Lady Iron Horses lack no shortage of depth

The theme for the Philip Simmons girls’ basketball team for the 2021-22 season might just as well be “Return of the Mack.”
 
No, this does not pertain to the mid-90s rhythm-and-blues smash hit by British crooner Mark Morrison. It concerns the return of talented Philip Simmons girls’ basketball star Zhaire Mack, who missed last season when she opted not to play for the Iron Horses because of personal issues.
 
Mack earned Region 6-AA postseason honors for the 2019-20 season after averaging 8 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists her freshman year. She could be the missing ingredient for the Iron Horses, whose goal is to play in and win the Class AA state championship.
 
Add Mack to the Iron Horses equation that already includes junior classmates Kylee Kellermann and Kennedy Rivers, and you are talking about one impressive nucleus.
 
“They are juniors and are still learning,” coach Dustin Williams said of his talented trio. “Having Zhaire back gives us a player who is vocal and a contributor. Having her back helps tremendously.”
 
Kellermann and Rivers both earned all-state honors last winter. Kellermann collected 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 4 steals per game. Rivers was just as impressive with 17.1 points, 2.6 assists and 2.3 steals per game. 
 
Williams said the key is finding players four through seven is critical to the team’s success. The coach stresses basketball success depends on all five players who are out on the court at the same time.
 
Who are players four through seven?
 
“That’s a good question,” Williams said. “These players have to be ready and have to contribute. If Kellermann, Rivers or Mack are doubled-teamed, we have to have players who are ready to take the open shot. We need contributions from them.”
 
The players who are jockeying into position for the open spots include sophomore Tia Chaney, junior Maddie Mohlman, freshman Lily Buceti and senior Deandra Brown.
 
The Iron Horses had a memorable season despite a limited schedule last winter. The team went 10-3 and picked up playoff victories over Barnwell and Marion. The Iron Horses reached the Final Four but were eliminated by eventual state runner-up Silver Bluff.
 
The Iron Horses opened the 2021-22 regular season Monday with a road loss at Military Magnet. Military Magnet reached the Class A state championship last winter and is expected to be a force.
 
“It was a good way to start the season,” Williams said. “It was a good matchup coming in. We played well. We played tough. We just couldn’t get it done at the end.” 
 
The Iron Horses were also scheduled to play at Palmetto Christian Academy and at Bishop England this week as the season revs up.
 
“We want to make it back to the Final Four,” Williams said. “We know what it feels like to be there, especially when you lose. We want to go farther. That’s always our goal.
 
“We know what the Final 4 tastes like,” Williams added. “That’s our goal, Final 4 and beyond.”

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