Hammond’s Chevez Goodwin delivers at Classic

Chevez Goodwin put a cap on his high school basketball career Saturday and already is looking ahead to his future.

Goodwin scored 17 points and earned MVP honors in helping the White team to a 103-100 overtime win over the Blue team Saturday in Capital City Boys All-Star Classic. The game was part of the inaugural South Carolina Hoops Festival at Heathwood Hall.

The Hammond senior signed to play at College of Charleston, and wants to be playing next season at this time in hopes of helping the Cougars earn a spot in the NCAA tournament for the first since 1999. College of Charleston went 17-14 this year and lost in the second round of the Colonial Athletic Association tournament to eventual champion UNC Wilmington.

But there is reason for optimism. The Cougars lose only one senior and coach Earl Grant was given a two-year contract extension this week through the 2019-20 season.

“This time next year, hopefully we will be an automatic bid in the NCAA tournament,” Goodwin said. “I’m ready for the next chapter of my life, going down to Charleston and hopefully turn that program around.”

Goodwin averaged 18.9 points and 12 rebounds this season in helping the Skyhawks to a national ranking in two different polls. Hammond lost its bid to repeat as SCISA 3A champions by losing to Northwood in the semifinals.

Goodwin said it was a tough couple hours following the loss, but looked at things in perspective.

“It is bittersweet to end like that, but that’s basketball and things like that happen,” Goodwin said. “I cried for about an hour afterwards, but it wasn’t the end of the world. I got one state championship. Most kids I played with today couldn’t say they had one state championship.”

Gray Collegiate’s Ian Kinard added 14 and Hammond’s Jonathan Yuchmow had 13 for the White team, which trailed 68-54 at halftime.

Westwood’s Jordan Watson led the Blue with 16 points.

GIRLS

Blue 87, White 70: Dreher’s Jhileiya Dunlap capped an impressive week by scoring 21 points and capturing MVP honors in helping the Blue team to a victory.

In a seven-day span, Dunlap helped the Blue Devils win a state title, was named the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year and won MVP honors in the all-star game. She will play in the Carolinas All-Star Classic next week.

Fairfield Central’s Tanise Davis led the White team with 13 points.

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West 136, East 130: Byrnes’ Hayden Brown scored 20 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to grab MVP honors for the West squad.

Crestwoods’s Temetrius Morant led the West with 23 points, and Lower Richland’s Ja’Cor Nelson added 21.

Keenan’s Tariq Simmons led the East with 24 points, and North Carolina commit Jalek Felton added 23.

GIRLS

West 90, East 89: Wilson’s Shamiyah Barnes hit two free throws in the final minute of the game to give the West the victory.

Barnes was named MVP after scoring a game-high 21 points. Dreher’s Jaelynn Murray had 16 points

Ridge View’s Erica Tisdale led the East with 18 points.

This story was originally published March 12, 2016 at 10:14 PM.