Gators’ Fields on all-star roster

Goose Creek High School’s Ashley Fields was the only local player selected to play in the annual Carolina All-Star Basketball Classic on Saturday.

Fields led the Gators to a 20-5 record with a team-leading 11.9 points per game. She also led the squad with 3.2 assists and 4.4 steals per game. She will attend High Point University in North Carolina next year.

The rest of the South Carolina squad includes Angel McGowan, J.L. Mann; Keira Robinson, Keenan; Kentra Washington, Mauldin; Naomi Moore, C.E. Murray; Alexis Dillard, Wade Hampton; India Farmer, North Myrtle Beach; Rochelle Brophy, J.L. Mann; Kenya Olley, Dorman; and Alaina Coates, Dutch Fork.

The South Carolina boys team includes Jaylen Shaw, Hartsville; Matthew Howard, A.C. Flora; Justin Dotson, Daniel; Tre’ Smith, Hillcrest; Justin McKie, Irmo; Eric Hopkins, Keenan; Tashombe Riley, Orangeburg-Wilkinson; Charlendez Brooks, Byrnes; Davaris McGowens, Eastside; and Jaylen Reid, Rock Hill High.

The games will be held at Myrtle Beach High School. The girls game is set for 6:30 p.m. and the boys game will tip off at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.

McKie honored

The 6-4, 180-pound senior guard led the Yellow Jackets to a 29-0 record and the Class AAAA state championship.

McKie averaged 18 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 80 percent from the free throw line.

He scored 20 points with 10 rebounds in a 65-46 win over Goose Creek in the Class AAAA state final and was named the state’s Mr. Basketball winner. He has signed a scholarship to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks, where his father BJ McKie was a star guard in the 1990s.

McKie has maintained a B average in the classroom. He has volunteered locally on behalf of the Special Olympics, as part of an elementary school literacy-outreach initiative and as a summer basketball camp counselor.

“Justin McKie has a competitive edge and a fire that you don’t see every day,” said Thomas Ryan, head coach at Dorman High.

“He’s one of those kids who’s actually fun to coach against because he always plays the game the right way.”

Pinewood Prep on top

That’s the good news. The even better news is that the defending Class AAA state champs have done it without their best player, J.D. Waite.

Waite, a craft lefty, hasn’t played this season after injuring an Achilles tendon while running the bases in a preseason scrimmage.

“He’s our No. 1 pitcher and No. 4 hitter,” Pinewood coach Phil Tobin said after last week’s game against Northwood. “We’re fortunate to be where we are without him.”

Waite, who has signed to play for Lander College, is expected to return in time for the playoffs.