Buying a new home is a big deal. For many homeowners, it's one of the most important decisions they ever make. When it comes to such a substantial choice, there are a lot of factors to consider, like:
Getting the answers to those questions can be hard but finding a trustworthy manufactured home company can be even more challenging. Sure, you could settle for a fly-by-night company or a shady mobile home dealer. But if you're like most folks, you want to work with a reliable company that has been in business for years. You need a team of professionals who can answer your questions, address your concerns, and sell you a quality home that will keep your family safe and sound.
Welcome to Ken-Co Homes Inc. - your premier choice for mobile home sales in White Plains, SC. Ken-Co Homes has been Lake City's go-to manufactured home since 1974. With several locations in South Carolina, we're the first choice for manufactured homes in the state. As longtime locals in the community, we pride ourselves on honesty, hard work, and running a manufactured home business that you can count on.
There's no secret sauce that makes Ken-Co Homes successful. We work hard, sell the finest Clayton, Destiny, Scotbilt, Homes, and treat our customers like we would like to be treated. That's why, when you meet our team for your home tour, you'll be treated with respect and greeted with a warm smile. Whether you have questions regarding financing or the fit and finish of a floorplan, we'll maintain that same level of kindness, courtesy, and honesty. That way, you know for sure that you have invested in a top-notch manufactured home that your family will love.
Unlike other manufactured home dealers, we have a full selection of Clayton Homes for sale with attractive floor plans to fit your unique lifestyle. When you choose Ken-Co Homes, you're also choosing:
We offer our valued customers a $500 guarantee that we will meet or beat ANY competitor who has a lower price on one of our homes with the same options. Don't believe us? Contact our office today!
With decades of combined experience, our team has the tools and know-how to make your buying process smooth and stress-free.
Buying a home can be challenging, especially with travel logistics and other factors at play. Our team can help answer any questions you have about buying a home and transporting it to a park or piece of private land.
When you buy from Ken-Co Homes, you're investing in a high-quality product that your family will love for years to come. With more than a dozen home choices, you're sure to find a new home that matches your lifestyle.
We'll work with you one-on-one to ensure you get the home of your dreams. If you have questions or concerns once you move in, give us a call - we're here to help.
We offer detail-oriented, experienced set-up crews that make living life in your new home easy and efficient.
At Ken-Co Homes, we offer flexible financing options to help make buying your dream home a reality.
Whether you're looking for a smaller two-bedroom manufactured home or a large, luxurious four-bedroom manufactured home, our friendly consultants are ready to help you build the home of your dreams.
"Is there a difference between a mobile home and a manufactured home?" is one of the most common questions we get online and in person. Today, many people use mobile home and manufactured home interchangeably. That's understandable because both types of homes share similar features and benefits for homeowners. However, understanding the minor differences can be valuable when searching for a new place to call home.
Unlike site-built homes, manufactured homes are built in a factory. Once completed, they're shipped to a specific location where the homeowner will live. The term "manufactured home" refers to any factory-built home constructed after June 15, 1976. That date is when the HUD or U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development implemented guidelines centered around manufactured home construction.
HUD code requires manufactured homes to be constructed on a base frame with wheels with a minimum of 320 square feet.
Thanks to fast build times and lower material costs, manufactured homes for sale in White Plains, SC is often more cost-effective for home buyers. Compared to traditional site-built homes, many manufactured homes can be up to 35% less than more traditional houses.
Any mobile homes built after June 15, 1976, are considered manufactured homes today, though many people use the term mobile home casually. In the past, these homes were used to travel and were more like the expensive RVs that people use today than true manufactured homes. Back then, mobile homes received a bad reputation due to poor build quality, but they've come a long way since that time. Today, mobile homes are safe, comfortable, and structurally sound, with many types of amenities and floor plans.
Manufactured homes are more popular in the U.S. than ever, and for good reason: prospective homeowners are looking for affordable, quality alternatives to traditional homes. That's especially true today, with inflation on the rise, necessitating more budget-friendly options for anyone who wants to put a roof over their heads.
If you're used to living in a traditional, site-built home, you may be wondering what the advantages are of buying a manufactured home. Here are just a few of the most common benefits of buying a manufactured home:
When you boil it down to the basics, buying a new home is all about the money. One of the most attractive reasons for buying a manufactured home is that they are often much less expensive than traditional site-built homes. Today, manufactured housing is considered a crucial part of the housing shortage solution and a viable option with inflation rising. According to statistics, the average square-foot cost of a site-built home is $107, while the average price is only $49 in a manufactured home. Whether you're sticking to a strict budget or your finances have changed due to poor economic conditions, going manufactured might be your best choice.
Owning a manufactured home gives the homeowner long-term living options. Because basic manufactured homes are usually very affordable, families with enough land can start with a small home and add additional units as their needs change. Manufactured homes are also great as starter homes, especially for families that plan on building a permanent structure on their land in the future. Though it could be logistically challenging, manufactured homes can also be moved to a different site if the initial one was on rented property.
Manufactured homes have received a bad rap over the last few decades. In reality, most manufactured homes are purpose-built for longevity with structural integrity. Every manufactured home built today is subject to the HUD code adopted in 1976. This code is the only federally-mandated code in existence. It was designed to ensure that manufactured homes meet strict standards regarding fire safety, structural design, energy efficiency, transportation to home sites, and overall construction. All manufactured homes sold in the U.S. have a permanent red seal to confirm they meet HUD standards.
When you buy a manufactured home, you may be able to move in faster than you would via traditional routes. Some manufactured homes are even move-in ready in less than 45 days. Compared to a traditional home, once a new manufactured home is built in the factory, buyers usually find that installation is a quick process. Once the manufactured home is delivered, utility work usually moves quickly, regardless of whether you're moving to a park or transporting your home to a piece of land. Before you know it, you're eating, sleeping, and enjoying life in your new manufactured home.
When asked about the pros and cons, many buyers cite energy efficiency as one of the most significant benefits of owning a manufactured home. In general, manufactured housing is more energy efficient than traditional because HUD mandates ensure that homes have high energy efficiency ratings.
These ratings are achieved through upgraded insulation installation, on-demand water heaters, and energy-efficient windows. These upgrades often make entire manufactured homes Energy Star certified. It's no surprise that manufactured homes are 27% more efficient than they used to be with other additions like energy-saving appliances in kitchens and bathrooms.
If you've ever lived in an apartment complex before, chances are you heard sounds and noises through your walls that you never wanted to hear. If you hate hearing your neighbors and despise thin walls, looking for mobile home sales in White Plains, SC is a great idea. Why? Manufactured homes are typically built using separate modules, which reduces sound transference from room to room. When two or more modules are combined and insulated separately, buyers enjoy an even quieter, stronger home with less outside noise.
If there's one disappointing aspect of manufactured homes, the stigma seems to surround them. Yes, mobile homes from 30 or more years ago aren't exactly marvels of construction and deserve to be criticized. However, modern manufactured homes are cut from a different cloth and are often every bit as safe and luxurious as site-built homes.
Here are some of the most common (and annoying) mobile home myths debunked:
Modern manufactured homes are factory-built homes crafted with quality materials that meet comprehensive federal construction and safety standards. These standards, called the "HUD Code," outline how the homes must be built, including safety guidelines. For example, manufactured home builders must take strict measures to ensure their homes are resistant to wind. In terms of hurricanes and tornados, having such measures in place can prevent a tragedy from happening.
The bottom line is that manufactured homes are plenty safe and provide a quality product to people who want a lower-cost option over traditional housing.
One of the most repeated myths surrounding manufactured homes is that they are in poor shape and have an overall poor quality. Today, many manufactured homes are built with quality materials and care. It's not unusual to find a manufactured home with luxurious amenities and features lie state-of-the-art kitchens, high-end appliances, and chic open floor plans. At Ken-Co Homes, we can provide you with a complete list of available upgrades and amenities for you to enjoy in your new home.
Perhaps it's due to their popularity and lower prices, but we often hear that it's hard to find manufactured homes for sale. As seasoned home dealers, we can say this is categorically false. Whether you head over to Google and search for "mobile homes near me in White Plains, SC," or simply head to Ken-Co Homes' website, you'll see plenty of homes to choose from. Contact our office today for a full list of our homes for sale!
When it comes to home prices in today's day and age, manufactured homes are among the most affordable options available.
That's because manufactured homes cost less to construct than site-built homes, with the average price costing $92K for new construction and $60K for a pre-owned manufactured home, according to recent data. The cost of a traditional home is much higher, with an average of $408K, according to Statista data from 2021. Even though manufactured home living costs change depending on the community, they're often much less expensive than their site-built cousins in the long run.
This myth parallels the stereotype that manufactured homes are cheap and poorly built. Unfortunately, many people still believe that living in a manufactured home community isn't safe. They think that the parks are run down and riddled with reprobates. In reality, many manufactured home parks mimic gated communities with 24-hour security and mandated quiet hours. Some manufactured home neighborhoods even offer community-wide amenities like spas and pools. If you're a fan of the gated community lifestyle but don't want to pay hundreds of thousands for a site-built home, a manufactured home community could be your best bet.
Are you giving serious thought to buying a manufactured home for sale in South Carolina? You're not alone - more than 365K people in the Palmetto State live in manufactured homes. At Ken-Co Homes Inc., we're not your average run-of-the-mill manufactured home dealer. We only do business with manufacturing partners committed to building top-quality products that our customers are proud to own.
If you're looking for modern amenities, energy-efficient appliances, unique floorplans, and homes constructed with quality materials, Ken-Co Homes is the company for you. Contact our office today to learn more about our beautiful Clayton homes for sale in White Plains, SC.
Another travel option is on the table for Hudson Valley residents looking to escape New York this summer and beyond.Breeze Airways is launching nonstop service to three U.S. cities from Westchester County Airport, located in White Plains, a short drive for mid-Hudson Valley residents.The carrier, headquartered in Utah and founded by JetBlue and WestJet founder David Neeleman, will launch new routes this summer from Westchester to Charleston, South Carolina starting June 28, and to Norfolk, Virginia and Jacksonville, Florida sta...
Another travel option is on the table for Hudson Valley residents looking to escape New York this summer and beyond.
Breeze Airways is launching nonstop service to three U.S. cities from Westchester County Airport, located in White Plains, a short drive for mid-Hudson Valley residents.
The carrier, headquartered in Utah and founded by JetBlue and WestJet founder David Neeleman, will launch new routes this summer from Westchester to Charleston, South Carolina starting June 28, and to Norfolk, Virginia and Jacksonville, Florida starting June 30.
In September, Breeze will begin service to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New Orleans, and Savannah, Georgia, followed by San Francisco flights starting Nov. 2.
The eight new routes establishes nonstop service from the New York hub to the south and west coast; flights out of Westchester currently only extend as far west as Chicago. American, Cape Air, Elite Airways, Delta, JetBlue, United and Tradewind Aviation also operate out of the lower Hudson Valley airport.
Breeze Airways is also expanding service at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut, launching flights to Las Vegas starting Sept. 7, the eighth new route for Breeze there.
New York Stewart International Airport is also gearing up for expanded flight options. Internationally, Play Airlines will begin service this summer, which is expected to be followed by Norse Atlantic Airways. Play launched its service from United States on April 20 with its inaugural transatlantic flight from Baltimore/Washington D.C. International Airport.
Frontier Airlines also is expanding service at Stewart in late May, adding flights to Atlanta and Raleigh-Durham.
More Hudson Valley travel
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— Things to do in the Hudson Valley this weekend
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A German company has moved its U.S. operations from New York to Indian Land.Captron, an electronics manufacturer, has relocated its U.S. headquarters, sales and service operations to Lancaster County from White Plains.The company, based in Bavaria, Germany, manufactures high-quality sensors that support food and beverage, pharma, building engineering, automotive manufacturing, aviation, robotics, logistics and traffic and transportation.“Selecting the Charlotte region was a strategic decision, based on the favorabl...
A German company has moved its U.S. operations from New York to Indian Land.
Captron, an electronics manufacturer, has relocated its U.S. headquarters, sales and service operations to Lancaster County from White Plains.
The company, based in Bavaria, Germany, manufactures high-quality sensors that support food and beverage, pharma, building engineering, automotive manufacturing, aviation, robotics, logistics and traffic and transportation.
“Selecting the Charlotte region was a strategic decision, based on the favorable advantages of operating costs, infrastructure and talent found here,” said Sean Walters, Captron North America general manager.
The company reached out to the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance last spring in looking to relocate. The alliance then turned to Lancaster County to see if there was a place for them.
Captron moved into the Rubicon Business Center in December. Rubicon offers multi-tenant office and warehouse space in the Bailes Ridge Corporate Park in Indian Land, off S.C. 160.
“This is a new operation in the county,” said Lancaster County Economic Development Director Brian Fulk. “It is a small operation, just beginning. This is a perfect location for Captron.”
He said Captron is the “world leader for capacitive sensor switches.”
Fulk said he hopes that as Captron grows, it can expand more into Lancaster County.
The S.C. Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Grassroots Tour all over the state to engage with local business leaders and gather information on what the top challenges are for local business owners.
The first stop was in Indian Land on Aug. 3 at the Sharonview Credit Union in Edgewater.
“The information gathered will serve as a critical component in developing the South Carolina Chamber’s competitiveness agenda representing the South Carolina business community’s top priorities," said Hannah Hopewell, membership and communications manager for the S.C. Chamber of Commerce.
“The agenda is released every year before the state legislative session begins and will guide the SC Chamber’s advocacy efforts that year,” she said.
President and CEO of the S.C. Chamber of Commerce Bob Morgan said the chamber hopes to engage more than 1,000 business leaders from across the state during the tour.
“Tonight (Aug. 3) is our first (stop),” Morgan said. “This is like opening night of the tour for like The Rolling Stones at Madison Square Garden.
“We are very excited to be back with an updated version that focuses on the challenges the South faces going forward, finding out and listening to business leaders,” he said.
The event, hosted by the Greater Indian Land Chamber of Commerce, drew about 50 attendees from many different businesses. Dinner and wine were included, along with a QR code interactive survey to crowdsource strengths and weaknesses for business owners.
“We think we know the No. 1 challenge is workforce development,” Morgan said. “Unemployment is at near record lows, with 90,000 jobs coming back, and we will be engaged in the conversation (on) what the state can do to help companies address that shortfall.”
Morgan’s presentation included about 20 different polls, asking business leaders a variety of questions regarding challenges, feelings about the state and national economy, gas taxes, infrastructure, education and health insurance and care options for small business owners.
“Part of the reason that we go out of our way to spend time with local chambers of commerce like yours is that it really matters when business people at the local level are engaged in the process of advocacy and policy,” Morgan said.
“I'm a firm believer that more businesses gets done in settings like this, where you're talking over a glass of wine, coffee, dinner, where you get to meet people develop those relationships, than when you’re in the trenches of your day-to-day life,” said Mike Neese, Greater Indian Land Chamber of Commerce president and CEO.
“Indian Land was just a blink of spotlight on Apple Maps like 20 years ago; we've had dramatic growth,” Neese said. “If we were a city, we would now be the eighth largest city in the state of South Carolina. In 20 years, (Indian Land has had) 372% growth.”
“I think I've heard somebody say that the Indian Land ZIP code is maybe the fastest-growing ZIP code in the United States, certainly in South Carolina,” Morgan said. “So there's a vibrancy here. The challenges that we face are challenges of growth.”
Neese encouraged participants to be active members of the community, both inside and outside of the chamber.
“What we have to do as business leaders is come together and figure out ways to work together to look at those challenges, as well as opportunities to where it makes our community stronger,” Neese said.
The tour's next area stop is 8 a.m. Aug. 24 at the Gateway Conference Center in Richburg.
Lancaster County School District began the process to buy enough land for another high school in the Panhandle, on the same day it closed on land for another elementary school there.
Board members met in open session Thursday, Aug. 3, to approve the procurement of about 103 acres in the Panhandle with a 5-0 vote. Board members Margaret Gamble and Courtney Green were absent.
The district began the procurement process on the 38 acres in Harrisburg Road in January. They met Jan. 30 behind closed doors to discuss the purchasing process, with a unanimous vote of approval afterward.
The land would house a new elementary school. However, the funds to build that new school would have to come from a bond referendum, which is slated for a vote March 26. Should the bond fail at the polls, the board would have to decide on the next best option for the land’s usage.
In December, Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Phipps said the district’s biggest need was for an elementary school to relieve overcrowding at Harrisburg and Indian Land elementary schools. The district just installed an eight-classroom modular units at Harrisburg to create more space for the continuous influx of students.
The combined three parcels are about 3 miles north of S.C. 160, and about a mile from Harrisburg Elementary. Several new housing developments are under construction surrounding the land.
Phipps called the recently purchased land the “perfect location for all the growth,” with great-looking land. He also said SCDOT has completed a traffic impact assessment on that stretch of S.C. 160 to manage the increase in traffic, should a school be built.
“We were real excited to find land not on U.S. 521,” Phipps said, in reference to the increasing traffic delays near Indian Land Intermediate and Indian Land Middle schools.
The land procurement process for the three parcels totaling 103 acres around Barberville and Dall Pettus roads in Indian Land is only in the initial phase; it is not yet owned by the district.
Trimnal and Myers, LLC, will “negotiate earnest money” and facilitate the process with The Snipes (Realty) Team. The board voted to spend no more than $7.5 million on the land.
Phipps said Monday that he’d like to see the district build a high school there, but that decision won’t be made until after the district owns the land.
While Indian Land High School is not yet at capacity, he hopes the board’s actions with entering the procurement process are proactive in preventing overcrowding there.
He also said that Indian Land High School’s distance from the North Carolina state line has some students experiencing long commutes through heavy traffic.
“If money was no object, any school is going to help (relieve Indian Land’s rising student population),” Phipps said.
He also said a new high school on the northern end of the Panhandle could ease the worries that come with newly licensed teenage drivers, especially when traveling along the highly congested areas of U.S. 521.
As with the 38 acres, the money to build a new school on the 103 acres would also have to come from a bond referendum.
TJNCross countryFred Gressler Memorial Cross Country RunAt White Plains, 3.1 milesBoysVarsity ITeam standings and key: 1. Scarsdale (Sc) 52; 2. Dobbs Ferry (DF) 57; 3. Clarkstown South (CS) 92; 4. Middletown (Mi) 100; 5. White Plains (WP) 111; 6. Pelham (Pl) 141; 7. Mahopac (M) 170; 8. Albertus Magnus (AM) 233; 9. Port Chester (PC) 237; 10. Keio (Ke) 251; 11. John Jay (JJ) 290; Westlak...
TJN
Cross country
Fred Gressler Memorial Cross Country Run
At White Plains, 3.1 miles
Boys
Varsity I
Team standings and key: 1. Scarsdale (Sc) 52; 2. Dobbs Ferry (DF) 57; 3. Clarkstown South (CS) 92; 4. Middletown (Mi) 100; 5. White Plains (WP) 111; 6. Pelham (Pl) 141; 7. Mahopac (M) 170; 8. Albertus Magnus (AM) 233; 9. Port Chester (PC) 237; 10. Keio (Ke) 251; 11. John Jay (JJ) 290; Westlake (Ws) DNS.
Individual results: 1. Matt Baffuto (Pl) 16:41.6 (meet/course record); 2. Grant Sheely (DF) 16:53.6; 3. Jacob Coburn (Sc) 17:15.2; 4. Thomas Caruso (M) 17:36.5; 5. Takanori Okkotsu (DF) 17:41; 6. Evan Suzman (Sc) 17:50; 7. Leonard Pietrafesa (PC) 17:54.8; 8. Austin Labbe (CS) 17:55.6; 9. Oscar Ponce (Mi) 17:56; 10. Adrian Ojeda (WP) 18:00.5; 11. Nicholas Crino (WP) 18:03.4; 12. Greg Crowley (Sc) 18:14.9; 13. Calvin Sheely (DF) 18:19.7; 14. James Cotter (Sc) 18:27.1; 15. Conor Malagraph (CS) 18:42.8.
Varsity II
Team standings and key: 1. Mamaroneck (Mk) 43; 2. Lakeland/Panas (Lk/Pn) 74; 3. Irvington (I) 81; 4. Horace Greeley (HG) 102; 5. Nanuet (N) 110; 6. Edgemont (Ed) 156; 7. Harrison (H) 181; 8. Byram Hills (BH) 198; 9. Yorktown (Yk) 231; Hamilton (AH), Lawrence (L) DNS.
Individual results: 1. Ittai Rosales (Mk) 17:01.7; 2. Will Young (Mk) 17:02.6; 3. Shota Nakamura (Ed) 17:24; 4. Ryan Brennan (N) 17:49.8; 5. Alex Brandt (I) 17:50.5; 6. Scottie Mitchell (I) 17:52.1; 7. Andrew Ballard (Mk) 17:55.2; 8. Matt Sayre (Lk/Pn) 18:00.4; 9. Samuel Morton (Mk) 18:04.6; 10. Brian Camillieri (N) 18:05.2; 11. Veeral Shah (Lk/Pn) 18:22.2; 12. Guy DeMarco (Lk/Pn) 18:30.6; 13. Michael Hiebert (HG) 18:31; 14. Dan Katz (HG) 18:33.3; 15. Dylan Mariuzza (Yk) 18:34.
Girls
Varsity I
Team standings and key: 1. Dobbs Ferry (DF) 54; 2. White Plains (WP) 58; 3. Clarkstown South (CS) 68; 4. Scarsdale (Sc) 72; 5. Mahopac (M) 120; 6. Middletown (Mi) 138; 7. Good Counsel (GC) 161; Albertus Magnus (AM), Pelham (Pl), Port Chester (PC), Westlake (Ws).
Individual results: 1. Andrea Nardone (AM) 20:43.8; 2. Mika Andrews (DF) 20:46.7; 3. Kaitlin Doyle (Sc) 20:49.1; 4. Lizbet Navarro (Mi) 21:00.5; 5. Emily Auld (AM) 21:13.2; 6. Maggie DesRosiers (Sc) 21:39.3; 7. Breena Farrell (CS) 21.45.7; 8. Ciara McGivney (Ws) 21:49.1; 9. Sasha Clarick (DF) 21:59.6; 10. Lauren Woods (WP) 22:00.3; 11. Emma Johnston (Pl) 22:05; 12. Edith Hernandez (WP) 22:13.4; 13. Lindsay Yue (DF) 22:18.2; 14. Alison Korin (M) 22:27.9; 15. Tegan Jones (CS) 22:29.4.
Varsity II
Team standings and key: 1. Notre Dame (ND) 42; 2. Nanuet (N) 69; 3. Mamaroneck (Mk) 97; 4. Horace Greeley (HG) 112; 5. Harrison (H) 129; 6. Byram Hills (BH) 138; 7. Irvington (I) 164; 8. Edgemont (Ed) 174; Lawrence (L), Yorktown (Yk) DNS.
Individual results: 1. Lauren Chapey (Mk) 19:32.6 (meet/course record); 2. Brooke Madry (N) 20:03.9; 3. Sydney Rice (ND) 20:07; 4. Lauren Pitaressi (ND) 21:14.9; 5. Kristen Carbone (N) 21:15.8; 6. Tara Kelly (ND) 21:38.1; 7. Chihiro Yorita (Ed) 22:24.1; 8. Rebecca Cawkwell (BH) 22:29.1; 9. Claire Hotchkin (HG) 22:29.5; 10. Maddy Weiland (BH) 22:30.3; 11. Charlotte Stevens (Mk) 22:38; 12. Katie DeVore (Mk) 22:52.8; 13. Catherine Rocchi (H) 22:53.6; 14. Jackie Roda (ND) 23:03.7; 15. Ariella Garcia (ND) 23:06.7.
DURHAM — No one understands the potential of AJ Griffin more than Trevor Keels.The two five-star talents faced each other in high school before injuries began to plague Griffin's career.He lost part of his junior season at Archbishop Stepinac in White Plains, New York was lost due to an ailing knee and the entire next year to an ankle injury.Griffin's first year at Duke began the way his high school career ended. He sprained his right knee at a practice in October that greatly slowed his development ...
DURHAM — No one understands the potential of AJ Griffin more than Trevor Keels.
The two five-star talents faced each other in high school before injuries began to plague Griffin's career.
He lost part of his junior season at Archbishop Stepinac in White Plains, New York was lost due to an ailing knee and the entire next year to an ankle injury.
Griffin's first year at Duke began the way his high school career ended. He sprained his right knee at a practice in October that greatly slowed his development and pushed him from potential starter to reserve.
He's had some highs — an 18-point outing against Lafayette — but mostly, his time as a Blue Devil has been about finding the player he used to be.
"When he went down, it slowed him down. A knee injury is nothing to play with," Keels said. "I talk to AJ a lot. I played him in high school and I know he's a dog. I tell him all the time, 'go back to that New York AJ.'"
On Tuesday night during a 103-62 win over South Carolina State at Cameron Indoor Stadium, Griffin looked the part of 'New York AJ.'
After playing eight combined minutes against Gonzaga and Ohio State, Griffin erupted for a season-high 19 points, hitting 7-of-8 shots — including 3-of-4 from 3 — with four rebounds and four assists.
He was one of six Duke players to score in double digits against the Bulldogs as the No. 2 ranked Blue Devils (8-1) hit a season-high 15 three-pointers in the first of three games this week back home that will wrap up their non-conference schedule.
Yes, South Carolina State is no Gonzaga, but Griffin's long road to greatness will need to be paved with the confidence he's lost over the last two years.
"He's making up for time lost from his injury," coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "It's just a matter of him continuing to work."
With Duke's two-week break after the season's first loss to Ohio State, Griffin was able to work one-on-one with coaches — spending time on the mental aspects of the game.
"It was more about the mindset that I wanted to get better with," Griffin said Tuesday. "I wanted to have the mindset of playing hard, being aggressive, being vocal and everything else would come. It was about playing with that love of the game and not forgetting about that."
Reserve forward Theo John was ruled out before Tuesday's game with a back injury that Coach K later said was not serious but could not give a timeline on when he would return.
Duke hosts Appalachian State Thursday and Cleveland State Saturday before opening ACC play Dec. 22 at home against Virginia Tech.
"His back is tight and it loosened up a little today but I think it's a day-by-day thing," Coach K said. "He's been a mainstay for us. We miss him."
John is averaging 3.8 points and 3.3 rebounds a game, but his 6-foot-9, 242-pound presence has consistently given Duke a lift off the bench.
On Tuesday, Davidson transfer Bates Jones played a season-high 15 minutes in replacement of John, scoring seven points, five assists and three rebounds.
"I worked a little more with the bigs in practice," Jones said. "It was nice to go out and knock off the rust."
Michael Savarino, the grandson of Mike Krzyzewski, returned from the team discipline Tuesday night that resulted from his drunk-driving arrest last month.
Savarino was in uniform for the first time since the Nov. 14 arrest and entered the game with 4:38 remaining with Duke up big in the second half. He hit a 3-pointer with 2:03 remaining to put Duke over the 100-point mark, which was also his first points of the season.
“We’ve suspended him and punished him,” Krzyzewski said. “We didn’t put him out and flog him in front of everybody. He still has things to do legally but that’s all being done the right way.”
Savarino was arrested on Sunday morning of Nov. 14 at 1:10 a.m. by the North Carolina Highway Patrol and charged with DWI with Banchero in his back seat.
He was stopped for a stop sign violation while driving a white 2017 Jeep SUV registered to freshman teammate Paolo Banchero on Brushy Creek Road outside Hillsborough. Banchero was charged but not arrested for aiding and abetting DUI.
North Carolina law states that aiding and abetting DWI is classified as "when a person knowingly encourages, aids, advises or instigates another person to drive, or attempt to drive, while impaired."
According to an arrest report obtained from the Orange County District Court, Savarino submitted to two breathalyzer tests and blew a .08 BAC. According to the report, the arresting officer said he smelled alcohol on Savarino's breath.
“We don’t condone what happened,” Krzyzewski said. “But there are a lot of things that happen to kids on campus that we wouldn’t condone. But it happens. We don’t sell them down the river. The only way you get better is by acknowledging that you did something wrong, accepting the punishment and learning from it. To me, that’s what a university is supposed to be about. So we’ve done it with the university and handled it in that manner. He’s learned a good lesson and he’s going to pay a price for it. He already has paid a price for it. You do something, you’ve got to pay a price.”
He was not with the team in the first three games after his arrest: home wins over Gardner-Webb on Nov. 16, Lafayette on Nov. 19 and The Citadel on Nov. 22. He returned to the team, but was not in uniform, for Duke’s 84-81 win over Gonzaga on Nov. 26 in Las Vegas and the Blue Devils’ 71-66 loss at Ohio State on Nov. 30. Both times, Savarino sat in street clothes on the bench.
David Thompson is an award-winning reporter for the USA Today Network covering NC State and Duke athletics. He can be reached at dthompson1@gannett.com, at 828-231-1747, or on Twitter at @daveth89.
The Spring season for the US Youth Soccer National League Conferences, managed by EDP Soccer, is about to begin its full slate of games in the coming weekends.The top USYS leagues in the East Region, the Conferences feature 16 teams who have already punched their ticket to the 2023 USYS National Championships through National League P.R.O., with many more having a chance to do the same at the upcoming P.R.O. events in North Carolina.Th...
The Spring season for the US Youth Soccer National League Conferences, managed by EDP Soccer, is about to begin its full slate of games in the coming weekends.
The top USYS leagues in the East Region, the Conferences feature 16 teams who have already punched their ticket to the 2023 USYS National Championships through National League P.R.O., with many more having a chance to do the same at the upcoming P.R.O. events in North Carolina.
The Spring season will see 13U-19U Boys and Girls teams in the New England, North Atlantic, Mid Atlantic and South Atlantic Conferences all competing.
Teams who have already punched their ticket to Nationals include:
The region’s top teams will compete in Club vs. Club, Premier I and Premier II Divisions within their respective Conferences. Each week, teams will battle to earn their place at the top of their league table, which includes pathways to some of the most prestigious competitions in the nation, including the 2023 USYS Eastern Regional Championships, being held in Loudoun County, Va.
A Look at a couple of the Divisions in each of the Conferences:
The 17U Boys will feature a Club vs. Club Division and also a stacked Premier I Division. In Premier I, Juventus Academy Boston EDS N 06 Bianco (MA) enters as one of the nation’s top teams, while Bridgeport Premier FC 2006 (CT) looks to repeat as a first-place finisher in the Conference. Bayside FC EDP U17B Black (RI) enters the Conference, and will look to make a splash after an impressive performance at the USYS National League Regional Showcase Virginia. In Club vs. Club action, Spring 2022 winner Seacoast United Maine SC 2006B Elite (ME) looks to repeat and head back to Regionals, where it was knocked out in the group stages on a tie-breaker.
The 16U Girls Premier I Division will see 10 teams from three states looking to claim the top spot. Ginga FC 07G Elite PRO NL (CT) enters as one of the top teams, coming off an impressive performance in National League P.R.O., where it clinched a spot in USYS Nationals. AC Connecticut G07 EDP National (CT) has also had a strong winter, winning the USYS NL Regional Showcase Virginia. Other teams from Connecticut include CFC North 2007 Regional NL (CT), Southeast SC G07 (CT) and Sporting CT 2007 Girls (CT). Rhode Island Surf G2007 Elite White (RI) represents Rhode Island, and from Massachusetts is Commonwealth Football Club Girls 2007 Green (MA), Juventus Academy Boston West Girls 2007 Bianco (MA), Western United Pioneers FC 2007 Girls Elite (MA), and Scorpions SC Metrowest 2007 Girls EDP (MA).
See all Divisions and schedules here.
The 17U Boys Premier I Division is one of the deepest Divisions in the nation. New York Premier FC 06 Boys finished as the Regional finalist last year, while DUSC B2006 Blue was a Regional semifinalist. Dix Hills EST Ultimatum B2006 is currently in second place in its National League P.R.O. Division and Massapequa SC Boltz were State Cup Champions last Spring. NY Hota 2006 Blue and Cedar Stars Academy Hudson Valley 2006 both went 3-0-0 at the USYS NL Regional Showcase Virginia. Barca Academy Pro NY B2006 PRO, LaGrange Premier ’06, Southampton Soccer Club Academy 2006 and Two Bridges Football Club 2006 each bring strong resumes of their own and will push for the top spot.
The 14U Girls Premier I Division sees BC United 09G looking to continue their phenomenal run this season as they come off defeating PA Dominion last weekend to win their National League P.R.O. Division. South Shore Futbol Club Legacy G2009 fell just short of Regionals last year, when they ended as State Cup runners-up, and will look to make it this year through both another cup run and the league pathway. Auburndale SC Strikers 09 finished at the top of the table in the Fall and will look to do the same this Spring to follow in the footsteps of the 2008 Girls as one of the top teams in the state and region. The Division also includes SUSA FC G09 Carolina Nirvana Quest 09, Ballston Elite, and Massapequa SC Lady Spurs.
The Boys and Girls Club vs. Club Divisions include the top clubs from New York, Connecticut and North Jersey competing. The Boys will have Quickstrike FC, Brooklyn Italians, White Plains YS, AC Connecticut, Chelsea Piers Shoreline, Brentwood SC, Inter Connecticut FC and East Coast FC. The Girls will have Alleycats SC, Chelsea Piers Shoreline, East Coast NY Surf, Force FC, NJ Crush, Long Island Slammers, STA, Long Island SC, and Manhattan SC.
See all Divisions and schedules here.
All teams in the 16U Premier I Division will have their match with PDA/Vistula B2007 – Lewandowski circled, as one of the nation’s top teams once again looks to keep its spot at the top of the table. After going 1-1-1 in Nationals last summer, PDA/Vistula is still looking for the one trophy it has not won — a National Championship. PDA/Vistula will face tough competition, with Marlboro SA 2007 Gunners Blue and Keystone FC Premier 07B, who finished in second and third, respectively, last season, looking for redemption. Other challengers in the bracket will be Future SA, PA Rush, Quaker Elite and Real Jersey FC.
The 15U Premier I Blue Division features several long-time rivals once again battling it out for their place at the top of the table. Last Spring, Wall Elite Chelsea finished at the top of the table with PSA North right behind them. NJ Premier FC joins the division after playing Club vs. Club last season, and it will aim to return to the USYS National Championships for a second straight year. NLSA finished as Regional finalist just two years ago, and looks to return to Regionals and take care of unfinished business. Last weekend was the division’s first game, with Europa Lions FC 2008 G Blue and NJ Crush FC 2008 Academy battling in a hard fought 1-1 draw.
The Boys Club vs. Club features tons of top teams from the region’s top clubs including YMS, FC Bucks Dominion, Lower Merion-Europa, PSA Monmouth, FC Copa, SJEB FC, Parsippany SC and PDA Hibernian.
See all Divisions and schedules here.
The 16U Premier I Red Division is expected to be one of the tightest Divisions in the nation from top to bottom. With four National League P.R.O. teams competing, each side is looking for bragging rights in the state. Of those four, Maryland State Cup champion Potomac SA Premier 07 drew its opening match with DC Soccer Club, 2-2, and defeated Penn FC, 1-0. State Cup finalist Touch Kings FC 2007 Elite and Bethesda Blue 2007 drew, 0-0. And SAC 2007 Pre-Academy opens up this weekend against Old Line FC, with SAC being the lone team in the division that reached the National Championships last season.
Several teams are off to a fast start in the 15U Girls Premier I Red Division. Maryland State Cup champion Maryland Rush SOMD Rush 08G Kraken is 4-0-0 with wins of 3-0, 2-1, 3-1 and 2-1 to start the season. The USYS Eastern Regional Champion, Penn FC Youth 2005 Black, is 2-0-0, keeping two clean sheets, including a 1-0 win over Ellicott City SC City 2008 Girls Black. Keystone FC Premier 08G is 3-0-0, scoring nine goals through their first three games, and USYS Eastern Regional finalists FC Frederick FCF ’08 Girls won their first conference match, 4-0.
See all 15U-19U Divisions and schedules here. See all 13U-14U Spring Divisions and schedules here.