As the clock runs out, it marks the end of another dominant game for freshman Sully Templeton. Showcasing his scoring abilities, his playmaking and much more, Templeton’s basketball journey with the Warriors is only at the beginning, as he has been on the varsity squad since he was in eighth grade.
In basketball, Templeton’s career began where most others’ do in the town of Mount Pleasant: playing in a local recreational league.
“I started when I was probably 6 years old. Like everyone else,[I] first started by playing recreational and stuff. And then playing elementary ball, and then I went to Moultrie [Middle School], played a year there, and then [in] seventh grade came here, played JV (Junior Varsity),” Templeton said.“Then in eighth and ninth grade, I played varsity. When I first started playing, man, I just instantly clicked like that.”
Given that he is a starter on varsity at a young age, Templeton ensures that his effort on the court is showcased every opportunity that he gets.
“Just what, you know, the energy and effort I bring every day, practice now. Like, I got to go earn it every day, since I’m kind of at a disadvantage because of my age. So every day just kind of brings the same amount of effort into any category,” Templeton said.
Leading the Warriors in points per game at 14.4, Templeton has a significant role as a scoring contributor for the team.
“Yeah, just in the paint… causing havoc and the paint. Getting boards and then, you know, when just being an offensive presence and a threat within the paint… scoring around the basket, getting to the free throw line,” Templeton said.
With Wando acquiring former Citadel head coach John Reynolds for the 2025-2026 season, the game plan for the Warriors has made a significant change, with Templeton being a key component within that alteration.
“He’s got really good fuel for the game, supposed to be for a player his age. He’s got natural skills to be able to score around the rim, and then, just working with them in the short time we’ve been together, I think really progressing to be able to shoot the ball from the outside, attack off the bounce… I think when you look at somebody who can score, they’re able to do it in a variety of ways,” Reynolds said.
Templeton has much to offer at the next level of his career, specifically because he has a lot of time to improve.
“He’s got a long, long way to go… I have to remind myself that he’s only 14 or 15 years old… and so I think that’s the biggest thing. We talk to him and his family about that, which is just getting lost in the process of getting better. Does he have potential? Absolutely, you know, as do a few of our guys. And I hope they all have aspirations of continuing to play. But they’re also young at this point,” Reynolds said.
