Bishop England boys’ basketball features a gang of 3-point shooters

There are signs of success: second place in the Stall Thanksgiving Classic, an elusive win over Wando and a gang of 3-point shooters whose motto might just as well be “Nothing but net.”
The Bishop England boys’ basketball team has fared well early in the season with four victories in its first games to start the 2015-16 season. One of the wins was against East Cooper rival Wando, which had gained 14 consecutive victories until the Bishops snapped the skid.
That’s why coach Bryan Grevey is smiling. That is why there is hope the Bishops can contend in and win the Region 6-AA championship.
“We are doing very well,” said Grevey, whose team has a few challenges this week as well, including a showdown Saturday against Porter-Gaud, a game that is called The Holy War. “I couldn’t be happier with the progress of this team. I enjoy coaching them. I have enjoyed all my teams, but there is something about this team.”
Perhaps it is its chemistry, coachability or talent. There’s plenty of that on campus and Grevey counts five players who can step up and score anytime from anywhere vs. the 1-2 punch the Bishops employed the past few seasons.
That was evident in the season-opener when the Bishops blasted Stall 74-54 thanks to a memorable night behind the 3-point arc. The Bishops connected on 12 3-pointers, the best effort from long-distance land in nearly a decade.
Brandon McHale scored 22 points in that game and hit a half dozen Threes. He hasn’t slowed down, and leads the Bishops with 20 points per game heading into this week’s slate of games.
Center Christian Drummond has also been a force on offense with 16 points per game. Point guard Jake Owens might be the glue that holds the team together. He’s in his fourth year in the program and is a captain.
Perennial Class AAAA power Goose Creek spoiled the Bishops’ dream of a championship with a win in the Stall title game. But there will be other chances. The Bishops are one of the teams in a spirited field of the Ashley Ridge Hoops for Hops tourney, which will be contested Dec. 21-23. The Bishops will face Hanahan in the tourney tip-off.
“They are a very good team,” Grevey said of Hanahan. “They are well-coached. It’s going to take one of our better efforts.”
Grevey could also say the same thing about this weekend’s opponent, Porter-Gaud. Grevey said the Cyclones are probably one of the top three teams on the Bishops’ schedule.
All this tough competition and hard work should make the Bishops a contender when Region 6-AA play tips off.
“That’s why we schedule the way we do,” said Grevey, who is off to a good start at bettering last year’s 9-15 record. Öur region is so strong that to have a chance, you have to play competition like this.”
As for the region favorite, Grevey goes with the majority when he picks Batter Creek.
“They have to be the favorites,” he said. “Then it’s Whale Branch, Academic Magnet, North Charleston and us bunched together. I know it’s a cliché, but on any given night, any team can win.”