The Coastal Crew 17U and 16U have been road warriors the last few weekends, traveling throughout the Southeast for experience and to be scouted by college recruiters.
The Rebels 17U squad recently returned from Clemson University, but are packing for a trip to Georgia Tech for an invitational tournament. Meanwhile the 16U took second in a tournament in Augusta and received a national bid.
St. James Sports Center director Ernie Walthour, who coaches the 17U Rebels, said it’s not all about basketball. His kids must cut the mustard academically, making it easier to showcase the kids’ academic talents as well as ball skills.
“I know that we have a wealth of talent here in Liberty County,” he said. “And we at St. James feel blessed to have such talented kids playing for us. One thing we focus on is their academics.”
As the 17U Rebels head to Georgia Tech, Walthour hopes the recruiters will notice.
“I have a couple of kids that have the grades right now to become a Yellow Jackets,” he said. “Players such as AJ Ansley from First Presbyterian and I have not ruled out Michael Brown.”
The wealth of talent on the different Rebels’ squad is evident. Several Rebel players were recently named to the All-Greater Savannah Area Basketball Teams honorable mention pick. Bradwell Institute’s Jordan Johnson and Jarvis Wadsworth, FPCA’s Joey Bell and Liberty County’s Jordan McRae and Michael Manning were among those mentioned.
“I’m very excited for them,” Walthour said. “And also for the younger players being watched by the scouts.”
The Rebels 17U squad recently returned from Clemson University, but are packing for a trip to Georgia Tech for an invitational tournament. Meanwhile the 16U took second in a tournament in Augusta and received a national bid.
St. James Sports Center director Ernie Walthour, who coaches the 17U Rebels, said it’s not all about basketball. His kids must cut the mustard academically, making it easier to showcase the kids’ academic talents as well as ball skills.
“I know that we have a wealth of talent here in Liberty County,” he said. “And we at St. James feel blessed to have such talented kids playing for us. One thing we focus on is their academics.”
As the 17U Rebels head to Georgia Tech, Walthour hopes the recruiters will notice.
“I have a couple of kids that have the grades right now to become a Yellow Jackets,” he said. “Players such as AJ Ansley from First Presbyterian and I have not ruled out Michael Brown.”
The wealth of talent on the different Rebels’ squad is evident. Several Rebel players were recently named to the All-Greater Savannah Area Basketball Teams honorable mention pick. Bradwell Institute’s Jordan Johnson and Jarvis Wadsworth, FPCA’s Joey Bell and Liberty County’s Jordan McRae and Michael Manning were among those mentioned.
“I’m very excited for them,” Walthour said. “And also for the younger players being watched by the scouts.”