5 Takeaways : Burke vs Kingstree
The defending 2-A State Champions made the trip up to Kingstree HS last night to play the Jaguars. The Jaguars have a experienced roster back this season with new Head Coach Earl Brown Jr. Brown’s father coached for many seasons at Burke HS a downtown school in Charleston near The Citadel campus.
Kingstree jumped out to a 20-10 lead at the end of the 1st quarter. The Burke HS Bulldogs battled back and led 33-29 heading into halftime with a Khyree Thompson 3 pointer to finish out the half. The tides turned in the 3rd quarter when Kingstree started off with a 14-0 run to make the lead 43-33.
The Bulldogs battled back and made it a 52-51 game with 4;43 left on the clock. Direlle McGee hit a clutch 3 pointer with 4:20 lead to keep the Jaguars out front and lead to a victory 60-56.
MVP : Quinton Alston (2018) – Kingstree HS (pictured on front)
Alston does it all for the Jaguars. Alston is like a swiss army knife and jack of all trades. Alston connected on a few three pointers from the left wing and swatted some shots away on the defensive end. Alston finished the night with 19 points.
Best Defensive Performance : Jordan Cantey (2018) – Kingstree HS
Cantey caused havoc on the defensive end all night swatting and altering shots. Cantey looked like a volleyball player at the net on few occasions with some of the spikes he made. Cantey a rangy 6’6 forward forward is playing more inside the paint this season compared to last season when he roamed the perimeter.
Best players under 6’0 : Direlle McGee (2019) – Kingstree HS / Delonza Simmons (2018) – Burke HS
McGee was clutch all night for the Jaguars coming up with big buckets on his way to 14 points.McGee plays a modest role on this team for the Jaguars.
Simmons a 5’11 player for the the Bulldogs worked his way around the cup all night to the tune of 17 points. Simmons a left-handed kid scored all his points 2 feet in.
Best Underclassmen : Jaden Anderson (2019) – Burke HS
Anderson made some good strides since seeing him play this summer with the Charleston Playmakers. Anderson 6’5 forward connected on some put backs around the rim and hit a few 6-8 footers facing up. Anderson has good length and still seems to be learning the game. Anderson finished the evening with 10 points.
Games Thoughts :
The Jaguars preseason ranked #7 in Class 2-A have a solid starting five. The Jaguars have not won a Region VII-AA Championship since the 2008-2009 season. Koby Fulton has a chance to really be a player at times and just needs to figure it out from the point guard spot. Fulton is originally from New York City.
The Bulldogs fall to 1-2 and have a whole new team after winning the state championship last season.