Beaufort forward/center Michael Dennison averaged more than 15 points and 12 rebounds a game as a senior at Beaufort High School. Bob Sofaly file/The Island News

LowcoSports names All-Lowco Hoops teams

By Justin Jarrett and Wes Kerr

LowcoSports.com

Before we were overcome with the deluge of the spring sports season, we spent the winter in gyms around the Lowco living and dying with every 3-pointer, rebound and fast break.

A girls basketball dynasty marched on at Hilton Head Christian Academy, Beaufort Academy played on the final day of the season, and the Bluffton Bobcats, Estill Gators and Wade Hampton Red Devils captured region titles, and individual stars captivated us with their skill and tenacity.

Hilton Head Prep’s boys brought home a state title in a Lowco-on-Lowco final, Beaufort High made a deep run, and the Estill Gators and Wade Hampton Red Devils closed out their program histories with epic seasons.

Better late than never, we honor the Lowco’s top coaches and the top 40 high school boys and girls basketball standouts from the 2022-23 season with the All-Lowco Boys Hoops Team presented by Mikkelson Law Firm, Hospice Care of the Lowcountry and Homegrown Home Inspections.

BOYS COACH OF THE YEAR

Richard Barron | Hilton Head Prep

SCISA 3A State Champions

In his first year replacing the legendary Jerry Faulkner, Hilton Head Prep’s Richard Barron took the Dolphins back to the top in 2022-23. Powered by outstanding big man Sean Cusano, Barron adopted a multifaceted motion offense and a stingy defensive approach to lead a motivated group to the SCISA 3A boys’ state title. After falling to rival Hilton Head Christian Academy in overtime, the Dolphins won their last nine games of the year with two of them against those Eagles including the finale in the state championship game. Barron’s group relied upon a steady senior duo of Cusano and Kane Eanes alongside excellent growth from underclassmen guards Ben Frey and Connor Campbell. 

2022-23 All-Lowco Hoops Boys Top 40

LOWCO BOYS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Sean Cusano | Sr. | F | Hilton Head Prep

21.6 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 1.6 bpg, 11 double-doubles

The catalyst of a memorable state championship season at Hilton Head Prep, Sean Cusano starred on both ends to put the Dolphins on top in SCISA 3A. At 6-foot-9, Cusano’s extraordinary play close to the basket was paramount to the Dolphins’ success. The Chattanooga signee averaged a double-double while stretching the floor with his multi-level scoring ability. His constant defensive intensity protecting the rim and shot-blocking were just as important, helping shift the momentum and energize his group.

A proven leader who aided the growth of his teammates, Cusano always found a way to orchestrate the key play when his Dolphins needed it.

ALEX SHERRILL HEART & HUSTLE AWARD

Braydon Dineen | Sr. | G | Beaufort Academy

An exemplary multi-sport athlete at Beaufort Academy, senior Braydon Dineen stands out as this year’s boys’ Alex Sherrill Heart and Hustle award winner. Dineen fits the award perfectly – a young man who will stop at nothing to make the little plays that matter on the court. Carrying a constant drive to perform and improve, Dineen soared above the rest to hustle for loose balls, come away with key steals, make the extra pass, and hit the open shot. A terrific team-first player and leader on the court, Dineen fits the award’s bill perfectly.

Beaufort Academy senior Tahleeah Heyward. Bob Sofaly file/The Island News

ALL-LOWCO BOYS 1st TEAM

G ISAAC GRAY

Sr. | Wade Hampton HS

Region 6-2A POY avg 17.5 ppg

G QAYDEN TURNER

Jr. | HHCA

12.3 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 3.8 apg

F JOSHUA GOODMAN

Soph. | Wade Hampton HS

13.6 ppg

F MICHAEL DENNISON

Sr. | Beaufort HS

15.4 ppg, 12.8 rpg, 1.1 bpg

C KAVON CHISOLM

Jr. | Estill HS

15.6 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 1.8 bpg

ALL-LOWCO BOYS 2nd TEAM

G DEVON ALLEN

Jr. | Wade Hampton HS

13.4 ppg

G SULLY GAY

Jr. | Beaufort HS

12.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.0 spg

F ELIJAH WHITE

Jr. | HHCA

9.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.1 apg

F ISAIAH ANDERSON

Jr. | HHCA

12.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg

C AMARION WILSON

Soph. | Bridges Prep

12.0 ppg, 15.4 rpg, 1.2 bpg

ALL-LOWCO 3rd TEAM

G HARRISON SKINNER

Fr. | HHCA

8.8 ppg, 1.8 apg, 1.6 spg, 57 3FG

G KANE EANES

Sr. | Hilton Head Prep

10.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.8 apg

F JAYLIN LINDER

Sr. | Bluffton HS

18.5 ppg

F NOAH ALTMAN

Sr. | Patrick Henry

18.6 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.8 spg

C TONY O’BANNER

Fr. | Thomas Heyward

18.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.3 bpg

ALL-LOWCO BOYS HOOPS HONORABLE MENTION

GAVIN BLOCKER

Sr. | May River HS

SAMARI BONDS

Soph. | Beaufort HS

BRANDON BRYANT

Jr. | Bluffton HS

PONCIE CAPERS

Soph. | Ridgeland

MEKHI DAVIS

Jr. | Wade Hampton HS

LEVI DYER

Sr. | Holy Trinity

FOREST FAIREY

Jr. | Patrick Henry

QUEASHAWN FIELDS

Sr. | Whale Branch

KANYE FREEMAN

Sr. | Battery Creek

BEN FREY

Jr. | Hilton Head Prep

MYKEEM GANT

Jr. | Colleton Co. HS

XAVIAR GARVIN

Jr. | Estill HS

ANDREW HELMS

Sr. | Hilton Head Prep

TE’SHAUN HEYWARD

Jr. | Beaufort Academy

ANGELO LEWIS

Sr. | Estill HS

DIETRICH SHUFORD

Soph. | Thomas Heyward Academy

REECE STEWART

Soph. | Hilton Head Island HS

BRADFORD THOMPSON

Jr. | Whale Branch

CHRISTIAN TILTON

Jr. | John Paul II

JOCOREY WALTERS

Sr. | Hilton Head Island HS

NICK WILLIAMS

Jr. | Colleton Co. HS

LARON WRIGHT

Jr. | Whale Branch

Q.J. YOUNG

Soph. | Bridges Prep

GIRLS COACH OF THE YEAR

Bobby Thompson | HHCA

SCISA 3A State Champions

Taking over for decorated coach Kenny Conroy, Thompson kept Hilton Head Christian Academy’s impressive dynasty rolling with its fifth consecutive SCISA state championship. And it was one of the Eagles’ most dominant runs yet. Playing a highly challenging schedule, Thompson led HHCA to a 27-2 record in his first year at the head of the program. A defensive-minded coach, Thompson helped strengthen the team’s veterans and elevate the younger talent. With the skill of electric guards Devon Yarde and Tamya Hutchinson combined with the leadership of senior Abby Peduzzi and a dominant post player in Morgan Scott, Thompson’s Eagles rolled in the postseason, winning each playoff game by 29 points or more en route to the title. 

2022-23 ALL-LOWCO GIRLS HOOPS TOP 40

LOWCO GIRLS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Tamya Hutchinson | Jr. | G | HHCA

18.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.0 apg, 3.3 spg

In her second season at HHCA, Tamya Hutchinson wowed Eagle fans on the court to propel her team to a fifth consecutive SCISA title. Her offensive creativity and lights-out shooting were on display this winter with 18.6 points, 4.0 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per contest. Hutchinson was dynamite in the fast-break game, showcasing her quickness and passing prowess to change a game’s momentum on a dime. A go-to playmaker who thrives with the ball in her hands, Hutchinson dazzled with her scoring ability while playing lockdown defense on the other end and racking up steals.

ALEX SHERRILL HEART & HUSTLE AWARD 

Ja’laina Mosley | Jr. | F | Bluffton HS

9.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.9 spg

Giving a big spark of energy every time she stepped on the court for the Bluffton Bobcats, Ja’laina Mosley is this year’s girls recipient of the Alex Sherrill Heart and Hustle Award. Mosley’s impacts were plenty on the court for Lonnie Roberts’ squad in her junior year, becoming a beast on the boards and a reliable scorer in the paint with nine points per contest. She provided second chance points on offense and locked down defensively, averaging just under two steals a game. Her excitement and positive energy on the court were always noticeable and became contagious among her teammates.

ALL-LOWCO GIRLS 1st TEAM

G COURTNEY CAMPBELL

Soph. | Hilton Head Prep

48 3FG, 20.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg

G DEVON YARDE

Jr. | HHCA

8.3 ppg, 3.0 apg, 1.9 spg

F TACOYA HEYWARD

Jr. | Bluffton HS

13.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 4.0 apg, 3.6 spg

F LYNDA YOUNG

Jr. | Hilton Head Island HS

15.9 ppg, 13.7 rpg, 2.9 spg

C MORGAN SCOTT

Jr. | HHCA

14.1 ppg, 10.1 rpg

ALL-LOWCO 2nd TEAM

G NY’KEYAH MITCHELL

Sr. | Wade Hampton HS

Region 6-2A POY, USC Salk signee

G KIARA WILSON

Sr. | Battery Creek HS

All-Region 8-3A selection

F TAHLEEAH HEYWARD

Sr. | Beaufort Academy

SCISA 2A Region 2 POY

F ABBY PEDUZZI

Sr. | HHCA

9.6 ppg, 8.6 rpg

C JA’LASIA POLITE

Sr. | Estill HS

16.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg

ALL-LOWCO 3rd TEAM

G LYRIC JONES

8th | Estill HS

15.8 ppg, 1.5 spg

G QUINN WILSON

Sr. | Beaufort HS

12.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.9 spg

F MIKE’ALA WASHINGTON

Sr. | Beaufort Academy

All-Region pick, Limestone signee

F JAI’DA GRAYSON

Sr. | HHCA

9.7 ppg, McD AA Nominee

C BRADY MAHONEY

Jr. | John Paul II

14.7 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 2.9 spg

ALL-LOWCO GIRLS HOOPS HONORABLE MENTION

AMIRAH BROWN

8th | Bluffton HS

SHANDI BROWN

Jr. | Colleton Co. HS

JANIYA CARTER

Soph. | Wade Hampton HS

MAKAYLA CHISOLM

Sr. | Colleton Co. HS

BROOKE DALTON

Soph. | May River HS

JADEN EXLEY

Soph. | Ridgeland

JANIYA FEREBEE

Sr. | Hilton Head Island HS

ELIZA GAILLARD

Sr. | Holy Trinity

KAIRA GARVIN

Jr. | Wade Hampton HS

ARMANI HUTCHINSON

Sr. | Battery Creek

DESIREE JENKINS

Jr. | Whale Branch

CASEY LAING

Sr. | May River HS

LILLIAN LUCAS

Soph. | Patrick Henry

BRYN MILLER

Sr. | Hilton Head Prep

ALYSIA NEAL

Soph. | Bridges Prep

EMILY O’SULLIVAN

Sr. | John Paul II

IMANI PATTERSON

Jr. | Ridgeland

SANAY PATTERSON

Sr. | Ridgeland

HARPER RICE

Sr. | Patrick Henry

KATIE RODNEY

Jr. | Bluffton HS

DE’NYLIA SALLEY

Jr. | Wade Hampton HS

KA’DEJAH SMOAKS

Jr. | Estill HS

LILY TERMINI

Fr. | John Paul II

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