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Orangeburg Prep football finishes 4-7 in Don Shelley's return

Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor • Nov 10, 2023

Indians' Jacob Smith finishes 10th in SCISA AAA boys cross country meet

         Orangeburg – Don Shelley admits there are a couple of games he would have liked to have back in his return to the sidelines as the football head coach at Orangeburg Preparatory School. That being said though, he has no complaints on how the season went for the Indians.

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         “We let a couple of games slip away that we probably could have won early on,” said Shelley, who saw the Indians’ season come to an end with a 25-13 loss to Beaufort Academy in the first round of the SCISA AA state playoffs on November 3. “We've gotten better. The kids have improved and are still working hard. We’ve got some talented kids.”

 

         Orangeburg Prep finished the year with a 4-7 overall record, but won the Region 2 championship with a 3-0 record. The Indians clinched the title with a 41-7 victory over Greenwood Christian School in the regular-season finale on October 27.

 

         “In all phases of the game, that was our best game of the season,” Shelley said. “We just kind of put it all together in this game. We would have a game where we’d play good on offense and not good on defense, and we had a couple of games where it was vice versa. Everything kind of clicked for us in this game. We were more physical and that helped us in terms of turnovers with four interceptions and a fumble recovery.”

 

         Wide receiver Tilden “T” Riley led the way offensively for Orangeburg Prep, catching four passes for 81 yards and three touchdowns. On defense, Riley returned an interception for a touchdown.

 

         Austin Hall had a big game on both sides of the football as well. As the quarterback, Hal completed 4 of 7 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for a score. Hall also had two interceptions.

 

         Latron Moorer had Orangeburg Prep’s other interception.

 

         Orangeburg Prep’s other region victories were a 15-3 triumph over Northside Christian Academy early in the season on September 1 and a 33-14 triumph over Spartanburg Christian Academy on October 6.

 

         Shelley credited his senior class for buying in to what he was teaching them and helping the team develop throughout the season.

 

         “Throughout the season we’ve had good leadership from the senior class,” Shelley said. They’ve done a good job in that area. I’m going to miss them

 

 

“I just told the seniors the week before the (Greenwood Christian School) game, ‘You've worked hard, you deserve it. You’ve got to go and take it,’ and they did.”

   

Going into the Beaufort Academy contest, Hall had completed 81 of 115 passes for 1,175 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for 275 yards and five touchdowns on 60 carries.

   

Along with making the transition from wide receiver to quarterback, Hall improved in his ability to lead, according to Shelley.

   

“He's grown up a lot,” Shelley said. “The physical part was already there. He's become a better team leader. Early in the year when we weren’t going good he’d get frustrated . He was supposed to be out in front leading them and they would see his frustration.

   

“He's learned how not to show it, and that has helped him become a better leader.”

   

Riley has been Hall’s favorite target with 31 catches for 583 yards and nine touchdowns. Moorer had 23 catches for 266 yards and two touchdowns.

   

Senior Jay Plummer was Orangeburg Prep’s leading rusher with 469 yards and eight touchdowns on 62 carries. Daytron Moorer wasn’t far behind with 442 yards and two touchdowns on 95 carries.

   

Inside linebacker Ger’Maury Robinson was leading the Indians defense in tackles with 57. Fellow inside linebacker Braydon Gramling was second with 52 followed by defensive end Ethan Williams with 48 and defensive end Hart Wiles with 40.

 

Shelley said he has been happy with the play of his defense for the majority of the season and how it has adjusted to a different style of play.

 

“The defense they were used to playing was more of a  pressure type of defense,” Shelley said. “What we try to do is stay on the line and attempt to stop the run first, and it kind of clicked for them.”

 

         INDIAN BOYS CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER JACOB SMITH EARNS ALL-STATE HONORS

 

         Orangeburg Prep boys cross country runner Jacob Smith earned All-State honors by finishing 10th in the individual portion of the SCISA AAA state meet on October 28 at the Heathwood Hall course in Columbia.

 

         The top 10 finishers in the state meet are deemed All-State performers. Smith, a senior, finished the 3.1-mile course in a time of 18 minutes, 12.59 seconds.

 

         The Indians finished eighth with a total of 156 points. Other scorers for Orangeburg Prep were senior Bradin Williams in 18th (18:48.80), eighth-grader Brent Cruz in 20th (18:49.92), senior Kai Yang in 41st (19:46.87) and senior Caden Garrick in 67th. (21:33.80).

 

         Orangeburg Prep finished seventh in the girls meet with 197 points. Seventh-grader Blakely Garrick led the way for the Indians, finishing 33rd in a time of 25:21.28.

 

         The other four scorers finished within 13 spots of Garrick. Junior Abigail Seaton finished 37th in a time of 26:17.60, junior Anna Bledsoe was right behind her in 38th place in a time of 26:21.86, sophomore Bianca Patel was 43rd in a time of 27:40.98, and junior Graysen Garrick was 46th in a time of 28:45.41.

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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