ST. MATTHEWS -- For as long as Zam Fredrick can remember, basketball has been a family affair at Calhoun County High School.

During his 19 seasons, Fredrick has coached his son (University of South Carolina guard Zambolist "Buck" Fredrick) and several of his relatives' children. He's even had his share of brother tandems like Rolando and Alonzo Shuler, Charles and Darren "Boochie" Ben and Andre and Deandrea Guinyard to name a few.

"I've had at least three or four sets of brothers on my team since I've been at Calhoun, so that's not anything unusual for us," Fredrick said. "In addition to that, we've had five or six cousins on the team as well. So it's been a family situation ever since I've been here."

Seven years after the Bens reached the state title game, the latest set of brothers playing an instrumental role in Calhoun County's ongoing "March to History" is their younger siblings, Alshon and Shamier Jeffery. Separated by two years, the Jefferys bring contrasting styles and roles to the hardwood for the undefeated and two-time defending Class A champion Saints, but contribute equally to the team's success.

"They're very different in the way they play the game," Fredrick said. "Alshon is the all-around type of guy. He's the type that's team-oriented. He'd rather pass the ball than shoot it, and he brings so much versatility and leadership to the floor whereas Shamier is an offensive type of guy. He loves to shoot the deep ball.

"(Shamier) may have a little more flair maybe because he's more offensive-minded, but still there's a lot about the game he needs to understand, and I'm still trying to get him to assert himself as an athlete as well. Alshon, on the other hand, is the complete package. Shamier is just a freshman, so he's got a way to go and a lot to learn."

At 6-4 and a junior, Alshon brings more of a seasoned game to the team. His versatility as a rebounder, ballhandler and lead defender earned him South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association's Class A Player of the Year honors and has made him a coach's nightmare to defend.

Shamier plays more of the role of top scorer off the bench. As the team's Sixth Man, the 6-0 Jeffery provides instant offense as the team's top 3-point shooter.

"I love being the sixth man, coming in and helping out the team," Shamier said. "When we're down, I bring them back. I do what I have to do to lift the team up."

The younger Jeffery is also capable of providing rebounding help in the paint and has played with a higher sense of confidence than his older brother showed initially as a freshman.

"He's never lacking for confidence," said Fredrick about Shamier. "Alshon early on was maybe a little tentative, but got over that real quick."

Despite the contrasting styles, the Jefferys have no problem meshing their games together when having to play extended minutes with each other. On those rare nights Alshon has struggled offensively, Shamier has stepped up to carry the scoring load.

The reverse is true in Alshon's case as seen last Saturday in the Upper State final, when Shamier left the game after turning his right ankle. He's expected to play in today's final against Hemingway.

"We've been playing together since we were little, so it's easy," Alshon said. "We just go out and play because we know each other's game."

Watching Alshon pay his dues as a freshman as well as growing up playing against other Saints' players helped Shamier make a quick transition to the varsity ranks. It does not hurt to have older teammates who continually keep him focused.

"Sometimes I have to get him in line or whatever," Alshon said."Me and D.J. (David Glover Jr.) keep him close."

The brotherly bond does not totally extend to one-on-one games with each other, according to Fredrick.

"When they play against each other, they forget that they're brothers," he said. "It gets intense between them during practice and that's a good thing. Competititon is always good."

What's even better for the Jefferys is sharing a state championship together and keeping the title trophy in the "Saints' family."

-- T&D Senior Sports Writer Thomas Grant Jr. can be reached by e-mail at tgrant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5547. Discuss this and other stories on-line at TheTandD.com.

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