Hilton Head Christian boys basketball team still developing

Bluffton – The Hilton Head Christian Academy boys basketball team is in its first season under

head coach Bryan Brown. It was a slow start for the Eagles, who started off with a 2-9 record.

Brown has been juggling the lineup trying to find the combination that works best.

“Our starting lineup has been fairly dependent on our matchups and roles needed,” Brown said.

“With a group as young as ours, I’m proud of how our guys have stepped up to the plate to be ready to

play different roles, different starting lineups and different minutes based on what the situation

commands. This is a group that is excited to play together and learn to win together.

“The simple answer is chemistry in building the team. They are still learning each other and

learning to play a style to maximize each other’s potential. They are committed to the mission of

achieving chemistry and that’s the ultimate key to their success.”

There isn’t a senior on the 11-man roster and only two returning players. Sophomore Ethan

Foster is averaging 12.1 points per game, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Finn Ussery, a junior, was

averaging 7.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists.

Sophomore Jake Wood is the leading scorer at 12.5 points while grabbing 4.2 rebounds and 2.0

assists. Freshman Max Leroux was averaging 4.7 points and 3.7 rebounds and juniors Maddox Norcross

and Killian Gibson were both averaging 3.5 points.

Brown expects much improvement in the new year.

“Our players are bought into our culture,” he said. “We expect them to grow by one percent every

day as young men first and as players second, and they have fully bought into that. In the face of

adversity and some tough losses they have and continue to stay true to that. I am very proud of their

commitment to what we are trying to do here, and they will see dividends in due time.”

HHCA HAS 8 FOOTBALL FIRST-TEAM ALL-REGION PICKS

The Hilton Head Christian football team had eight players named to the SCISA All-

Region 1-AAA first team with five of them being selected to the AAA All-State team.

The All-Region and All-State selections are senior punter/placekicker Ian Kelly, senior wide

receiver Harrison Arnholt, senior defensive tackle Hamilton Butler, senior safety Harry Cunningham

and senior defensive tackle Harper Mitchell. The other first-team selections are junior quarterback Reid

McCollum, sophomore wide receiver Joey Houpt and junior center Payne Campenalla.

Kelly had a tremendous season. He averaged 40.8 yards per punt on 22 attempts, placing six

inside the opposition’s 20-yard line. He had 27 touchbacks on 60 kickoffs and converted on 43 of 44

extra-point attempts. He was 8 of 11 on field goal attempts with a long of 43 yards.

Arnholt had 31 catches or 539 yars and one touchdown. Butler had 61 tackles, one fumble

recovery, one forced fumble, two quarterback sacks and five tackles for a loss, while Cunningham had 39

tackles and three interceptions. Mitchell had 45 tackles, four sacks, two orced fumble and a fumble

recovery.

McCollum was the focus of the offense. He completed 183 of 305 passes for 2,443 yards and 21

touchdowns while rushing for 845 yards and 16 touchdowns on 154 carries. Houpt was McCollum;s

favorite target with 65 catches for 784 yards and five touchdowns.

The second-team selections are senior right guard Jack Garisco, sophomore right tackle Ethan

Hames, sophomore running back/wide receiver Kres Langhals, senior linebacker Will Helmstetter,

junior linebacker Roman Colella, freshman defensive tackle Hayne Burden and Ussery as a linebacker.