ECHS boys basketball team hopes to build up over the summer

SPRINGFIELD – Construction is well underway outside Effingham County High School. A little less conspicuously in the Rebels gym, the boys basketball team is beginning its rebuilding project.

Second-year coach Tramaine Aaron loses eight seniors from a team that has stumbled through the 2023-24 season. The Rebels lost five straight games to start the season, but then won five straight (including a win over highly-ranked Grovetown) just past the midpoint.

ECHS defeated Brunswick at home during the regular season, then lost to the Pirates in the same regional tournament and failed to make the state tournament for the second year in a row.

Perhaps the Rebels’ 12-12 record is a good example of what the 2023-24 season will look like.

The report also shows that, summer or no summer, it is time to get to work for the 2024-2025 season.

“We had five dates (in June) and played about 15 games. That was encouraging,” Aaron said. “We got a chance to see our young guys, experience-wise, compete and they held their own. Every game was a lesson. Our goal was to compete.”

Aaron also aims to bring continuity back to the program. Last year’s group was playing for its third coach in three years. Aaron was hired over the summer and spent only a few weeks with his new players before school started.

“I’m kind of a player development coach and I like to show (the players) the way,” he said. “The summer gives you a chance to teach, to build a bond. I want to create a culture here.”

Aaron will certainly get his chance at player development. Jordan Goldwire, a 6-foot-1, first-team all-region forward, has graduated, leaving a big hole on offense and defense in the middle.

ECHS also loses key perimeter shooter Hayden Eason, a second-team all-region player, to graduation.

The Rebels return seniors Lamar Roberts, Damion Gordon and Joseph Polite. Polite, a 6-2, 260-pounder, had a strong second half of the season and earned honorable mention all-region accolades.

But the rapid development of junior varsity players Elyjah Doty, Isaiah Scruggs, Noah Reese and Anthony “Tre” Davis III will be critical to success.

Aaron has a template to follow. He was an All-American at Berry University and played professionally in Europe, but he has fond memories of high school.

Aaron was a two-time state champion as a player at Wheeler High and learned the game from legendary coach Doug Lipscomb.

Lipscomb won more than 600 games during his 25-year coaching career that ended in 2017. Led by Jaylen Brown (now with the Boston Celtics), Lipscomb and Wheeler won their sixth state championship in 2015.

“Those are the same aspirations I have for (Effingham County),” Aaron said.