Scheraun King takes over the throne of North Augusta girls basketball

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Following back-to-back state championships and the retirement of legendary coach Al Young, a new leader is taking over one of the premier girls basketball programs in South Carolina.

Scheraun King is just weeks into his tenure as head coach of the North Augusta girls basketball team, inheriting a program that has become synonymous with winning.

Despite being new to the position, King said his focus is on maintaining the championship standard that has been established while putting his own stamp on the program.

“I’m the new kid on the block, but I bet you I’m going to get the girls as best prepared as possible to continue on with the championships that have came before us,” said King.

King understands the expectations that come with leading the Yellow Jackets after decades of success under Courtney Cummings and Young.

“I know what’s in front of me,” said King. “I know it’s some very large shoes to fill with Coach Cummings and Coach Young coming before me with some state championships, so I’m here to make my own way and hopefully continue the pedigree that they left.”

The transition has brought change throughout the program.

Former underclassmen have stepped into leadership roles, while players work to adjust to a new coaching style.

“When we got the new coach, I was like, ‘He’s cool. He’s nice. He’s younger,” said senior player, Ashley Walker. “It’s very different, but I definitely like him.”

In the midst of summer ball, everyone is getting the hang of changing scenery.

“With Coach Young, it was like put your all in or nothing, but for right now, since it’s summer ball, we’re all trying to play together and build that chemistry,” said senior player, Tahj Flowers. “It’s just go day by day and try to get better.”

“He was telling us he’s very quiet, but when he comes to the court, he just opens up a lot,” said senior player, Jade Council. “I just feel like that will be better for us to get to know him since this is our first year with him.”

King grew up in Staten Island, New York, playing college ball at Albany State before serving as a graduate assistant on the coaching staff.

He then spent several years playing basketball overseas in Australia, Bolivia, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Saudi Arabia.

His playing days brought him back to the U.S., where he began coaching middle school basketball, leading him to coach high school.

Now, he takes over the reins of a program seeking to extend its championship pedigree as a new era begins in the Yellow Jackets’ den.