MHS basketball greats of ‘80s, ‘90s recognized

Some of the greatest MHS basketball teams and players were honored Saturday between games of the Christchurch/Middlesex junior varsity and varsity basketball games in the John S. Clements Memorial Gymnasium at Middlesex High School (MHS).

The Lady Chargers 1988, 1989 and 1990 basketball teams and the boys 1989 state runner-up team were recognized for their amazing years of basketball play at MHS.

Saluda’s Tom Hardin, who founded the Middlesex County Youth Basketball League in 1976, introduced coaches and players at center court. When he introduced the late John Clements’ family, Hardin said that Clements, who was head coach of the boys team in 1989, was one of the greatest basketball coaches in MHS history.

Andrew Hence, coach of the girls teams in 1988, 1989 and 1990 and assistant boys coach in 1989, praised the coaches, players, youth basketball league and the community. “It takes a village to create a winning basketball program and those years were a golden age in Middlesex High School basketball,” said Hence.

Coach Hence thanked Anthony Kimble who spearheaded the event. He also thanked Matt Stamm and the Middlesex High School Athletic Department for providing food in the cafeteria and a time for players, coaches and fans to mingle together and share their memories.

MHS grad Ashae Burnett also reached 1,000-plus career points

The Sentinel missed last week recognizing Ashae Burnett, a 2009 graduate of Middlesex High School as a 1,000 point Lady Charger basketball player.

Burnett played forward for the Lady Chargers, was a Tidewater All-District performer three years in a row and scored over 1,000 points in her career.

Burnett, along with Carroll Ann Clements, Anita Johnson, Sarah Johnson, Jackie Pratt and Emilie Smith make up the six female Middlesex basketball players that scored over a 1,000 career points at MHS.

There are eight boys which includes Maurice Ackes, Michael Bess, Bobby Farris, Ryheem Lockley, Raguan Marshall, Michael Ransome, Jarad White and Ichi Layne.