The Greenbrier High School boys’ basketball team played its first home game of season, defeating South Aiken 68-46 on the opening day of the Danny Black Classic, Friday, Dec. 20.
Black was coached for multiple schools including Aquinas (1971-1973), Evans (1973-77), Hephzibah (1977-1980) Evans (1980-1996) and at Greenbrier (1996-2002). Not only did Black begin Greenbrier’s basketball program, he had his 378th coaching career win during his tenure. He also played a role in helping former head baseball coach Terry Holder and Evans win five state high school baseball championships.
“It is very much so an honor because he is the founder of Greenbrier basketball being the first and original coach,” said Greenbrier Basketball Coach Demetrius Howard about Black. “He has opened up a lot of programs in the CSRA and to be able to honor him after coaching his grandson, Andrew Black, and having his son as our athletic director. It is a big honor.”
Black retired in 2002 from coaching and died din 2020. Garrett Black, former coach Danny Black’s son, is the current Athletic Director at Greenbrier.
Greenbrier boys’ basketball battled with South Aiken early, only ahead 25-19 after the first half.
“I was frustrated with some of our turnovers,” said Howard about the first half. “I felt like defensively we were doing what we were supposed to do, but we weren’t executing of the turnovers.”
The Thoroughbreds cut the Wolfpack lead even more by hitting two threes to start the third quarter.
Greenbrier stole all momentum in the middle of the third quarter by forcing turnovers and going on a 14-2 run heading into the fourth quarter. The Wolfpack continued to halt the South Aiken offense and convert their baskets, winning 68-46. Senior Greenbrier Guard Jackson Farlow was announced as the tournament player of the game.
This was also the Wolfpack’s first home game of the season after playing 11 straight road games to start the year,
“It feels really good to be at home,” said Howard. “Eleven games on the road to start the season off is kind of tough, and I don’t know if any team in the state has started off in that direction. Getting a big win for our first home game is a great feeling.”
The Danny Black Classic is a two-day tournament featuring several area boys and girls teams. It will continue Saturday, Dec. 21 with all games at Greenbrier. Burke County’s boys will play South Aiken at 1 p.m.; Burke County’s girls will play Greenbrier at 2:30 p.m. and Fox Creek’s boys will play Greenbrier at 4 p.m.
Greenbrier is currently 8-4 and will begin region play after the new year against Evans on Jan. 7, 2025. Howard is confident in his team’s current play and believes the players can continue win if they keep playing at their best.
“Our continuity on offense, continuing to share the basketball and defense,” Howard said. “Flying around and rotating and communicating the way we have done it.”
Christopher Rickerson, an Augusta University graduate, has covered area sports for Augusta University, The Augusta Press and Augusta Good News. Subscribe to the Augusta Good News newsletter here.
