Jennings named player of the year

6-9 junior is Pinewood Prep's second to capture Gatorade accolade

Pinewood Prep junior Milton Jennings has been named the Gatorade South Carolina boys' basketball player of the year.

Jennings is one of the top prospects in the country for 2009 and is getting recruited from coast to coast. He has narrowed his list to five schools: Clemson, South Carolina, UCLA, Georgetown and Florida. He could announce his decision soon after Pinewood Prep resumes classes after spring break.

Jennings, a 6-9, 210-pound power forward, averaged 18.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.2 blocked shots this season to lead the Panthers to a 27-4 record and their third straight SCISA Class AAA state championship.

"He's been here since the eighth grade," Pinewood coach Pat Eidson said. "The first time I ever saw him run with his gracefulness, I knew right there he had the chance to be a great player. He just has a tremendous work ethic and wants to get better. He's never satisfied and wants to improve."

Jennings becomes the second player from Pinewood to win the award. Eidson's son, Chuck, won the award nine years ago.

"That's pretty awesome for our school," coach Eidson said. "I've been pretty fortunate in my career to have guys like Chuck and Milton. They don't come around very often. Milton is such a defensive presence for us. Offensively, you're just not used to seeing a 6-9 guy being your best 3-point shooter."

The award is based on athletic and academic achievements. Jennings averages a B in the classroom and participates in numerous community service projects.