By Billy G. Baker Publisher Sumter —The Hilton Head Prep (25-4) boys’ basketball team won their third straight SCISA AAA boy’s state basketball title with a dominating 45-19 win over Pee Dee Academy (18-6) on February, 22 at the Sumter Civic Center. Richard Barron has been the victorious coach in all three state title wins. After the big win he told the HSSR, “I am very proud of our strong senior group who helped lead us to our third state title in a row,” said Coach Barron. “Two of our current seniors ( Billy Barron and Connor Campbell ) started on our first state title team two years ago, and senior Brenden Moore was on the team with them for our second state title last year. “We were fortunate to have senior Ty Harping (6-3, 195) transfer in from Roswell, Ga to join the team this season, and he has been a fantastic player for us,” said Coach Barron. “When you have a strong senior group like these players you expect to compete for state championships. “I was really proud of our defense tonight limiting them to just 19 points,” said Coach Barron. “They had a good game plan, playing deliberate on offense and packing things inside. However, we are tough to beat once we get a lead on a team.”  Harping told the HSSR after the game that he has several small college offers at this time. “My family vacationed at Hilton Head a lot as I was growing up in Georgia, and we loved this area a lot, so I am thankful we made the move for my senior season to Hilton Head Prep,” said Harping after the game. “Working towards a three-peat was our day-one goal this season. It feels great to end my senior season with a state championship and I am considering several offers to play at the next level right now.” Kyle Drew is the head coach of the Golden Eagles. “This certainly isn’t the way we wanted to go out but I am very proud of the boys for getting the team to the finals,” said Coach Drew. “We started five seniors tonight ( Miles Trussell , Colby Richardson , Bennett Causey , Hayden Spivey , and Jamison Rogers ) and as far as I am concerned, they are all like team captains. They have all been with the program since their “B” team days. They are representing the pride of Pee Dee Academy. “They are all home- grown Pee Dee Academy players who love the program and they have been a very close- knit group and such a pleasure to coach,” said Coach Drew. “We will miss all of our seniors who have made the program very successful.” As the first quarter buzzer sounded Causey hit a three-pointer to get the Golden Eagles to within one point as they trailed 10-9 going into the second period. However, the depth and talent of HHP rose to the occasion in the second period as the Dolphins out-scored Pee Dee 13-2 to claim a 23-11 lead at the half with both defenses hunkering down in the first two periods. Harping started off the second period with three straight baskets and then Brenden Moore drilled a three-pointer from the top of the key to give HHP a 23-9 advantage with :57 left in the half. Pee Dee’s only basket in the second quarter came on Colby Richardson’s lay-up. Causey had 9 first-half points or the Golden Eagles. In the third period HHP expanded their lead to 37-13 going into the final period. The final period was dominated again by both team’s defenses as HHP out-scored the Golden Eagles 8-6 to earn a 45-19 win at the final buzzer. For the game HHP was led by Harping with 14 points, Barron had 8 points, followed by Moore at five, and point guard Connor Campbell scored four points. Causey led Pee Dee with 15 points. The other four points were shared by Trussell and Richardson with one basket each. The SCISA AAA boy’s all-tournament team consisted of: Barron, Harping, and Moore while Pee Dee was represented by Causey and Richardson. Orangeburg Prep Big man Tilden “T” Riley , (6-5) who has numerous major college football offers at this time, was the other member of the all-tournament team.

By Billy G. Baker Publisher Sumter —To describe the SCISA AAA girls’ basketball finals as a “knock-down, drag-out defensive battle”, between Pee Dee Academy (23-4) and Orangeburg Prep, would be very accurate with the Golden Eagles prevailing 37-34, to earn Pee Dee a fourth state title in girls’ basketball. After the win, Pee Dee head coach Meagan Thomas , a 2015 graduate of the school, told the HSSR, “I knew this was going to be a hard-fought physical game and I can’t say enough good things about this team who battled and played hard the entire game,” said Coach Thomas. “We knew we had great potential to compete for a state title this season and the great thing about this team is that came to practice every day and worked very hard. Everyone worked together also. “We knew we had to play great defense to win the game and we knew we had to out-rebound them and I thought we did just that,” said Coach Thomas. Coach Thomas also cited the play of the team’s leading scorer Rebecca Hammond who came into the game averaging 18 points a game and she finished with 17 points against O-P. “I can’t say enough good things about that girl,” said Coach Thomas. “She works her butt off and every time you put her on the court you know you are going to get her best efforts every time. As a senior she had led our team all season and she is going to play just as strong from the first quarter to the last quarter. “I told the team at halftime to play like the score is 0-0 and that we had to get back out there and play good defense,” said Coach Thomas. “I told them that we had been leading them pretty much the whole game and that we had to finish it now.” O-P head coach Jan Stoudenmire wrapped up her 40 th year in coaching at the conclusion of the game. She shared her thoughts with the HSSR, “It was just not in the cards for us to win tonight and you have to give credit to Pee Dee and they are a great team and well-coached,” said Coach Stoudenmire. “The game came down to a couple shots here and there. We just couldn’t quite get it done but I was proud of our effort tonight. “Our four seniors ( Jane Walker Yonce , Izzy Exum , Grayson Garrick , and Annabelle Hunter ) who started tonight have carried us all season and we miss them a lot,” said Coach Stoudenmire. “Fortunately, for us we get Hannah Lambrecht back and she plays very hard and carries our team on her back. “With Jane Walker Yonce having to sit on the bench with foul trouble we are just not the team that we can be with her in the game,” said Coach Stoudenmire. “Unfortunately, this is the way it goes sometimes but we have a great program going and we will keep working hard.” The starting five for Pee Dee Academy consisted of Claire Eskridge , leading scorer Rebecca Hammond, Claire Owens, Sydney King and inside player Katie Estes . Orangeburg Prep’s starters consisted of four seniors Izzy Exum , Jane Walker Yonce , Annabelle Hunter, and Grayson Garrick . Junior point guard Hannah Lambrecht is the junior floor general. The two teams scrapped their way to a 5-5 tie after the first period. Pee Dee’s first quarter points came on a three-point shot and a free throw made by leading scorer Rebecca Hammond and a free throw made by Katie Estes . The Lady Indians got all five first quarter offensive points from guard Hannah Lambrecht on a three-point and a two-point basket. In the second period Pee Dee out-scored O-P 7-2, to take a 12-7 lead into the half. Hammond scored 9 of Pee Dee’s first half points. Both offenses were more effective in the third period when O-P out-scored Pee Dee 12-10 to trail 22-19 going into the final period. Senior inside player Jane Walker Yonce scored two quick close-in buckets for O-P to start the third period that cut the deficit to 12-11. Yonce was sent to the bench for most of the second period when she picked up her third foul. While she was out Pee Dee made gains on the score board. In the third period Pee Dee’s Claire Owens made back-to-back three- point shots to give her team a 19-15 lead with 2:35 left in the third quarter. Hannah Lambrecht’s steal and resulting lay-up cut Pee Dee’s led to 19-17 with 1:43 left in the third. Pee Dee’s Sydney King then scored her only basket of the game to extend the lead to 21-17 at the 1:20 mark. In the final period, Hammond extended her team’s lead to 24-19 on a bucket at the 7:10 mark and then Yonce came back with an inside bucket for O-P to cut the deficit to 24-21 with 6:30 left in the game. Then Pee Dee went on a 6-0 run between the 6:18 mark and the 4:05 mark. Hammond scored four of the six points and Owens had the other two. The closest the Indians would come was on a three-point basket by Mary Legare Delaney with 2.9 seconds left that cut the deficit to37-34. As time expired Hannah Lambrecht stole the inbounds pass but the buzzer sounded before a shot could be attempted. For the game Hammond had some great senior moments for Pee Dee with 17 points and Claire Owens was next with 10 points. Eskridge and Estes contributed three points each and King and Caroline Elvington had two points each. O-P was led by Hannah Lambrecht with 10 points while Izzy Exum had 9 points followed by Yonce with six points and she led the team in rebounds also. Delaney contributed four points. Prestan Schurlknight also added two points. The SCISA Girl's AAA All-Tournament Team consisted of Claire Eskridge , Rebecca Hammond , and Claire Owens of Pee Dee along with Hannah Lambrecht , Jane Walker Yonce and Courtney Campbell of Hilton Head Prep.

Photo from both the Girls and Boys SCISA Class AAA title games. In the girls game, Pee Dee Academy faced Orangeburg Prep . In the boys game, Hilton Head Prep faced Pee Dee Academy . This sample of images, follow this link for the full gallery.

Orangeburg Prep to face Pee Dee for girls title; Hilton Head Prep to defend boys title against Pee Dee

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.