With four All-Region players returning from last year’s state championship squad, the St. Andrew’s boy’s basketball team has all the tools needed to repeat as Georgia Independent Athletic Association (GIAA) champs this season.
On Wednesday, October 26 at the school’s winter sports media day, hoops head coach Mel Abrams joined seniors Zyere Edwards and Kaleb Lofton, as well as coaches and player representatives from the SAS girl’s basketball team, flag football team and swimming team. Each sport took their turn previewing the upcoming (or in some cases ongoing) season. Abrams and company went last on Wednesday, but boy’s basketball is the undeniable leader in athletics on the SAS campus. And for good reason, too.
Last year’s GIAA Class 3A state championship was the first for SAS since 2004 and the fourth in program history. The 2021-22 title has already made an impact on the school, even beyond athletics.
“Working in the admissions office, even our young students are proud of this basketball team,” said SAS Director of Public Relations Scott Searcy on Wednesday. “When you ask students about what they are proud of, one of the top things is our basketball team. It has actually impacted our enrollment.”
Here’s a look at each sport’s outlook from the media day, along with the coaches and players in attendance.
BOY’S BASKETBALL
Head Coach: Mel Abrams
Player Reps: Zyere Edwards (Sr.) & Kaleb Lofton (Sr.)
The Lions were 25-4 last year and they return four all-region starters (three were All-State) including Edwards, the 2021-22 state player of the year. A popular critique of St. Andrew’s is that the Lions “don’t play anyone” in GIAA. Abrams said he “hears that” often. His team responded to that by going 11-1 in 12 games versus GHSA schools last season.
Now, it seems the local GHSA schools aren’t as interested in playing the Lions. Not including potential in-season tournament matchups, St. Andrew’s will play just four games against Savannah GHSA teams.
“When I called around to (GHSA) schools for this year’s schedule, nobody was returning my calls,” the coach said with a laugh. “Something isn’t adding up, I guess.”
In addition to all those returning stars, St. Andrew’s has added four junior transfers (two from Benedictine, one from Country Day and one from Bluffton). Entering his eighth season, Abrams said his roster is even better this season – no doubt a scary thought for teams on the SAS schedule.
Edwards’ per-game averages as a junior were: 23.6 points, 3.9 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 4.2 steals. The younger brother of Zyere, sophomore Zayden Edwards (11.6 points, 6.3 rebounds last year) joins senior Kaleb Lofton (10.1, 4.1) as the other returning double-digit scorers.
The title defense begins on November 15 at home against Hilton Head Christian Academy.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Head Coach: Jimmy Stettler
Player Reps: Laura Jackson (Sr.), Sarah Koegler (Sr.)
“I love, love, love my roster this year. From top to bottom,” said second-year head coach Jimmy Stettler in his opening remarks. “I feel like the program is in great position to take a step forward this year.”
Stettler’s roster certainly has balance with three seniors, three juniors, four sophomores and two freshmen. The Lions finished with a 3-17 overall record last season, but there is reason for optimism moving forward. SAS will field a full junior varsity team with a solid schedule and that, Stettler says, is the sign of a program building towards sustainable success.
“We have not had the luxury of (a JV team) the last few years so that’s where the building process really starts.”
Sophomore Addi Yates (4.3ppg) is the leading returning scorer for Stettler’s club this year.
FLAG FOOTBALL
Head Coach: Trey Gross
Player Reps: Kaia Reiter (So.), Stella Bowen (Sr.)
Two games into the first ever flag football season at St. Andrew’s head coach Trey Gross says the program is already moving in the right direction.
“It’s a sport that these girls are learning for the first time,” Gross said. “Most of them know the game of football, but to get them to come out in an organized setting and to run plays or to run an offense, it’s a growing process for them. But they have come out and given that effort from the first day of practice and because of that I think we’ve seen consistent growth.”
One of the fastest growing sports in the country, flag football’s appeal to high school female student-athletes is obviously present. For some, like senior Stella Bowen, the attraction to the sport comes from having watched it her entire life. Now, she's actually able to be a part of the game by playing it.
“I just like the idea of playing football because I’ve grown up watching football and I just always loved it,” she said. “I thought it was fun that they decided to let girls play first.”
SWIMMING
Head Coach: Alicia Whelen (not present)
Player Reps: Gaby Van Brunt (Sr.), Ian Given (So.)
Van Brunt is one of the best swimmers in the state, if not the country. She is committed to Alabama.
FOLLOW Travis Jaudon on Twitter/Instagram @JaudonSports. Email him at travisLjaudon@gmail.com.
Photo Credit: St. Andrew's Public Relations Department
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