Hilton Head Prep's Courtney Campbell driving to the basket.

By David Shelton Senior Writer Hilton Head – The Hilton Head Prep athletic program is one of the more successful athletic programs, across the board, in the SC Independent Schools Association. Dolphin athletes compete for region and state champions in many sports and almost always experience the opportunity to hoist the gold during the school year in various sports. The fall sports season of 2024 is coming to an end as SCISA teams turn their focus to the state playoffs. Hilton Head Prep’s fall teams will be among those competing for state championship honors once again. The volleyball program is having a very competitive season, taking advantage of an experienced roster. Entering the final stretch of regular season contests, the Dolphins were at .500 overall against a competitive schedule. The hope is a shot in the state tournament to test their skills against the best. Leading the way is a solid group of seniors, led by Courtney Campbell , a three-sport star at Prep and a motivational sparkplug for the volleyball team. Other seniors include Ella Boorom , Sophia Haroutunian , Olivia Denny , and Izzy Bauer . A solid cast of juniors includes Molly Helms , Erin Cleary , Lola Chambers , Merritt Fisher , Sophia Schieman , Lyla Alford and Alexis Luckasevic . Rounding out the 2024 roster are freshmen Phoebe Helms , Charley Frey and Makayla Hunt . The girls golf team will be in contention at the SCISA state tournament on Oct 14, The team has posted a solid regular season and looks forward to a title chase. Members of the team include Rachel Del Garzo , Bella Johnson , Ella Jones , Abgail Kell , Alexa Palazzo , and Shengyi Zhu . Though not likely to contend in the state meet, the members of the cross country program have put in a lot of work during the fall and have competed in several meets. The girls team is not a full compliment of runners but Maya Biles and Riley Wilbert have been participating in most races as individuals. The boys team has better numbers and looks to have a strong state meet. Jonathan DeMaria leads the team as the top runner, with Charlie Hardwick , Matthew Moe , Levi Wright , Luke Levensour and Isaiah Cozza also competing well.

By: Gerald Doolittle Goose Creek, S.C . - The South Carolina Independent Schools Association is preparing to open its 55 th football season with a new two-year alignment. Can Hammond (4A), Hilton Head Christian (3A), Bethesda Academy (2A), Patrick Henry Academy (1A) and Jefferson Davis Academy (8 Man) defend their 2023 titles? Hammond will be playing for their 8 th straight title in Class 4A. The top five pre-season ranking for Class 4A : 1. Hammond 2. Laurence Manning 3. Porter-Gaud 4. Northwood Academy 5. Cardinal Newman. Laurence Manning was runners-up to Hammond in 2023. Augusta Christian, Ben Lippen and Heathwood Hall will earn a playoff spot by finishing in the top eight. The top five pre-season ranking for Class 3A : 1. Hilton Head Christian, 2. Wilson Hall, 3. Pinewood Prep, 4. Florence Christian and 5. Trinity Collegiate. Hilton Head Christian defeated Wilson Hall for the 2023 title. John Paul ll, Palmetto Christian and Camden Military will earn a playoff spot if they finish the regular season in the top eight. The top five pre-season ranking for Class 2A : 1. Bethesda Academy, 2. Clarendon Hall Academy, 3. St. Johns Christian, 4. Orangeburg Prep and 5. Pee Dee Academy. Bethesda Academy defeated Williamsburg Academy (now in 1A) for the 2023 title. Greenwood Christian, Spartanburg Christian, Calhoun Academy, Dillon Christian, Thomas Sumter Academy, Hilton Head Prep and Christian Academy all will earn a playoff spot by finishing in the Class 2A top eight. The top five pre-season ranking for Class 1A : 1. Williamsburg Academy 2. Patrick Henry Academy 3. Lee Academy 4. Dorchester Academy 5. Thomas Heyward Academy Patrick Henry Academy defeated Lee Academy for the 2023 title. Colleton Prep, Beaufort Academy, Faith Christian, Andrew Jackson Academy, and Carolina Academy can get playoff spots by finishing in the top eight. The top five pre-season ranking for Eight Man are: 1. Jefferson Davis Academy 2. Holly Hill Academy 3. Richard Winn Academy 4. Wardlaw Academy 5. Laurens Academy W.W. King Academy, Newberry Academy and Oakbrook Prep can earn playoff spots by finishing in the top four of Region One. Cathedral Academy, Cross Schools and Conway Christian can earn playoff spots by finishing in the top four of Region Two. The Kings Academy is a new comer Region Two moving to 8-man play this season.

By Neill Kirkpatrick Special to the HSSR Bluffton – Saturday’s SCISA AAA state championship match between area rivals Hilton Head Prep and John Paul II was their third meeting of the year and was by far the best match as HHP scored the game’s only goal at the 17:18 mark of the second half to win their second consecutive AAA state championship. The score was tied at Nil in the 63rd minute when HHP’s Riley Wilbert put a shot on goal that bounced off the hands of JP II’s goal keepers TrintyGrace Maxwell onto the waiting right foot of Ashley Brothers , who put the ball into the back of the net for the only goal of the game. “I tell my girls at every practice to finish strong and that is what they did today. I am so proud of these girls. They had one goal all year and they accomplished it,” said HHP head coach Risa McMillian . “I could not have asked anymore from my girls. They played their hearts out today and I am so proud of them,” said a dejected JP II head coach Karen Pimentel . “Our girls were looking towards this game since we lost to them 3-0.” Defense was the name of the game from the opening kick off as each team was focused on keeping the other team’s scorers from getting good looks at the goal and each keeper Maxell for JP II and HHP’s Emily Brothers played beautifully throughout the match. HHP tested the Lady Warriors defense early as they tried to get the early lead in the match. During the first 10 minutes Ashley Brothers had three corner kicks into the box that were cleared out by the JP II defense and Wilbert missed a shot from the right side. The Lady Warrior defensive effort was led by Abby Brock , Lauren Weniger , Brady Mahoney , Elizabeth Smith , and Hollis Melnick as they were able to get on their marks and when the ball got into the box they would make several key clears all game. “We pride ourselves on our defense. They work so tirelessly every game and they keep us in games,: said coach Pimental. The match flipped to HHP’s side of the field at the 26-minute mark of the first half and HHP’s defense had to step up and make some plays to keep the Lady Warriors off the score board. JP II’s Ayla Reynolds had a free kick on the Lady Dolphins side of the field and made deep kick towards the HHP’s goal. Melnick charged toward the goal and collided with Emily Brothers, who knocked the ball out of bounds. Unfortunately, Hollis Melnick landed on her should and left the game with an injury. After the play JP II would get its best scoring chances of the first half when Reynolds took two shots from 25 yards out with both going over the top of the crossbar. Had either shot been six inches lower JP II would have had a score. HHP responded with a four shots on goal in the final five minutes of the first half. Caroline Ware shot one over the goal while Evelyn Melnick had three straight shots on goal. The first hit the side of the net, the second went over the cross bar and on the third Maxwell made a great kick save. The second half was played mostly in the middle of the pitch as both defenses smothered the others offense The Lady Dolphins defense was led by Millie Cornejo , Alexa Palazzo , Ava Zeoli and Madeline Schlieman . They would not allow the Lady Warriors to get any good looks at the goal in the second half. After a corner kick by Ware went through the box. HHP’s Wilbert corralled the ball and took a shot at the goal that was knocked down by Maxwell but Ashley Brothers was there for the rebound. She did not waste the opportunity as tallied the only goal of the game. HHP finished the year at 16-3-1 with their third win of the year of JP II. JP II finished the year at 11-5 and had their four-game winning streak end.

Larry Gamble Photo Editor, HSSR Photos from the SCISA Basketball Tournament, from the Sumter Civic Center for the Hilton Head Prep vs Cristian Academy of Myrtle Beach in the boys in the Class AAA Championship basketball game on Saturday. High resolution prints and digital downloads from this event are available at www.LarryGamble.com by clicking this link to the photos.

Dolphins come away with a 35-15 victory over Christian Academy

HHP beats Oakbrook Prep 49-32; Saints top Greeenwood Christian 52-40

Larry Gamble Photo Editor, HSSR Photos from the SCISA Basketball Tournament, from the Hilton Head Prep vs Spartanburg Day School boys in their elimination basketball game on Tuesday. High resolution prints and digital downloads from this event are available at www.LarryGamble.com by clicking this link to the photos.