2024

NEWBERRY COUNTY, S.C.— With Thanksgiving turkey and dressing now a memory, it’s time to put on the sneakers and gear up for basketball season. All four local schools are kicking off their seasons this week, and fans of the sport are buzzing with excitement. Newberry High School is set to bring back four of their five starters as they aim for a significant playoff run. Mid-Carolina boasts one of the top shooting guards in their region. Whitmire will lean on younger players after the departure of two key athletes from last season. Meanwhile, Newberry Academy returns most of their roster, which improved significantly during the latter part of the previous season.

Newberry

The Bulldogs are packed with talent, featuring four starters returning from last year’s region championship team. Kenton Caldwell and AJ Jeter both earned preseason all-region accolades, with Caldwell named the frontrunner for region player of the year. Defensive powerhouse Jamel Howse and scoring wing Isaiah Glymph are also expected to make major impacts in the starting lineup, both with the potential for all-region honors come season’s end.

Key Returning Players: Kenton Caldwell, AJ Jeter, Jamel Howse, Isaiah Glymph, JaMerius Sheppard, Gavin Brown

2023-24 Record: 17-11, 8-0 region 2-AA; eliminated in the second round of class AA state playoffs

2024-25 Record Prediction: 19-9

First 10 games: 12/2 @ Dutch Fork, 12/6 vs Union County, 12/10 @ Chapin, 12/11 vs Irmo, 12/13 @ Mid-Carolina, 12/16 vs Saluda, 12/18 vs Clinton, 12/20 @ Union County, 12/21 vs Dutch Fork, 12/23 @ Clinton

Mid-Carolina

Kaden Myers stands out as a sharpshooter for the Rebels, capable of racking up points quickly. As a senior, he will need to lead a team with several new faces that must quickly develop chemistry. Mid-Carolina is expected to be among the more athletic and defensively resilient teams, but they will require contributions beyond Myers to be effective offensively.

Key Returning Players: Kaden Myers

2023-24 Record: 9-14, 4-4 region 2-AA; fell in the first round of class AA state playoffs

2024-25 Record Prediction: 8-14

First 10 games: 12/3 vs Saluda, 12/5 @ Aiken, 12/9 vs Woodruff, 12/10 @ Saluda, 12/13 vs Newberry, 12/16 @ Woodruff, 12/20 vs Batesburg-Leesville, 1/3 @ Newberry, 1/6 @ Fox Creek, 1/8 vs Strom Thurmond

Whitmire

The Wolverines face the challenge of filling the gaps left by the versatile Ricky Hamilton, who was a stat leader last season, along with the sharpshooter Aidan Davis. They will welcome back starting point guard Kayshaun Schumpert, who will play a crucial role in guiding this youthful team. Whitmire will have two eighth graders, one freshman, and two sophomores on the roster to start the campaign.

Key Returning Players: Kayshaun Schumpert

2023-24 Record: 5-13, 2-8 region 2-A; did not qualify for playoffs

2024-25 Record Prediction: 6-12

First 10 games: 12/2 vs Pelion, 12/3 vs Newberry Academy, 12/6 vs McCormick, 12/10 vs Dixie, 12/11 @ Newberry Academy, 12/16 vs SCSDB, 12/19 @ Pelion, 1/3 vs Abbeville, 1/7 @ Ware Shoals, 1/14 vs Thornwell

Newberry Academy

The Eagles experienced some loss in depth in their front court with the departure of Josh Joyner, who also provided outside shooting capabilities. Nonetheless, they return the bulk of their lineup, having lost only three seniors from a squad that excelled in the latter half of the previous season.

Key Returning Players: Thomas Mclean, Quinn Waites, Thomas Mclean

2023-24 Record: 15-12, 14-2 SCISA region IV-A; exited in the first round of state playoffs

2024-25 Record Prediction: 13-13

First 10 games: 12/3 @ Whitmire, 12/6 vs Greenwood Christian, 12/9 @ Pelion, 12/11 vs Whitmire, 12/13 @ Richard Winn Academy, 12/16 @ Laurens Academy, 12/20-21 Senn Freight Hoop Fest, 1/7 @ Anderson Christian, 1/10 vs Wyman King Academy, 1/11 SCISA Challenge