How Mountain View Prep basketball proved time doesn’t matter with SCHSL playoff win
· Yahoo Sports
TAYLORS — Mountain View Prep boys basketball didn’t need much time.
The school officially opened its doors in July 2024. Just a year ago, the Stars entered the SCHSL boys basketball playoffs as a rookie team with little to no experience as a unit. It showed, as Mountain got bounced in the first round in a 63-56 loss to Palmetto.
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The Stars didn’t sweat it, though. They knew it wouldn’t take them much time to show that a new program could still reach the heights normally attained by veteran teams.
And they proved it after defeating St. Joseph’s Catholic 49-30 on Feb. 23 in the quarterfinals of the SCHSL boys basketball playoffs at Greer Middle College, advancing to the Upper State finals in the school’s second year.
“It’s all about growth,” Mountain View coach Nick Lagroone said, glancing at his players. “At the end of the day, it’s a player-led program. I can say all I want, but they have to go out there and get it done. St. Joe’s came out and battled, but our guys weathered the storm, and eventually found their composure.
“They finished that game. It was nothing that I did. They stayed true to themselves, and continued to keep chopping wood.”
One of the more intriguing players for the Stars is junior Mak Anderson. Most know him as Mountain View’s star quarterback.
But it turns out he’s pretty good at basketball, too.
“When I came on the team, I had to humble myself,” Anderson said. “In football, when you’re the quarterback, you’re kinda seen as the leader. But for basketball, it’s all about fitting in and being coachable.”
Anderson finished with 10 points. Senior guard Ma’Ori Henderson led Mountain View (20-6) with 13 points, as the Stars outscored St. Joseph’s (19-5) in the third 21-2.
“When you get to the playoffs, everyone’s 0-0,” Henderson said. “Like Coach said, it’s all about growth. We’ve been getting better and better every day. It’s all about getting out there and being the bigger dogs.”
Mountain View Prep athletic director Hailey Martin was especially thrilled to see the Stars advance.
“This is my first year here at Mountain View, so I’m super excited,” she said. “Everything Coach Lagroone has been able to build has led to this point. He talked about how last year was really about laying that foundation, and now he’s already built a culture here. It’s evident in how the guys react in victory and defeat. I’m happy for him, and I can’t wait for what’s next.”
”What’s next” is the Upper State finals Feb. 27 against Christ Church.
“We’re going to enjoy this one first,” he said. “Then we’ll get ourselves prepared for Christ Church. They got a really good team, they’ve got a winning DNA. We’ll do our job to be ready, and do the best we can to get that victory.”
Kamryn Jackson covers high school and college sports for the Spartanburg Herald-Journal, Greenville News, Anderson Independent Mail, and the USA TODAY Network. Please email her at [email protected] and follow her on X (formerly Twitter).
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: SCHSL boys basketball: How Mountain View Prep made big jump in Year 2