Bouncing into the new season, the Savannah area boys' basketball scene promises heated competition across all classifications. Here's a glimpse into the 2023-24 hoop season:
GHSA CLASS 7A REGION 1
School: RICHMOND HILL HIGH SCHOOL
Head coach: Bill Henderson
Coach's years at school and record: Twelfth season, 164-136
Coach's total years as a head coach and overall record: 12th, 164-136
Record in 2022-23 (overall/region): 6-19/1-8
Key players returning: Josh Scott, Liam Bolton, Braylon Hayes, Bryce Hendricks, Skyler Riley, Derrick Lum, Preston Allred
Team's strengths/weaknesses: Returning a core group of players is a big positive for us. We will have some guys taking on more responsibility than they had in the past, so that will take some time to really click. We have struggled over the past few years with taking care of the basketball and execution on offense, so those are two areas that we are going to have to see improvement in for us to have the success that we are hoping for.
Coach's comments on the 2023-24 season outlook: “We are looking towards an improvement on the last two years. We have a solid group of players returning that are focused on getting better each day, both on and off of the court. Our tough non-region schedule should prepare us well for the start of region play in January, and we will be looking to be playing our best basketball that time of year.”
GHSA CLASS 6A REGION 1
School: BRADWELL INSTITUTE TIGERS
Head coach: Ty Randolph
Coach's years at school and record: Fourth Season, 36-35
Coach's total years as a head coach and overall record: Twenty-fourth season, 237-108
Record in 2022-23 (overall/region): 16-9/7-4
Key players returning: Elyjah Thurmon, Tahshuan Frasier, Chris Perry, Jamal Jackson, DJ Pasley, Chris Owens, Zay Thomas
Key players lost: Jamar Price, Rishard Money, Melvin Kimble, Paul Shankel
Team's strengths/weaknesses: Defense
Coach's comments on the 2023-24 season outlook: “This team has all the pieces to repeat as Region Champs and possibly win It all!”
School: EFFINGHAM COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL REBELS
Head coach: Tramaine Aaron
Coach's years at school and record: First season
Coach's total years as a head coach and overall record: 10 seasons, 108-122
Record in 2022-23 (overall/region): 17-9/7-6
Team's strengths/weaknesses: Lack experienced
Coach's comments on the 2023-24 season outlook: "This will be a big rebuilding year for our program with a new coach and relatively new players to the varsity level. This season is all about making progress in the journey to becoming a perennial state contender."
School: SOUTH EFFINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL MUSTANGS
Head coach: Rico Campbell
Coach's years at school and record: Third season, 9-41
Coach's total years as a head coach and overall record: Sixth season, 30-49
Record in 2022-23 (overall/region): 6-19/0-12
Key players returning: Aidan Harris, Jaylen Holmes, Nelson Rivera, Chase Seyler, Corbin McGuire
Key players lost: Gavin Hiatt, Isaiah Campbell, Devin Hallman, Justice Mydell, Rakeam Williams
Team's strengths/weaknesses: Guards, Speed/Size and Strength/inexperience
Coach's comments on the 2023-24 season outlook: “I expect an improvement on last season. Our number one goal is to make the state playoffs, but we have to get out of the region tournament first. The regular season will help prepare us for the region tournament.”
GHSA CLASS 5A REGION 1
School: H.V. JENKINS HIGH SCHOOL WARRIORS
Head coach: Terry Hines
Coach's years at school and record: Fourth season, 27-34
Coach's total years as a head coach and overall record: Three, 27-34
Record in 2022-23 (overall/region): 7-16, 1-9 in Region 1-5A
Key players returning: Jeremiah James (6-4, Sr., G), Lorenzo Cowan (6-5, Sr., F), Dominique Johnson (5-9, So., G), Malik DeVoe (6-4, Sr., G)
Key players lost: Juwan Boggs (6-1, G), Troy Smith Jr. (6-1, G)
Team's strengths/weaknesses: The Warriors' strengths this year will be depth and experience, returning a core of players, Hines said. “We were able to have a productive off-season and develop our culture's ‘Tribal Theory.’ Our weakness is our need for size in the post. In our classification, the post size is a common luxury, and many teams in our region have dominant post players.”
Coach's comments on the 2023-24 season outlook: “The 2023-24 season will be a season of growth, and the Warriors are looking to be more competitive. We invested time in player development and educating our student-athletes on both sides of the basketball. My coaching staff and I took the off-season to develop a system that caters to our players and the level of competition we will see night after night (Tribal Theory). We played on the road the whole summer to expose our student-athletes to various variables and levels of competition. Like Michael Jordan said, ‘Champions don't become champions when they win an event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it."
GHSA CLASS 4A REGION 3
School: BENEDICTINE MILITARY SCHOOL CADETS
Head coach: Frank Williams
Coach's years at school and record: Fourth season, 41-24
Record in 2022-23 (overall/region): 18-6/12-1
Key players returning: Caleb Jones, Henry Sink, LaDon Bryant, John Lilly, Ack Edwards
Key players lost: Stephon Frazier
Team's strengths/weaknesses: Experience. Defensive prowess. Versatility.
Coach's comments on the 2023-24 season outlook: “We are excited about this season due to the number of returning players and the amount of experience we have collectively. As back-to-back region champions and after making it to the State Final Four, we are well on our way to establishing a winning basketball culture at BC. Of course, we are especially proud to feature Caleb Jones, 4AAAA All-State last year and 4 AAAA preseason All-State.”
School: ISLANDS HIGH SCHOOL SHARKS
Head coach: Jacob Inness
Coach's years at school and record: First season at Islands
Coach's total years as a head coach and overall record: First season
Record in 2022-23 (overall/region): 4-22/0-10
Key players returning: Jordan Cave (Sr.), Braylen Butterworth (Sr.), Spencer Shipley (Soph.)
Team's strengths/weaknesses: Strengths: Versatility in the 3/4/5 spots. A senior point guard who is a leader on team. Should be able get out and push the break with a rebuilt focus on the defensive end of the floor. Weaknesses will be learning how to win and compete every single game, rebuilding our culture to not be a group that is getting pushed around on the floor.
Coach's comments on the 2023-24 season outlook: “This season is all about developing an identity and a culture that leads to long term success for us at Islands High School. I expect us to compete at a high level regardless of our opponent and show improvement each week of the season. We are rebuilding our style of play from the ground up and will focus on raising our own bar each time we step in the gym.”
School: NEW HAMPSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL PHOENIX
Head coach: Jeffrey Williams
Coach’s years at school and record: Three, 38-30
Coach’s total years as a head coach and overall record: Seven, 106-60
Record in 2022-23: 12-10, 6-4 in Region 3-4A
Key players returning: Oliver Hoffman (6-5, Sr., F), Kentavious Woodberry (6-4, Jr, G/F), Toland Daughtry (5-9, Sr., G), Antoine Youmans (5-8, Jr., PG), RaShawn Truell (6-1, Jr.), AJ Williams (6-2, Fr., G), Ja'Cari Glover (6-5, So., F), Mack Smith (6-0, So., G).
Team’s strengths/weaknesses: Strengths: work ethic, closeness, high IQ; weaknesses: overall toughness plays, rebounding, 50/50 balls, mental toughness to cut down on turnovers.
Coach’s comments on the 2023-24 season outlook: “I feel we finally have the pieces to make a run at another region title and make a run in the state playoffs. We have good guard play as well as good interior play. Our depth is going to help us get through tough matchups. We can put multiple guys on the floor who can do their jobs for the first time since I've been here.”
GHSA CLASS 3A REGION 3
School: A.E. BEACH HIGH SCHOOL BULLDOGS
Head coach: Simon Heyward
Record in 2022-23 (overall/region): 22-6, 13-2 in Region 3-3A
Key players returning: Chandler Reid (6-0, Jr., PG), James Tisby (6-4, Sr., W/F), Jayden Newton (6-0, Jr., G), DeAndre Jones ()
Key players lost: Shamarrie Hugie (6-5, wing); James Leach (6-6, F), Tyrese Bellamy (6-1, Sr., G)
Team's strengths/weaknesses: Strengths: Athleticism, Defense/ Weaknesses: Lack of Height and Rebounding
Coach's comments on the 2023-24 season outlook: “This year I will bring back six guys with some Varsity experience from last year. I have two returning starters in Chandler Reid and James Tisby. I am looking for those to players to lead the team along with Jayden Newton and DeAndre Jones. We will be an undersized team this year but we will be a scrappy basketball team.”
School: CALVARY DAY SCHOOL CAVALIERS
Head coach: Scepter Brownlee
Coach's years at school and record: 1st Year (0-0)
Record in 2022-23 (overall/region): 15-10/8-6
Key players returning: CJ Gaines (sr) Josh Habersham (sr) Chol Kiir (soph)
Team's strengths/weaknesses: Great Length, Tough Kids, Smart Kids/We are young
Coach's comments on the 2023-24 season outlook: “We will compete, we will continue to focus on the process, we are excited about the future.”
School: ROBERT W. GROVES REBELS
Head coach: Kevin Evans
Coach's years at school: Four, 42-29
Coach's total years as a head coach and overall record: Four years, 42-29
Record in 2022-23 (overall/region): 15-14, 9-5 in region 3-3A
Key players returning: Ja'Zuari Scott (6-2, Sr., W/F), Sidney Flaggs (6-0, Sr., G), Tyrone Chisholm (5-9, Jr., G), Kenya Williams (6-4, Sr., F), Avion Dilliard (6-5, Jr., F)
Key players lost: Khari Manning (6-0, G), JaQuawn Singleton (6-1, W/F)
Team's strengths/weaknesses: Strengths: Scrappy defense, ball pressure, depth of bench, guard play, speed teams up on defense and create turnovers on press. One of best backcourts in city/state. Weaknesses: Free throws, shooting on perimeter.
Coach's comments on the 2023-24 season outlook: “Defense has always been our bread and butter; we still want to make games sloppy and have teams play our style of basketball. I think we have more offensive weapons that will allow us to score more on the perimeter and in the paint. I believe we have more depth than most teams, which is big when it comes late in the season. It is always a next-man-up mentality.”
School: Liberty County High School
Head coach: Levon Grant
Coach's years at school and record: Third season, 11-30
Coach's total years as a head coach and overall record: 19th Season Overall
Record in 2022-23 (overall/region): 5-17/2-12
Key players returning: Elijah Brown, Terez Golden, Kordell Lewis
Key players lost: None, started five freshman last season.
Coach's comments on the 2023-24 season outlook: “Off to a great start this year, a young team who gained a ton of experience last season.”
School: SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY SCHOOL RAIDERS
Head coach: Zach Darling
Coach's years at school and record: Second season, 5-21
Record in 2022-23 (overall/region): 5-21/2-12
Key players returning: Blake Hall - leading scorer, captain, great shooter. Dalton Bunch - primed for a solid Junior year, solid PG/SG, talented kid looking to have a break out season, Jamari McIvory - great athlete, 2nd leading scorer, great defender. LaDamion Guyton - freshmen, 6’4 athletic post, brings post presence defensively and rebounding, Colby Schneider - good shooter, had a great summer and primed for a solid senior year. Ty Byrd - Sophomore, shooter, 6’4/6’5 tweener who can shoot and play in the paint.
Team's strengths/weaknesses: Good shooting team. Disciplined and looking to execute offensively. Unselfish team looking for the best shot. Sound defensively looking to make teams settle for tough shots. Adjusted to AAA basketball and returning good leadership.
Coach's comments on the 2023-24 season outlook: "I think we have a group of young men that will give us a chance to compete and be in the mix in region play. We had a great summer playing top competition throughout the state with guys who have really come together and put in the work to hopefully make big strides in 2023-2024 season. I think more importantly we have a group who has bought in to the new culture around basketball here at Savannah Christian. Go Raiders!"
School: SAVANNAH COUNTRY DAY HORNETS
Head coach: Mac Tamminen
Coach's years at school and record: Second season, 8-18
Record in 2022-23 (overall/region): 8-18/3-11
Key players returning: Rob Spaulding Jr, Timo Moeller, Stone Wells, Dallas Hunter, Andrew Nicholson
Key players lost: Michael Grandy
Team's strengths/weaknesses: We have an experienced group returning with the addition of newcomer freshman Nasir "Rudy" Anderson. We will look to our six seniors for leadership, direction, and teaching the culture to our younger players.
Coach's comments on the 2023-24 season outlook: "The 3-AAA region will be one of the best regions in the state. I think there are three or four teams that are capable of winning it. If we can stay healthy, focused, and motivated and eliminate distractions I feel we can compete with most teams."
School: SOL C. JOHNSON ATOM SMASHERS
Head coach: Chuck Campbell
Coach's years at school and record: Four, 60-23
Coach's total years as a head coach and overall record: Four, 60-23
Record in 2022-23 (overall/region): 25-5, 12-2 in Region 3-3A
Key players returning: Joshua Quarterman (6-3, Sr., G), Cormari Jones (6-0, Sr., PG), Favion Kirkwood (6-1, Jr., G)
Key players lost: Antonio Baker (6-3, SG), Malachi Robinson (6-5)
2023-24 season outlook: One of the elite Class 3A programs in the state in recent years, Johnson has lost two-thirds of a dynamic trio of standouts with the graduations of team leaders Baker (20.4 ppg) and Robinson (who averaged nearly a double-double with 10.9 ppg and 9.4 rpg). Quarterman, the third member, takes on a bigger role after averaging 16.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg and 2.3 apg. There is plenty of other proven talent on the court, including Jones and Kirkwood.
GHSA CLASS AA REGION 3
School: WINDSOR FOREST HIGH SCHOOL KNIGHTS
Head coach: Aaron Clark
Record in 2022-23 (overall/region): 23-7, 11-1 in Region 3-2A
Key players returning: Landon Page (6-2, Jr.), Sean Cabellero (6-4, Jr.), Ryheim Manning (6-6, Jr.)
Key players lost: Qurahn Anderson (6-3, G), Larry Pounds (6-0, G), Ahmad Grovenor (6-5)
2023-24 season outlook: Anderson was an especially big part of the Knights’ rise to state prominence in recent seasons, and key contributors such as Pounds and Grovenor also will be missed. Now it’s time for juniors such as Page, Cabellero and Manning to step up in a bigger way to keep Windsor Forest on track for more deep playoff runs.
GHSA CLASS A DI Region 3
School: BRYAN COUNTY BOYS BASKETBALL
Head Coach : Brent Anderson
Coach's years at school and record: Seventh season, 43-108
Coach's total years as a head coach and overall record: Seventh season
Record in 2022-23 (overall/region): 12-17/6-4
Key players returning: Redskins return a very balanced group that will be competitive throughout the season.
Key Players lost: Bryan County lost four seniors from last year’s playoff team that were very beneficial to our recent success in boys basketball.
Team's strengths/weaknesses: The Redskins will be a little stronger and more athletic than we have been in year’s past.
Coach's comments on the 2023-24 season outlook: “We are looking forward to a great season in a very competitive region 3 Division 1. We hope to compete for a spot in the State Tournament. Our team has made the playoffs the last two years.”
School: SAVANNAH HIGH SCHOOL BLUE JACKETS
Head coach: George Brown
Coach's years at school and record: First year
Coach's total years as a head coach and overall record: First year, replacing retired legend Tim Jordan
Record in 2022-23 (overall/region): 21-8, 8-2 in Region 3-A D1
Key players returning: Maki Joyner (6-4, Jr., G), Jermaine Edwards (6-5, Sr., F), Deshawn Davis (6-8, Jr., F), Jermontae Brown (6-0, Jr., G), Chance Hendricks (6-2, Jr., G)
Key players lost (name, height, position): Amarion Watson (5-10, G), Carl Wright (5-8, G)
Team's strengths/weaknesses: Strengths: length and athleticism. Weakness: free-throw shooting
Coach's comments on the 2023-24 season outlook: “Looking forward to a great season. We are returning 11 players from last year. Our ’24 class and ’25 classes have all been playing varsity since they were freshmen. We are expecting to compete in our region and have a deeper playoff run than we had last year. We are returning six all-region players. Jermaine Edwards just scored 1,000 points and currently is chasing 1,700 rebounds for his career.”
School: WOODVILLE-TOMPKINS HIGH SCHOOL WOLVERINES
Head coach: Travis Priddy
Coach's years at school and record: First season
Record in 2022-23 (overall/region): 20-10/10-0
Key players returning: Tyler Grant, Joey Bell, Jonathan Pickering
Key players lost: Alfonzo Ross, Terrance Bush, Wes Walker
Team's strengths/weaknesses: Still working on identity. Strength - We have a bunch of guards so hopefully our perimeter defense is something we can rely on. Weakness - Interior defense and rebounding. We are not big at all.
Coach's comments on the 2023-24 season outlook: “I got this job after the summer season was completed so we are still in the early stages of trying to find an identity and to see what kind of team we can be. I like that our team plays hard. The majority of our team is made up of guards. We do lack size so we want to utilize our speed and quickness to offset our lack of size. I think we can be a good defensive team. We need to rebound if we want to give ourselves a chance at being a good team. On the offensive end we want to push the ball in transition. We want to take good shots, play team basketball, and not turn the ball over. We have to develop these traits until they become habits. If we make it a habit of playing hard, defending well, boxing out, taking good shots, and not turning the ball over then we should be in most games. We need to find a consistent scorer from this group. If we can do these things on a consistent basis then we should be able to compete for a Region Championship and a berth in the state playoffs.”
GHSA CLASS A DII Region 3
School: SAVANNAH CLASSICAL ACADEMY SPARTANS
Head coach: Nick Lavery
Coach's years at school and record: Fifth season
Coach's total years as a head coach and overall record:
Record in 2022-23 (overall/region): 5-15/2-8
Key players returning: Junior Guard Jabrill Simmons. Junior Center Miles Cummings. Sophomore Point Guard Trey Lamar and Sophomore Shooting guard Elijah Rivers.
Team's strengths/weaknesses: Strengths-Defensive pressure. Spartans will play inside out offensively, Miles Cummings leads the charge in the paint and then perimeter players step up when he gets doubled. Weaknesses include still being a little young, learning through failure.
Coach's comments on the 2023-24 season outlook: “We are building a program from the ground up. We work to stack good days, making incremental gains every single day”
GIAA AAAA/AAA DISTRICT 2
School: ST. ANDREW’ S SCHOOL LIONS
Head coach: Mel Abrams
Coach's years at school and record: Eight Season, 134-59
Record in 2022-23 (overall/region): 28-1/8-0
Key players returning: Zayden Edwards, Will Thompson, RaKari Harrison, Jonathan Rickert, Jaylen Sheppard, Amari Cook, Richaard Williams
Key players lost: Zyere Edwards, Rod Conley, Kalab Lofton, Luke Peaster
Team's strengths/weaknesses: Defending back-to-back state champions. A lot of key players return, experience.
2023-24 season outlook: Coach Mel Abrams has scheduled a tougher-than-ever season with strong opponents. Abrams and the team are confident in their ability to compete and write their own success story this season.
GIAA A REGION 6
School: MEMORIAL DAY SCHOOL MATADORS
Head coach: Dale Mock
Coach's years at school and record: 3rd (30-17)
Record in 2022-23 (overall/region): 21-4
Key players returning: Matas Aidietis, Assir Best, Charles Chappell
Key players lost: Zsolt Boros, Jake Vendetti, Edwin Carter Jr.
Team's strengths/weaknesses: Defending GIAA Class A State Champions. Play-off experience, individual player versatility
Coach's comments on the 2023-24 season outlook: “We hope to have a strong showing for the 2023-24 season.”
GAPPS 1A Region 4
School: School: THE HABERSHAM SCHOOL PATRIOTS
Head Coach: Gardner Pippin
Coach's years at school and record: Second season, 19-10
Coach's total years as a head coach and overall record: 19-10
Record in 2022-23 (overall/region): 14-7, 4-0 in region
Key players returning: Daniil Phillips (So, PG), Hamilton Colley (Sr, SG), Sam Peterson (Sr. G/F), Ike Barry (Sr. F), Thayer Hughes (Sr, C)
Key players lost: Tyler Tift (5-8, PG)
Team’s strengths/weaknesses: Strengths - Solid leadership from a large senior class of 7, great length in our swing players at the 2/3/4, Perimeter Shooting; Weaknesses-- Offensive continuity, ball handling, defensive pressure
Coach’s comments on 23-24 season outlook: "This is one of the most talented groups of players our school has ever had. Not only are we returning five major contributors from last year, but we’ve also added three new players (Britt, Sr/G, Rowland, Sr/F, Parker, Jr/G) to the mix. We're bigger, longer, faster, deeper, and stronger than we were last year. We have some strong outside shooters that can stretch the floor and some tough guy’s underneath that are willing to grind in the paint. I'm excited to see this crew gel and grow throughout the regular season to give us an opportunity to compete in the postseason."
SCISA AA REGION II
School: BETHESDA ACADEMY BLAZERS
Head coach: Clyde Wormley
Coach’s years as head coach at school: First year
Record in 2022-23 (overall/region): 12-17, 5-4 in SCISA Region II-AA
Key players returning: Ashton Wright (6-1, Sr., PG), Jacari Mckay (6-3, Sr., F/G), Israel Wright (5-10, Jr., G)
Team's strengths/weaknesses: Defense/Passing
Coach's comments on the 2023-24 season outlook: “This year's Bethesda basketball team has an opportunity to be a really good defensive team due to overall team athleticism. The team identity will be to push the tempo and execute on the offensive end, while looking to force teams into difficult shots on the defensive end. Leadership from the seniors will be paramount to our success. Our goal is to make the regional playoffs, advance to the state tournament and compete for the state championship. The players are working extremely hard so they can have a successful season.”
PHOTO CREDIT: maddmanvisuals - Dwashawn the Photographer
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