Savannah Private School Basketball Preview 2020-21
Travis Jaudon/For the Prep Sports Report
Preview of Savannah’s private school teams, most anticipated games, and a look at Savannah’s top private school ballers entering the 2020-21 hoops season
It isn’t just the public schools in Savannah who have high expectations for their 2020-21 basketball teams. The three rivals within Region 3-A -- Savannah Christian, Calvary Day, Savannah Country Day -- have key scorers coming back after having good seasons last year.
BC will have one of the best private school players in the area in Trent Broadnax and the Cadets will be coached by first-year head man Frank Williams.
St. Andrew’s, Memorial Day, and Bethesda Academy each have plenty to replace, but enough returning talent to make waves in GISA and SCISA.
Here’s a look at the season ahead for the Savannah private schools.
Team Previews
BENEDICTINE
2019 RECORD: 15-15, 7-9
COACH: Frank Williams
REGION: 3-4A
Led by All-Savannah senior guard Trent Broadnax, the Cadets will enter their first season in Region 3-4A with a new coach, and high expectations. A region with a preseason Top-10 team in Jenkins (No. 8), 3-4A also includes New Hampstead and Islands.
The Cadets, like many of these private schools, may struggle with numbers early in the season while key players are still with the football team.
CALVARY DAY SCHOOL
2019 RECORD: 15-9, 6-4
COACH: Chad Carver
REGION: 3-A Private
Calvary was in the state playoffs last year and will return enough talent to expect a spot back in the dance once again this season.
Junior forwards Juwan Johnson and Dayyan O’Neal headline the returning frontcourt for head coach Chad Carver and the Cavs.
SAVANNAH COUNTRY DAY
2019 RECORD: 19-10, 12-1
COACH: Demetrius Smith
REGION: 3-A Private
The Hornets lost to No. 1 Treutlen County 87-85 in the Region Championship last year, then lost to Holy Innocents in the first round of the state playoffs the following week. Despite those setbacks, the season was a success by any measure for first-year head coach Demetrius Smith.
SCDS should lean heavily on 2019-20 first team all-region selection Erik Brown. An opposing coach within the region predicted the Hornets “will go as far as Erik can take them” this season. SCDS was 10-1 at home last year.
SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN
2019 RECORD: 14-11, 6-4
COACH: Robert Walsh
REGION: 3-A Private
Savannah Christian head coach Robert Walsh has three senior starters returning for his 2020-21 squad. The Raiders allowed 50.1 points per game to opponents last year, and the defensive minded Walsh figures to have his team working hard on the defensive end once again this season.
But SCPS has plenty of firepower back on offense, too. Senior forward Parker All (14.6 points per game in 2019-20) is the frontrunner to defend his Region 3-A Player of the Year Award again this season, and an effort to get him more looks from off-the-ball may lead to more open shots.
Cooper George (12.1) is also back as a starter along with Charles Moore. George made 72 3’s in 26 games as a junior.
ST. ANDREW’S
2019 RECORD: 20-7, 6-2
COACH: Mel Abrams
REGION: GISA 2-3A
St. Andrew’s will need to replace Reggie Sheppard Jr. (14.4 points per game) after the now-graduated guard led last year’s team to the GISA state playoffs.
Head coach Mel Abrams will play a rotation of guys, but the go-to option may well turn out to be sophomore Zion Griffin. As a freshman, the wing averaged 10.9 points per game.
MEMORIAL DAY SCHOOL
2019 RECORD: 23-7, 6-2
COACH: Todd O’Neal
REGION: GISA 2-2A
The Matadors lost a lot of production off of last year’s really talented roster, but Memorial has plenty to lean on with another season of George White ahead. White averaged 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds in 2019-20.
An underclassmen with experience, another player returning for head coach Todd O’Neal is sophomore Sean Stoddard (7.1 points per game).
BETHESDA ACADEMY
2019 RECORD: 22-6, 11-1
COACH: Clevan Thompson
REGION: SCISA 4-2A
Coming off an impressive season in 2019-20, the Blazers should be solid once again in 2020-21. Coach Clevan Thompson will have several key players back, including Antjuan McKay and Ivan Gooding Jr.
Private school key games
Dec. 14 -- SCPS at BC
Jan. 8 -- SCPS at SCDS
Jan. 15 -- CDS at SCPS
Jan. 22 -- Richmond Hill at BC
Jan. 23 -- SCDS at CDS
Jan. 29 -- SCPS at CDS
Feb. 5 -- CDS at SCDS
Feb. 6 -- BC at SCPS
Private school players to watch
TRENT BROADNAX, BENEDICTINE, SR.
The 2019 All-Savannah Morning News first team selection, Broadnax could put up Player of the Year caliber numbers in his senior campaign playing in Region 3-4A now.
A Duke football commit ready to play receiver for the Blue Devils next year, Broadnax was an all-region first-team pick last year in Region 3-3A. He averaged 17.3 points, five rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.8 steals per game.
PARKER ALL, SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN, SR.
The player of the year in Region 3-A last year as a junior, All is an aptly named do-it-all wing for the Raiders.
He averaged 14.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.8 steals last season.
ERIK BROWN, SAVANNAH COUNTRY DAY, JR.
After averaging 10.5 points as a sophomore two years ago, Brown followed it up with a better junior campaign last year for the Hornets.
He scored double-digits in 11 of his last 13 games last year.
Follow Travis Jaudon on Twitter @JaudonSports and contact him at travisLjaudon@gmail.com.
Photo by Savannah Christian Athletic Department
