Courtesy photoPictured at the Ole Miss Team Camp last week are (front, from left) Cori Bell, Cardarrius Isom, Ded’drick Faulkner and Marquavious Jones; (back, same order) Shontaveous Harris, Dylan King, Devin Coleman, Tyhem Reaves, Lee Quinn-Lake, Daveon Miller and Anthony Gulledge Jr.
Courtesy photoPictured at the Murray State University team camp last week are Holly Springs Hawks (front, from left) Cori Bell, Lee Quinn-Lake, Ded’drick Faulkner, Cardarrius Isom, Marquavious Jones, Tyhem Reaves; and (second row, same order) Dylan King, Anthony Gulledge Jr., Shontaveous Harris, Rahmel Campbell, Devin Coleman and Daveon Miller. Coach Sylvester Kilgore said the Hawks had a great time and played some really good teams from Kentucky. “Plus, we got to visit with Holly Springs basketball’s all-time leading scorer, DaQuan Smith (who will be a freshman at Murray State),” Kilgore said. “He is doing great, and the coaches at Murray State are pleased with how he is progressing this summer and plan on him being a huge part of their success next season.”
Holly High keeping busy on court
Three months after finishing as Class 3A state runner-up, Holly Springs is back at work on the basketball court.
Coach Sylvester Kilgore’s Hawks are playing some tough competition in summer team camps at sites like Ingomar, Booneville, the University of Mississippi and Murray State University.
“We’ve won more than we’ve lost,” he said, “but it’s not about the score in summer league competition.
“We’ve played a lot of games this summer, and it’s very important as far as getting experience, plus building teamwork and unity.”
To wrap up the 2017-2018 season, the Hawks made their first appearance in the state title game since 2006. They fell 48-42 in March to St. Andrew’s at Mississippi Coliseum.
It was their fourth straight trip to Jackson for the state tournament.
A pair of key starters are gone from that team – guards DaQuan Smith, now at Murray State, and Anthony Johnson.
But at the same time, plenty of talent returns – like guards Cori Bell and Tyhem Reaves and forwards Daveon Miller (6’5”) and Shontaveous Harris (6’7”).
Plus, Holly High has picked up another big man Derek Fountain (6’7”), who is transferring back home after two years playing for a private school in Memphis, Tenn. He is the brother of former Hawk Kendrick Fountain, who played one season at Itawamba Community College and will suit up for Northwest Community College next season.
“We will have guys with experience, including state championship experience, and we need to take advantage of that,” said Kilgore, whose squad is working toward another shot at a 3A crown next season.
“And the younger guys without experience are coming along, too, in these summer games.”
Kilgore said his Hawks may host some summer games in their gymnasium on June 28.