Easley High School varsity boys basketball coach Derrell Jackson talks to his team during recent summer game. Jackson enters his second season as the head coach for the Green Wave and is building up that team aspect.
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EASLEY — Talent only goes so far. Things like “team chemistry” speak volumes on the basketball court.
Coach Derrell Jackson and his summer squad for Easley High School traveled to some team-oriented camps and hit places like: USC, Georgia, UNC-Charlotte, UNC-Asheville, Wofford and the University of North Georgia. They had to respond – a couple of games – without key players like Ethan Crews and RJ Stack.
“We were missing players at different parts of the summer,” Jackson said. “Guys had to step up and fill some spots. They were put in situations that they were normally not in. They played really well – just taking the bus, got to know each other and eat together. Just letting those guys be around each other.”
Coach Jackson went “old school” with some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the players and sub sandwiches.
“We have a young team, but one with varsity experience,” added Jackson. “A lot of the younger guys have varsity experience and are older than what their grade is showing.”
The summer squad for EHS boys hoops included: Kamden Rice (8th, G); Drey Jackson (So., PG); Miles Campbell (So., G), River Andrews (Jr., W); Logan Clark (Jr., W); Ethan Crews (Sr., G); Noah Calhoun (Sr., G); Matthew Hillstock (Jr., G); Malachi Ramey (So., W/F); RJ Stack (So., W/R); Noah Preston (Jr., F); Cohen Durham (Jr., W) and Adrian Kominiarek (Jr., G).
Two of the leaders of this summer squad were Jackson at point guard and the 6-foot-5 Stack in the low post. Both are just rising sophomores with a ton of potential.
“Everybody is trying to get better and get to know each other better, and become a better team,” Drey said. “We want people around to know what Easley basketball can be.”
About playing the point-guard position and leading the team, Jackson said, “It’s a big role, but I like it. I like having pressure on me. I enjoy it! Just seeing all of us come together is amazing. I’m just happy that we’re all getting better, so we can come together and make a really good run this year.”
Stack was sick for part of the summer and missed a couple of games. Yet, he still gained some valuable experience this summer. He said he has had some knee pain this summer, which is an indicator that he could still be growing past that 6-5 mark.
“We definitely played a lot of good teams this summer,” Stack said, “and it definitely helped us. We’ll have to have that same aggressiveness, get after them and get the win like we should.”
Local fans will see some new faces hit the court this season for the Green Wave boys basketball team – Rice at guard and Andrews as a wing. Rice brings the intangibles as a 6-2 eighth-grader at guard. Plus, he’s quickly learning the ropes at point-guard from Drey Jackson.
“The sky is the limit for Kamden,” said Coach Jackson. “He handles the ball well and passes the ball well. His best skill is probably his passing and he has great court vision. He has a good heart. He wants to share the ball and see his teammates do well, which is a great attribute. Not all kids have that, but he does. He’s just a winner. If he continues to grow, he could be 6-5 or 6-6. He knows he’s not entitled to anything and doesn’t expect anything. He just wants to come work and play.”
Rice is just a rising eighth-grader who already stands in as a 6-foot-2 guard. Rice is quickly learning from talented sophomore point-guard Drey Jackson.
Andrews attended the Easley Christian School last year. He’s also 6-3 with a soccer background that brings more athleticism to the team.
“I think he (Andrews) will really help our pick-and-roll game,” said Coach Jackson. “He’d roll to the corner and every time we ran it he got a wide-open three and he knocked it down. He has a quick release and he shoots it with little effort. You see some of those guys in the 3-point competition. They grab the ball and just shoot it. That’s how he does.”
Coach Jackson said one team that they played this summer (Providence Day School) had an entire team of 6-5 or taller and their low-post players were in the 6-8 and 6-9 range. “We did a pretty good job defensively early,” said Coach Jackson.
Ending note: To me, this summer seemed like a total slam dunk for the Jackson-led program of the Green Wave boys basketball team. Crews could have played every game this summer with his EHS teammates. Instead, Crews played against some big-time competition across the United States. Plus, his high school teammates had to take up the scoring slack and try to step up during crunch time.
Crews and his summer hoops: Just after Ethan Crews got back from playing hoops at Mytle Beach, I did ask him a couple of questions. Here ya go …
Q: Can you talk about how it was playing hoops this summer in South Carolina?
CREWS: It’s been great to play locally. Unfortunately, the AAU team I was playing for during the first live period decided to dissolve but I was blessed to be offered an opportunity to pick up with Big Shots Premier AAU team out of Columbia SC. This allowed me to play during the July live period without skipping a beat. I accepted the invitation to play on a Thursday afternoon and was on the court playing the following day in two exhibition games held at Allen University in Columbia. During the exhibition games we faced Team USC Unleashed (EYCL) and Upward Stars Columbia (3SSB). Both of these teams have a strong reputation for talented players as well as solid programs. Our team came out of the gate strong and opened up a lead quickly in both games. As with most basketball games there are runs that teams will go one and as the game continued and my new Big Shots began to learn each other and what we were strong at and we won both of these games by double digits. The next day we had a tournament in Rock Hill (Big Shots Nationals) which had some high-level talent. This weekend we played in Myrtle Beach (Thursday -Sunday). Again some solid talent and a few college coaches checking out some SC talent. Our team finished the weekend 4-2 which wasn’t bad but also wasn’t the goal. I was happy with my play overall but as always I can find something I can improve before our next tournament in Charlotte in two weeks.
Q: Can you talk about getting invited to the Elite 60 National Camp?
CREWS: It’s truly an honor. In looking at the guys that have been invited to this camp (past and present) it’s a who’s-who of players from our state that are playing in every division of college basketball. I definitely look forward to playing against and testing my skills versus some of the best in Charlotte, NC in late September.
As the late Kobe Bryant said, “Dedication sees dreams come true.” This is true as I am seeing my dreams open before me each and every day but I couldn’t do it without the support of my teammates, coaches, trainers, friends and family.
Reach Jeff Holt at 864-855-0355.