Gray Collegiate rolls on Senior Night as player who collapsed on court returns

Irmo boys snaps 3-game skid to set up 1st place showdown with A.C. Flora

Posted 2/1/23

The last time Mychael Mitchell played at Gray Collegiate Academy’s new gymnasium, Senior Night was far from anyone’s mind.

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Gray Collegiate rolls on Senior Night as player who collapsed on court returns

Irmo boys snaps 3-game skid to set up 1st place showdown with A.C. Flora

Posted

The last time Mychael Mitchell played at Gray Collegiate Academy’s new gymnasium, Senior Night was far from anyone’s mind.

A hard fall followed by convulsion during the Jan. 17 game against W.J. Keenan made for several perilous minutes for the senior guard. The prompt emergency aid provided by head trainer Madison Keim, assistant Ashley Bowers and the school nurses was credited with saving Mitchell’s life.

Two weeks later, it was a more joyous occasion for he, his four senior teammates and the top-ranked War Eagles. Not only was Mitchell welcomed back enthusiastically, it was also an opportunity for the school and his family to recognize the training staff during halftime of the boys’ game.

The outcome went in favor of Gray Collegiate by a 68-33 score over Columbia. With the victory, the War Eagles can clinch the Region 4-2A title with another win Friday at the Capitols.

“It was very special,” Gray Collegiate head coach Dion Bethea said. “To have all five of our seniors get out there and produce, especially Mike man, just to see his family here and then him being able to take the floor. It was really incredible.”

“It motivated me,” said Mitchell, who finished with four points, about the crowd support. “It made me feel at home. Made me feel good.

Gray Collegiate (19-6, 6-1) got more than enough offense from point guard Montraivis White who had a game-high 21 points and 11 points from Trey Maddox. A big reason was a defensive effort which held Columbia to its second-lowest point total of the season.

The War Eagles led 23-13 at halftime and closed out the third quarter with a 10-0 run to extend their lead to 39-19. They enjoyed their biggest lead at 38 points before Columbia (13-10, 1-4) scored a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

“The first half, I thought we kind of did a terrible job defensively,” Bethea said. “Second half, we were a whole lot better. We need that same energy you know, every quarter, so I'm hoping we can bring it.”

Bethea is not the only one who’s expecting improved play from Gray Collegiate in three days as they look to claim the top seed out of the region.

“I’ve got some work to do,” Mitchell said. “I’ve got to keep working, but I’m on the way.”

Dutch Fork 67, White Knoll 39

Bryson Taylor scored 21 points, Corey Stagg had 12 and Elgin Sessions finished with 11 as the Silver Foxes (8-11, 3-2) remained a half-game behind River Bluff for second place in Region 4-5A.

Irmo 53, Ridge View 51

Brandon Crawford scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Madden Collins also had 14 points and six assists and Jonathan White added 11 as the seventh-ranked Yellow Jackets snapped a three-game losing streak.

The win moved Irmo (18-5, 4-3) into a tie for second place in Region 4-4A with the Blazers and one game behind first place A.C. Flora. The two teams meet Feb. 3 in the Temple of Doom.

Northside Christian 69, Thomas Sumter 24

Dane Sundell scored 15 points, Sullie Crider had 12, Sam Burks finished with 11 and Triton Riley added 10 as the Crusaders improved to 2-0 in the region.

Brookland-Cayce 60, Dreher 50

The Bearcats (8-12, 3-4) moved to within a game of third place in Region 5-3A with the win over the Blue Devils.

Up next is a home matchup Feb. 3 against Gilbert.

Lower Richland 75, Gilbert 25

Fox Creek 62, Pelion 20

Orangeburg-Wilkinson 83, Swansea 20

South Aiken 57, Airport 43

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Dutch Fork 88, White Knoll 19

The Silver Foxes (11-8, 4-1) stayed tied with Lexington in the loss column in the race for the Region 4-5A title.

Hillary Offing scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Dutch Fork. Aaliyah Lee had 17 points, Trinity Crumlin finished with 15 and Tayah Anderson had 14 for the Lady Silver Foxes.

Up next is a Feb. 3 road matchup with Chapin.

Gray Collegiate 53, Columbia 37

Kadence Walker-Lee scored 14 points and Karlee Phelps added eight as the second-ranked Lady War Eagles (16-6, 5-2) clinched second place in Region 4-2A.

Kamirra Clarke had a game-high 18 points and Damini Wilson finished with 12 for the Lady Capitols (15-8, 1-4).

Lower Richland 60, Gilbert 6

Pelion 43, Fox Creek 26

Orangeburg-Wilkinson 48, Pelion 27

Dreher 48, Brookland-Cayce 8
Thomas Grant Jr. | Chronicle
Gray Collegiate guard Mychael Mitchell in his first game back since collapsing on the floor during a Jan. 17 home game.
Thomas Grant Jr. | Chronicle
The Gray Collegiate Academy training staff are presented awards by school principal Brian Newsome.

Mychael Mitchell, Gray Collegiate, basketball, Lady War Eagles, Irmo

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