Basketball season approaches: Fort Mill boys rebuilding; High expectations for girls

Basketball season will tip off in about a week with the Fort Mill boys’ varsity basketball team, the defending Region IV-5A champions, looking for some of last year’s role players to pick up where some graduating seniors left off.

The boys’ team was picked to finish fourth out of five teams in Region IV-5A. Fort Mill lost nine seniors from last year’s Region championship team, including their top six players who made up 95 percent of the team’s scoring from last year.

Fort Mill does have several players with some playing experience from last season, including seniors Ryan DeLuca, Jamal White, Austin Grainger and Keaton Griffin.

“There are some kids from the JV team that will have to step up,” said head coach Dwayne Hartsoe. “I am hoping by the time region (play) gets here, we will have it figured out.”

The Jackets this season are still guard heavy and lacking many true forwards and centers. Griffin, as one of the taller players on the team, will be playing center when he isn’t at the one of the forward positions. Hartsoe said the team is a little deeper in the post area with Griffin and Grainger being able to help out on the block.

The boys’ varsity team tips off Nov. 22 at the Marvin Ridge Thanksgiving Tournament playing Marvin Ridge the first day and then Cuthbertson Nov. 23. Their home opener will be Nov. 29 against South Pointe. The team is once again heading to Chesnee High School to participate in the Lowe’s Classic tournament during Christmas break like they did last season.

High expectations for girls

The Yellow Jackets’ girls’ squad has a lot to live up to as Fort Mill was picked to finish second in Region IV behind Rock Hill. The Jackets bring back four starters, including seniors Meredith Christopher and sophomore Amiah Lindsay. Despite the preseason pick, head coach Brett Childers acknowledges his team is young.

“We are green (as far as) experience and have a lot of young faces,” he said.

“A lot of this year will be learning as we go. Our defense has to be solid. We have to create as many turnovers and fast break opportunities as we can.”

Childers said Fort Mill only has two players with significant time at the varsity level – Christopher and fellow senior Kimber Haley. The team only has three seniors total this year.

The Jackets will host their own preseason tournament Nov. 21. They will open against York Prep Academy and then host Boiling Springs Nov. 22 and Buford Nov. 23.

Like their male counterparts, Fort Mill’s girls will also be participating in the Lowe’s Classic at Chesnee High Dec. 28-30.

This story was originally published November 18, 2016 at 8:25 PM with the headline "Basketball season approaches: Fort Mill boys rebuilding; High expectations for girls."