By LARRY HILLIARDLedger Sports Editor

Donald Sims

Gaffney shooting guard Donald Sims received the South Carolina Sports Report’s Class 4A Player of the Year Award Sunday in Columbia.

Without 2-time all-state performers Sidney Rice and AZ Reid this year, Sims blossomed into the team’s go-to scorer, averaging 21.3 points as well as 2.4 assists and nearly four rebounds a game.

“I’m surprised I won it,” Sims said. “If I wouldn’t have won it, I would have used it as motivation. It shows what hard work will do.”

Phillp Buckson Sims, who was also named all-region and all-state, said he’s still finalizing plans to attend Fork Union Military Academy next fall.

Marlboro County’s Casaan Breeden, who will play next year at Florida State, received the state Player of the Year Award.

Gaffney 6-7 center Phillip Buckson also picked up some hardware as one of the top players in Class 4A. Buckson, who set the school record for blocks this season with 107, signed last week with Spartanburg Methodist.

“I’m happy for the two guys,” Gaffney coach Mark Huff said. “It’s a very big honor for them and for our program.”

Mark Huff Huff didn’t leave the banquet empty handed. He received the state Coach of the Year Award after guiding the Indians to a 27-1 mark and state title this season. The Indians are an incredible 81-3 the last three years. under Huff.