Local hoops standouts taking talents elsewhere for senior year

When the prep hoops season tips off this fall, a pair of local standouts will be donning new jerseys – one of them heading out of state for a new start.

Myrtle Beach’s Bryce Schneider is heading across the border next school year, announcing via Twitter that he will be attending Laney (N.C.) High School in Wilmington – the alma mater of basketball great Michael Jordan. On the other hand, Waccamaw’s Justin Busby is heading just up the coast, using the same means of social media to declare his intention to play for Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach this fall.

“Next year I will be attending Myrtle Beach Christian Academy for my last year of high school,” Busby said via his Twitter account. “(sic) can’t wait to team up with (at)TheMikeGreen_ (current Saints standout Mike Green).”

Busby was a Class AA all-state selection last season, along with being a member of The Sun News’ Toast of the Coast basketball team. He averaged 18 points and 2.8 assists per game.

His addition brings another weapon to an already potent Christian Academy squad, hoping to improve upon an appearance in the SCISA Class AA quarterfinal round.

As for Schneider, the reason was simple.

“I looked at the whole basketball situation, and from the standpoint of preparing me for my future, I felt it was best to go to Laney,” he said. “While (Myrtle Beach) is more of a football-first school, Laney is basketball-first … I felt right at home.”

Verbally committing to Richmond prior to last season, Schneider averaged 14.2 points per game for the Seahawks last season. Upon learning of his impending departure, the Myrtle Beach standout was met with a mixed bag of emotions.

“Some of my teammates and closest friends are sad I am leaving,” he said. “But there are also some that aren’t too happy about it too. What’s best for me is what’s best for me, though.

“… I’ll miss the friends I have, the relationships I have, not just at school but the people around here that I’ve gotten close with.”

This story was originally published May 24, 2016 at 9:51 PM with the headline "Local hoops standouts taking talents elsewhere for senior year."