5 Takeaways : Kingstree vs CE Murray
Prep Hoops decided to hit a game off the beaten path last night after leaving the Bojangles Bash. Heading down on Highway 521 we stopped off in Greeleyville to watch Kingstree HS vs CE Murray HS. I didn’t plan on coming here since I watched Kingstree earlier this week but, Scott’s Branch vs Manning game was cancelled last night.
I’m glad I attended this rivalry game of two schools in Williamsburg County roughly 14 miles apart. Several players live in neighborhoods with each other but might go to one school over the other. The gym was filled at capacity at CE Murray HS tonight.
Kingstree led 25-23 at the halftime break over the War Eagles. The game featured it least 7-9 dunks coming from Jordan Cantey, Quinton Alston and Twanye Butler. Cantey put on a block party in the first half with 6 rejections.
The Jaguars remained perfect on the season and pulled away in the 2nd half to win the Williamsburg County bragging rights 55-46. The Jaguars remain undefeated on the young season.
MVP : Koby Fulton (2018) Kingstree HS (pictured on front)
Fulton was a on point all night long for the Jaguars. Fulton who I’ve been waiting to see breakout and possibly be a stock riser (hint hint) with the other 2 teammates Cantey and Alston. Fulton scored 17 points and dished out 9 assists. Fulton has good size and length to see the floor. Fulton a former New York City guard at times gets a little carried away but the talent is all there for sure.
Best Defensive Performance : Jordan Cantey (2018) Kingstree HS
Cantey recorded 8 points and 9 blocks on the evening. Cantey had 3 blocks in a row on one side of the floor and not even 45 seconds later was filling the lane with a massive dunk in transition.
Best Guy Under the Radar : Twanye Butler (2019) CE Murray HS
Butler was going to be left out of the party for sure as he finished with 3 dunks of his own on his way to 16 points for the War Eagles. Butler 6’4 plays around the cup and lacks any kind of perimeter skills.
Youth Movement : Sheldon Bradley (2021) and Notorious Grant (2021) CE Murray HS
Grant a stock point guard finished the evening with 10 points is the future for the War Eagles with Bradley. Bradley 6’5 is slowly coming along and playing at the varsity level. Grant a defensive back on the football team actually lives in Kingstree but attends CE Murray HS according to the football coach.
Down the Road :
Head Coach Earl Brown Jr sat Quinton Alston for the first half of the game after missing practice earlier this week. Brown Jr. has really put his foot down on the program. The Jaguars have a lot of talent to make a good run this season but the Class 2-A ranks seem to be quite loaded throughout the Palmetto State. Alston finished with 6 points.
The War Eagles fell to 1-5 on the young season. This will be a season of growing pains and maturity for the roster. Darius Rush has decided not to play and will enroll at the University of South Carolina in January 2018. Rush is a Gamecock football commitment for next season.