Thursday, Jan. 08, 2009

Jan. 6: Carolina Forest boys’ basketball team looks to make a new name for the program

A new season, a new team

Fresh off scoring 41 points in the fourth quarter and overcoming a 16 point deficit with little over a minute left in their last game against Socastee, the Carolina Forest boys basketball team is looking to make a new reputation for their program.

After winning just four games last season the boys are finishing off their out of conference schedule convincingly. They’ve placed third in two tournaments this season (Buddy Rogers and Shootout by the Sea) and came into the Jan. 6 contest against North Myrtle Beach with a record of 8-5.

Plenty of factors have come together this season to create a recipe for success; a consistent coach, off season trips to the Citadel and North Carolina State basketball camps, stronger team chemistry and improved play from the "Big Three," fellow guards Michael Gray and Jordan Simbeck, along with powerful center Chris Ford.

All three were very effective in the Panthers’ 76-50 drubbing of the Chiefs, and it seemed like every member of the team made a contribution in some way as well. Carolina Forest will play their final out of conference game against Socastee Jan. 9 before starting their first season in AAAA.

--Bryan Wendland is a student at Carolina Forest High School