74 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com The boys high school basketball season might be more exciting than ever before among Lowcountry area high schools. Whether they’re big, small, renowned, climbing or in many cases realigned, teams in and around the East Cooper area think 2025 could be notable for a variety of reasons. Here is a look at five schools and their head coaches, both new and veteran, and their outlooks for the upcoming season. WANDO WARRIORS Building is the word that probably best describes the Wando boys’ basketball team. Whether it’s recent seasons, team tradition, not-so-distant team history or recurrent leadership, the 5A Warriors under third-year head coach Calvin Craft are looking at 2024-25 as a year that could define their future for at least the rest of the decade. “We are very excited about this upcoming season,” said Craft. “We feel great about a large and strong senior class who will be counted on to lead the way.” The Warriors return two starters and eight others from last year’s team, which finished 17-10 and made the second round of the playoffs for the second straight year. “That was the best season at Wando since 2014-15’s team won 20 games, after returning 90% of the roster who won the state championship the previous year,” Craft said. “We are very determined to build on the last two seasons where we have done things that hadn’t been done since those great teams from 10-plus years ago.” Wando begins the season Nov. 25-27 against River Bluff in the annual Tip Off at the Dam tournament at Chapin High School. “River Bluff has won a state championship in the last five years and will present a very stiff challenge right out of the gate,” Craft said. “Other teams in that tournament include Dutch Fork, Chapin, A.C. Flora, Lakewood, Batesburg-Leesville and Cross Creek from Georgia. Our first regular season game will be against local rival Bishop England on Dec. 3.” He pointed out that the Warriors didn’t begin well last season before bouncing back in the winter; this time, he is counting on senior strength to lead the way early. our sports BY L. C. LEACH III Full-Court Scoop Boys High School Basketball Breakdown Wando players celebrating.
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