By Thomas Grant Jr.

A new year, the same challenges facing a Gray Collegiate Academy athletics team.

This time, it’s both defending Class 2A basketball champions who find themselves playing a non-region schedule. With all six fellow Region 4-2A teams opting not to compete against either team, the War Eagles and Lady War Eagles are preparing for the post-season early against opponents both in-state and out-of-state.

The holiday season saw the Gray Collegiate boys win the Cayce Roundball Classic and face nationally-ranked foes in the Chick-fil-A Classic. That has continued into the new year with three straight wins over Georgia schools Westside and Peeblebrook and Chapin as part of the Rush’s Friday Night Hoops Game of the Week.

The War Eagles’ remaining schedule is highlighted by two games against fellow charter school Legion Collegiate, a season-ending clash with SCISA school Cardinal Newman and a “One Versus One” matchup with nationally-ranked Class 4A Ridge View in the Monday finale MLK Bash at Eau Claire High School.

The Lady Eagles will also face a top-ranked team at the MLK Bash on Saturday in North Augusta. They will also close out the season with games against Legion Collegiate, Legacy Early College and Cardinal Newman.

S.C. BASKETBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION CLASS 2A TOP 10 POLLS

(Boys)

1. Gray Collegiate 

2. Oceanside Collegiate

3. Hampton County

4. Andrew Jackson

5. Marion

6. Landrum

7. Strom Thurmond

8. Mullins

9. Woodland

10. Bishop England/Greer Middle College

(Girls)

1. Bishop England

2. Silver Bluff

3. Andrew Jackson

4. Gray Collegiate

5. Blacksburg

6. Oceanside Collegiate

7. Lee Central

8. Landrum

9. Keenan

10. Chesterfield