Goose Creek is our pick as the top boys basketball team in South Carolina. Also watch out for South Pointe, Irmo, Spring Valley and Lake Marion.
Goose Creek hopes to rebound from last season's loss in the championship game and win it all in 2013-14.
Photo by Ronald Roper
MaxPreps 2013-14 South Carolina Boys Basketball Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard 1. Goose CreekHead coach: Blake Hall
2012-13 record: 22-5, reached Class 4A state finals
The Gators return five of their top seven players including a trio of starters led by senior guards
Dantez Bennamon (21 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.2 apg) and
Chris Singleton (8.6 ppg), along with junior guard
Jordan McElveen (6.4 ppg).
2. South Pointe (Rock Hill)Head coach: Melvin Watson
2012-13 record: 21-2, 3rd round 4A state playoffs
The Stallions should have more speed this year led by returning starters
Anthony Johnson (18 ppg, 7 rpg, 4.4 apg),
Tyreece Brice (12 ppg, 5 rpg, 8.6 apg) and
Zeek Rodney (6.5 ppg, 6 rpg, 5 apg).
3. Irmo (Columbia)Head coach: Tim Whipple
2012-13 record: 29-0, 4A state champions
Senior
Javis Howard, a 6-foot-8 power forward heading to Charleston Southern, and senior guard
Xavier Hill hope to give 33rd-year coach Tim Whipple a second straight state championship and sixth overall.
4. Spring Valley (Columbia)Head coach: Perry Dozier
2012-13 record: 4A state quarterfinals
The Vikings will have to find a way to win without highly recruited 6-foot-6 junior guard
Perry (P.J.) Dozier Jr., who is out for the season after successful ACL surgery. Spring Valley will turn to juniors
Kenneth Legette (PG) and
Ja'lon Williams (6-4, F), along with sophomore
Jordan Bruner (6-7, F) to pick up the slack and lead the Vikings deep into the state tournament.
5. Lake Marion (Santee)Head coach: Roy Brown
2012-13 record: 25-1, 2A state champions
After winning the school’s first ever 2A state title, senior center
Austin Lawton (6-8) and junior guards
Chris Turner (6-4) and
Deriante Jenkins return aiming to lead the Gators to two in a row.
