Gray Collegiate boys basketball thriving despite season of big changes

Gray Collegiate Academy boys basketball has adjusted to a new coach and tougher competition, overcoming early challenges to find their rhythm and stay in the hunt for a region title.

Located in West Columbia, S.C., Gray is a public charter school known for its athletic programs. The school, which frequently accepts students from outside its attendance zone, recently was moved up to 4A, South Carolina’s second-largest classification.

Gray last May appointed Carlos Powell as head boys basketball coach. Before accepting the job at Gray, Powell spent four seasons coaching at his alma mater, Florence’s Wilson High School, where he led the team to a state championship in 2022 while commuting from Columbia.

“It was really an easy decision when it came down to it because of my family,” Powell said. “My wife and my kids are here. Now I get to see my kids in the daytime.”

Powell had a decorated playing career at the University of South Carolina from 2001-2005. He led the Gamecocks to an NCAA Tournament appearance his junior season and is eighth on the school’s all-time scoring list. He also played professionally internationally for 13 years.

Powell replaced longtime coach Dion Bethea, who won six 2A state championships with the War Eagles. Marc Cooper, who’s in his 10th season as an assistant coach at Gray, believes Powell has kept the momentum going.

“Nothing’s changed,” Cooper said. “Coach Powell brings in a lot of intensity, a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of knowledge for the game. I don’t think there’s a drop-off.”

The War Eagles were just 2-6 at Christmas break after facing a challenging non-region slate. Gray since then has won 10 of its last 11 games, with its only loss coming against Brookland-Cayce High School on Jan. 7. The War Eagles have a 9-2 region record, placing them third in the standings.

“My coaches, they started to see that guys are starting to turn a corner,” Powell said. “Probably a week or so ago, a couple of coaches came up to me and were like, ‘Man, we’re starting to look a little different.’”

The War Eagles recently handed region foe North Augusta its first loss of the season. Senior forward Levi Ball scored 17 points in the matchup, while Lamont “L.J.” Britt added 11 points and eight rebounds.

“L.J., I call him the coach on the floor,” assistant coach Thurman Zimmerman said. “IQ is amazingly high. His future has coaching in it, but I told him to finish your basketball career first. He’s such an intelligent guy on and off the court.”

The school also has faced conflict in other sports. Gray’s varsity football team was banned from last season’s playoffs and forfeited its wins due to player eligibility issues. The junior varsity football program also encountered scheduling difficulties when Brookland-Cayce and Airport High School refused to play the War Eagles.

But Gray continues to grow. In January, Principal Brian Newsom announced the addition of a satellite campus opening this fall in Irmo. The expansion could push the school to 5A in the next realignment round.

“Dr. Newsome sits in the corner every single game,” Powell said. “He cheers more than anybody else. The support from the principal and the athletic director is key, and they’re a big part of what we’ve been doing.”