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Top-200 prospect Lino Mark sinks big shots for Soldiers at Peach, sets official visit dates
By SAM LANCE NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — When the Oakland Soldiers needed a big time shot against UPlay Canada on Tuesday during Peach Jam pool play, three-star guard Lino Mark was the one to step up. With around seven minutes to go and the game tied, Mark hit his first big-time three. Then, just a while after, he hit the dagger shot from deep to put the Soldiers up 11 points. UPlay had led the Soldiers most of the contest. “I just do the little things,” Mark said of his game. “I realize I’m on a great team with great players. You know, everybody’s ball dominant at their high school, so just trying to fit in by doing the little stuff. That’s guarding 94 feet, cutting backdoor, hitting open shots.” Mark plays with two No. 1-ranked high school players — AJ Dybantsa of the 2025 class and Tyran Stokes of the 2026 class — on the Oakland Soldiers 17u program. Still, he has found a way to stand out at Peach Jam. The guard is averaging a modest 6.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 17.4 minutes per contest — but he’s been the bench piece the Soldiers need to flourish. The Soldiers also needed everyone of Mark’s 13 points to knock of UPlay, 73-65. As for Mark’s recruitment, he is hearing from programs like Cal, Providence, Santa Barbara, Seton Hall, TCU and USC. Mark has already visited Providence, Seton Hall and TCU unofficially and has some official visits set in stone for the fall. Mark will travel to Seton Hall (Sept. 9-11) and TCU (Oct. 3-5). He is also planning a visit with Cal, Providence, Utah and USC. Mark broke down all of those programs: USC: “USC is just, it’s the hometown. I grew up in California, so just having the ability to stay home, it’s a really nice feeling. But for me, I would like to go and play anywhere I can for the best opportunity in my lifetime. I love coach [Eric] Musselman. He FaceTime’s me, shares a lot of jokes. So just getting to know him and his staff. They just recently offered so that was nice.” Providence and Seton Hall: “Schools like Seton Hall and Providence, the head coaches are like my favorite head coaches. Especially Seton Hall and Providence, like those two head coaches reach out probably the most and they’re always there for me. Always text me before and after games just making sure that I’m good.” On Providence head coach Kim English: “He’s young and he hooped. You know, he let’s the players get after it. Me and him make jokes about Devin Carter who just got drafted. Me and him both got hair.” On Seton Hall head coach Shaheen Holloway: “To me he’s like the realest coach. He always calls me little bro when he text and call. He’s always looking out elsewhere than basketball. So it’s more than just basketball to him.” Cal: “Also close to home. They were one of the first to get after it with me. So they’ve always been active, always stay on top of me and they really want me.” TCU: ” So coach [Jamie] Dixon, he actually went to my high school. I think two of the coaches went to my high school. So there’s that connection with Notre Dame. He was my second offer. He’s always been, he’s always showing up to my school to talk to me, doing the little things. And I already took unofficial actually also so.” UCSB: “UCSB, that’s a mid major route I want to go. I really love their staff. I really, really love their staff. They text me the most, like they text me the most. So that staff always making sure I’m good. Always sending me clips of Ajay Mitchell, who’s hooping right now. They’re making sure like I’m the priority. I can be the guy to go to on campus, you know, play as a freshman, play good minutes. They have high expectations for me.” Mark is ranked the No. 177 overall prospect by 247Sports and the No. 16 player in the state of California. He attends Notre Dame Sherman Oaks in Los Angeles and will play with Stokes there next season. “I’m hoping we can win Peach and then win State,” Mark said. “Thats a big deal.” The Soldiers are 5-0 in pool play at Peach Jam and have secured the top spot in Pool C. They will play whoever finishes second in Pool B at noon on Saturday in the quarterfinals. Follow Sam Lance on Twitter Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram And Like ZAGS on Facebook.
National analyst says that South Carolina football "is being slept on" this offseason
The 2024 version of the South Carolina football team is a polarizing group in terms of predictions and record projections. Some believe that a down 2023 was indicative of bigger problems in Columbia and that the Gamecocks will go 4-8 this fall. Others think that it was a mere blip on the radar and that an 8-4 season is on the horizon. Naturally, other prognostications have split the difference.
Town of Irmo renames Community Park in honor of Jake Moore, Sr.
Moore Bradley Myers Senior Partner, S. Jahue “Jake” Moore, Sr., was recognized by the Town of Irmo for his years of dedication to conservation, beautification, literacy and community service. At the July 16 Irmo Town Council meeting, the Town officially announced that the Irmo Community Park was being...
Decision on Next Year Coming Soon for Jasper Johnson and College Decision Will Likely Follow in Next 2 Months
As former Woodford County standout Jasper finishes AAU play at Peach Jam, the end-of-season Nike EYBL event in North Augusta, S.C., rumors continue to swirl about a possible college commitment. Several recruiting analysts have indicated the 6-4 southpaw guard could make his college choice very soon and have North Carolina...
Hamlet drops first game at state tournament
CHERRYVILLE — Described by head coach Chip Gordon as an “off day,” the Hamlet American Legion baseball team dropped its first game of the North Carolina state tournament Saturday. Starting the double-elimination tournament against Union County Post 535, Hamlet surrendered a 13-6 loss. Trailing 8-0 after the...
Marlboro County woman celebrates 100th birthday
MARLBORO COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — Mrs. Frances P. Belcher of Bennettsville is celebrating her 100th birthday. Belcher was born on July 19, 1924 in the Hemingway community of Williamsburg County. Belcher's caregiver and friend, Denise Poe, planned a big celebration for her Friday that involved family, friends, and good...
3 arrested in murder of missing person out of Scotland Co.
SCOTLAND COUNTY, N.C. (WPDE) — A joint investigation involving the Scotland County Sheriff's Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) has led to the arrests of three people from Scotland County for the 2021 murder of Brandon Carl Wayne McDonald, according to Captain Randy Dover with the Scotland County Sheriff's Office.
17-Year-Old Is Youngest Black Person To Earn Pilot’s License In N.C. And U.S.
INDIAN TRAIL, NC – Ryan Garner made history by becoming one of the youngest pilots in the country. The 17-year-old from Indian Trail, N.C., recently obtained his private pilot license. Garner is also the first Black pilot to receive the distinction in North Carolina. According to WSOC-TV, Garner was...
South Carolina man dies in kayaking incident near ORV Ramp 43 in Buxton
A 72-year-old man from Florence, South Carolina, died on Saturday morning, July 20, as a result of an incident that occurred while kayaking. The kayaker launched from the beach near Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Ramp 43, located east of the Cape Point Campground near Buxton, North Carolina.
Rabies notice issued in Wake County after fox bites woman
A rabies notice was issued in Wake County after a fox bit a woman Thursday in Knightdale.It happened in a neighborhood near the corner of Kemp Drive and Hodge Road. According to Wake County, the woman attempted to break up a fight between the fox and a cat.Wake County Public Health and Wake County Animal Control confirmed the fox was captured and later tested positive for rabies.The cat involved has not been located yet.No other incidents have been reported in connection with the fox or cat. According to Wake County, there is believed to be a feral cat colony nearby.Safety...
Charleston Animal Society Hosting Nine-Day Adoption Event
From July 20th to 28th, join the Charleston Animal Society as Pick Me! SC returns to shelters and Petco locations across the state. This event brings together over 93 shelters, rescue organizations, and Petco Pet Care Centers, making it the largest annual statewide adoption event of dogs and cats in the country.
Security cameras installed along Mount Holly greenway
MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. (WBTV) - Five security cameras have been installed along the RiverHawk Greenway in Mount Holly. According to a city spokesperson, the cameras were installed after numerous residents raised questions about greenway safety at recent city council meetings. Greenway safety has been a topic WBTV has discussed several...
Kriscunas and Hawkins win at The Blade
With seven holes to go in the boys division at The Blade Junior Classic, a crowded leaderboard looked like an exciting finish was in order. Instead, Cade Kriscunas removed all doubt. Kriscunas fired a final-day 67 to win the event by four shots over Erik Erlenkeuser of Anderson. Fort Mill’s...
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