Marlboro County boys basketball team off to fast start

  Bennettsville – Marlboro County High School boys basketball head coach Demetrius Knox thought the 2024-25 edition of the Bulldogs would be a good one. However, he also knew there could be some growing pains.

Through 11 games though, Knox has nothing but praise for his team. MCHS was off to an 8-3 start waiting for play in Region 5-AAA to begin on January 9 at home against Aynor.

“This team has been playing great and played above everybody’s expectations,” said Knox, who is in his third season as Marlboro County head coach. “I know what we had coming up and coming back to this team, but nobody expected us to be this good after losing some key pieces and losing nine seniors.”

The Bulldogs return just two starters from last year’s 13-10 team in seniors Justin Purvis and Ralphier Monroe. Purvis is averaging 9.8 points per game to go along with 2.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.0 steals. Monroe id leading the team in both scoring and rebounding at 11.0 and 5.0, respectively. He’s also averaging 2.0 assists.

The rest of the starting five is made up of senior Isaiah Johnson, sophomore Isaiah Whitner and sophomore LaQuincy Leach. Johnson was averaging 7.6 points and 2.0 rebounds 

Whitner was averaging 6.0 points and 2.0 rebounds while Leach was averaging 5.4 points and 4.0 rebounds.

Knox said MCHS needs to become a more fundamentally sound team. 

“This team needs to improve on becoming more consistent on the defensive side of the ball and rebounding the ball at a high level,” he said.

Other members of the rotation are senior Jahdon Covington, sophomore Will Jeffcoat, freshman Tre Blakeney, sophomore Tymire German and senior Zahkari Parnell. Covington is averaging 4.0 points, Jefcoat 5.4, Blakeney 2.3, German 2.3 and Parnell 3.1 

The remainder of the roster includes senior Donovan Outlaw and sophomore Camerion Smith.

MARLBORO COUNTY GIRLS START 4-8

The Marlboro County girls basketball team was taking a 4-8 record into region play. The Bulldogs lost five of their first six games before rebounding to split their next six games.

Freshman Serenity Bethea is leading the team in scoring at 12.8. Freshman Lyanna Boatwright is at 9.7 followed by sophomore Jordyn Zimmerman at 6.5, senior Teyona Johson at 5.8 and senior London Dudley at 5.0

Jenkins is the leading rebounder at 10.5 while Bethea is grabbing 8.1 boards. Boatwright has a team high 3.3 assists along with 4.2 rebounds and 4.6 steals. Bethea has a team high 4.8 steals to go with 2.3 assists.