Ridge View’s Yerrick Stoneman, Oak Hill’s Steve Smith still share special bond
When current Ridge View coach Yerrick Stoneman walked on the Oak Hill Academy campus nearly 15 years ago, he wasn’t sure what to expect.
What he found was a man that would become a mentor for his personal and professional career in legendary Oak Hill coach Steve Smith.
“He’s someone that I’ve always been able to rely on. I grew up without necessarily having a father (so) I’ve looked at him as a father figure or older brother that has really taken care of me,” Stoneman said. “When you’re working at Oak Hill, there’s a lot of times you don’t make a lot of money, but what he was able to do was always provide me with a job. During the summers, he would give us money to help us get along through that process. It’s not the knowledge he gave me but the friendship he’s given to me is the biggest thing.”
The student faced off against the teacher in the nightcap of Day Two at the Bojangles’ Bash showcase Friday night as the host Blazers, the No. 1 team in Class 4A in South Carolina, played the nationally-ranked Warriors.
Cam Thomas, an LSU signee, set a Bojangles’ Bash record with 42 points as Oak Hill cruised to a 77-59 victory.
Smith was unavailable for comment, but top assistant Bryan Meagher, who is best friends with Stoneman, was able to speak on the relationship between Smith and Stoneman.
“We’re a big family that are always together and coach Stoneman will always be a part of the Oak Hill family,” Meagher said. “He was absolutely correct when he said Coach Smith is like a father-figure to him. They have a bond that will never be broken.”
Stoneman has turned Ridge View into one of the top programs in South Carolina. The Blazers have won back-to-back Class 4A state championships and are one of the favorites again this season.
Before Stoneman arrived at Ridge View four years ago, he spent 11 years learning under Smith. He learned as much off the court as he did under a coach that won his 1,000th career game in 2015 and has lost less than 100 in his career. Smith has won nine USA Today “national championships.”
He basically grew up 30 minutes from Oak Hill in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia. He went to VCU to run cross-country for one year then decided to join the military for year. He returned to school at Virginia Tech and was a student assistant under Bill Foster. He spent one season as a junior varsity coach before Smith gave him an opportunity to join his staff as the nationally recognized basketball power.
Times were sometimes tough for Stoneman and his family, but it’s something he wouldn’t trade for anything.
“My favorite memories are not necessarily basketball related,” Stoneman said. “My daughters were born and raised there for the first 11 years of their life. We lived in a dorm the first five years so the players would come down and get them out of the crib and take them upstairs to play with them. I’ve always said my twin daughters have a bunch of brothers spread out throughout the country. If they are ever in need, they have some family out there that can help them.”
Nationally ranked power falls
Dorman, the No. 1 team in Class 5A in South Carolina, pulled off a dominant 70-54 win over No. 5 ranked Huntington Prep in another Bojangles’ Bash game.
Myles Tate, a senior going to Butler, led the way with 17 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Junior guard Jalen Breazeale chipped in 15 points and five assists, and Clemson-bound senior PJ Hall added 12 points and seven rebounds for the Cavaliers.
Dorman (3-1) was coming off a loss to Oak Hill on Thursday night but led Huntington Prep (10-1) for all but one possession as it shot 51.9 percent from the field.
Friday’s results
National Christian Academy 62, Orangeville Prep 61
OP – Lorenzo Downey 15, Matthew Alexander-Moncrieffe 14, Coleman Stucke 12, Rathan-Mayes 8, Prentice 5, Mwagha 4, Filewich 3. NCA – Jakai Robinson 26, Yuri Covington 17, Oumar Kouressi 13, Williams 5, Izmef 1.
Moravian Prep 96, Aspire Academy 66
MP – Jahamri Harvey 18, Amare Haynie 17, josh Hall 16, Shakeel Moore 12, Davis 8, Wildy 6, Belton 6, Brown 5, Johnson 4, Davis 4. AA – TJ Montgomery 22, Caleb Horton 19, Shavaul Butters 12, Kanoute 7, Agu 4, Outten 2. Note: Moravian step the Bojangles’ Bash record for points scored by a team.
Dorman 70, Huntington Prep 54
HP – Brayon Freeman 11, Jaemyn Brakefield 10, Cottrell 9, Dezonie 9, Hoggard 7, Ndiaye 5, Loveday 3. D – Myles Tate 17, Jalen Breazeale 15, Justin Amadi 13, PJ Hall 12, Renwick 9, Surratt 2, Burgess 2.
Oak Hill 77, Ridge View 59
RV – Cincere Scott 23, Ja’Von Benson 20, Rice 6, Everett 4, Jeter 4, Jackson 2. OH – Cam Thomas 42, Jamari Sibley 13, Darius Maddox 10, Ezewiro 4, Johnson 4, Jones 4. Note: Thomas set the Bojangles’ Bash individual scoring record. The previous mark was 40 by Dreher’s Tevin Mack in 2014
Saturday’s schedule
Sumter vs. South Florence, 1 p.m.
Cardinal Newman vs. National Christian, 2:30 p.m.
(Gym cleared after 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.
This story was originally published December 13, 2019 at 10:12 PM.