Former Gaffney standout earns top honor

PHILLIP BUCKSON It didn’t take former Gaffney hoops standout Phillip Buckson long to make an impact at the next level.

Buckson was chosen as the Region 10 Men’s Basketball Player of the Year and First Team All Region 10.

“I don’t know how many freshmen in the country can say they were player of the year in the league on top of being named First Team AllRegion,” said Rob Burke, Pioneers head men’s basketball coach.

“For Buckson to come in as a freshman, to play 30 games and face league opponents once, then to be picked player of the year is special,” Burke added. “This is a huge honor for Buckson, plus it is a big honor for the men’s basketball program at the same time.

“It’s a testament to who (Buckson) is as a person, not so much to his basketball playing, because there were two other players who averaged more points than him. But he touches almost every category in the stats sheet as far as points, offensive and defensive rebounds, steals, assists and blocks.

The last Pioneer to be named Player of the Year was James Scott in 1992.

This year, the Pioneers earned the second seed in the conference tournament after finishing the regular season with a 20-10 record.

Buckson continued to prove his worth in the Region 10 tournament.

He poured in 18 points in the Pioneers’ 97-83 win over Brunswick in the tournament semifinals.

Buckson scored 13 points in the Pioneers’ opening round win over Rockingham Community.