Exciting Basketball Season Kicks Off in Newberry County!
Newberry County, S.C.— Now that we’ve all enjoyed the Thanksgiving feast, it’s officially time to dust off our sneakers and get ready for what promises to be an incredibly thrilling basketball season! This week, all four local schools are set to tip-off their seasons, and the buzz among basketball lovers in the area is palpable.
Newberry High School: A Force to Be Reckoned With
First up, we have Newberry High School, a team that is entering the season with a lot of momentum. They’ll be returning four of their five starters from last year’s squad that snatched the region championship. The Bulldogs are eager to make a deep push in the playoffs this year, and they have a strong foundation to do just that.
Kenton Caldwell and AJ Jeter have already received preseason all-region selections, and there’s a lot of excitement around Caldwell being pegged as a favorite for region player of the year. Alongside them, fans can expect great performances from Jamel Howse, a defensive dynamo, and Isaiah Glymph, who will be essential in scoring.
With a record of 17-11 last season, ending with an impressive 8-0 region record, their sights are set high with a predicted record of 19-9 for the upcoming season. Mark your calendars for some thrilling matches, starting with their game on December 2 against Dutch Fork!
Mid-Carolina: A Young Team with Potential
Next, let’s talk about Mid-Carolina, a team that’ll bring a lot of athleticism to the court this year. The Rebels are looking to replace some key players, but they still have the sharp-shooting senior Kaden Myers, who can score in bunches.
While they may have a young team filled with many fresh faces who need to gel together quickly, they’re expected to shine on defensive plays. Last season they finished with a record of 9-14 and a balanced 4-4 region record. This year’s prediction sits at 8-14. Their first game of the season is on December 3 against Saluda, and it’s sure to be an exciting matchup!
Whitmire: Rebuilding with Youth
As for the Whitmire Wolverines, they are in a rebuilding phase after losing standout players like Ricky Hamilton and Aidan Davis from last season. However, they still have returning starting point guard Kayshaun Schumpert to provide some leadership to what’s likely to be a fairly young roster.
Whitmire will be dressing two eighth graders, one freshman, and two sophomores, indicating a bright future but some growing pains ahead. They ended last season with a record of 5-13 and missed the playoffs, but there’s hope for improvement, as their projected record for this season is 6-12. Their opening game is slated for December 2 against Pelion.
Newberry Academy: Consistency is Key
Last but certainly not least is Newberry Academy, who enters the season optimistic. They’ll return most of the roster from last season, despite losing a bit of depth in their front court. They had a successful stretch toward the end of last season that they hope to build upon this year.
The Eagles posted a record of 15-12 last season with a solid 14-2 region record, falling in the first round of the state playoffs. This year, they have a prediction of 13-13 and will begin their season on December 3 against Whitmire — a game you won’t want to miss!
Get Ready for a Season Full of Action!
So there you have it, folks! The excitement is building in Newberry County as fans get ready to support their teams through what promises to be a thrilling basketball season. Whether you’re cheering for the Bulldogs, Rebels, Wolverines, or Eagles, there’s no doubt that there’s going to be plenty of action on the court!
Let the games begin!
