Sumter District 9 Tourney: Youngsters, Balance and Family
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Prep Hoops took in day of action here recently at Manning HS for the Sumter District 9 Tourney. The event featured 8 boys teams. Let’s take a look at some of the tidbits we picked up on the day we…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops took in day of action here recently at Manning HS for the Sumter District 9 Tourney. The event featured 8 boys teams. Let’s take a look at some of the tidbits we picked up on the day we were in the building over in Clarendon County.
Freshmen Taking Notice:
Jeffrey Ceasar Jeffrey Ceasar 5'9" | PG Manning | 2025 State SC – Manning HS
This was the first time watching this young lad for the Monarchs. Ceasar a left-handed guard finished the night with 20 points in a win over Lee Central HS. Jeffrey was able to connect on some floaters to the basket and along the baseline. Ceasar is nicknamed “Snoop” according to several members in the crowd. Ceasar came into the contest averaging 9.1 ppg on the young season for Head Coach Shawn Johnson.
Landon Cloninger Landon Cloninger 6'0" | SG North Myrtle Beach | 2025 State SC – North Myrtle Beach HS
Cloninger looks to be the next quarterback in line for the Chiefs come next fall. In the meantime, Landon plays on the hardwood and especially out on the perimeter. Landon is more of a spot shooter with good range on his stroke. Cloninger is just one of the freshmen on the Chiefs roster including Jamie Brooks Jamie Brooks 6'6" | C Atlantic Collegiate Academy | 2025 State SC (missed the tourney due to being on vacation a bit early).
Nasir Void Nasir Void 6'1" | SF Jefferson Davis Academy | 2025 State SC – Clarendon Hall (Summerton)
Void might be the future of Saints basketball when Kylic Horton Kylic Horton 6'5" | PF Clarendon Hall | 2022 State SC leaves after this season. Nasir really lacks a true position on the floor at the current time. Void plays the game extremely hard and remains active around the ball at all times. Nasir did most of his work around the basket on just activity and picking up some loose change along the way.
Very Balanced Across the Way
The Kingstree HS Jaguars went (2-1) at the tourney and escaped with a victory over Clarendon Hall on the final day. The foursome of Hakeem Barr Hakeem Barr 6'1" | SF Kingstree | 2022 State SC (20 points), Deon Elmore Deon Elmore 6'2" | SF Kingstree | 2022 State SC 17 points, Demarion Elmore 13 points and Khamis Wilson Khamis Wilson 6'3" | SF Kingstree | 2023 State SC added 10 points. The Jaguars didn’t make a three-pointer all day long and maybe attempted 2 shots from downtown. The Jaguars live at ALL-OUT ATTACKING the cup. Several slashers deluxe on this team. Good length and a lot of same size all throughout the roster.
Barr rebounds the ball well for his size and was able to finish at the cup on a regular basis. Deon Elmore Deon Elmore 6'2" | SF Kingstree | 2022 State SC is a Junkyard Dog (JYD) that does all of his damage from 2 feet in from the basket. Great competitive with this young man.
Wilson was able to stalk the baseline with his good length. Khamis did manufacture a short elbow jumper at one for the Jaguars. Could the Jaguars make some noise this season in Class 2A in the Lower State? Head Coach John Adkins has a lot of bodies to put on the floor and a very balanced squad and a lot of players who can take over at any time.
Blood Lines
Michael Holmes Jr. sound familiar with basketball fans in the Palmetto State? It should Michael Holmes Sr played at Lee Central HS back in the day and was named South Carolina Mr. Basketball back in 2007. Holmes would later play at the University of South Carolina and Coastal Carolina University.
Holmes Jr. not as tall as dad plays the game with a blue-collar mentality. Michael does his best around the cup to manufacture on put-backs and effort. Last season the Lee Central HS Stallions didn’t have a basketball season during the Pandemic. Holmes Jr (2023) finished the night with 14 points in an overtime loss to Manning HS 73-67.