Jacob E. Smith and Troy Johnson sound very similar these days.

They both say they are just trying to get their teams to focus on the next game. For both coaches, that game comes tonight when Smith's Branchville Yellow Jackets boys go on the road to face the St. Johns Islanders, and Johnson's Bethune-Bowman Mohawks boys host the Academic Magnet Raptors.

At 8-2, both teams are tied with Baptist Hill for the Region 5-A lead. That makes tonight's games crucial in the race for a region title, but while both coaches say they are focusing on tonight, they both sound like they may be looking ahead to Friday.

That's because Friday Branchville (14-5) and Bethune-Bowman (14-6) square off. It's a rivalry, and earlier this year the Yellow Jackets defeated the Mohawks in Branchville. Friday's game will be played in Bowman, and the winner will likely take a lead in the race for the region crown.

"Pretty much, the way it is set up, if anyone loses right now it is going to hurt them in the region race," said Smith. "Friday's game will have major implications when it comes to the region championship."

And, a region title is something Smith said he and his team want badly. The Yellow Jackets last won a region title in 1987 -- 20 years ago.

"We want this real bad," he said. "This is not only for our school, but for the community of Branchville as well."

Johnson thinks if his Mohawks can make it through tonight's game against Academic Magnet and Friday's game against the Yellow Jackets, it will be in a favorable position to win the title.

"We have to take care of business with Academic Magnet, and then we have the showdown with Branchville," he said. "If we can take care of business we will be doing good. After Friday, Branchville has to come to Bowman, and they have to go to Cross. We play Lincoln, who is seventh in the region, and Military Magnet, who is eighth."

But, tonight's game comes first, and both teams will face tough tests. Smith's Yellow Jackets take on a St. John's team that, at 4-6 in region play, is looking to stay in the hunt for a spot in the playoffs.

"They are still right there in the race," Smith said. "They have played a close game with Bowman, but that is how the region is. You have to play hard every night because on any night you can lose if you don't have a good game."

The Raptors are also 4-6 in the region, but Johnson is a little more confident heading into his team's game.

"It is all about matchups," he said. "We beat them by 16 down at their place, but they are a patient team that runs its offense well, and they shoot very well from the outside."

Branchville has been led this season by senior guard Chaz Williams' 25 points per game. Reginald Murray is averaging eight, and Eric Bowman and Brent Valentine are averaging seven points and 10 rebounds per game. Center KaRon Washington averages 13 points per game, but he will miss tonight's game because of disciplinary issues.

"I just think that this year, (St. John's) is a little bit younger than us," said Smith. "I have seven seniors out of the 10 players on the team. But, it will be a tough game. The first time we only beat them by eight points, 60-52."

Johnson's Mohawks have been led by a standout guard as well. Senior Shelton Brown is averaging 24.7 points per game while collecting over six assists, five steals and five rebounds in each contest.

"Shelton is a great offensive player," said Johnson. "He makes coaching much easier."

Johnson said the Mohawks are also led by guards Loye Davis and Corwin Brown as well as forward Jamal Busby.

"(Davis and Brown) defend well, and they get after people," he said. "They make the ship go.

"Jamal Busby has been up and down this season," he added. "But, when he comes to play he makes a big difference."

In other T&D region action the Denmark-Olar Vikings (16-4, 5-2), led by Joshua Freeman and Khalief and Omega Whetstone, will host Allendale-Fairfax (11-9, 4-2). Erica Sumpter and Rayshawn Harrison will lead the Orangeburg Wilkinson boys (15-3, 6-0) and girls (17-3, 5-1) into Goose Creek to take on the Gators in Region 7-AAAA action. The Hunter-Kinard-Tyler boys (12-7, 5-1) host North (9-7, 4-2), and the Lake Marion girls (17-3, 5-1) travel to Hilton Head tonight.

In SCISAA action, the Orangeburg Prep Indians boys (9-9, 2-2) and girls (12-7, 2-2) will host Laurence Manning. Kelsey Sanders will lead the Calhoun Academy girls (13-4, 3-0) on the road against Richard Winn, and the Holly Hill Academy Raiders boys (19-1, 3-0) and girls (13-1, 2-1) will travel to Dorchester Academy.

T&D Sports Writer Brian Linder can be reached by e-mail at blinder@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5553. Discuss this and other stories online at TheT&D.com.

You must be logged in to comment.