Defending Class A state champion Lady Raiders top East Clarendon 16-5

Pamplico – As the defending state champions in Class A softball, the Hannah-Pamplico Raiders have a target on their back in 2024. Nonetheless, this year’s team has enough talent and experience to make another run at the state championship, according to coach Amber Knight. “It was clear early in pre-season that the girls and coaching staff were feeling the pressure, coming off the programs first-ever State Championship Title win,” Knight reports. “We lost some key players from last year's roster, but the team has looked strong early on this year, currently sitting at 7-0 on the season and 2-0 in the region. “We have worked to establish the team as their own identity for the 2024 season, not a continuation of the 2023 State Champions. Our team looks different both in the field and at the plate, but as I have told the girls many times, different doesn't mean bad. We have a strong junior and sophomore class and two phenomenal pitchers that we think can take us back to the state championship playoffs.” Handling the duties inside the pitching circle are senior Isabella Davis and sophomore Kadence Poston. Each also plays first base when the other is pitching. In the early going, the duo has combined for 86 strikeouts and only six walks in the first 40 innings of the season. The first seven opponents managed just five runs. Lining up around the field defensively, junior Payten Poston is in centerfield while junior Jadan Lee is the shortstop. Sophomore Meredith Stone is the catcher and senior Madison Rodgers plays second base. Sophomore Chloe Cooper is the normal starter at third. Sophomore Savannah Owens starts in left and senior Karah Turner is in right. Adding depth defensively are freshman Allie Nettles (OF, 2B), sophomore Khloe Jones (OF, SS) and eighth-grader London Lee (3B/C). Offensively, Lee is the top performer, hitting .429 with three homers and 15 RBI in the first seven games. Lee hit .518 with 19 RBI last season. Owens batted .333 early on while Stone was at .294 and Poston at .386. Davis also is a capable hitter, hitting .362 last season. “Offensively, we have played well and have put up good numbers, we just haven't started stringing hits together to create those big innings,” Knight said. “A strong start to the season has the coaches optimistic. We are in a good place to make a run for the region title, hit our stride in the playoffs, and hopefully return to the state playoffs in late May.”

 Pamplico – When he has a fully healthful team, Hannah-Pamplico baseball coach Trey Woodberry feels his 2024 team can equal or better the success of 2023. The Raiders advanced to the district championship game after a strong playoff run last season. Many of the players who made that strong run are back this spring, but illness and injury has slowed the early season progress. Woodberry has been around long enough to realize that the early part of the season is not as important as region play. His hope is to have his full roster available come conference play. “We only lost two kids from last year’s team so we have a good amount of experience and talent,” Woodberry said. “Right now we have battled some flu and some injuries so we’re not nearly at full strength. Once we get to full strength, I feel like we will have a competitive team that can make a run. We just have to get healthy.” Due to the lack of returners early, Woodberry has been forced to play a lot of underclassmen. The experience his players are gaining will add depth later in the season. In an early preseason tournament game, Woodberry had a starting lineup consisting of five sophomores and two freshmen. “We put a pretty good jayvee team out there,” Woodberry joked. “A lot of those young guys are going to be good players for us.” One of the top returning players this season is senior shortstop Wade Poston, but he has battled the flu bug early. Junior centerfielder Jamarcus Williams is one of the state’s top prospects but is missing time early after knee surgery from a football injury. Junior Ty Daves was a returning third baseman but also has suffered a knee injury, while starting outfielder Brandon Cox was hit in the wrist by a pitch and will miss extensive time. Senior Logan Bass is a returning starter behind the plate and senior Avery Stone is working at third base, along with freshman Jacob Creech. Junior Boone Johnson is working early at first base while sophomore Davis Kimbrough and freshman Kolby Hyman are sharing early duties at second base. Working in the outfield are Mason Smith, freshman Jonah Poston and Daniel Chandler. Sophomore Payton Farmer, a left-handed pitcher, is expected to be a major contributor on the mound. Jonah Poston, another southpaw, will get innings on the mound. Johnson, Stone and Smith also will see time on the bump. “The pitching is young but we have a lot of potential to be competitive,” Woodberry said.

Pamplico – Hannah-Pamplico boys basketball coach Jimmy Williams has had a couple of successful seasons recently with talented and veteran teams. The Raiders are a bit younger this winter so the veteran coach is showing patience as they develop chemistry and learn to play together. “We have a lot of new faces out there running around,” the coach said. “The last few years we have had a lot of experience. We have a few returners but a lot of guys that are being asked to step into new roles this year. It’s early and we are putting the pieces together. We are still trying to figure out what we want to be. It’s a process.” The Raiders have opened the 2023-24 season with a 3-4 record. Williams is confident that the team he has assembled can and should be a competitive unit when region play begins in January. The Raiders are not playing games over the holidays and Williams feels a lot of good practicing will help the team move forward. Hannah-Pamplico is led this season by junior guard Tylin Jenkins, who does have solid experience. Jenkins is a returning all-region performer who averaged 12 points per game as a sophomore. Through seven outings, Jenkins is averaging 14.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. “He’s one of the top players in the region and he can carry the load for us,” Williams said. “We have to contribute around him, give him some help.” Some of that early help has come from freshman point guard De’Auje Bacchus, who has averaged 14 points per game early on. “He’s had a good start,” the coach said. “We didn’t expect him to have such an impact but he has been more than we expected.” Another returning starter is senior forward Jermaine Tompkins, who contributes about six points and five rebounds per game as a steady performer. Rounding out the usual starting five are junior Mason Hanna and senior Shemar Eaddy. Both were reserves last season but have increased their role this winter. Hanna has averaged five points and seven rebounds per game early on. Giving some production off the bench are sophomores Jimike Williams, Demarion Sparks, Va’Shon Washington and Kamari Wilson. “We’re playing pretty well defensively so far but we’re only averaging about 48 points per game,” Williams said. “That needs to improve. We need a little more production from everyone. It’s hard to win with just two guys in double figures. We need a third consistent scorer and then have everyone else chipping in with some points. But, I really believe that will come once we get into region play. This team has potential.”

Pamplico – Like death and taxes, another sure bet in life is that Hannah-Pamplico will be highly competitive in girls tennis every fall. The Lady Raiders took the courts this fall with high expectations and achieved at a successful level once again. Guided by veteran coach Rusty Turner, Hannah-Pamplico put together another outstanding season, winning a seventh consecutive region championship. The season ended in the state semi-finals of the Class A state tournament, losing to perennial state powerhouse Christ Church. “It was a good season. The girls put in a lot of hard work and they did well,” Turner said. Don’t expect much of a drop off next season as most of the team will return, with some younger players waiting in the wings to make their mark. The starting lineup included only two seniors. Madison Rodgers played No. 1 singles and Leah Watkins played No. 5 singles. Junior Chamblee Poston worked as the No. 2 singles player and junior Elizabeth Mims played No. 3 singles. Sophomore Layla Cooper was entrenched as the No. 4 singles performer. Juniors Aislyn Bram and Hailey Marlowe formed the No. 2 doubles team, while Rodgers and Poston were the No. 1 doubles team. Rounding out the roster this season were Addy Farmer, Tillie Bass, Hailey Moore and Caroline Sandoval. “I feel like we will remain competitive next season,” Turner said. “We will miss the two seniors and their leadership but it’s time for others to step into that role. I’m looking forward to putting it all together next year.” This was Turner’s eighth season in his second stint as the coach. He also coached during 2006-07. He returned as coach when he returned to working at the school. “When you know you have a tradition going and the girls will work hard, it makes it enjoyable to coach them.” The volleyball team also qualified for the Class A Lower State playoffs, finishing the season with 11 wins. Three players received postseason region honors. Selected first-team all-region were Payten Poston and Savannah Owen, while Isabella Davis was a second-team all-region performer. In cross country, Adam Elliott finished third in the region 6-A meet. He also participated in the Class A state qualifying meet, finishing 18 th overall. Davis Kimbrough finished 11 th at the region meet and Kyle Elliott finished 21 st . Stokes Scott finished in 23 rd and Hayden McKenzie finished 29 th . Rayce Shird, Miller Owens and Chase Stone also ran for the squad this fall. Two female runners ran in the region meet. Elizabeth Garcia Rueda finished ninth and Claudia Garcia Rueda finished 15 th in the region race.

Pamplico – Experience is everything in sports. Teams that have veteran players who have been through the competitive process before tend to win. At Hannah-Pamplico High, volleyball coach Dawn Burgoyne says experienced players have her team in the hunt for a region championship. The Red Raiders won four of their first six region 6-A contests this fall and were 8-6 overall as of Sept. 27. Both win totals already are better than last year. “I have high expectations for this season,” the coach reports. “The majority of my starting players returned this year. They have worked really well together. We have improved on our defense and are so much stronger at the net. We have great communication and we will always fight until the end. I am hoping to advance further in the playoffs than we have in years past. I am really proud of how much they have progressed, individually and as a unit, from 2022 to 2023.” The Raiders have a roster this fall that includes six seniors and five juniors. Two sophomores have joined the team and have made an impact as well. The starting lineup has three seniors – Isabella Davis, Jayla Graham and Karan Turner. Juniors Jadan Lee and Payten Poston are joined by sophomore Savannah Owens in the starting lineup. Other seniors include Ashlyn Smith, Kaytlin Speights and Mallory Tisdale. Rounding out the 2023 roster are juniors Roxy Reynolds and Alileena Singletary, and sophomore Chloe Cooper. Every successful team has its alpha dogs, or players that lead the charge in their consistent play and high team spirit. The Raiders are no exception. Poston and Owens are two of the top outside hitters and Davis is a star as the setter. “All three girls mesh well because of their team effort. Team morale is at an all-time high.” Entering a match on Sept. 29 against Green Sea Floyds, the Raiders had won two games in a row in region play. Lake View is the team to beat in region 6-A.

Pamplico – While happy for the win, his first as head coach at Hannah-Pamplico High, coach Trey Woodberry realizes his 2023 Raiders have plenty of work ahead of them. The Raiders opened the season with a 57-52 win over McBee on Aug. 18. The number that sticks out for Woodberry is the 52 points allowed. While the offense rolled up nearly 600 yards in total offense, the defense lacked consistency. “We have a long way to go defensively and we knew that coming in,” Woodberry said. “We had some good moments but we got some cramps with our starters and we just don’t have the depth right now. We’re young and we’re small so we have limitations. We have to play more physical and tackle better. We’ll keep working at it and we will get better. We have to get better.” The Raiders exploded for 536 yards on the ground in the opener. Leading the way was junior Jamarcus Williams, who rushed for 309 yards on just 21 carries. Williams was in and out of preseason practices while participating with the state champion Florence American Legion baseball team, which advanced to the World Series. “We played him only 25 plays, just being careful,” Woodberry said. “He was ready to go. He got practice time and he worked all summer so he was good. He’s a special player.” Quarterback Wade Poston is a returning starter and added 148 yards rushing and four touchdowns in the opener. Expected to see carries in the run game behind Williams are defensive starters Chris Eldridge and Logan Bass, who play linebacker on defense. Sophomore Kei’Monti Wilson saw action in the opener, as did sophomore Darius Williams. Senior JT Thompkins is the team’s top receiving threat, with junior Demarian Sparks being a solid option in the passing game as well. The offensive line is a veteran unit with all five starters returning from last season. Avery Stone and Mason Hanna are the tackles while Al Foxworth and Will Faulkenberry are the guards, Brandon Cox starts at center. Stone and Foxworth are the only seniors in the unit. Freshman Dewey Kimbrough will rotate in often as well. Stone also lines up along the front defensively, joined by freshman nose guard Khishawn Brown. Several players are competing for time at the other end. Eldridge returns at inside linebacker and had 12 tackles in the opener. He is joined inside by JaQuann Bryant. Bass and Wilson are the outside backers. Thompkins starts at one corner while De’Auje Bacchus is the other. Freshman Landon Fennell and Sparks are working at safety.

Pamplico – When Jamie Johnson opted to leave Hannah-Pamplico High as athletic director and head football coach to pursue an opportunity at Darlington High School, the Hannah-Pamplico administration did not have to look far for Johnson’s replacement. Already on the coaching staff, and with experience in both positions, Trey Woodberry was the obvious choice to replace Johnson in both capacities. Woodberry was officially named as the athletic director and head football coach in late February. Woodberry, who also is the head baseball coach and was an assistant on Johnson’s football staff since 2018, has compiled a solid resume as a coach and administrator. The South Florence High graduate has coached at several Pee Dee area schools. He served a four-year stint as head coach at McBee High School and was on the coaching staff at Marlboro County when the Bulldogs won two state titles under Dean Boyd. His most extensive time as a head football coach was at West Florence High, where he coached the Knights for 13 seasons. He also was the athletic director at the school in his last four years. Woodberry has compiled a 77-114 record as a head coach. He is a two-time region coach of the year (2011, 2012) and was named the AAAA Lower State coach of the year by the SC football coaches association in 2011. Woodberry’s 2012 team finished with a 10-3 record. Woodberry was an assistant in the North-South all-star game in 2012 and served as an assistant on the South Carolina Shrine Bowl coaching staff in 2014. As an athletic director, Woodberry was the region 6-AAAA athletic director of the year in 2016. Woodberry has assembled his football coaching staff for the 2023 season and there are a lot of new faces. The lone holdover from Johnson’s staff is Jimmy Williams, who will coach receivers and is also the varsity boys basketball coach. Eddie Scott will coach the linebackers and coordinate the defense while also handling the strength and conditioning. Mickey McGee will coach the offensive and defensive linemen while Shep Stone, a minister in town, will coach outside linebackers. He also will assist Woodberry with the baseball program. Dallas Hall is coming in to coach the defensive backs. “I really like this staff,” Woodberry said. “They have good energy and they have really developed a good relationship with our kids. It’s a good group coaches and we’re ready to get started.” Woodberry also announced the hiring of Jill Ard as the cross country coach. Jay Watson has been hired as the new golf coach and Zateashma Blue is the varsity girls basketball coach. Woodberry says there will also be a new track coach next spring with a hire forthcoming.

Pamplico – Though they have to wait a few extra days, when the time comes, several athletes from the Hannah-Pamplico High track and field program will have their shot to win a state champiomship. The Class A state track and field meet was scheduled for May 18 in Columbia but bad weather forced officials to postpone the meet until Monday, May 22. Unfortunately, the results of the meet are not included in this report due to press deadlines but we will catch up on all the success in the June issue. We do know what athletes qualified for the state finals via the Class A Lower State meet that was held earlier in the month. On the girls side, the top performer this spring has been Jayla Graham. Graham won three region titles at the region meet, claiming gold in the 100, 200 and long jump. She continued her success at the Lower State meet, finishing fourth in the 100, third in the 200 and first in the long jump. She will compete in the state finals in all three events. Soulana Bartyzel finished third in the 200 at the region meet and won the region title in the 400. She qualified for the state meet in the 400 with a second-place run. Heaven Bartyzel finished second in the 800 and second in the 1600 at the region meet. She ran to a first-place finish in the lower state 800 and was third in the 1600 to qualify for the state finals in both events. Christina Hacker won region title in the 100 hurdles and was second in the 400 hurdles. Scarlett O’Neill was fourth in the100 hurdles at the region meet and Ashlyn Smith finished fourth in the 400 hurdles. Tayla Parker was second in the high jump at the region meet but qualified for the state meet with a third-place finish in the lower state qualifier. The 400 and 1600 meter relay teams also won region titles. From the boys team, Adam Elliott qualified for the state finals in the 1600 and 3200 meter run, finishing second in the 3200 and fourth in the 1600. He won the region title in both events. Keimonte Wilson finished second at the region meet in the 100 meter dash while Darius Williams was fifth in the 200. Dahki Thomas finished second in the discus and sixth in the shot put at the region meet. Will Faulkenberry was fourth in both events.