Who are the Midlands’ high school boys basketball Player and Coach of the Year? Vote now
The high school basketball season is over in South Carolina. It’s time to vote for The State’s Midlands-area Boys Player of the Year and Boys Coach of the Year.
Voting ends at noon Thursday, March 20, and you can vote as many times you like. The winner will be announced March 20 along with our all-area boys basketball team and our staff’s pick for player and coach of the year for the 2024-25 season.
(These polls are just for fun and not meant to be scientific.)
Coach of Year Nominees
William Ash, Batesburg-Leesville: Ash led the Panthers to a first region title and most wins (17) since 2006. Batesburg-Leesville advanced to the 2A quarterfinals for the first time since 1989.
Robert McCray, CA Johnson: In his second season, McCray led the Hornets to 19 victories and the program’s first state semifinal appearance since 2016. The Green Hornets have won 35 games in McCray’s first two seasons after winning 23 in the two seasons prior to his arrival
Zach Norris, Keenan: Norris led the Raiders to the program’s 10th state championship after defeating Powdersville for the Class 3A crown. Of the program’s 10 titles, eight have come under Norris. The 10 state championships trail Great Falls by one for the most boys championships all-time in state history.
Joshua Staley, Ridge View: Staley led the Blazers to a second-straight state championship, defeating Blythewood to win the Class 5A Division I title. It was the sixth championship in last eight years for Ridge View.
Zeke Washington, Blythewood: Washington led the Bengals to their second state championship appearance in school history, losing to Ridge View in the final. Blythewood won 23 games, the most for the program since 2018.
Player of Year Nominees
Korie Corbett, Ridge View: Junior was the Class 5A Player of the Year, shot 56% from the field and averaged 16 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.2 assists this season.
Yasir Cromer, River Bluff: Senior averaged 19 points, 4.6 assists, 4.6 rebounds this season and was a Class 5A All-State selection and picked to play in the North-South All-Star game. Cromer is committed to Francis Marion.
Ta’Maj Gilliam, Batesburg-Leesville: Junior was Region 2-2A Player of Year and an all-state selection, averaging 16.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 1.4 assists per game.
TJ Lewis, Blythewood: Senior averaged 25 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game. He made 114 3-pointers, shot 44% from 3-point range and scored a school-record 43 points against White Knoll. Lewis was an all-state selection and picked to play in Carolinas Classic All-Star game.
Milton McCray, CA Johnson: Sophomore averaged 17 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 blocks this season.
Bryson Taylor, Dutch Fork: Senior guard averaged 15.5 points and three assists per game this season. Taylor was an all-state selection and picked to play in the North-South All-Star game.
Braysen Stockman, Ben Lippen: Junior guard made 109 3-pointers, averaged 29.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game this season. Stockman went over 2,000 points for his career, became the school’s all-time leading scorer and had three games scoring 40 or more points in a contest.
Brian Sumpter, Keenan: Senior averaged 17 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.6 blocks, 1.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Sumpter was Class 3A Player of the Year, picked to play in Carolinas Classic All-Star game and signed with Wofford.
This story was originally published March 13, 2025 at 9:54 AM.
