High school boys’ basketball 2024-25 preview: York, Lancaster counties

Last season, Catawba Ridge and Andrew Jackson reached the state playoff quarterfinals, and a number of area teams are poised for big results this time around.

Here is a look at the top teams, top players, story lines, and conference predictions.

Teams to watch

Andrew Jackson: The Volunteers were 24-4 a year ago (12-0 in region play) and have four returning starters. Coach Danny Wright, with a 195-95 career record at Andrew Jackson, could have a 2A state title contender on his hands. Bryce Peterson (6-1 senior point guard), Zakaden Clyburn (6-4 junior forward) and Jy’Kevius Johnson (6-4 senior forward) are returning all-region players. And there’s 6-0 junior guard Damias Seegars, who averaged 7.6 points a game last season.

Fort Mill: Logan Parker, a 6-2 senior guard, led the Yellow Jackets in four categories a year ago. Nas Berry, a 6-2 senior guard, averaged 11.9 points, 2.8 assists, and earned all-region honors. They lead a Fort Mill team that looks poised to battle Indian Land for the Region 3 5A championship.

Indian Land: The Warriors were 19-8 a year ago but won 12 of their last 16 games. All-state junior guard Michael Jones (24.5 points a game) leads the returnees, along with 6-1 sophomore Sequel Patterson, who averaged 13.3 points and 4.9 rebounds last season. Coach L.J. Johnson’s team looks like the Region 3 5A favorite.

Lancaster: If you have a team with a player like 6-5 senior guard Jordan Watford, you’re looking at a big season. Add in Coker commit Jacarey Ballard, who averaged 12 points and 3 assists per game, and Zach Graham, a forward who averaged 8.0 points and 4.1 rebounds, and things look even better. The Bruins were 22-8 a year ago.

York Prep: The Patriots have the experience and firepower to battle powerhouse Andrew Jackson in the Region 4 2A race this season. Two-time all-region post player Antwon Young (17 points, 2.5 blocks a game) and 5-10 senior guard Josiah Peoples (15 points, 3.5 rebounds a game) lead the way. And there are promising newcomers, such as 6-1 junior wing Jayden Hayden-Barber (a transfer from South Pointe) and 6-1 junior guard Brayden Vereen (who moved from Georgia).

York/Lancaster players to watch

Devin Agard (Clover): Coach Darris Jackson described Agard as an “explosive, skilled guard.” Agard, a 5-10 point guard, led the Blue Eagles in scoring and assists last season.

Nas Berry (Fort Mill): Berry is a 6-2 senior guard who earned all-region honors a year ago, averaging 11.9 points and 2.8 assists per contest.

Benjamin Chuttey (Nation Ford): A 6-2 senior guard, he averaged 10 points and 4.2 rebounds last season. He leads a team that will be quick but not big.

Michael Jones (Indian Land): This 5-10 junior guard is the motor that drives the Warriors. He averaged 24.5 points a game in 2023-24 and shot 43 percent from 3-point range.

Bryce Peterson (Andrew Jackson): A 6-1 senior point guard, Peterson earned all-region honors by averaging 13.3 points, 5.9 assists and 2.3 steals a game. He ranked fourth in the state in assists per game.

Tre Reymon (South Pointe): He’s a 6-8 junior power forward who can do it all — 13 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assistrs, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 steals per game last season.

Jordan Watford (Lancaster): A Queens commit and a two-time all-state selection, Watford is a 6-5 guard who averaged 22 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists per game last season.

Antwon Young (York Prep): He is 6-4 forward who has earned all-region honors twice. Last season, Young averaged 17 points, 8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per contest.

Newcomers to watch

Bryce Bridges (Buford): A junior point guard, he is a solid decision-maker and can score.

Jah Hall (South Pointe): A 6-4 junior, he averaged 4.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game last season.

Kudzie Kaludzu (Legion Collegiate): Kaludzu, a 6-0 senior, is an excellent scorer and ball-handler.

Kaleb Santos (Westminster Catawba): He’s a 6-9 senior forward who will inherit much of the frontcourt duties for the team.

Brent Michael Terrell (Indian Land): A 6-3 junior guard, he could play a key frontcourt role for a talented Warrior team.

Preseason all-region team

Wallace Campbell, Fort Mill, 6-5 junior guard

Logan Parker, Fort Mill, 6-2 senior guard

Bryce Peterson, Andrew Jackson, 6-1 senior guard

Jordan Watford, Lancaster, 6-5 senior wing

Antwon Young, York Prep, 6-4 junior forward

Preseason player of the year: Jordan Watford, Lancaster

Just noting

▪ Buford has lost 29 in a row and hasn’t won since Jan. 17, 2023. But coach Jaybe Shackleford said Buford is “a much-improved team this year.” The Yellow Jackets have a mix of experience and young talent.

▪ South Pointe is working on finishing stronger this season. A year ago, the Stallions went 10-18, and in nine of the losses, they were winning with five minutes or less to play.

▪ In the five years before Ed Addie arrived as coach of Westminster Catawba, the school’s overall boys’ basketball record was 16-96. In his five years at the school, Westminster Catawba is 86-52.

▪ Catawba Ridge was 25-4 last year and reached the 5A Elite Eight in the playoffs. But coach Brett Childers is looking at a complete rebuild this season.

▪ Logan Gurley figured to start this season at Fort Mill, but the 16-year-old drowned in July in Lake Wylie.

▪ It’ll be mentor vs. student when Fort Mill and Indian Land face off. Indian Land head coach L.J. Johnson as Fort Mill coach Myron Lowery’s assistant when Lowery coached at Butler High.

▪ Legion Collegiate will play an independent schedule again this season.

Conference predictions

REGION 3 5A: 1. Indian Land; 2. Fort Mill; 3. Northwestern; 4. Clover; 5. Nation Ford; 6. Rock Hill; 7. Catawba Ridge.

REGION 3 4A: 1. Lancaster; 2. South Pointe; 3. A.C. Flora; 4. Richland Northeast; 5. Dreher; 6. York; 7. Camden.

REGION 4 2A: 1. Andrew Jackson; 2. York Prep; 3. North Central; 4. Cheraw; 5. Pageland Central; 6. Chesterfield; 7. Buford.

METROLINA ATHLETIC: 1. Concord Academy; 2. Gaston Christian; 3. Gaston Day; 4. Westminster Catawba; 5. SouthLake Christian; 6. Metrolina Christian; 7. Hickory Grove Christian.