Offense was Thomas Heyward boys basketball coach Philip Rhodes' concern in December.
It's now January and the concern remains.
"We have a grave inability to score right now," Rhodes said.
Two of the Rebels' top scorers have been hindered with an injury (JD Tuten's ankle) and illness (Taylor Cowart's strep throat), but Rhodes said those are not reasons for the offensive woes.
Thomas Heyward (4-7, 0-1 Region 1-AA) just has an inability to make shots.
"It's getting into their heads," Rhodes said. "We just can't put the ball in the basket."
At the Dec. 16-17 Rhett Thomas Invitational, the Rebels lost 48-25 to Hilton Head Prep and 45-26 to Bible Baptist. Both were games Rhodes thought Thomas Heyward could have won.
"When you hold them to that (many points), that tells you you got to score," Rhodes said.
Tuten was injured during the Bible Baptist loss. He said the team has struggled adjusting to the Flex offense, which relies on cuts, ball reversals, screens and reading the defense.
Tuten said watching the game tape of the recent tournaments proved the team isn't yet comfortable with the offense.
"I thought we had it down," Tuten said. "I don't know if we panic, but we didn't run it."
As of last week, no Rebel shoots greater than 30 percent from the floor and Rhodes said when the team effectively runs the offense, it misses layups or jump shots.
Tuten said the team needs to use the backboard on layups and Rhodes noted practices have been about teaching shot selection.
What Rhodes tries not to do in practice is bemoan the lack of offense. He tries to stay positive.
"I'm trying not to make a big deal over it," Rhodes said.
The defense has sustained Thomas Heyward. Despite a lack of size (the tallest player is 6-foot-1), the Rebels have played strong man-to-man defense.
But Rhodes said the best defensive unit is not the best offensive team, so he plans to utilize the scoring unit more often and have it drop into a zone defense.
The best offensive team is Cowart and Tuten with Nick Keiffer, Will Richardson and Ryan Day. It's not a tall group and 5-foot-9 Tuten moves from guard to power forward.
Tuten doesn't mind. He said he's spent time working on his low-post moves, learning to move quickly when he catches the ball and use turnaround jumpers.
Rhodes has been pleased with Keiffer's development. The 6-foot forward played on the junior varsity last year, but has been an inside presence. He scored 12 points and had 12 rebounds each in two games at the Orangeburg Prep tournament.
"When we play good teams he's not afraid to bang inside," Rhodes said.
Rhodes hopes the offensive unit will begin to jell.
"I'm thinking about chemistry and then maybe confidence with scoring," he said.
A majority of the players played football and consider football their favorite sport. Tuten said it took time for him to adjust to basketball season, noting he was still outside throwing a football when the basketball season began in late November.
Rhodes said it's a challenge to teach players who might not consider basketball their primary sport.
"A lot of it is, the boys may not be pure basketball players," Rhodes said. "We have been typically a football school, but a lot of kids do love basketball."
Because he does a lot of teaching, Rhodes tries hard to not be too demanding. He strives for perfection, but understands when the team is giving its best, even without winning results.
"I want it to be fun, but be demanding," he said. "It's for them. Getting the kids to focus and want to love to play basketball."
Rhodes thinks he has some hidden talent.
"When you try to learn the game, if you believe you are not good you are not going to step beyond that and let loose and play basketball," Rhodes said. "I'm trying to get them to let go and play the game. They can be good players, instead, they are holding back."