Over the next several days we will be posting previews of all our area high school basketball teams. This is part one of that series. Part one Brett Loftis previews Broome, Woodruff, and Gaffney.
Broome:
Coach: Hal McManus
2023-2024 Record- 14-14 (5-3)
Key players you lost from last year: Ja’Coreyun Broadus, Xavier Hill, Kamajay Brackett-Brannon
Key players that returned from last year: Lance Henderson, Jaiden Thomas, Jay Thornton
Big Games: Of course, all the region games are key for us. We have a tough non-region schedule. We have already played two 5A teams. I think the early match up vs. Landrum will tell us exactly where we are at.
Season Outlook: We are excited about the season. I think we have the potential to be better than we were last year. We have a young team, a lot of new faces on the court for us. I think the ceiling is very high for this team. I am looking forward to seeing our growth come January.
Woodruff:
Coach: Bryan McConnell
2023-2024 Record: 16-10 (6-2)
Key players lost from last year: We lost a small number of guys but very big in our program, All Region Nick McConnell, All Region Happy Lea, and Kory Scott (all playing sports in college, Nick, basketball at NGU, Happy, Track at SWU, and Kory, Football at NGU.
Key Players Returning: Sr. Hunter West, Jr. Grayson Patterson, and Sophomore Aiden Gibson
Big Games this year: Rival Chesnee home Dec 20, Region play any game, anticipating biggest game with MVP at home Feb 4
Outlook for this season : Our hopes are to continue to get better and that includes a Region Championship as we have finished 2nd multiple years now. We are excited about our depth this year, returning 9 varsity players and 6 of them seniors.
Gaffney:
Coach: Charles Blue
2023-2024 Record: 15-11 (5-3)
Key players are lost from last year: shooting guard Markell Hollis, forward Judd Price, and forward Shedrick Sarratt Jr.
The key players that returned: Kaleb Phillips, Londin Bailey, Rickey Littlejohn, Zyon Ratchford
Some key games on our schedule: Wade Hampton, Byrnes, Dorman, Spartanburg.
Outlook for the 24-25 season: adjusting to the young legs we have and utilizing our athleticism as much as possible. We have a brand new team with four returners and building the culture and trust is the most important part to me to win games.
