Young Scott's Branch boys basketball team hopes to hit stride in region

Summerton – The Scott’s Branch High School boys basketball program isn’t used to losing

seven games in a season, much less the first seven games of a season. SBHS won four straight Class A

lower state championships before going “just” 12-11 last season and only making the state playoffs.

The Eagles did lose the first seven games this season. There was no panic on the part of head

coach Kevin Miller, however.

“We're continuing to work toward the expectation we need to reach by region time because that's

when everything matters,” said Miller, whose team snapped the losing streak with two straight wins and is

now 4-9. “Our expectations are the same every season, becoming consistent on both sides of the ball for

the final phase of the season.”

Scott’s Branch opened region play on Tuesday with a 67-44 loss to Bethune-Bowman. 

The Eagles are young with just two returning staters in sophomore Nyren Bowman and senior Randy

Williams. Bowman was averaging 6.3 points and Williams 5.0.

The other starters are junior JoQuell Jackson (3.4), sophomore Quintin Jackson (0.7) and

senior Dwayne Fludd (2.0).

Senior Nigel Lawson is the leading scorer, coming off the bench averaging 10.4 points. Senior

Isaiah Fulton was averaging 4.1.

SCOTT’S BRANCH GIRLS START 5-7

The Scott’s Branch girls got off to a better start, winning five of its first 12 games.

Head coach Lucinda Stukes thinks the Eagles have a chance to get much better.

“For the most part they have met the expectation, but we believe there is so much more potential

in this team,” said Stukes, who led SBHS to the 2019 state title. “We just want to see this team grow and

come together. We don't want to peak too soon. Hopefully we can string together the right wins at the

right time.”

Scott's Branch lost its region opener, falling to Bethune-Bowman 41-40.

Scott’s Branch returns two starters from last year’s 7-13 playoff team in senior Siara Lundy and

junior Saniya House. Lundy was the leading scorer and rebounder last season.

The other starters are eighthgrader Trayiona Maxfield, senior Janiah Gibson and senior Aniya

Brown. Juniors Tavashia Scott and Kalayah Ragin are the first players off the bench.

“We have to get better offensively, finishing around the basket, and executing our offense if we

want to make the playoffs,” Stukes said.

QUINTIN JACKSON FOOTBALL ALL-STATE SELECTION

Quintin Jackson was selected as a specialist on the South Carolina Football Coaches

Association Class A All-State team. Jackson returned three kickoffs for 137 yards and one touchdown.

Jackson was picked to the first team All-Region 5 team as a defensive back. He had 42 tackles

and four interceptions. Jackson was a second team wide receiver, catching 16 passes for 350 yards and

seven TDs.

Sophomore Danny Ragin was selected as a first team defensive lineman. He had 74 tackles, 18

tackles for loss and four quarterback sacks.

Bowman was a first team wide receiver and a second team selection at linebacker. He had 37

catches for 417 yards and five TDs while coming up with 83 tackles, 22 TFLs and four quarterback sacks.

Senior linebacker Dresean Blanding was a second team pick as was senior center Jeremiah

Butler.