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AAAAA Will Crown Two State Champions In 2025 With Realignment

Billy Baker • August 24, 2024

HSSR Div. I AAAAA Ranking          HSSR Div. II AAAAA Ranking

                (Ranking Done Prior To Games Of 8-23)

    1. Dutch Fork                                              1. Gaffney

   2. Summerville                                         2. Irmo

   3. JL Mann                                                    3. Northwestern

   4. Spartanburg                                        4. White Knoll

   5. Sumter                                                      5. Eastside

   6. James Island                                        6. TL Hanna

   7.  Byrnes                                                       7. Greenwood

   8. Clover                                                        8. Hillcrest

   9. Carolina Forest                                   9. Greenville

 10. Rock Hill                                                 10. West Florence                                 



                   Class AAAAA Region Previews

(Note: All HSSR Region Previews went to press before any Week Zero Ganes Were Played On 8-23)



 Region 1-AAAAA(Predicted Order of Finish)

  1.  JL Mann (11-3)

 2. TL Hanna (10-2)

 3. Greenwood (6-6)  

 4. Hillcrest (10-3)

 5. Greenville (10-4) 

 6. Easley (4-7)

 7. Mauldin (0-10)

 8. Woodmont (5-6)  


 JL Mann Favored To Win Region 1-AAAA


JL Mann returns 1,000-yard rusher Na’Cyus Morrison (1,200 yds-27 TD’s)  & transfer RB LaDainnian Martin (5-10, 175) enters his senior year with 3,119 career rushing yards and he has committed to Georgia State


 The Patriots return three OL in LT Army commit Jordan Sullivan (6-4, 2785) along with J’Quavious Rivers and center Jeremiah Hammonds, DB Ramani Bruton is back along with Raymone Whitner at LB. Top LB Wyatt Ward is back after making 155 tackles, 12 TFL, and three picks. Three WR’s return (Toby Wilkins, Nate Holmes, & Keyshun Henderson who caught 48 passes for 1,114 yds a year ago. Jadyn Rice is a highly regarded jr DB.


 What isn’t there not to like about JL Mann’s offense? Head coach Steve “Scoot” Watson should improve on his 11-win season in 2023. He has the horses to pull the wagon.


 TL Hanna: Jason Tone (45-10) has been a consistent winner at TL Hanna and consistency should follow the Jackets, and their patented T-bone offense, during the 2025 season.


 Hanna opened up the season against Byrnes as the HSSR was going to press and the outcome of that game will just make both contenders stronger. Senior RB KD Patterson (5-10, 175) returns after gaining 1,682 yards with 28 TD’s a year ago. Veteran QB Brandon Cunningham (6-2, 175) is also back. NC State DB commitment Cam Strong (6-1, 175) is also back to lead the defense. Another top DL back is senior Jayden Martin (6-0,240). Junior John Michael Tripp (6-1, 240) and senior Noah Miller (6-2, 230) join Martin in the defensive front.


 The top juniors for Hanna are LB Walker Kelly (6-4, 220) and Emari Nance (6-3, 185) will contribute at RB and FS as a prospect up from the jayvee.  The other two linebackers are Jamerion Oliver (5-9,230) and returning starter Jamizeyeh Harkness (5-10, 185).  


After competing for a state title against Dutch Fork several years ago the Jackets have failed to get past the second round despite winning 10 games a season. A deeper run in the playoffs is a strong goal of Coach Tone.  “Our defensive line and our linebackers are the strength of our team this season,” said Coach Tone. “Our offensive line has not had a lot of experience working together.”


Greenwood: After seeing Greenwood and their 18 returning starters compete well in a scrimmage against Gaffney in early August the HSSR is going out on a limb and picking the Eagles, coached by alma mater veteran Chris Liner to finish second in this AAAAA region after competing in Region 1-AAAA last year.


 “This was a very clean scrimmage with very little dog yacking, just a lot of hard-nosed physical play with both teams getting after it,” said Coach Liner. “I was pleased with our young quarterback Triston Lewis (6-3, 200) tonight and we use his legs a lot. We have a lot of offensive weapons to go along with him and we are excited about the future of Greenwood football.


 “Our senior captain and leader are center Rob Stevens (6-0,305) and he is a great leader and very good football player,” said Coach Liner. “It all starts with him along with our running backs Elijah Wade, and junior running back Bryce Seaborn, along with Stevens. These three guys make up three of our best leaders on the team.”


Jayden Adams (5-10,170) and Jay Duncan (6-2, 179) return to lead the receiving corps and Coach Liner says to also watch out for the freshman WR Destiny Christian (6-1, 190) along with TE Thomas Chandler (6-1, 190).


 The Greenwood OL includes tackles Ryan White (6-3, 250) and Jeremy Terry (6-2, 250) along with guards Isaiah Smith (5-9,265) and Jordan Thompson (6-1, 265). The center is the aforementioned Stevens. 


 On defense the Eagles return linebackers in Khamari Griffin (5-9-180), Mel Roman (6-1, 230), and junior Dyson Davis (5-11, 200). Shuviouses Williams (6-0,320), Deavion Griffin (6-0,270) and Nemo Cook lead a talented group in the DL.


 “We have a strong group back on defense,” said Coach Liner. They include DL Almad Scott (6-3, 245), and JT Harling (5-11, 265). The secondary will flip Seaborn from offense and he will be joined in the back by AJ Norman (6-0,172), Isaiah Goodwin (5-11, 165) and Caleb Harris (6-0,180). Noah Perrin is a senior combo kicker.


“We feel like we have a team that can compete for a state championship,” said Coach Liner. “Expectations are always high in Greenwood and I should not be the head coach in Greenwood if I felt otherwise about our team every year. This is our goal every year.”


Hillcrest: Summerville High graduate Bennett Swygert won 10 games in his first season with the Rams.


 The Rams graduated all-star WR Avery McFadden but big arm QB Kaleb Sutton returns along with LT Bryce Rainwater (6-4, 295). Antrez Nance returns in the DL along with Doug Hill (6-1, 310).


Trey Booker will step up at RB and Weston Wills and Trevolis Walker  are talented WR’s. DJ Henderson and Caleb Costonie are experienced returning linebackers for the Rams.  


Greenville: Greenville has hired first year head coach Jaybo Shaw after Greg Porter left to take over the team at Laurens High.  If Greenville hopes to win another 10 games QB Banks Bouton who passed for 362 yards in six games of play last season will need to have an outstanding season. RB Kyle Zimmerman will also lead Grenville’s rushing. The Red Raiders lost QB Bryson Drummond to a transfer to Mountain View Prep and highly regarded DB Ramani Bruton, who had 11 picks, has moved on to region rival JL Mann.


  The Red Raider junior returners include RB Rashad Robinson on offense and DL Javier Simmons . Jacob Cristie returns at LB, and Jaziar Houston at CB.


  Greenville opens their season Friday, 8/23 at Dorman.


Easley: Easley, under new head coach Sam Houston, could be a vastly improved team this season behind the return of QB Jay Stoker along with WR Matt Hillstock. The Returning seniors included, Malaci Gambrell (’25, 6-2, 315) at NG/DT, Johnathan Isham (’25, 5-8, 170) at WR/FS, and Aaron Tolbert (’25, 5-2,117) OLB/WR, Kyler Turner (’25, 5-11, 200) at MLB, Kobe Preston (’25, 6-2,221) playing at OLB/DE. 

  Other returning starters RB Jeremiah Patton ( 5-8, 180). Along with DE Stone Turner ( 6-1, 235) CB Kalden Erby (, 5-10, 150).


 Easley opens their regular season play on Friday 8/23, hosting Pickens.


   Mauldin: After going 0-10 a year ago Andre Cook begins his second season with the Mavericks with 18 returning starters.  All-region LB AJ Norfus will move to DE and Blake Scott has moved from LB to FS. Reddick Langston and Jackson Vickers came into Fall camp competing for the starting QB spot. Austin Cummings and Javori Henderson are key DL.


Mauldin begins the season with a game against Riverside


Woodmont: Woodmont High tapped Ty Southerland for their head football coach in December 2022, as we go into the 2024 season, Coach Southerland will have two experienced seniors to help lead his team. Kameron Wallace (’25, 6-4, 285) at OG/T and is a Wofford commit. Plus, at RB, TJ Williams (’25, 5-7, 178) is very talented.


The Wildcats home opener is Sept 6th when they host Pendelton High.



 Region 2-AAAAA (Predicted Order of Finish)

 1.  Gaffney (9-4)

 2. Spartanburg (6-6)

 3. Eastside (6-5)

 4. Byrnes (10-2)

 5. Dorman (3-8)

 6. Riverside (5-6)

 7. Wade Hampton (2-8)


 Gaffney favored In 2-AAAAA But Never Count Out Byrnes


Gaffney: Prior to the start of the season Dan Jones announced he was retiring from his alma mater after the season and with 16 players on the Indian roster holding next level offers, he should have been blessed with a lot of talent in his final season. 


“I think we have a good nucleus of athletes, including a lot of guys who run well on defense,” said Coach Jones. “We just do not have a lot of depth so we are going to have to stay healthy, and if we can do that, I think we have a really good this team this season.”


 On offense the Indians will be led by junior QB Jayvon Gilmore (6-5, 200) a recent pledge to Arkansas, along with junior RB Jaiden McDowell. Gaffney has South Carolina LT commit Sheldrick Sarratt (6-4, 300) back along with junior RT Scotland Dover (6-4, 305) who has offers from Tennessee and Kentucky.  


 WR JR Smith (6-1, 190) is back with big play potential. Two returning players lead the defense in senior LB Andrew Ruppe (6-1, 225) and senior DB Imari Foster-Byrd (6-0,170). 


 Junior Zion Ratchford is another LB adding depth along with Daquan Croker (6-0,185) who started against Fort Dorchester last year. .Sophomore Kendarious Bailey (5-11, 205) will also play a lot at LB.


 The three-man DL consists of ends Josh Corry (6-2, 225) and senior Sherman Tate (6-2, 200) with senior Kelik Harris (6-3, 240) at nose. Joining Foster-Boyd in the secondary will be senior Jayden Simes (5-11, 170), Viante Robbs (5-10,160) and senior Demontia Duff (6-1, 190).


 Gaffney begins the season at highly regarded JL Mann on August, 30.


 Spartanburg: After going 6-6 a year ago Vikings head coach Mark Hodge begins his 5th season at Spartanburg with 11 players returning with starting experience.


Key player back on offense include: QB-TJ Johnson, RB-Trenton Lynch, WR-Zy Williams Bond, Ath.-Calvin Choice, OL-Trey Weathers, OL-John Hammon. Key defensive starters: LB- Cam Smith, LB- Quez Smith, DB- Quincy Haywood, DB- Jarious Mosely, DL-Cory Cheeks.


Trey Burke will share time with Johnson at QB. Will Love is back for his third year at PK and Joshua Hodge is a very good long snapper.  


Coach Hodge cited “speed and strength” as the Vikings plus areas starting the season. In his own words, “The 2024 Vikings pose a viable threat to AAAAA football.”


 Spartanburg began the season with a road game at highly regarded South Pointe.


Eastside: Dr. Andre Woolcock begins his 5th season at Eastside and his team is led by SC commitment DE Jaquavious Dodd (6-5,225).


 LB MJ Posey (6-2, 215) also returns. Zeke Funke, a LT prospect along with DB Thomas Latimer. Top juniors include RB Scooter Foster and QB Peyton Schrader. DB Gavin Sullivan is the top player up from the jayvee who will start.


 Coach Woolcock feels the strength of the team is at DE and he says he is still developing the OL. Funke is joined up-front by RT Josiah Mc Gee, guards Jensen Stone and Carter Williams along with center Jan Donovan.  


Byrnes: Last season Byrnes clinched the region title with a great road win at Gaffney late in the season and head coach Reggie Shaw was on cloud 9 being interviewed by the HSSR from the field that night.


However, Nixon Field, where the Rebels were 6-0 last year, is being renovated and the Rebels will not have a home game this season.   

 Also, the transfer portal has seen three play-makers leave for Westside (WR’s Chamarrus Bomar & Armoni Weaver along with RJ Livingston). The Rebel’s cupboard is hardly bare as hard charging RB Tre Segarra rushed for 1,115 yards & 1 TD’s. QB Zy Landrun will be leading the offense. On defense DE Jaidyn Ferguson (6-2, 225) will lead the defense.


  The Rebels will start the season at T.L. Hanna on August, 23rd.


Dorman: Jake Morris and the Cavaliers finished 3-8 last season and they look for a strong rebound this season.


 TE Keenan Arcega-Whiteside committed to Rice over the summer. RB Nick Means returns with experience. The OL returns four veterans (Parker McMillen, Peyton Hamblett, Nathan Choy, & Landon Greene). The WR’s are led by Dai’shone Watkins-Hymes and Chase Cheeks.

 On defense Dru Darby returns at LB along with Jordan Darby. The DL will be led by Braydon Melton, Tyrese Johnson, Porter Harris and Kelshard Harris.

 Dorman started the season by hosting Greenville on August, 23rd.


Riverside: Matt Rochester begins his 4th season at Riverside and his team is led by Cincy pledge WR/RB Mikkell Skineer (6-3, 220). Skinner caught 44 passes for 651 yards and 10 TD’s and also added 588 yards rushing with 5 TD’s and he is one of the state’s most versatile athletes.


Jacob Page and Jacob Medlin will compete at QB  and Zy Abercrombie and Alvin Martin lead the RB’s. Jaiden Taylor adds depth at WR.


 The Warriors defense will be led by LB’s Zach Martin and Jack Merriman with DB’s Spencer Adderly and Somad Eaddy holding down the back of the defense


 Riverside started the season at Mauldin on August, 23rd.


 Wade Hampton: Reuben Wright begins his first year as the head coach at Wade Hampton with a young team led by a pair of sophomores QB Teqan Hamrick and WR JaQwon Haygood.


Xaikias Latimer and James Coleman provide depth at RB. On defense two key LB’s are Angel Gomez and Mehki Hentz and Connor McCall and Jomarion Smith key the DL.


 Wade Hampton started the 2024 season at Travelers Rest on August, 23rd.



 Region 3-AAAAA (Predicted Order of Finish)

 1.  Northwestern (11-2)

 2. Clover (9-3)

 3. Rock Hill (6-5)

 4. Indian Land (5-6)

 5. Nation Ford (5-6)

 6. Catawba Ridge (1-9)

 7.  Fort Mill (2-8)


Northwestern favored To Win Region 3-AAAAA


Northwestern: Page Wofford is 44-16, making the Berkeley High graduate, a highly successful young prep coach.


The Trojans are moving up from AAAA where they won Region 3-AAAA a year ago with a 5-0 record on their way to an 11-2 season.  Senior QB Finley Polk has committed to Gardner Webb and he is rated among the top signal callers in SC by the HSSR. Polk comes into the season having completed 415-of-614 passes for 6,159 yards and 75 TD’s.


 In addition to Polk, the top prospects on the team include speedy jr WR Kam Vance (5-7,150), junior DB Josh Singleton, and highly regarded junior DB Tamarion Watkins (6-4, 200).


 Additional depth at WR includes TaDarrioa Knox (6-2, 177), Daniel Caldwell, Vance, and Jayden Nichols. Mason Grier, Danigary McMillen, and Andre Pickett add depth in the DL.  


 Northwestern went on the road to Hough, NC to start the season on August, 23rd.  


Clover: After coaching up his team to 9 wins in his first season at Clover a year ago, head coach Perry Woolbright, a Shrine Bowl assistant, has the makings a very good team in 2024.


 RB Landon Stone (6-0, 190) enters the season rated among the top RB’s in SC by the HSSR. Stone rushed for 2,107 yards on 255 carries last season. He averaged 8.7yards a carry.


 Clover returns 14 starters from a 9- win team. Aaron Shealey and Brody Woolbright came into the Fall camp in a tight race to start at QB. TE Cameron James is the top junior on the team and DL Jackson Hill is a top sophomore. Sam Lee, Dillon McCoy, and Carson Pinti form a hard-hitting linebacking corp.


 The OL will be made up of tackles Grayson Smith and Samson Nightway along with guards Tucker Houston and Hath Pinti. The center is Trenton McGill.  


 Clover began the 2024 season against Chambers High.


Rock Hill: First year Rock Hill head coach Randy Birch was the defensive coordinator at Gaffney last season and he has stepped into an explosive offense this season.


Ian Grissom threw over 2,600 yards and 35 TD’s at Lewisville last year and his live arm will be a good friend to the top WR in the state Malik Clark (6-3, 190), who recently committed to Florida State. Clark had 46 catches for just over 800 yards and 9 TD’s.


 Rock Hill returns five starters on each of the football. A key returnee on defense is DL Keaton Elliott. WR Jacobs Phillips provides depth. The OL is led by center Hayden Beuch and LT Kris Burgress. The secondary is led by veteran AJ Sanders.


 Rock Hill began the 2024 season at River Bluff on August, 23rd.


Indian Land: Adam Hastings is starting his 5th season with 12 returning starters off a team that finished 7-5 a year ago as a member of Region 3-AAAA.


 The move up to AAAAA will be a new challenge. The defense returns veteran DL Iverson Nunez (5-11,280), Boston College DB commit Omarion Davis (6-0,178), and sophomore prospect LB Mickey Johnson (6-0, 212).  

 

 A few key performers on offense include athlete Sequel Patterson (6-1, 180) who can play multiple skill positions on offense or defense along with OL senior leader Kent Hampton (6-3, 305).


 Indian land began the season hosting York on August, 23rd.   


Nation Ford:  The Falcons of Nation Ford High start their third season with head coach Michael Allen and coming off a short run in the playoffs in the 2023 season.  Athletic Director Dave Johnson stepped aside from his assistant coaching role, now the Falcons have Jason McManus as their new offensive coordinator.  Coach Johnson brings a background in building a high- powered offense. 

 

 Returning on offense, the Falcons have seniors QB Carson Sanford and their top WR Josh Ameo.  In the backfield,  they have several juniors that are big play capable threats with Malachi Drayton (‘26), Patience Andrews (‘26, 6-1, 201), along with RB/CB, and Brandon Johnson (‘26). 

 

Defensively, the Falcons are looking good with the leadership of senior Zyon Neely, a two-year starter.

 

 Nation Ford opens their season at Blythewood on Friday, 8/23.


Catawba Ridge: After winning 11 games two years ago Catawba Ridge fell back to a 2-9 season in 2023 but with 17 starters back, they will have ever opportunity to compete well as a AAAAA member.


 Head coach Zac Lendyak begins his sixth season with the Copperheads. The return of key starters like HSSR Top 100 member TE Brady Ambrose (6-4,225), DB Nick Jones (5-11, 175), DL Lewis Price (6-4, 300), WR Braylen Burgis (6-1, 185), CB Josh Dobson (6-2, 180), and QB CJ Couch (6-2, 190) should help the team improve on their win totals this season.


 Catawba Ridge started the 2024 season with a home game against Chapin.


Fort Mill:  Bob McNeely begins his 7th season at Fort Mill and with 15 returning starters things should be looking up for the program.


 Some of the key returning starters include: WR Braylon Thomas, WR/CB Tanner Mays, OL Grayson Sykes, LB Joe Duey, LB Josh Welch, and WR/DB Jeremiah McNeil. Quinn Kelly returns at QB along with LB Gray Patterson. Noah Handy is back as the team’s combo kicker.


 Fort Mill began the 2024 season against Ballantyne Ridge.   



 Region 4-AAAAA (Predicted Order of Finish)

 1. Dutch Fork (10-5)

 2. Irmo (13-1)

 3. White Knoll (13-1)

 4. Lexington (8-4)

 5. River Bluff (5-5)

 6. Chapin (6-5)


 Expect Dutch Fork to be Pushed By Irmo In Region 4-AAAAA


Dutch Fork:  After last season no one will ever doubt Tom Knott’s (461-71) ability to adjust, after team injuries, and even with five losses, the Silver Foxes recovered to win yet another AAAAA state football championship.


 The four key players for DF in 2024 are DB Elgin Sessions (6-1,180) committed to West Virginia, LB Josh Smith (6-1, 220) committed to Coastal Carolina, RT Josh Benson (6-7, 315) drawing interest from Marshall and UNC Charlotte among others, and highly regarded DL Julian Walker (6-6,240) who had 15 sacks as a junior.


 Junior QB Ethan Offing (6-0,170) is also back along with RB Maurice Anderson (6-0,210). The DF tackles are truly beasts with DJ Roberts (6-6,305) and Josh Benson (6-7,315) boasting a 415-pound bench Anderson needs to take them to the Waffle House after running behind those two. Raleigh Salters (5-11, 225) is a very talented LB also.


Dutch Fork will begin the season on August, 30th at Spartanburg.


Irmo:  Aaron Brand begins his 5th season at Irmo High and after finishing 13-1 last season, look for Irmo’s region title game at Dutch Fork on Nov. 1st to be one of the biggest games in the Midlands in quite some time.


Coach Brand would like nothing more than to his son off to Virginia Tech with a championship ring. When the younger Brand at QB Irmo is as good as any team in the state. Brand even played some WR during a jamboree in mid-August that the Jackets won over Summerville 17-14.


Brand’s junior year numbers are eye popping. He completed 183-0f-253 passes for 2,932 yards and with his agile feet he rushed for 1,113 yards on 84 carries and 17 rushing TD’s. If you are in the back yard picking sides Brand is your pick for sure.


WR Donovan Murph returns and all he did was catch 57 passes for 1,084 yards and 17 TD’s last season. On defense DE Jaiden Bryant (6-4, 230) returns after making 44 tackles and 5 sacks last season. DB Matthew Blocker (5-9,170) also returns after 46 tackles last year.


 Irmo began the 2024 season hosting last year’s AA state champion Oceanside Collegiate.


White Knoll:  Nick Pelham will certainly not forget the historic season the Timberwolves had in 2023 when they won 13 games and played rival Dutch Fork for the AAAAA state championship. He begins his 4th season at WK with numerous staters back from last season starting with QB Landon Sharpe (5-11, 190) who completed 187-of-273 passes for 2,646 yards and 30 TD’s.


Hunter Hohlwein and Donovan Sims (6-4, 305) return in the OL. Jr. RB Tiyon Fanning returns after rushing for 835 yards last year. The defense returns several key players like LB Connor Burgress and Top 100 member DB Devin Geronomi. FS James Smith is back along with CB/WR Caleb Geronomi. Other defenders back are NG Tyrone Jennings, DE Cornell Rice, and SE Caleb Caughman.


White Knoll started the 2024 season at Camden on August, 24.


Lexington: The Lexington Wildcats are looking to continue last season’s success under second year head coach Dustin Curtis.  Lexington is another school looking at a tougher class of competition now that they are in the Class AAAAA region with Dutch Fork, White Knoll, and Irmo.

 

 On offense, senior Brandon Cromer (6-3, 185) WR is an experienced receiver (top baseball prospect also) who will help the new Wildcats QB. In the backfield, Cam Morris and Toby Sobieralski will share the RB role following the blocking of Matt Wilkie on the O-Line.

 

 On defense, seniors Matthew McAulay (5-11, 187) returns at LB along with Artem Kalinkin (6-1, 260) at DE. 


 Lexington starts their season at home on Friday, 8/23 taking on Gilbert.

 

River Bluff: Last year’s young River Bluff team is now more experienced and looking to compete in their tougher, realigned region. Starting his 8th year as the Gators head coach, Blair Hardin has a majority of his team returning for this season. 

 

 On offense, Parker Murray (6-1, 185) is back at QB along with his senior receiver corps of Stephen Collier (6-3, 225), Landon Shipley (6-1, 165), and Brock Godfrey (6-0, 175). Adding to the pass threat is a group of experienced returners on the line to open lanes that includes Pac Pitts (6-5, 260), Joe Allendre (6-3, 350), LJ Berndt (6-1, 245), and Alex Kirylo (6-3, 250). 


 On defense, they will be looking for leadership and play making from returners Griffin Lindler (5-9, 165) LB and Elijah Hayes (5-10, 175) CB/WR. 


 River Bluff hosts Rock Hill on August, 23rd to start the season. 

 

Chapin: Justin Gentry retired as the long-time head coach at Chapin after last year’s 6-5 season and Ryan Cole is the new head coach of the Eagles.


 Coach Cole tells the HSSR Chapin returns 8 players on offense and six return on defense so the Eagles should have enough talent back to be very competitive this season.


 QB Brady Albro (5-10,185) returns after completing 265-of-384 passes for 3,054 yards and 24 TD’s last year. Top WR Kalen Bostick also returns after catching 60 passes for 743 yards last season. Three OL return in tackles Nathan Gilley (6-1, 260) and Caden Muskins (6-5, 260) along with center Mason Hetlinger (6-1, 270).


 On defense the Eagles return both LB’ers Gavin Stam (5-10, 215) and Tanner Short (5-9,195). DB Anthony Turnbow is back also.


 Chapin started the 2024 season with a game versus Catawba Ridge.  

 



 Region 5-AAAAA Prediction  (Predicted Order of Finish)

 1.  Sumter (10-3)

 2. West Florence (5-6)

 3. Ridge View (8-3)

 4. Blythewood (4-7)

 5. Westwood (1-9)

 6. Lugoff-Elgin (2-9)

 7. Spring Valley (0-9)

 

 Sumter Favored To Take Region Honors In 5-AAAAA


Sumter: Mark Barnes has been a winner wherever he has coached and in 10 years with the Gamecocks he has compiled an 87-19 record with several region titles on his mantle.


 Sumter had 10 players attend the HSSR annual Media Day at USC in late July and they were a strong looking group of athletes for sure. DE Anthony Addison (6-3, 215), a USC commitment, was the first Gamecock to pass the eye test. DB Terance Burgess (6-1, 160, 4.5) had 40 tackles and 4 picks a year ago.


 Top WR Chris Bentley (6-2, 165,4.4) is back hoping to catch a lot of passes from soph QB Frank Richardson. (Any kin to Wally Richardson??). RB John Peoples (6-1, 190) returns after rushing for 1,523 yards and 32 TD’s as a junior. He also had 500 yards in pass receptions.


Jeremiah Burson, Tymaries Durant, and Jamarkus McCutcheon will hold down the LB slots. DE Rashawn Dickey (6-0,210, and DT Michael Lowery (5-11, 300) join Addison in the defensive front. Bryce Allen, and Daveon Bowman are returning DB’s as well.


Sumter started the season on August 23rd hosting city rival Lakewood.


West Florence: The HSSR covered the Knights at the Dillon Jamboree of Champions and we were impressed with the enthusiasm of head coach Jody Jenerette  “I love this football team so much and it is one of my favorite teams I’ve ever had,” said Coach Jenerette. “They care about each other and they care about West Florence football, and they do what they have to improve and get better. We will be a very good football team before it is over.”


 Some team leaders coming into the season include Keyshawn Johnson and Lavern Evans has been great and those are two players who stand-out for us without a doubt,” said Coach Jenerette. “Our goals and expectations are same as everybody’s and we hope to win it all. We hope to find a way to win a game, or two, we were not supposed to win, make the play-offs, and keep on playing.


“We play South Florence to start the season and with this bad rain we’ve had we have not really had much of a chance to work on our special teams,” said Coach Jenerette. “We have a lot of catching up to do over the next week before we play our first game.”


 Two other key players for WF are QB Avery Weaver and WR Jaden Perkins.


 West Florence opened the regular season with cross town rival South Florence on 8/23.



Ridge View: At Ridge View, head coach Derek Howard is starting his fourth season with the Blazers.  This year should be the turn around point after a couple of rebuilding seasons, as the Blazers return an experienced squad on both sides of the line. The 2024 Blazers should be a talent deep team with equally high expectations.

 

 On offense, sophomore Tre Howard (5-9, 150) appears to have the QB job. And, the junior class is ready to make plays with top junior prospect Jordon Gidron (6-2, 190) at WR and Aiden Keeffe (6-0, 210) at RB, plus Hayden Morris (6-1, 165) at WR who transferred from Indian Land

 

 On defense, senior Cleve Tellery (6-0, 290) at DL is the fast big guy. Plus, we expect to see pressure from the secondary with Cardinal Newman transfer Quincy Grant (5-10, 170) and Jordyn Best (5-11, 170) who transferred from Lower Richland


 Ridge View travels to Fairfield Central for their season opener on Friday, 8/23. 

 

Blythewood:  Bengals Head Coach James Martin enters his second season leading the Blythewood football program.  Coach Martin is looking for a strong run this season with 14 returning starters and solid receiver Carter Coleman (’26, 6-0, 165) WR/FS who transferred from Ridge View.  The Bengals have a new QB this season in junior Johnny Collins.


  On defense, they will count on their big man, senior Sterling Sanders (6-4, 290) on the D-Line who is a Georgia Southern commitment.


 Blythewood plays their home opener on Friday, 8/23 against Nation Ford


Westwood:  After going 1-9 a year ago head coach Robert O’Connell should see vast improvement in the Redhawks this season.


 The two senior leaders on the offense are center Armond Scott and place kicker Cullen Henderson. The senior starters on defense include DL Matthew McCoy, LB Daniel Smalls, LB Jayce Rios, LB Ako Taylor, and DB Christian Smith.   


 The offensive junior starters are QB Carrington Carter, RB Quinten McGill, WR Kham Cunningham, WR Cameron Bennett, WR Cohen Scott, LT Kyzer Hannah, RT Jeremiah Whitmore. On defense the junior starters are DL DJ Jones, DL David White, DB Zion Oliver and DB Justin Washington. Three sophomores start on offense: TE Uriah Lofton, LG William Lever, RG and Jimmy Seici.


 Westwood started the 2024 season hosting AC Flora on August, 23rd.   


Lugoff-Elgin:  Head Coach Leon Boulware starts his first year at the helm in Lugoff-Elgin (went 21-4 at Lewisville past two seasons).  The Demons got realigned into Class AAAAA and the team is suffering a long drought of below .500 seasons. Coach Boulware should have the talent on his team.


 On offense, look for Jace Richardson at QB targeting Shamil Saadiq (6-2, 190) WR, Myles Hamilton, and Jeremiah Benson (5-6, 148) WRs to deliver some big gains. Players to watch include Christian Smith (6-4, 275) and Daniel McCaskill (6-5, 280) at the OTs.

 

 On defense, senior Tyquan Murphy (6-0, 175) will be their leader at CB/FS.

 

 Lugoff-Elgin plays their season opener at Lower Richland on Friday, 8/23.

 

Spring Valley: Starting his second year at Spring Valley, Nygel Pearson is looking to 2024 as a turn- around year for the Vikings. There is reason for optimism. 

 

 On offense, junior QB Dylan Redden (6-1, 180) looks to have excellent skills and mobility for his age. Elijha Dillard returns at RB while senior Joel Amos (6-1, 186) adds depth at TE and Kellen Dimes (5-9, 150) will give the mobile passer a capable target. 

 

 On defense, senior Kelvin Griffin (5-11, 260)  will anchor the DL along with Demarion-Kalub Green (5-11, 270) and Daniel Jenkins at LB and Ethan Clarke (6-0, 172) at SS. 

 

 Spring Valley opens their season on road, traveling to Richland Northeast on Friday, 8/23.

 

 

 Region 6-AAAAA Prediction (Predicted Order of Finish)

 1.  Carolina Forest (9-4)

 2. Myrtle Beach (9-3)

 3. North Myrtle Beach (2-8)

 4. Conway (1-10)

 5. Socastee (3-8)

 6. St. James (3-8)

 

 Highly Competitive Race In 6-AAAAA Between Carolina Forest, Myrtle Beach  


Carolina Forest: Marc Morris is beginning his 11th season at Carolina Forest and with the new region created by realignment he will trade an annual battle with a team like Sumter to battle competitive teams from all from Horry County.


“We win if we win the battle of the trenches on either side of the ball,” said Coach Morris. “The team that wins this battle usually wins the game.”


 CF returns three veteran OL in all-star candidate RT Christian Huynh (6-4, 260) along with LG Tyler Dean (6-2, 295) who is also an all-star candidate. The third senior will be RG Jonathan Buffon (6-1, 235). TE River Thayne (6-1, 245) also returns.  


 The QB will be newcomer Pat Mullins and WR Raheem Frazier, Hayden Sauls, and Finn Mahood all return. RB Chris Livingston (5-10, 195) should have a 1,000 yard rushing season.


 On defense CF will be led by the return of DL AJ Palmer (5-9,210), LB Joseph Dial (5-10,185), all-region DB Charles McCoy (5-10, 170) and DB Zayveon Winns (5-10,165).-     

 

Myrtle Beach:  Mickey Wilson begins his 16th season at Myrtle Beach and over this tenure the Seahawks are 150-42 including three state titles.  Last season MB was 9-3 and they have moved up to AAAAA with the new realignment but with familiar competition.

 

 Returning to command the offense is senior Gibson Goodroe (5-10, 170) who shared the position a lot with Tanner Gaddy in the pre-season. The Seahawks return top WR senior John Simmons (6-4, 190) a big playmaker. Junior QB Gadsaw saw lots of  preseason snaps and showed good promise for the future.

 

 On defense, the Seahawks have standout players in DE Noah Herring (6-0, 200), LB  Ashton Keith, OLB/RB in  Antonio Brown (5-10, 191).

 

 Myrtle Beach opens their season at home against Lake City on August, 23rd.

 

North Myrtle Beach: Greg Hill begins his second season at North Myrtle Beach and the Chiefs have moved up a notch to the AAAAA classification.   According to Coach Hill, the Chiefs have more depth at the skill positions this year, including the return of quarterback Landon Cloninger (5-11, 175).


        During the Spring evaluation period for colleges Coach Hill noted that LT Sawyer Averitt (6-4, 250), LG JacQuri Witherspoon (6-3, 300), TE-HB Brown Reaves (6-3, 235) ,and DL DJ Gause (6-0,215).drew interest from numerous colleges in the region.


 The top juniors among the Chiefs are LB Lamontae Smith (5-11, 170), DB Bricey Gore (6-0,160), LB Mike Cavallini (5-10,165), and Jahsan Grace (5-9,150). The top soph candidate is OL Hampton Kingsford (5-10, 280).


The Chiefs begin the season at home on August, 23rd against Goose Creek.

 

Conway: Josh Pierce begins his second year in Conway after building a strong program at Lamar.


 The top returning seniors on the team include: LG Louvernsky Auguste (6-0,275), WR Chris Quick (5-8,170), DL Isiah Shipman (6-0,280), RT Owen Smith (6-1, 245), along with LB Jashante Copley (6-0,195).


 The junior class is led by WR Jordan Jenkins (6-4, 190) and WR Javon  Smalls. Two sophomores expected to contribute are QB Noah Legg (6-1, 205) and LB Gabe Williams (5-10, 190).

 

Socastee:  Socastee High football is looking for another successful year with 11 returners for the 2024 season. Head coach Ben Hampton starts his fifth year at Socastee and it has good potential. promising. 

 

 On offense, senior Josh Brown (6-3, 210) WR and junior QB Christian Royals (5-11, 165) are play-makers along with freshman  dual threat at WR/RB in London Wilder (5-10, 170).

 

 On defense,  Jonathan Goswick (6-1, 190) SS/WR is an outstanding player as is Brayden Bolinger (6-0, 185) SS/FS/LS. On the line, Jaiden Thomas (5-11,  265) will be the anchor at NG/DE. 

 

 Socastee hosts Wando for their season opener on Friday, 8/23.

 

St. James: Head coach Tommy Norwood might find St. James in a rebuilding mode after graduation losses depleted an experienced group of skilled players.  The four play-makers returning from a team hit hard by graduation for St James include RB Nehishawn Hill, WR Josh Harnish, DL Rome Derenzo, along with RB Frank Glover.


Additional depth is built around veteran center and team leader Alex Sandt, Ath. Ja’Kye Graham, and newcomer WR Hunter Spurlin.


 St. James will start the season at Aynor on August, 30.   




 Region 7-AAAAA Prediction (Predicted Order of Finish)

 1.  Stratford (5-7)

 2. Berkeley (6-6)

 3. Lucy Beckham (9-2)

 4. Goose Creek (4-7)

 5. Cane Bay (6-5)

 6. Wando (1-9)


 Region 7-AAAAA Wide Open With Numerous Evenly Matched Teams


Stratford: Veteran head Stratford coach Dennie McDaniel came out of Spring drills proud of the fact the Knights had finally won a region title, the first since the glory days of Hall of Fame coach Ray Stackley headed up the program. It was the school’s first region football title since 2006.


 Two returning all-region players, QB Jachin Davis (6-1, 180) and OL Wes Snowden (6-3, 260) are key reasons the Knights have the potential to repeat as region champions this season. Davis is among the top 2026 QB’s in the state and he has offers from Cincy, U-Conn and Georgia Southern coming into his junior season.


 The defense will be literally be anchored by NG Otis Gardner (6-0,315) a four-year starter with a 385-pound bench, 625 leg squat and he dead-lifts 575 pounds. (Wow!). LB Darrell Holmes (5-10,215) also returns along with junior DB Amir McKnight. Other returning  players who will contribute  include RB Kerwin Squire, WR J.Q Crosby, TE Jacob Deacon, including DJ Crawford, Ben Jordan, Jameson Pelham and TJ Bryant.


Berkeley:  Eric Lodge begins his second season as the head coach and the coach feels like everyone had had a full year to buy into the system his new staff put in place last year when a young Stags team finished 6-6.


Coming into the 2024 season, Coach Lodge said, “Certainly we are further along in terms of our players knowing what to do and what our expectations are,” said Coach Lodge. “The players have had a full year to learn and understand things and we as coaches know our players better.”


 The Stags should have an above average passing game this season. Soph QB Henrry Brown returns after passing for over 2,500 yards last year and he added 600 more via the ground. The Stags top two WR’s return in Kayden Bush and Kevin Boone.  


 The defense allowed teams an average of 33.7 points per game a year ago. The DL is back with a goal of cutting those numbers in half. These players are: Andre Williams, Doquan Benekin, London Jackson, and Jamere Heyward. Junior prospect Zion Britt anchors the OL.   


Lucy Beckham:   Jamel Smith is the head coach of the Bengals and they are hoping to build on a very successful (9-2) season in 2023.  Athletes like OL Sawyer Hearne (6-4, 275), TE Talmage Askins (6-3, 215) and QB Chalmers Ballard (6-2, 180) give the team an opportunity to build on last year’s success. 


Coach Smith said the Bengals return only four starters on offense and three from defense this season. “We graduated 23 seniors after last season and I am starting my 5th season at the school, but this is only our third season as a varsity program,” said Smith, who played football at Spring Valley High School. “We only have 13 seniors in the program this season and going from 4-A to 5-A we are going to have to grow up in a hurry.”


 Several other returning starters for Beckham include WR Trevor Reynolds (6-2, 200), center Seth Damron (6-1, 240), DL Jackson Edwards (5-11, 240), DL Parker Causey (6-0,230), along with LB Hank Aeppli (6-0,200) who earned all-state honors a year ago.


 Lucy Beckham will start the season hosting West Ashley on August, 23rd.


     Goose Creek: Gator’s head coach Jason Winstead spent a lot of time in Spring, and early Fall drills, developing step up players at the WR position where graduation claimed three players who combined to catch 1,950 yards of receptions.


 Junior RB Meliq McGowan, the “Region Player of the Year” in 2023, returns after accounting for 1,957 all-purpose yards,  including 16 TD’s.  Junior QB Kymani Clary also returns after passing for 2,110 yards last season including 19 TD’s. Senior all-region tackle Dallas Lee returns to lead the offensive front. With five returning starters back in the OL the QB should be well-protected.


The only WR back with experience is junior Jaylin Grant.


 Coming out of Spring drills, Coach Winstead told reporter Rob Gantt, “I feel better about our strength and size this year,” said Coach Winstead. “We’re more athletic. We can’t use inexperience as the reason we’re not making plays. We’ve just got to play better.”


Cane Bay:  Cane Bay head coach Rusell Zehr hopes the return of a veteran core group of experienced players will help the Cobras improve on a 6-5 record last season.


 The top seniors returning include: RB Austin Seabrook, WR Grififn Byars, RB Bryson Johnson, OL-Mason Judy, DL-Joshua Frost, DB-Malachi Dickerson, DB Jonas McKeen, and DL Ti’jeb Eaton.


 The top juniors are led by QB Colby LaRocca, Tyler Myers, and LB Dominic Russell. A core up of young talent has moved up from the jayvee expecting playing time. They are LB Cameron McCoy, Brody Thacker, DB Jamari Blandin, OL Troy Stevens who could start at RT, Charlie Shattuck, and Aiden Thorn will handle place kicking duties.


Wando: Isaiah Perrin begins his first season at facilities rich Wando with the big challenge of getting potential players in the community to stay local with the Warriors with so many options available to them within a six-to-8-mile radius of the Wando campus.

 Junior Harris Stone returns with experience at QB having played in five games last year with around 400 yards passing.  Protecting Stone and creating lanes, the offensive line has three returning seniors, Harrison Hayes, Weston Adams and Jackson Ward.

 

 The team’s best senior prospect is TE Brock Feinberg, a four-year starter. Feinberg also flips to defense where he plays LB. Top rusher Reggie Grant is back to add depth and Cole Fletcher and Kai Correia are returning WR’s.

 

 LB Matt Payes is a leader on defense and experience returns in the back from DB’s Shane Maher, and Mikey Jenkins with Fletcher also flipping from offense.


 Wando opens their season traveling to Socastee on August, 23rd.  

 



 Region 8-AAAAA Prediction (Predicted Order of Finish)

 1.  Summerville (13-1)

 2. James Island (12-1)

 3. Ashley Ridge (8-3)

 4. West Ashley (6-6)

 5. Fort Dorchester (7-4) 

 6. Stall (2-8)


 Summerville, James Island Should battle It Our For Region 8-AAAAA Honors 


Summerville:  Lest we forget, had it not been for a rare “aiding the runner” penalty that negated a late scoring drive in the AAAAA Lower State title game last season, the Green Wave might have played for a state championship.


Instead, head coach Ian Rafferty and his team ended up with a 13-1 record and to say the team has been working hard in preparation for the 2024 would be a huge under-statement .We have in-depth coverage of the team elsewhere in this issue but here are a few key returning players this season.


 Coach Rafferty promotes senior QB Jaden Cummings as the top signal caller in the state and his junior numbers were impressive. Cummings completed 189-of-275 passes for 3,333 yards and 36 TD’s. He added 250 rushing yards and four TD’s. One big position switch has sent former FS to the WR side of the ball in the person of Super Sophomore Jaiden Kelly-Murray who will now serve as the team’s go-to receiver. He had 110 tackles last year including an impressive 10 interceptions.


 The team will rotate three RB’s. They are soph Jayvyn Williams, along with jr.’s Kaylaeb Jenkins and Derrick Grant. Keshon Washington and Brice Taylor are back as TE’s-HB’s and could also see some time in the DL. The WR corps is deep behind Kelly-Murray and includes senior Carson Guinn, Emori Desaussure, and Jakayden Pendergrass.


 Some of the defensive talent includes in the DL includes Yasir Smith, Nicolas Lincoln, and Julian Lofay. Leading the LB corps are Joshua Williams, Hunter Swing, Tyree Patton and Gryson Greenway Dontez Walker and Jacquez Walker lead the secondary. Basketball player Melvin Teal, playing football this year, adds depth in the secondary also.(Se feature story on Summerville elsewhere in this issue).


James Island:  The Trojans are 23-3 over the last two seasons under Jamar McKoy, who enters his fifth season at the school. Gone are a lot of the players that handled the heavy lifting for the past two years but McKoy is hopeful that the recent success has instilled a strong competitive spirit in the newer crop of talent.  While there are significant losses in personnel, the 2024 roster does include a solid core of returners. There are holes to fill along the offensive line and McKoy is breaking in a new quarterback, but the Trojans could be strong defensively once again.


 The lone returner at running back is senior Tank Scott, who gained nearly 800 yards last season. The top returner in the passing game is slot Jalen Brown-Singleton, an explosive athlete with 4.41 speed. Brown-Singleton also is one of the top kick returners in the state.  Anchoring the offensive line is one of the state’s top sophomore prospects, 6-3, 320-pound tackle Israel Harris.


 The strength defensively is along the front with a ton of talent and experience returning, led by seniors Malachi Jefferson, Hendrix Beran and Dalton Woodall. Tra’Sean White, a transfer from St. John’s, adds to the depth and will be a force, according to McKoy.


 Back at linebacker are Coleman Jones and Luke Thomas while Jamari Rivers returns in the secondary.


 The kicking game also will be a strength with the return of senior Grady Dangerfield, who has a huge leg and routinely lifts kickoffs through the endzone. He is rated a five star by one national recruiting service.


 James Island started the season at Gray Collegiate on August, 23rd.

 

Ashely Ridge: Jeff Tate begins his second season at Ashley Ridge after his Foxes produced 8 wins in his first season.


 Senior QB Trevor Kalisz torched the passing stats for 2,989 yards last year including 28 TD’s and many of those yards were caught by now graduated all-star Derrick Salley. RB’s Jayden Acosta and Jeffrey Ruffin return and Acosta tallied 959 yards last year.


 The WR’s will get plenty of work in the A-R passing attack and Jagger Spivey, Jalen Drayton, and Nivay Picou lead this group. Cody Patterson, Mason Driggers, Jazahun Holmes, and Bryce Lawhon return on the OL.


 The defense returns top tackler LB Dylan Polansky (71) and LB Luca Sciannamea. Coach Tate considers Polansky a top candidate to make a post season all-star game. The DL will be manned by Jayden Thompson, Malachi Mitchell, and Gage Ridgeway. Joseph Nelson, Stephen Jefferson, and Ja’Kwan Simmons should help anchor the seconadary.



West Ashley: Donnie Kiffer and his Wildcats were a handful of plays away from winning at least eight games last season and this year’s unit may have that potential as well. Returning at quarterback is senior David Dounian, a dual-threat performer who totaled more than 1,700 yards last season. While the running backs are somewhat new, the passing game could be productive with the return of junior Ethan Ranew and senior tight end Jude Claborn.


 The offensive line is a strength with returning starters Hampton O’Donald, Daniel Dounian, Jimmy Jones and Matt Atkinson. A combination of those will share time along the defensive line as well.  Senior Davion Kinard-Taylor is a key returner defensively as a starting end. He produced more than 20 tackles for loss in 2023. Junior Bristof Biegenzahn is a junior who looks to make an impact defensively, primarily on the outside.


 West Ashley also returns a weapon on special teams in senior Jacob Adams, who averaged 40 yards per punt and booted nine field goals last season.


Fort Dorchester:  Shaun Lorenzano is in his first year at Fort Dorchester and the Patriots have three starters on offense and 8 starters back on defense working hard to improve on a 7-4 season last year.     


 The returning starters on offense are RB Ryan Campbell, OL Marquise Wilson and OL Lamareon Thompson. The defenders back CB Jordan Wright, CB Jalen White, LB Jaxon King, LB Romaum Parson, SS Chaz Mitchell, LB Maliquan Pimentel and DE Malichi Watson (6-1, 230). Watson is among best DE’s in the state.


Stall:  New Warrior head coach Kenny Freeman is in his first year at Stall after serving as a former head coach at Midland Valley.


“A lot of teams at the 5-A level already have everything in place, they are like a small college,” said Coach  Freeman. “Stall has been behind a little so it was somewhat of a shock as far as what they had in place when I got here, so everything I’ve been doing goes towards building a program, get the facilities right, get a new weight room, and getting everything going in the right direction.


“The first step is to get the kids to come out,” said Freeman. “Of course, if you win it’s easier to get them to come out so it is like the chicken and the egg scenario. It’s important to get them lifting and getting bigger.”


 One key returner is two-way lineman Hayden “Tiny” Gregory, who earned all-region honors last season. The 6-0, 250-pound Gregory will anchor the trenches and provide leadership for underclassmen.


 Senior tight end Tommy Miller and senior running back Montrell Davis also will lead offensively.


 On defense, returning linebackers Jaden Oliver, Josiah Yeadon and Jayvne Manigault will be key performers, along with lineman Tony Tabora and defensive back Bryce Williams.



 

 













By Larry Gamble March 10, 2025
Photos from March 8th, the SCHSL Class AAAAA Div. 2 Boys Championship Game between Greenville and Goose Creek . Enjoy this sample of images, follow this link for the full gallery
By Larry Gamble March 10, 2025
Photos from March 8th, the SCHSL Class AAAAA Div. 2 Girls Championship Game between Greenwood and Berkeley . Enjoy this sample of images, follow this link for the full gallery
By Larry Gamble March 10, 2025
Photos from March 8th, the SCHSL Class AA Boys Championship Game between High Point Academy and Atlantic Collegiate . Enjoy this sample of images, follow this link for the full gallery
By Larry Gamble March 10, 2025
Photos from March 8th, the SCHSL Class AA Girls Championship Game between Andrew Jackson and Eau Claire . Enjoy this sample of images, follow this link for the full gallery
By Neill Kirkpatrick March 10, 2025
By Neill Kirkpatrick Special to the HSSR Florence – Since February 28 th, the Florence Center played host to the best SCHSL basketball teams in the state as it ended the best game was saved for last, not only did we get a great game between Goose Creek and Greenville but it took two extra periods for the Red Raiders to finally prevail 81-71 to capture their first AAAAA state championship. The state championship is Greenville’s sixth overall moving them into a tie for fourth on the all-time state championship list with Lower Richland , Gaffney , Irmo and fellow Greenville County school Southside . They won five at the AAA before moving up in classification. They finished the year 28-2. “This is special is very special to me but I am just happy for the guys. We ask a lot of them year-round sometimes it is not fun and it is hard. We have been chasing this moment for a long time,” said Greenville Head Coach Mike Anderson . “It was a heck of a game Goose Creek wouldn’t go away and we made a couple of mistakes. But in the end they were able to make the plays to win the game.” The Gators end the year at 25-4 with their fifth lower state championship in school history but for senior Shane Potts and junior Ja'Quell Brown it was bitter sweet as they were part of the team that came up short against Dorman 2022-23 season. “It is disappointing ending to the season but I am very proud of my guys. They are champions on how they behave in the community, on campus and on the court. I love this guys and the result of a game does not change that,” said Goose Creek head coach Blake Hall. The two biggest difference in the game both went Greenville’s way as they dominated Goose Creek on the boards, out rebounding the Gators 39-18 with half being on the offense. The second was the foul discrepancy and free throw shooting. The Gators were whistled for 29 fouls while the Red Raiders were whistled for 13 despite being the more physical all night. Greenville shot 36 free throws to Goose Creek’s 16 and the Red Raiders made 27 of those free throws which turned out to the difference in the game. Goose Creek made more threes and two-point basket but the free throw line was the difference in the game. If you were a Gator fan you thought the officials were wearing red and white striped shirts instead of black and white. Gator head coach Hall said, “You can’t beat a team when they shoot almost 40 free throws. I told our guys you have no control over the officiating but you have to play through it. For the most part I thought we did but it was too much to overcome.” The first quarter was a harbinger of how the game would play out. Goose Creek’s points came from the field as they hit three-pointers with Ja'Quell Brown nailing two of them. Meanwhile the Red Raiders went 8 for 10 from the line as Caden Coleman went 3 for 4 from the line and had a two-point basket to help the Red Raiders lead after one 14-13. The second quarter saw the Gators continuing to hit three pointers as they had for in the quarter with Shane Potts hitting two and Brown and Terrell Johnson Jr. hitting the other. They helped the Gators go on an 8-0 run to start the quarter to go up 24-16. For Greenville, they countered by going inside to Franklin Whitley and Roman Cooley scoring 13 of the Red Raiders 16 points in the quarter and lead them on a 9-0 run to wipe the Gator lead. The teams went to the half with Greenville still on top by one at 30-29. The third quarter was the only one where the Red Raiders did not go to the free throw. Instead, they attacked on the inside for all of their points in the quarter. Potts dominated the third quarter for the Gators scoring 11 of his game high 29 points and Johnson Jr. added another three as the Gators took a 45-42 lead into the fourth quarter. Leading by three the Gators took their biggest lead of the game after Potts scored in the paint at 47-42. From there you saw Greenville march to the free throw line for most of the quarter as they scored 9 of their 16 points from the charity stripe. The biggest shot of quarter came from Greenville senior Israel Deaver. Setting up in the left corner he hit the first three of the night for the Red Raiders to tie the game. Also, Coleman had a big quarter scoring seven points helping them to a three-point lead 58-55 with 10 seconds remaining in the contest. Needing a three to tie the game and force overtime coach Hall called time out to set up a final play for the Gators. They were inbounded the ball under Greenville’s basket and after getting the ball past half court they ran a play for Brown, who dribbled to the left and then launched a three the hit nothing but the bottom of the net to tie the game at 58-58. Greenville was unable to get a shot up and we were headed to overtime. The Gators found themselves down by three at 65-62 but Potts scored down low and then hit a free throw to send the game into a second over time. The second overtime was all Red Raiders as Deaver hit his second three, this time from the right side to start a 7-0 Red Raider run that the Gators had no answer for the run. The Red Raiders would hit 9-10 free throws to close out the game and bring the championship trophy back to Greenville. Greenville was led by Whitley with 24 points while Coleman dropped in 23 and Coleman and Tucker Scholl scored 12 and 11 points, respectively. Brown finished with 27 points to join Potts as the only Gators in double figures.
By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor March 10, 2025
Stags become first AAAAA Division II champion with first ever state crown
By Worthy Evans March 9, 2025
By WORTHY EVANS Contributing Writer FLORENCE – Ridge View’s boys basketball team had played Region 5-5A rival Blythewood twice before—two double-digit victories punctuated the Blazers’ region season in early February. On Friday night, the Blazers added a third victory over the Bengals, a 71-47 win that secured the 5A Division 1 state championship at the Florence Center. “I’m really happy for the young men because they bought into what we’re doing,” Ridge View head coach Josh Staley said. “It’s all about experience when you lead young people, you want to give them experiences to help them grow and be better people, and they bought into the process.” Junior guards Korie Corbett and Yale Davis led the way for the Blazers (23-7). Corbett scored a game-high 23 points and Davis added 13 points. “It was really just rebounds and getting to the basket, being down and dirty with everybody so my team can get the win” Corbett said. He was 8-for-11 from the floor and 7-for-10 from the free-throw line, and got a team-leading seven rebounds and four steals.  “That’s just who he is. He puts the work in, he’s a humble young man who accepts coaching,” Staley said of Corbett. “He does things like he does tonight and we’re not surprised by it.” The win is the second straight state championship for Ridge View, which won the 4A state title last year before moving to the 5A classification. It’s the fifth state championship for the Blazers since 2018. Ridge View jumped to a 7-0 lead off of a Corbett jumper, two foul shots from Malachi Cooper and one foul shot from Treyvon Smith , and a basket from Reginald Mack . Blythewood finally got on the scoreboard with Torrean Sims’ 3-point play at the 4:05 mark of the first quarter. Sims later scored on a dunk to make it 7-5, and Mujahid Jones drained a 3-pointer with 2:58 left to give Blythewood an 8-7 lead. It was the Bengals’ only lead of the game. Seven seconds later, Corbett went to the foul line and sank two free throws to give Ridge View a 9-8 lead. From that point Ridge View’s furious man-to-man coverage flustered Blythewood’s offense. The Bengals shot just 17-for-54, or 31.5 percent. The Blazers ended the first quarter with a 17-11 advantage and outscored the Bengals 13-7 in the second quarter to carry a 30-20 lead into intermission. In the second half Blythewood lost two players to foul trouble—Sims, who fouled out at the 4:25 mark of the third, and Kemuel Little , who fouled out in the 6:42 mark of the fourth. Starting forward Tyler Stephens played with four fouls on him since early in the third quarter. Even with being in foul trouble, the Bengals kept trying to get the ball in the net. At the start of the fourth quarter Little’s layup cut Ridge View’s lead to 46-35. Seeing a score to start the fourth quarter may have given some hope for Blythewood fans, who saw the Bengals rally late for a 46-45 upper-state victory over Dorman the week before. Ridge View blotted that hope out awfully fast. The Blazers went on a 20-4 scoring run to take a 66-39 lead with 1:50 left, and afterward brought in the second-stringers to finish the game. “That’s how you prepare. You prepare to play a whole game, and the work you put in comes out in moments like this,” Staley said. Davis, who scored all his points in the second half, said he put the pressure on himself to improve over the third and fourth quarters. “In the first half I knew my shots weren’t falling, so I had to get to the rack and get my teammates involved,” Davis said. “I just did what I needed to.” Senior T.J. Lewis was the only player who scored in double figures for the Bengals (23-6). Lewis had 17 points, while the rest of his teammates scored six points or less. “It was a really great run,” head coach Zeke Washington said. “We rode our seniors as much as we could. T.J. had a phenomenal year and our seniors played hard. We had some young kids that played hard.” Friday night was Blythewood’s second state championship game. The Bengals fell to Dorman in the 5A state title matchup in 2017. Washington won state titles with Fairfield Central boys (3A) in 1998 and with Chester girls (3A) in 2004. Blythewood 13 7 13 14 – 47 Ridge View 17 13 16 25 – 71 B – T.J. Lewis 17, Tyler Stephens 6, Torrean Sims 6, Kemuel Little 5, Mujahid Jones 5, Terrion Mack 4, Eugenio Bandini 2, Elijah Major 2. R – Korie Corbett 23, Yale Davis 13, Malachi Cooper 9, Talon Staley 8, Robert Wylie 7, Brayden Mack 5, Reginald Mack 3, Joshua Vankallen 2, Treyvon Smith 1.
By Worthy Evans March 9, 2025
By WORTHY EVANS Contributing Writer FLORENCE – Around this time three years ago, the Blythewood girls basketball team finished the season 0-19. On Friday night at the Florence Center, the Bengals won the 5A Division I state championship with a 62-59 victory over lower-state champion Summerville . “Their hard work has definitely paid off,” second-year head coach Emily McElveen - Schaeffer said. “That was what I was most proud of, that they worked hard since June, day in and day out, fall ball, and I’m glad they get to reap the benefit of that.” Over the past three years India Williams , Chase Thomas , and Hayley Hightower have developed into team leaders, and it showed on the court and in the box score Friday night—Williams led Blythewood (29-2) with 22 points, Thomas had 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Hightower had 11 points. “It means a lot, this is the first state title in, like ever,” Williams said. “It’s a great opportunity to be a part of this, and in only my third year here, it’s incredible. We started off working very hard, and we were like, this is our season, and we definitely came out and performed to that.” It was a Williams-Thomas-Hightower show against the Green Wave (24-4) in the first half. The veterans got around Summerville’s 3-2 zone by hitting six 3-pointers in the first half, which was just enough to help the Bengals to a 29-25 halftime lead. Thomas had just four points in the first half, a free throw and a 3-pointer. Williams had 14 points in the first half, but just one layup to join her four 3-pointers. “She stepped up big in the first half,” Schaeffer said of Williams. “She had the first six points of the game from that corner. The corner 3, that’s her shot.” Hightower scored nine points in the first half—a 3-pointer, two foul shots, and two layups. Hitting baskets from behind the 3-point line has been a trait for all Blythewood players this year, and Friday’s 3-pointers—four from Williams, one from Thomas and one from Hightower, proved to be the difference. “I play a little team. We have a lot of guards so we rely on that,” Schaeffer said. “We shoot a lot in practice. We knew they would come out in a zone and I told the girls to occupy the guards, get it to the corners and let us shoot the ball.” While the Green Wave’s zone prevented a lot of easy baskets, Blythewood did just enough in the second half to keep Summerville behind. “Like I told the girls, basketball is a game of runs,” Schaeffer said. “When teams go on runs you’ve got to be able to control those runs. You can’t let the atmosphere take over, because in this kind of atmosphere here, the crowd’s gonna be involved. I think we did a good job of responding to their runs.” Aniyah Guerrero sank the first basket of the second half to give the Bengals a 31-25 lead, but Cailah Tucker and Molly Daugherty put up baskets to cut that margin to two. Williams made good on a jumper and a foul shot, and a jumper from Hightower brought Blythewood’s lead back up to 36-29 at the 4:53 mark of the third quarter. The Bengals outscored Summerville 9-8 the rest of the way to end three quarters of play with a 45-37 lead, even with senior point guard Sharron Waters on the bench in foul trouble. Without Waters, who’s a consistent 3-point hitter as well as a good ball-handler, the team relied on Thomas in the paint and at the free-throw line, and Daniella Bosmans who had nine points in the game, as the game drew to a close. “Our team is more than one person,” second-year head coach Emily McElveen-Schaeffer said. “We rely on each other and Chase had to do her role tonight, and in the fourth quarter they went man, and we could open up against what we’re used to playing all year, and that just shows that all five on the court can go.” Bosmans’ basket early in the fourth gave the Bengals a 47-37 lead, the first double-digit lead of the game. Thomas, who had a 3-point play in the third quarter, made good on another 3-point play in the fourth quarter that put Blythewood up 57-45 with just over three minutes to go. She scored 11 points—seven from foul shots—in the final quarter to help preserve the win. Tucker’s 3-pointer with 19 seconds left was the last score of the game, and as Molly Daugherty’s 3-point attempt failed at the buzzer, Blythewood players cleared the bench in celebration of closing out the season with a victory. Molly Daugherty scored 22 points and Tucker had 18 points to lead Summerville. “One of the things I felt that hurt us was that we had like 10 days off,” Green Wave head coach Calvin Davis said. “But we gave it our all, we left it all on the floor. It didn’t end the way we wanted it to end, but in the end they grew, and they became special in that sense of being developed.” Summerville’s five seniors, tucker, Lavassar, Emma and Molly Daugherty, and Madison Thomas , provided a strong foundation for the team over the past three years. “Three of them will go on to play at the next level, and the other two might,” Davis said. “They’re very special to me. They’ve been with me for at least three to four years. I love them, they grew up as my leaders.” Blythewood 16 13 16 17 – 62 Summerville 13 12 12 19 – 56 B – India Williams 22, Chase Thomas 18, Hayley Hightower 11, Daniella Bosmans 9, Aniya Guerrero 2. S – Molly Daugherty 22, Cailah Tucker 18, Jayden Bennett 5, Emma Daugherty 4, Madison Thomas 3, Krissa Lavassar 2, Destinee Grant 2.
By Neill Kirkpatrick March 8, 2025
By Neill Kirkpatrick Special to the HSSR Florence – When you have two evenly matched teams a lot of times it is the little things that make the most impact in a game such was the case in the Class AA state championship game between Atlantic Collegiate Academy and High Point Academy . Second year Atlantic Collegiate Academy was able to make more plays and hit their free throws as they knocked off High Point Academy 58-52 Saturday at the Florence Civic Center to capture their first state championship. “This is the guys championship. They earned it. They put in a lot of time and effort at work end in a championship. That is what I’m most proud of with this team, ” said Atlantic Collegiate head coach Tanner Massey . The Armanda went 20-2 last year in their initial season beating some the best teams in the state so this run to a championship was not unexpected. This team was ranked number one in class AA all season and they proved they were the best. They finished the year at 24-3. “The rankings proved right as the two best teams battled for the title. I would put my team up against anyone,” Coach Massey said. The Grizzlies were looking for their second state championship and first at the AA level. They won the class A title in 2019. They finish the year 27-4. “We made two many mistakes and didn’t take advantage of our opportunities at the line but they forced us into some of the mistakes so give them a lot of credit,” said High Point head coach Lee Sator . The opening quarter was back and forth with High Point leading by one at 16-15. Senior Chonci Miller led High Point with five point while Atlantic Collegiate was led by Jaylen Bellamy, who also knocked down five points in the quarter. The second quarter was much like the first with neither team gaining control of the contest as they were tied at 21 when a TV time out stopped play. After the timeout, the Armada took control as they went on an 11-0 run to end the quarter and take a 32-21 lead into the half. Bellamy continued to lead the Armada as he had six points in the quarter with Jamie Brooks and Justin Bellamy combining for 8 points. High Point came out on fire in the third quarter as Trapp Morman nailed to three-pointers and Miller had a basket for an 8-0 run to start the quarter cutting the Atlantic lead to three at 32-29 with 5:54. Causing coach Massey to use a time out. “We knew they would come out strong in the third quarter. We called the timeout to settle us down and I put Justin back in the game because he is our defensive stopper and as soon as he went in he forced a turnover,” coach Massey. After Justin Bellamy forced the turnover the Armada went on a 5-0 run to regain control of the game. They would finish the quarter outscoring the Grizzlies 11-6 taking a 43-35 into the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter High Point cut the lead to four at 46-42 with 2:01 to go but they would got 4 for 10 from the line in the quarter while Atlantic Collegiate would knock down 13 of 22 attempts from the line to maintain their cushion and ultimately close out the game 58-52. Free throw shooting proved to the biggest difference in the game as the Armada went 17 for 25 while the Grizzlies were 13 for 26. The Armada and the Grizzlies were about even in every other category but the free throws were the difference. The Armada was led by Jaylen Bellamy, who had a game high 20 points to go with six rebounds and a team high four steals. Brooks had 14 points and team three blocks while Clayton Hemingway chipped in 9 points. The Grizzlies were led by Morman with 16 points. Also, scoring in double figures were Jaden McNeil with 11 and Miller with 10.
By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor March 8, 2025
Volunteers blow game open in 2nd quarter on way to 89-36 triumph over Eau Claire
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