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Both Cathedral SCISA AA Teams Advance To State Finals, Bethesda Boys Advance To Challenge Cathedral At Sumter Civic Center On Saturday

Billy Baker • Feb 22, 2024

By Billy G. Baker

Publisher

Sumter — The SCISA AA Cathedral girls’ basketball team defeated Patrick Henry, 45-22 to advance to the finals on Saturday against Clarendon Hall, while the Cathedral boys’ team will be playing in the finals for the third year in a row, with a 70—40 win over Andrew Jackson Academy on Thursday night at Wilson Hall.


In the final game of the night, at Wilson Hall, the Bethesda Academy boys over-came a 37-34 half-time deficit against Dillon Christian to advance to challenge Cathedral at 2:30 on Saturday at the Sumter Civic Center with a 77-65 win.


The Cathedral girl’s play Clarendon Hall at 1 p.m. in Sumter on Saturday while the SCISA finals start at 11 a. m. with the SCISA Class A boy’s finals between Curtis Baptist and Riverpointe Christian. In AAA boy’s action,  Hilton Head Prep faces the Christian Academy Myrtle Beach at 5 p.m. in the final event of the day at the USC Beaufort Civic Center. At 7 p.m. in SCISA AAA girl’s action, Hilton Head Christian goes for six- straight titles in a row when they face local rival John Paul II at the USC Beaufort gym, located a few miles off I-95 Exit 8 towards Hilton Head island.


In the Cathedral girl’s game, the senior trio of Jalyn Almeida, Claire Griffin, and Julie DeSouza led the Generals on offense once again with 15, 11, and 9 points respectively. Madison Jackson and Jovie Mom contributed four points each.


Patrick Henry (12-8) was led on offense by Lillian Lucas with 11 points and six rebounds. Laney Futch had four points and 11 rebounds while Saquoia Sexton and Mills Lucas had four and three points respectively.


Issac Brown is the head Cathedral girl’s coach and the athletic director at his school. He told the HSSR after the win, “We are hoping to win a back-to-back state title after winning last year,” said Coach Brown. “We have a core group of seniors that I like to call our three-headed monster. Jalyn Almeida, Claire Griffin, and Julie DeSouza are all senior leaders who have been on the team for a while. They make us go on both sides of the ball and they experienced a state championship last year.


“Clarendon Hall gave us fits in both the games we played them this season, so we are expecting a very competitive game from them on Saturday,” said Coach Brown. The Generals defeated CH by six points the last time they play them this season.


In Cathedral’s (25-9) boy’s win over AJA talented freshman Bryce Ward poured in 28 points with seven steals and four rebounds while junior AJ Gresham had 22 points, six assists, five rebounds, and two steals in the win. Junior JJ Meadows chipped in 8 points and 9 rebounds also. The other two starters are junior Kaden Whittedge and Tom Felix.   The Generals have no senior players on the team.


Head Generals coach Blake Ferguson told the HSSR, “It feels good to be playing in our third state championship and it is all about hard work and dedication, and putting Christ first,” said Coach Ferguson. “Our motto is to go so hard in practice that the games are easy.


“Bryce Ward is a special freshman player,” said Coach Ferguson. “The only person that can ever get in his way is himself. He fast, athletic, with a high basketball I-Q. He has a quick first step a lot of players don’t have. It is fun coaching and molding him every day. He could end up being among the best players to ever come out of SCISA.


“Very proud of our defense for limiting AJA to just 11 points in the second half,” said Coach Ferguson. “We made some adjustments at the half that worked out well for us.”


Bethesda, a very athletic team with several players 6-2 or taller, rallied in the second half against Dillon Christian to win 77-65 after trailing by three points at the half.


Clyde Wormley is in his first year as the head coach at Bethesda. “As the game wore-on, I felt like our over-all depth wore them down and some of our shots that were not dropping in the first half suddenly starting falling in the second half, ” said Coach Wormley. “We talked at halftime about getting rebounds and getting out faster in transition and that helped us make several easy baskets in the second half.:


Bethesda was led on offense in the win by 6-1 senior point guard Israel Wright who had 24 points. Senior guard Ashton Wright had 21 points along with 6-3 senior forward Jacari Wright who had 18 points. 


“These are the three players we have been leaning on all year,” said Coach Wormley. “All three of them played well on defense also.

“If we play good defense, and take care of the ball against their pressure, we should have a competitive game against Cathedral,” said Coach Wormley. “They are well-coached with several outstanding players also.”   


Junior guard Jackson Outlaw, an outstanding three-sport athlete at Dillon Christian, led the Warriors with 34 points. Junior Thomspon Stone contributed 24 points while Sean Locklear chipped in six points. The Warriors are coached by veteran Bo Stone, a graduate of NC State.     

 

 

 

Ridge View wins AAAA boys track and field state championship

By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor • 20 May, 2024
Blazers claim first state title since 2006

Gray Collegiate Edges Biship England, 75-72, To Take SCHSL AA Girl’s Track & Field State Title, Holmes Wins Four Gold Medals As Top Performer At Meet

By Billy Baker • 20 May, 2024
By Billy G. Baker Publisher Hopkins —The Gray Collegiate War Eagles edged out tradition rich Bishop England (75-72) and 30 other AA girl’s track teams, to earn the school’s first SCHSL Track & Field state championship hosted by Lower Richland High School on May, 18. The next 10 teams in the AA girl’s finals were: Fairfield Central (59), Oceanside Collegiate (50), Woodland (48), Hampton County (42), Greer Middle College (38.5) Landrum (36) Mid-Carolina (34.5), Academic Magnet (28), Keenan (24), and Marion (23). Bishop England, coached by Tony Colizzi , had been seeking their 14th state title. Gray Collegiate, won the state title with just 9 state qualifiers. The Griffins are coached by former Orangeburg-Wilkinson and Clemson track athlete Jackie Robinson . “The good thing is that we won as a team, and it was not just from one person,” said Coach Robinson. “It was everybody collectively, and all season long these ladies have sacrificed, and they did not complain while putting in the work. They came to work every practice and it paid off for them today. “To win a state championship it takes a lot of hard work and dedication and you have to put in the hours,” said Coach Robinson. “You have to be disciplined and true to your focus of self-improvement. Getting involved in year-round track programs certainly helps you to become better. Track has become a year-round sport now, and it takes a lot of hard work “I knew coming in we had a chance but only if we had several PR’s in a few events and it trusted each other to do our very best,” said Coach Robinson. “Winning a championship with only 9 state qualifiers is a testament to those young ladies. We have a lot of quality, but not quantity, on both our teams at Gray.” The War Eagles took three first place finishers in individual events from Tresta Miller in the 400 meters (58.33), Aubrey Guy in the 100-meter hurdles (15.42) and Tamara Steward in the 400-meter hurdles (1:05.00). Miller picked up two second place finishes for GC in the 100-meters (12.04) and the long jump (5.51m) producing 16 additional points for her team. Guy was third in the 400-hurdles ((1:08.60) and Steward was 5 th in the long jump (5.02m). Zaria Gaines contributed points in the 100-meters (12,57) and in the 200-meters (26,27) with a 7 th and 8 th place finish respectively. GC placed second in both the 4x100 (48.98) and the 4X100 Relay (3:27.82) to earn 16 total points. The 4X100 was ran by Steward, Gaines, Taylor Jones and Guy. The 4X400 was run by Steward, Amariah Gonzalez , Taylor Jones and Gaines. While Gray and BE competed back-and-forth throughout the even, Fairfield Central senior Sharmelle Holmes was dominating the competition once again, with three individual gold medals and another gold medal as a participant on the winning 4X100 relay. Holmes set a new state record in the 100-meters (11.45). when she ran the anchor leg. Holmes, She was first in the 200-meters (23.57) and took gold in the long jump (19-02.75). Holmes has signed to run track at Kentucky . She produced 32.5 points for her team and is the leading candidate for the 2024 HSSR-SCHSL Miss Track awards in South Carolina. After the majority of the gold medal winners left their moment of honor, on the victory podium at the meet, the HSSR asked them to share how they were able to beat the field in the respective event. Holmes was among the most enthusiastic performers interviewed. “This is the second year that I have won four gold medals and it makes all the hard work worthwhile,” said Holmes. “I participated in four individual events last year and this year I traded out the 100-hurdles to run anchor on the 4X100 relay. It’s a woo-woo moment for me with the state record! “I had hoped to set a state record but I will tell everybody who competed with me that it takes hard work to win gold medals at a state track meet,” said Holmes. “I am really grateful to God for all of my success. I am excited to be going on to the University of Kentucky. Go Wildcats!!” Tresta Miller (Gray Collegiate-junior) won the 400-meters (58.33 and she has a 57.01 personal best earlier this season) and she told the HSSR , “My goal is just to take off fast, maintain a steady speed, and leave something in the tank for a strong kick down the stretch,” she said. “Next year my goal is winning the 200 and the 400 and I hope to run a 55 flat in the 400 next seasons.” Freshman Aubrey Gray of Gray Collegiate won the 100-meter hurdles (15.42). “I would love to set a state record in the 100-hurdles by my senior year,” she said. “I also want to also be a double winner with a win the 400 hurdles in the future.” Batesburg Leesville’s sophomore Ja’Quan Corley won gold in the discus with a personal best of (157.01.75). “I would love to get a track scholarship by my senior year,” said Corley. “My technique is to always turn my left foot and get across the circle.” Oceanside Collegiate senior Joyce Siobhan was a double winner in the 1600-meters (4:59.03) and in the 3200 (11:06.09). She was proud of finally running a sub-five-minute 1600 that had been her goal all season. She will be running track at South Carolina next year. “My strategy is to stay near the front of the pack in either race and then kick it hard at the end,” said . “At South Carolina I will be more of a 5-K runner in cross country.” Oceanside Collegiate junior Kailen Kramer won the pole vault (3.80m). “My winning jump was 12’ 6” and I missed at my personal best attempt at 13’ 1”,” said Kramer. “My technique is not to slow down on my last few steps down the lane and hitting it hard, dropping my shoulders back and shooting for the sky ,” she said. “My goal is 14’ at the state meet next year and I would love to compete in college.” Senior Sinead Joyce of Oceanside Collegiate won the 800-meters (2:18.19) for the second year in a row. “I usually start out not super conservative but at a steady pace, but today I probably started out a little too fast,” she said. “I will be running at South Carolina next season. My goal is to respond to good college coaching and keep improving.” The AA girl’s shot put (10.77m) was won by Eau Claire junior Sytiria Bethel . “If feels great to see all the all- hard work pay off,” she said. “My goal by next year is 38 feet. My technique is using the power throw. I never change my technique.” Senior Sydney Price of Landrum won the Javelin toss (15.66m) for the third year in a row at the AA meet. “I have improved every year but today I threw around 128 feet and my personal best is 134,” said Price. “Everybody thinks it is your arm in throwing the Javelin but it really more the use of your hips and legs,” said Price. “Getting a good block and then throwing your hips into it is very important.” Price has actually signed to play softball at North Greenville College . She is a middle infielder with 30 career home runs. Keenan High senior Lauren Hannibal won the triple jump (11.02m). “I hit the board just right today on my final spring and I knew it was going to be among my best jumps ever and it was,” said Hannibal. “It feels great to go out with a gold medal my senior year.”

Ridge View girls atop AAAA track and field by themselves

By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor • 20 May, 2024
Blazers are state champions after sharing title with Westwood last year

Blythewood wins AAAAA girls track state title for second straight year

By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor • 19 May, 2024
Nation Ford's Mia Royall sets new state record in 1,600 run

Seneca girls win fourth consecutive AAA girls state championship

By Neill Kirkpatrick Special Contributor • 19 May, 2024
Philip Simmons claim boys AAA crown

Southside Christian boys, Whale Branch girls defend Class A track and field state titles

By Neill Kirkpatrick Special Contributor • 18 May, 2024
SCS wins fourth straight while Warrior girls 3-peat

Spring Valley 3-peats as AAAAA boys track and field champion

By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor • 18 May, 2024
Vikings use strong finish in field events to pull away

SCHSL to hear appeal over Summerville baseball forfeit on Tuesday, according to source

By Roger Lee Special Contributor • 17 May, 2024
Green Wave accused of violating pitch-count rule in win over Ashley Ridge leading to forfeit

HSSR publisher comments on Summerville forfeit to Ashley Ridge In finale of AAAAA baseball lower state championship tournament

By Billy G. Baker Publisher • 17 May, 2024
Summerville loses on forfeit over pitch-count rule violation

Berkeley Softball Defeats Chapin 2-0 To Advance Top Lower State AAAAA Championship Against Summerville

By Billy Baker • 17 May, 2024
By Billy G. Baker Publisher Moncks Corner — In a Lower State AAAAA softball play-off game continued from a second inning rain-out the night before, (May, 15), between Berkeley (19-9) and Chapin (22-8) , the home standing Stags won a pitcher’s duel 2-0 to advance to play Summerville on May, 17. The Stags have a tall order on their plate needing to defeat the top-ranked Green Wave twice in order to advance. The state championship series is scheduled to begin on Monday at the upper state champion s home field. Game two will revert back to the lower state’s team home field on Wednesday. If a third game tie-breaker is needed it will be played at neutral site on Friday (May, 24). After the win Berkley head coach Kelly Dillon shared some thoughts with the HSSR. “In my tenure at Berkeley this is our third trip to the Lower state finals and I am so proud of my team and the adversity they have overcome this season,” said Coach Dillon. “We have had some adversity with the weather and we lost one of our key players to an injury recently ( Savannah Scott ) and we have remained tough and focused on our goals anyway. “We played small ball in the bottom of the 6th because when you need just one run to win you play to win,” said Coach Dillon. “I am very thankful; for a great bunting team. Every time I have asked for it to be put down, they have put it down so I am very proud to our commitment to the cause.” ( Courtlyn Cox delivered a perfect bunt that advanced the runner into scoring position in the bottom of the 6 th inning.) “We know we have a challenge going over to Summerville on Friday needing to win two games and you never know what might happen,” said Coach Dillon. “We are hungry and we are on a mission and we are playing moment to moment so we hope to at our best on Friday.” Chapin head coach Cal Sayger is wrapping up his 7 th season at Chapin. ”we have been fighting the weather all during the play-offs,” said Coach Sayger. “We just made too many mistakes in this game tonight. We have the program on sound footing. We have won back-to-back region titles and I very proud of the commitment all of our players have made to the success tour program.” Coach Sayger is saying good bye to four seniors. They include pitcher Aspen Mayers , Ella Maychiva k, third baseman Andree Dircks , and outfielder Alexia Evans . “These girls have been in the program since the e8th grade a d they will be missed,” said Coach Sayger. The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the 6 th inning. The Stags Rileigh Ballentine led off with a single to center field. Courtlyn Cox’s Sac bunt moved Ballentine over to second base. She moved over to third, on a passed ball, while Brooklyn Moon was batting. Moon singled in Ballentine for the first run of the game. Ansley Riddle then doubled, barely missing a home run against the fence in deep center field. This hit put runners at second and third with one-out. An RBI ground-out by Camden Valicek scored Moon to give Berkeley all the runs they would need to win the game. Berkeley pitcher Reese Watson worked all seven innings, allowing only four hits. Watson’s six strike-outs in the game now gives her 201 on the season in 120 innings pitched with an ERA of 1.20.
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