Burke boys basketball coach Earl Brown admits life without Del'Javon Simmons, Sidney Sanders and Michael Heyward has been difficult.
The trio led Burke to a 73-8 record and two appearances in the Class AA state championship game in three years before graduating in May.
The Bulldogs have experienced growing pains without the talented trio that combined to average 47 points per game last season.
"That's probably the worst start we've had in the last 20 years," said Brown, whose team hosts the Modie Risher Classic on Dec. 28-30. "We're a little inexperienced and don't have the shooters like Sidney, Michael and Del'Javon. We play good defense, but when it comes to offense, we're horrible."
Burke, competing at the Class A level this season after a long stretch in AA, should show some improvement in time for its tournament.
"We made some adjustments, put people in different roles," Brown said. "We were looking for them to do more than they are capable of."
The Bulldogs still have some talent despite the three key losses. John Ross, a 6-3, 225-pound junior, started last year and is the team's leading score with 13 points a game. Tyqaun Scott also has good skills. The 6-4, 175-pound junior is averaging 10 points per game.
Burke has won two straight Modie Risher Classic titles, including last year, when they beat Ridgeland 72-59. Tournament MVP Simmons scored 24 points and all-tournament pick Sanders added 18.
This year's field includes Burke, St. John's, Baptist Hill, Orangeburg-Wilkinson, Garrett Tech, Ridgeland, Beaufort and Greg Mathis Charter.
"This is the first year Orangeburg-Wilkinson and Garrett have participated," Brown said. "It should help boost attendance. I feel this year's tournament is a little more competitive."
The Region 8-AAAA football coaches have announced their all-region team and Beaufort, Summerville and Fort Dorchester all landed seven players on the squad.
Beaufort's selections include Beau Brown, Dymonte Gawthney, Cody Beals, DeEndre Jefferson-Fields, Detrell Gantt, Maliek Maldonado and Kyle Clark.
Summerville's selections are Dalton Saunders, De'angelo Henderson, Chris Williams, Matt White, NaJae Reid, John Higgins and Jarrid Govia.
Fort Dorchester's picks include Ethan Long, Devron Glenn, Know Betcher, Rashawn White, Tyler Vasas, T.J. Freeman and Sean Bright.
Ashley Ridge's selections are Cameron Cox, Seamus McKinney, Nick Webb and Romelo Doctor. Maliek Young, Colleton County's picks: Cornelius Reid and Jarrett Ritter.
Tickets for the first National Underclassmen Combine (NUC) All-World Gridiron Classic are on sale now. The game is set for 6 p.m. Dec. 31 at The Citadel's Johnson Hagood Stadium. The all-star game features 114 senior high school players from the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Europe.
Porter-Gaud wide receiver Stanton Seckinger, who committed to play for Clemson, will participate. He is one of four players from the Palmetto State who committed to play. The others are Brookland-Cayce fullback Jacob Baxter and West Florence kicker Alex Howell and Bamberg-Ehrhardt defensive back Zeph Grimes. Baxter is uncommitted. Howell will sign with Boston College; Grimes will play at Illinois.
Several players who have committed to South Carolina are scheduled to play: defensive back Kadetrix Marcus of Stone Mountain, Ga.; wide receiver K.J. Brent of Waxhaw, N.C.; and WR Damiere Byrd of Sicklerville, N.J.
Tickets are $8 to $20. Go to etix.com (enter "NUC All-World Gridiron Classic") or nationalunderclassmen.com .
Reach Philip M. Bowman at pbowman@postandcourier.com or 937-5592.
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