Grand Strand basketball fans will get their first chance to meet the new South Carolina Warriors this weekend.
The first-year ABA franchise will hold a Team Meeting at Chris’ Pizza & Pub in Longs at 7 p.m. Sunday. Fans are invited to attend and meet and greet the players and coaches on the eve before the team opens training camp.
The Myrtle Beach-based Warriors will hold their first practice Monday in preparation for their season opener on Nov. 18 at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.
The team of 15 players will open two-a-days on Monday under the direction of former Texas Tech coach Chris Beard, who expects to bring a quality product to local fans.
“I think Myrtle Beach will be impressed with the team,” he said. “We have put together a roster with two main objectives, signing players with professional basketball talent and experience, and equally important with high-character, good people.”
The team features some familiar names and faces to longtime locals, including four former players at Coastal Carolina University, two from the College of Charleston and a former Socastee standout.
Former Chants Jack Leasure, Colin Stevens and Mario Edwards and Jo Harris, ex-Cougars Tony White Jr. and Dustin Scott and former Brave/Arkansas-Little Rock product give the upstart squad a local flavor.
Teammates Mike Vogler (Troy), Curtis Thomas (Indiana Tech) and Fred Peete (New Mexico State) and swingmen Alex Chapman (Vanguard) and Marquise Gainous (Texas Christian) provide a diverse mix college and semi-pro experience.
The roster has not been finalized so more additions could take place before the season opener. The Warriors will play host to the Carolina Jaguars on Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the first game in franchise history.
