are on the outside looking in – at least as far earning one of five automatic berths for Region 7 with four region contests to play.

           Both teams are 1-7 in region contests and tied for sixth. The possibility of securing the lone at-large berth in the lower state does exist, but boys head coach Patrick Kelly and girls head coach Demetress Adams-Ludd would like to wrap up a sport with a top-5 finish.

           East Clarendon plays host to Mullins on Tuesday before traveling to Atlantic Collegiate Academy on Friday. The final two games are at home against Marion on February 11 and Manning on February 13.

           The ECHS boys have a much harder row to hoe.

           “I want to win all of them,” said Kelly, whose squad if 6-14 overall. “For that to happen we will need to play very good basketball. I'm not sure if there is a harder schedule over the last four games then what we have.”

           Kelly can say that with validity as each of the four teams are ranked in the top 10 of the most recent South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association AA boys poll. Atlantic Collegiate is ranked second followed by Mullins at No. 3. Manning at No. 5. Marion is tied for 10^th.

           Three of the region losses have been by four points or less. The Wolverines did get revenge for one of thoae losses by beating Kingstree 48-38 on January 31. That snapped a 10-game losing streak.

           Kelly said commtting too many turnovers has beem ECHS’ Achilles heel all season.

           Freshman James Gamble is the team leader. The leading scorer from a year ago, Gamble is averaging 15.0 points per game. He’s also averaging 8.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.3 steals.

           “James is starting to play very well,” Kelly said. “He struggled early in the season. The last four or five games he has been great. He is one of our top rebounders and he plays great defense. Even when he is struggling on offense, he continues to play great defense and rebound. That is why I can't take him off the floor.”

           Other key performers are sophomore Christian Makell at 8.0 points, sophomore Ke’Shaun Porter at 7.0 and senior Darius McCray at 7.0 rebounds.

           The path to cobbling together enough victories to earn a playoff berth is easier fro the ECHS girls. East Clarendon owns its lone region victory over Manning while it lost to ACA by one and Mullins by nine. It fell to Marion 49-29

           “The team has to continue focusing on improving our decision making to pick up region wins,” said Adams-Ludd, whose squad is 3-12 overall. “Our region has competitive programs in each of the seven slots. It is not an easy task but doable. 

"The team has made strides to improve since the start of the season. Young, talented players are asked to compete on the varsity level against good players nightly. Our team accepts those challenges. We understand our record isn’t ideal but our daily team and individual goals matter to improve everything.”

Sophomore point guard Cherish Cochran is the team leader, not only in scoring at a 14.6 clip, but overall.

“Cherish Cochran has taken on a heavy role again as starting point guard. However, she has showcased her talents on both ends of the court which is a direct result of the summer skill work she committed to.”

Freshman Kiersten Woods is averaging 8.2 points and 4.1 rebounds, while freshman Payton Hanniford is averaging 5.5 rebounds and 3.8 points.