What we learned from Day 1 of Bojangles’ Bash basketball showcase

Keenan coach Zach Norris believes what his team does in November and December is a direct correlation to what happens in February and March.

Keenan started a stretch where it will play four games in eight days against possibly the toughest competition it will see all season.

It started with a 75-61 loss to Huntington Prep, the No. 5 team in the country by USA Today, on the opening night of the Bojangles’ Bash. The Irish are a basketball-focused college prep school based in Huntington, West Virginia, that features a roster that includes five commitments to Power 5 schools, led by Jaemyn Brakefield, who will play with Duke next season.

Brakefield scored 17 points and added 10 rebounds and six assists. Junior Brayon Freeman led the way with 21 points.

Keenan follows Thursday night’s contest with a matchup with Lower Richland, the fourth-ranked team in Class 4A on Friday, nationally ranked Oak Hill on Saturday, and Dorman, the top-ranked Class 5A team and three-time defending state champion, next Thursday on the opening night of the Chick-fil-A Classic.

Norris believes playing tough competition early is what makes them so difficult to beat in February and March. Keenan has won seven SCHSL state championships since 1991.

Senior Raekwon Horton scored 23 points with 11 rebounds for Keenan, the top-ranked team in Class 3A.

“We look at as getting ready for us to make a playoff run,” Norris said. “In the second half, we have to go through the region and then through the state. I want my kids to play against tough competition because they need to know what it’s about.”

Impressive showing for host Ridge View

Host Ridge View opened the Bojangles’ Bash playing Orangeville from Ontario, Canada, in the nightcap.

It would not be a stretch to say Cincerce Scott stole the show in the 60-54 loss.

The senior guard for the Blazers had two highlight reel alley-oops, both to Ja’Von Benson. The first came when he threw it off the backboard to a trailing Benson. The second came on a 3-on-1 fastbreak in which he looked at the player on his left and lofted it to the right side to a streaking Benson for another rim-rattling jam.

He later added one in which he threw it from the top of the key to Benson sneaking along the baseline.

Hilinski’s Hope on minds of fans

The Bojangles’ Bash has partnered with Hilinski’s Hope for the 13-game showcase. The organization gave out Hilinski Hope wrist bands as fans entered the gym.

At the start of the third quarter of each of the games, both teams, officials and fans are standing with three fingers raised in the air in support of mental health awareness. It’s followed by PA announcer Stacey Hough repeating the words. “Always remember, you are not alone.”

Aspire Academy big man down

Aspire Academy has found the going tough in the early season. The Wizards, based out of Louisville, Kentucky, have played a national schedule but have had to play without 6-foot-10 Kansas commit Gethro Muscadin for most of it. They improved to 2-10 with a 46-39 win over Sumter in the opening contest.

They trailed the Gamecocks at the half but outscored them 30-22 in the third and fourth quarters. Junior forward Shavaul Butters led the way with 22 points and 16 rebounds.

Aspire Academy 46, Sumter 39

AA – Shavaul Butters 22, TJ Montgomery 11, Outten 7, Kanoute 4, Bote 2. S – Nakeem Isaac 10, Justus Boone 10, Durante 9, Lowery-Isaac 4, Owens 3, McKnight 2, Lane 1.

Huntington Prep 75, Keenan 61

HP – Brayon Freeman 21, Jaemyn Brakefield 17, Isaiah Cottrell 15, Shane Dezonie 12, Hoggard 6, Loveday 2, Ndiaye 2. K – Raekwon Horton 23, Marquece Williams 14, Jones 9, Cross 6, White 4, Barrino 3, Da’Sant 2.

Orangeville 60, Ridge View 54

O – Matthew Alexander-Moncrieffe 20, Coleman Stucke 15, Downey 7, Rathan-Mayes 6, DeAverio 5, Frank 3, Filewich 2, Prentice 2. RV – Ja’Von Benson 24, Cincere Scott 14, Tyler Rice 10, Everett 2, Jackson 2, Jeter 2.

Schedule

Friday

National Christian Prep vs. Orangeville Prep, 5 p.m.

Moravian Prep vs. Aspire Academy, 6:30 p.m.

Huntington Prep vs. Dorman, 8 p.m.

Ridge View vs. Oak Hill, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday

Sumter vs. South Florence, 1 p.m.

Cardinal Newman vs. National Christian, 2:30 p.m.

(Gym cleared after first session at 2:30 p.m.)

Orangeville Prep vs. Moravian Prep, 4:30 p.m.

North Mecklenburg vs. AC Flora, 6 p.m.

Dorman vs. Ridge View, 7:30 p.m.

Keenan vs. Oak Hill, 9 p.m.

Tickets

Thursday’s session: $10

Friday’s session: $12

Saturday’s 1st session: $8

Saturday’s 2nd session: $12

This story was originally published December 12, 2019 at 10:34 PM.