Spartanburg Day Boys’ Basketball Focused On Competing For Region Title

By Billy G. Baker

Publisher

Spartanburg — Despite being 1-6 coming into January, Spartanburg Day head boys’ basketball coach Gregg Nibert see’s a lot of potential in his team, made up of four seniors, four juniors and four sophomores.

“I coached at Presbyterian College for 28 years, and I am starting my 5^th season at Spartanburg Day so I enjoy coaching the sport, no matter the level,” said Coach Nibert. “We focus on playing an up-temp offense and I have always stressed playing good defense.

“We do have some players who can take the ball to the basket, some who can who the three, and other who can drive very well,” said Coach Nibert. “We are still developing players who can get to the rim on the inside. We have been dealing with some injuries and thankful that other players have stepped up in their place.””

Coming out of the Holiday break, the team is led in scoring by co-captain Brice Henderson, a junior forward averaging 15 points and six rebounds a game. “Brice is a good offensive rebounder and is also a good defender playing mostly as a small forward,” said Coach Nibert.



The other co-captain is senior Payne Wood who is averaging seven points a game. Wood injured his ankle in the first game of the season against Palmetto Christian and he is expected back real soon. Payne is a two-time all-region selection and two-time North-South performer.

“Payne is our best defender on the team and he shoots very well also,” said Coach Nibert.  

A key starter is foreign exchange student Ron Rank (6-3, 185) from Estonia. Rank is a sophomore inside player who is currently averaging 8 points and 11 rebounds a game. “He is left-handed and scores a lot of baskets on the inside,” said Coach Nibert. “He blocks a lot of shots. He is also ever to move out and shoot the three when we need him to.”

Junior shooting guard Thomas Hyde is described as a great three-point shooter by his coach. Hyde is averaging 8 points and three assists a game. Price Nelson is a senior forward who is contributing 8 points and 8 rebounds a game along with four steals.

Matt Barr, a junior forward, is one of the first players in off the bench and he can also play in the post. Evan Bourla is a key point sophomore point guard sub who is averaging 8 points a game. Gabe Smith is a sophomore shooting guard who is averaging 9 points, five steals and four assists a game coming off the bench. Senior back-up point guard Tolman Colbert is averaging 9 points and six assists also.     

Other hard-working members of the team include sophomore Brienn Daniel Ayerdi, and senior Aiden Darr.

The team opened the season on a positive note defeating Palmetto Christian, 62-18 for their only win so far this season.

“Our first game, when we come back from the Christmas break will be against Oakbrook Prep on Friday and then we play Newberry Academy on the 11^th before we play a very good team in Cathedral out of Charleston and that game should prepare us for our region schedule,” said Coach Nibert.

In terms of goals and expectations, Coach Nibert said, “We certainly want to compete for a region title and we are hosting our region tournament this year so we hope to compete well in it also,” said Coach Nibert. “We just want o improve with every game and we hope to be playing our best basketball at the end of the season just before the play-offs start.”

The team will start region play on January, 21^st against Presbyterian Academy, formerly known as Shannon Forest.