Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week: Laurence Manning's Goines making a splash as eighth-grader

Laurence Manning's Shane Goines may just be in the eighth grade, but he doesn't play like a kid getting his first varsity reps.

LMA head coach Will Epps spent years eagerly awaiting the moment he could put Goines on the floor in a varsity game. Last week, the guard showed why.

Goines poured in three after three, highlighted by a 27-point showing against Palmetto Christian as the Swampcats went 3-0 on the week. His offensive drive also helped him earn recognition as the Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week.

"It feels great; I know they're rooting for me," Goines said of the LMA community.

Epps is impressed with Goines' technical skill at such a young age. That comes from hours of work with his father, Kelvin, a former Furman High and Coker standout.

"His dad has done such a terrific job developing his skill level. His skill is at a super high level," Epps said. "A lot of times, when eighth-graders play varsity, it's because their body has matured early, and physically they're able to compete. His is just his skill level is so tremendous, and he's a competitor. He's a good kid, he's humble. You know he has a chance to be really, really good.

"The sky is the limit for him because he hasn't really even hit that growth spurt yet."

Goines tried to make the jump up to varsity without specific expectations on his role with the team. Once he got there, his role as a scoring threat became apparent.

"I was expecting to have fun, and my role was just to do the best I can and listen to my coach," Goines said. "It's been great. Everyone has been welcoming, and I've been having a great time playing on varsity.

"All the seniors have been very welcoming and have taught me to stay calm and what to do in the games."

Goines has made his presence felt throughout the season but really stepped up last week. After a busy week to close out 2023 in the District 9 Officials Christmas Tournament, the Swampcats played three games last week, which started with a matchup against Holly Hill. Goines buried four threes in an 83-42 win, leading the team with 19 points.

"Any time he can get open looks, it's his game," Epps said of the eighth-grader. "He is such a threat from the outside, and he causes people to have to stretch and keep the ball out of his hands. It creates more opportunities for Josiah (Burson) and Mason (Nivens) and Thomas (Sumpter) to get to the basket, which is what they're really good at.

"It's a piece to the puzzle we've been missing the last couple years, someone consistently hitting outside shots."

Goines was quick to give credit to those around him.

"I wanna thank my teammates for getting me open and finding shots for me," he said.

He didn't stop there. His most impressive game came Friday in a 56-26 win over Palmetto Christian. He scored 27 points, almost half of the Swampcats' offensive output in the win.

"Coach was drawing up great plays to get us open, and it was working really well," he said. "I think that's what got us the win."

Goines got hot early, knocking down three shots from behind the arc in the opening quarter.

"It's very fun, and it's a great confidence booster," Goines said of starting in rhythm.

Goines was a little quieter on Saturday in an 80-61 win over Charleston Collegiate, which is to say he only scored 16 points on the back of four three-pointers after getting into some early foul trouble. Josiah Burson led the charge in that game, finishing with 27.

It was a busy week for a young player getting used to playing against players that are often five years his senior, but he embraces the opportunity.

"It's been a challenge, but it's a fun challenge to take on," Goines said.

Epps has been impressed with Goines' ability to find ways to help the team win even if he's literally experiencing some growing pains.

"He's got some knee pains from his growth plates being open, so that's kinda hindered him actually. He's doing all this while he's really hurting," Epps said. "That last game against Charleston Collegiate he got three fouls in the first five minutes of the game and still ended up with 16 points. He can get them in bunches, and he handles the ball well, and his defense has gotten better and better.

"He doesn't back down from anything. It's fun to watch, and I'm glad to be a part of it."

While Goines is most well-known for his shooting, Epps doesn't see him as a one-dimensional player.

"He scores at all three levels," Epps said. "He can shoot from the perimeter, he pulls up and hits jump shots at a high percentage, and that's part of the game that a lot of people ignored. And he's so crafty around the rim. He can get his shot off; he absorbs contact and gets three-point plays going to the basket. He's a talented kid."

Goines knows that teams will continue to give him extra defensive attention, but he's willing to put in the work to keep getting better.

"I trust God to lead me through those games," Goines said. "(The plan is to) Just keep on working, trusting God and performing well."