Wave boys basketball team retooling

HIGH SCHOOLS

The Summerville boys' basketball team reached the ultimate pinnacle of success last winter, winning a memorable state championship in honor of a man who will never be forgotten.

A cast of characters, led by all-state pick A.J. Green, helped the Green Wave win the title game against Spartanburg. The team's rallying point was Louis Mulkey, a former coach who was one of nine Charleston firefighters killed in the Sofa Super Store fire. When the players were in the eighth-grade, Mulkey told them they had the potential to win the state championship. And, the Wave seniors listened and did just that.

Now, it's time for the current team to develop its own identity.

"There were so many people tied to that team, tied to Louis and, poof, they're gone," coach Tee Newman said. "We have only three seniors and one of them is a transfer student. And one of the players we were counting on, Bruce Haynes, transferred to Pinewood Prep, so people have moved on. This is definitely a different team. It's like all those memories and moments have been locked away and will remain special to that group of people."

The Wave has reached two straight state championships and entered the 2008-09 season with a 48-9 record the past two seasons.

The Wave won eight of its first 12 games to start the season, but will find it tough to repeat as Region 8-AAAA champion. Fort Dorchester was the preseason favorite to win the crown.

This year's team has 11 juniors — and potential.

"Next year, we could be back in the state championship," Newman said. "They're that good. It's just that they're that inexperienced."

Two of the juniors saw action as reserves on the championship team: Mario Pendarvis and Aaron Jiles. They have combined to average 27 points per game.

The Wave opens region play against Fort Dorchester on Tuesday, and Newman is continuing to find the best combination.

"They know this is a rebuilding year," he said. "We're still playing a lot of people. We're still uncertain who are go-to guys are. I know we have to hurry to find the answer."

Wando to play in IPBC

The Wando Warriors will compete in the 16th annual International Paper Baseball Classic, which will be contested March 5-8 in Georgetown.

The Class AAAA bracket includes Wando, Conway, Dorman and defending state champion Boiling Springs.

Wando was 25-9 last spring, including 7-3 in 7-AAAA.

The 2009 team features two major college prospects. Junior pitcher Drew Cisco has committed to play for Georgia, while outfielder Daniel Aldrich has signed to play for Wake Forest.

Cisco batted .395 last spring and was 6-2 on the mound with a 1.98 ERA. He struck out 70 batters in 56 2/3 innings.

Aldrich batted .288 with three homers and 20 RBIs.

Other key players include Bradley Evsich, Charles Hill, Kyle Christian, Robbie Dodds and Brad Cherry.

The Class AAA bracket includes Belton-Honea Path, Georgetown, Riverside and defending Class AAA champ Brookland-Cayce.

Hirai signs

Pinewood Senior Kamito Hirai recently signed a scholarship to play golf at Winthrop. He has been a member of the Pinewood golf team for the past three years.

Hirai has been an all-region selection all three years, and was the region player of the year in 2006. Hirai, a two-time all-state selection, averaged 36.2 in his 9-hole matches last spring.

He plans to major in biology.

Attention coaches

The Post and Courier will run basketball statistics on Friday's Prep Zone page. Coaches are asked to call (843) 937-5592 or e-mail pbowman@postandcourier.com scoring, rebounding, steals and assists leaders by noon Thursday.

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