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.
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
