Darling remains optimistic despite Rebels' 0-3 start in Norcross

Effingham Herald

Updated: Nov 28, 2021, 6:46 PM

Published: Dec 1, 2021, 12:02 PM

By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald

Make no mistake, Effingham County boys basketball coach Jake Darling wanted to register three wins at Norcross High School’s round-robin holiday tournament, but the 0-3 week didn’t ruin Thanksgiving.

The Rebels were competitive with three teams that combined to win 70 percent of their games last season while advancing to their respective state tournaments.

Darling also saw some encouraging signs from junior forward Keion Wallace. The Region 2-AAAAAA Co-Player of the Year showed no ill effects from shoulder surgery that sidelined him for most of the football season.

Wallace, who was returning about six weeks early, averaged nearly 21 points a game in the three games at Norcross.

“We played solid defense but for the most part we were just rusty,” said Darling about losses to Woodward Academy (54-50 on Nov. 22), Norcross (67-55 on Nov. 23) and Stephenson (54-49 on Nov. 24).

ECHS was missing point guard Caleb Williams, who was out with a concussion. Williams, a senior, was the region’s Defensive Player of the Year last season.

The Rebels expect to have Williams back for the busy upcoming week. They’ll have non-region games against May River at home on Friday before traveling to Augusta to play Solid Rock Academy on a neutral court on Saturday.

ECHS opens region play Tuesday (Dec. 7) at home against Statesboro, the 2020-2021 region regular-season champion.

“Before (the Norcross round-robin) we had only four practices with the guys coming back from football and it showed,” Darling said. “Our offense was sloppy. Basically, we need practice time.”

In the opener against Woodward Academy (17-7 last season), Darling said the Rebels committed 20 turnovers.

The next night, Norcross (21-8 last season) made nine 3-pointers to pull away. ECHS was within two points late in the third quarter, Darling said. Wallace had 20 points and Rashad Scott added 15.

Darling said Rebels’ 6-foot-4 sophomore Jordan Goldwire played well against Norcross’ tall frontline which included 6-10 Aiden Sherrell and 6-8 senior Jerry Deng, who has offers from several Division I schools, including the University of Georgia.

“We probably played our best game against Norcross,” Darling said. “It was a fun game to be a part of.”

Against Stephenson (11-6 last season), Wallace poured in 26 points, but ECHS couldn’t find another player to step up.

“Stephenson was athletic and physical and I think we were just exhausted from playing three games in three days,” Darling said. “Mentally, we’re not where we need to be. We played some tough teams in this tournament, but we did it to find out where we are.”

Latest

Mustangs Show Grit, Look Ahead After Tough Opener

Freshman QB Liam Coburn powers through the defense for tough yardage. His play helped spark the Mustangs. (Mark Lastinger / Effingham Herald)

South vs. New Hampstead — Freshman QB Liam Coburn powers through the defense for tough yardage. His play helped spark the Mustangs. (Mark Lastinger / Effingham Herald)

Donald Heath

Updated: Aug 16, 2025, 5:22 PM

Published: Aug 16, 2025, 4:39 PM

GUYTON, Ga. – South Effingham freshman quarterback Liam Coburn decided to do something about his team’s struggling offense Friday night.

Facing third-and-long early in the fourth quarter, Coburn, not known for scrambling, took off out of the pocket and hit a defensive back so hard the defender’s helmet flew off.

The Mustangs bench erupted, and the hit provided some much-needed energy.

“I think our team is in a much better spot,” SEHS coach Loren Purvis said. “They care. They understand what it takes.”

The Mustangs couldn’t overcome a sluggish start and lost their season opener to New Hampstead 14-6. But the display of passion — often missing during the winless 2024 season — was readily apparent.

“We have nine more games left, and I think we’re going to build off this,” Coburn said. “This is a different team than in the past.”

A pregame downpour and flashes of lightning in the area delayed kickoff for about an hour and a half. The game ended at 11:52 p.m.

South Effingham vs. New Hampstead — South Effingham’s Alex Cabrera chases down a New Hampstead ball carrier. (Mark Lastinger / Effingham Herald)

Defense Keeps Game Close

Once the game started, South’s defense kept things close with four stops inside the red zone. The offense eventually scored on Maddox Vasquez’s 2-yard touchdown run with 5:58 left.

But the Mustangs couldn’t stop Phoenix running back Christian Kinlaw, who scored on runs of 31 and 20 yards and caught a two-point conversion from quarterback Erik Hockman to build a 14-0 lead through three quarters.

Kinlaw did most of his damage during the final three quarters, running for 160 yards on 18 carries. A year ago, New Hampstead rang up 56 points against South Effingham.

“I was very proud of the defense,” Mustangs middle linebacker Corey Woods said. “I think we took a major step as a defense. We had more energy. I love that. We all did our one eleven.”

Woods explained the team phrase “doing your one eleven” means there are 11 defenders on the field. You do your one job and trust your other 10 teammates to do theirs.

Special Teams, Offense Struggle

But SEHS special teams and offense couldn’t find traction. Special teams missed a short field goal and an extra-point kick after a touchdown, had a snap hit an upback during a punt formation, and surrendered an onside kick during a kickoff.

The offense had just two first downs until the final drive of the third quarter. Coburn’s 10-yard scramble and big hit—and a subsequent helmet-to-helmet 15-yard penalty assessed to the New Hampstead defense—highlighted South’s 11-play, 54-yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter.

“I rolled out and saw a dude and I thought, ‘I’m going to get my lick on him.’ It got the energy going,” Coburn said. “We got a little momentum going, and we were gaining confidence as the game went on.”

Heart-Stopping Moment

After the touchdown drive, South’s defense stopped New Hampstead at the SEHS 19. On the Mustangs’ next offensive play, Woods just missed making a big play when he couldn’t haul in Coburn’s pass after gaining a step on the defender on a fly pattern.

“I’m going to move on from it,” Woods said. “I’m going to catch more balls in practice, and the next time I get that opportunity, I’ll be good.”

South had a last possession deep in its own territory in the final minute. Mustangs wide receiver Landyn White caught a short pass, took a hit on the sidelines, and laid motionless before responding to medical personnel, Purvis said. White was taken off the field on a stretcher and into an ambulance.

It was a sobbing moment that shook up players and coaches. Purvis tried his best to put the game in perspective in the silent locker room.

“The kids came out and competed. You can build on that,” he said.

Looking Ahead

South now has a bye week next Friday before traveling to Toombs County on Aug. 29.