66 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com our sports But as Pointer noted shortly after being named the team’s coach, winning doesn’t happen just because you want it to; it takes a lot of patience, talent, jelling and player camaraderie just to give you a chance to win. The question now, after a rough entry into the basketball coaching world, is can Pointer and his new team show enough promise to get Lucy Beckham basketball back on the winning track? “I have one returning starter – senior Jontae’ Anderson, who started playing really well for us before his injury last winter – and we have many new faces coming up from the junior varsity team,” Pointer said. “Our players have been working hard over the offseason developing their game and I’m looking forward to seeing it all translate.” OCEANSIDE COLLEGIATE ACADEMY LANDSHARKS The next time you’re near the Oceanside Collegiate Academy campus, don’t be alarmed if you feel the sensation of something invisible bubbling under the ground. Chances are it will be boys basketball head coach Quinton Hollis trying to channel all of the team’s steam and excitement about making another run at state next February after being so close to it last season. “Last year, our record was 23-2, but we lost in the third round to Keenan, who went on to win the state championship,” said Hollis, whose team has made the state playoffs every year since his arrival in 2018. “This season, I’m focusing on continuing to build our family atmosphere and culture here at Oceanside.” The Landsharks will again compete in Region 6 AAA against teams that include Battery Creek, OrangeburgWilkinson and nearby Hanahan and North Charleston. While always perennial contenders, the Landsharks have resembled the 1968-75 Oakland Raiders in the playoffs: always close, but unable to overcome a barrier at the end – despite being better than almost everyone else each season. “We have been the best team in Mount Pleasant because of our work ethic, teamwork and all-in mentality,” Hollis said. “The wins will come, but becoming a family and one force is more important.” The team opens its season on Dec. 1 at home against Atlantic Collegiate. That same month they get four early tests in the Lowcountry Showcase, MLK Showcase, Greenville High School Showcase and the Charleston Invitational. Then comes region play in January heading right up to the late winter state playoffs. This time, after being so close for so long to playing for a state title, Hollis and everyone at OCA are anticipating not just another good season, but one that finally gets them past all previous playoff humps. “We play a tough schedule,” Hollis said. “Every game and team is a big game for us.” BISHOP ENGLAND BATTLING BISHOPS On paper, it could be said that the Bishop England boys basketball team had a forgettable season last year, posting a mediocre 12-15 mark and barely making enough waves to get anyone talking. But for second-year head coach Daniel Eykyn, he sees last year as a benchmark to start building for eventually reaching a long overdue state title appearance. The Battling Bishops are looking forward to a challenging early season schedule that should prepare them to compete in Region 6 AAAA. They will be playing several rivals including: Philip Simmons, Porter-Gaud, Wando, Lucy Beckham, as well as in two tournaments. The team opens its new season on Dec. 1 on the road against Hanahan. They follow that up with two tournaments: the Goose Creek showcase and Carolina Invitational from Dec. 22-30. Then comes mid-and late-season tests against May River and Bluffton, both of which beat Bishop England at home and away last season. But the Battling Bishops have more than tough opponents to battle; they also face the recurring The OCA Shark Tank gym has been the graveyard for many basketball opponents, as the Landsharks anticipate a lot of home wins this season. BEHS players, and a few future hopefuls, putting in weight time for the new basketball season.
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