WEEK 8 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL HONOR ROLL

From staff reports • October 16, 2024

Summerville's Jayven Williams AAAAA Player of the Week

AAAAA

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jayven Williams Summerville 278 rushing yards, 4 TDs

 

ASHLEY RIDGE

Trevor Kalisz 201 passing yards, 4 TDs

BLYTHEWOOD

John Henry Collins 18-28 passing, 234 yards, 2 TDs

BOILING SPRINGS

Jeremiah Favorite 2 INTs, 1 TD INT return

CHAPIN

Brady Albro 23-44 passing, 334 yards, 3 TDs

Colione Martin 19 carries, 134 yards, 1 TD; 4 catches, 59 yards

Khalen Bostick 8 catches, 85 yards, 1 TD

DUTCH FORK

Justin Welch 50 FG, 5-5 PATs

Josh Smith 10 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 PBU

Elgin Sessions 55 TD INT return, 4 tackles, 1 PBU

Maurice Anderson 13 carries, 81 yards, 2 TDs; 5 catches, 68 yards, 1 TD; 1 KO return, 19 yads

Ethan Offing 15-20 passing, 202 yards, 1 TD

EASLEY

Aaron Tolbert 19 carries, 174 yards, 2 TDs; 1 catch, 14 yards’

Kobe Preston 11 tackles

FORT DORCHESTER

Ryan Campbell 249 rushing yards, 4 TDs

GAFFNEY

Jamarcus Smith 13 carries, 132 yards, 1 TD; 4-8 passing, 30 yards

Chas Smith 20 carries, 100 yards; 3 catches, 20 yards; 1-1 passing, 14 yards

Evan Olson 3-4 FGs

GREENVILLE

Banks Bouton 269 passing yards

HILLCREST

Antrez Nance 7 TFLs, 2 sacks, 4 QBPs

IRMO

AJ Brand 210 rushing yards, 3 TDs; 120 passing yards

Donovan Murph 5 catches, 94 yards

Amire White 120 rushing yards, 1 TD

LUCY BECKHAM

Chalmers Bullard 283 passing yards, 2 TD; 85 rushing yards, 2 TDs

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH

Drew Prince 25 carries, 194 yards, 2 TDs

Sloan McIntyre 10 tackles

NORTHWESTERN

Zymeir Gordon-Miles 19 carries, 190 yards, 3 TDs

Finley Polk 16-22 passing, 270 yards, 2 TDs; 6 carries, 42 yards, 2 TDs; 1 punt, 28 yards, 1 inside 20

TaDarrian Knox 7 catches, 159 yards, 1 TD

Matthew Fish 5-5 PATS 5-7 KO touchbacks

Mason Grier 7 tackles, 3 ½ TFLs, 1 FF, 1 PBU

Dmitri Robinson 4 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 sack

RIDGE VIEW

Tre Howard 14-18 passing, 280 yards, 4 TDs; 6 carries, 35 yards

Kristian Jackson 4 catches, 98 yards, 2 TDs

Hayden Morris 6 catches, 79 yards, 1 TD

Darryl Spencer 5 tackles, 4 TFLs, 3 sacks, 1 FF; 1 blocked punt

Issaija Yohannes 6-6 PATs

RIVER BLUFF

Hayden Myers 137 rushing yards, 1 TD

SOCASTEE

Jaylen McIntyre 2 INTs, 96 TD INT return

SPARTANBURG

Trenton Lynch 17 carries, 114 yards

STRATFORD

Jachin Davis 196 passing yards; 60 rushing yards, 3 TDs

Kerwin Squire 190 rushing yards, 3 TDs

SUMMERVILLE

JT Williams 10 tckles, 3 TFLs, 1 sack

Ty Patton 8 tackles, 4 TFLs

WANDO

Harris Stone 223 passing yards, 3 TDs

WEST FLORENCE

Victor Tabb 1-yard TD fumble return

Keshawn Johnson 5 punts, 38.0 average; 12 carries, 51 yards

WHITE KNOLL

Landon Sharpe 4 punts, 44.8 average, 2 inside 20; 13 carries, 35 yards; 10-22 passing, 131 yards

 

AAAA

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Reese Price Wren 206 rushing yards, 1 TD; 1 TD pass; 1 TD catch

 

A.C. FLORA

Azel Banag 10 tackles, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 INT; 1 TD run

BEAUFORT

Caleb Stephan 10-15, 124 yards, 2 TDs; 12 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD

GILBERT

Cooper James 13-20 passing, 253 yards, 3 TDS

Connor Gooding 2 catches, 105 yards, 1 TD

Chandler Guthrie 5 catches, 79 yards, 1 TD

GRAY COLLEGIATE

Tyler Waller 9-11 passing, 202 yards, 2 TDs; 1 TD run
GREER

Nick Holmes 124 rushing yards, 3 TDs

HARTSVILLE

Kylif Miller 13 carries, 117 yards, 2 TDs

Hakeem Watters 9 carries, 113 yards

Tristan Spann 2 catches, 131 yards, 2 TDS

Web Barnes 11 tackles, 1 sack; 1 TD run

Jackson Chavis 6 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 sack

LAKEWOOD

Jaidev Brown 14 tackles, 2 sacks

LORIS

Deuce Stephens 5 carries, 77 yards, 3 TDs

Khalid Sherman 8 carries, 126 yards, 1 TD

SOUTH FLORENCE

Messiah Jackson 9-16 passing, 142 yards, 3 TDs

Zion Gilbert 16 carries, 118 yards, 1 TD

Tre’ Leonard 14 carries, 137 yards, 1 TD

WACCAMAW

Zaireon Skinner 10 carries, 136 yards, 1 TD

Adrian Grate Jr. 15 tackles; 8 carries, 31 yards, 1 TD

 

AAA

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Desmond Washington Keenan 20-27 passing, 202 yards, 5 TDs; 9 carries, 48 yards, 2 TDs

 

BROOME

Ty’Qwon Booker 24 carries, 170 yards; 1 2PT run

DILLON

Stephen Rojas 7-7 PATs

Dominick Felton 5 carries, 134 yards, 3 TDs

Jamaurious Robertson 3 catches, 86 yards, 2 TDs

Keryien Brown 23 tackles, 1 TFL

Tyler Huggins 27 TD fumble return; 1 tackle

Tristan Blue 10 tackles, 1 sack

KEENAN

Nykeim McNeil 2 TD catches

Tyheim McNeil 2 TD catches

MARLBORO COUNTY

Justin Purvis 2 TD catches

NEWBERRY

Jared Acosta 14 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 QBP

POWDERSVILLE

Miles Fowler TD INT return, 2 sacks, 1 FR

ST. JOSEPH’S

William Gillespie 170 rushing yards, 3 TDs

 


AA

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Tydarion Grier Fairfield Central 29 carries, 248 yards 3 TDs

 

BATESBURG-LEESVILLE

Amadre Wooden 25 carries, 209 yards, 3 TDs

Jamerias Clark 3 catches, 90 yards, 2 TD; 40 TD punt return

CENTRAL

Ashen Wilson 12 carries, 102 yards

CLINTON

L Kuykendall 5-5 PATs, 28 FG; 1 punt, 41 yards, 1 inside 20

Javen Cook 16 carries, 129 yards, 2 TDs; 1 catch 20 yards; 1 KO return, 59 yards

Tushawan Richardson 9=14 passing, 178 yards 3 TDs

EAST CLARENDON

Takoda Cornelius 12-24 passing, 216 yards, 2 TDs, 2 2PT conversions; 1 rushing TD

Whit Nesbitt 5 catches, 137 yards, 2 TDs

Dawson Beard 69 TD punt return; 5 catches, 68 yards

Hunter Mixon 13 tackles, 2 TFLs 1 FR, ½ sack; 10 carries, 17 yards

Colby McKenzie 11 tackles, 2 TFLs, ½ sack

Mike Woods 10 tackles, 1 FF

KINGSTREE

Tyleek Dukes 27 carries, 127 yards, 3 TDs 1 2PT conversion

LAKE CITY

Amari Hanna 11-12 passing, 185 yards, 2 TDs; 35 rushing yards

Messiah Singletary 13 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack

MANNING

Jontavious Canty 14 carries, 132 yards, 1 TD; 12 tackles

Jeffery Ceasar 8 catches, 89 yards, 1 TD; 1 carry, 7 yards; 99 TD INT return

CJ Robinson 47 TD punt return

NINETY SIX

Zay King 14 carries, 114 yards, 1 TD

SALUDA

John Pinto 6-6 PATs

Tristan Daniels 3 carries, 13 yards, 3 TDs

Brayden Williams 5 carries, 74 yards, 1 TD; 44 TD pass; 1 catch, 22 yards

Akiem Mills 5 tackles, 3 TFLs

TIMBERLAND

Carter Hawkins 2 INTs

 

CLASS A

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Karmello Jones 25 carries, 289 yards, 7 TDs

 

ABBEVILLE

Gage Evans 2 sacks, 2 TFLs

J.D. Baylor 2 TD catches

BETHUNE-BOWMAN

Jaedon Bell 15=21 passing, 172 yards, 4 TDs

Maurice Dawson 5 catches, 44 yards, 2 TDs

BLACKVILLE-HILDA

Jaquel Holman 205 rushing yards, 4 TDs

Namair Anderson 51 TD catch; 84 TD punt return

C.A. JOHNSON

Jeremiah Knighter 8 carries, 106 yrs, 1 TD; 9 tackles

CROSS

Jailyn Broughton 10 tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 sacks

LAMAR

Alvion Ward TD INT return

LATTA

Makinley Wallace 3 TD runs

Kaden Rogers 3 TD runs

 

SCISA

11-MAN

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Donovan Robinson Thomas Heyward 3 INTs, 4 tackles; 1 catch, 2 yards, 1 TD; 6-7 PATs;  2-6 KO touchbacks

 

BEAUFORT ACADEMY

Nych Underwood D108 rushing yards, 1 TD

Dietrich Shuford 8-9 passing, 105 yards, 1 TD; 6 carries, 93 yards, 1TD

CARDINAL NEWMAN

Caleb Ford 32 carries, 301 yards, 2 TDs

DORCHESTER

John Quattlebaum 9-15 passing, 139 yards, 3 TDs

Reed Almers 109 rushing yards, 2 TDs

FLORENCE CHRISTIAN

Andrew Miller 111 rushing yards, 1 TD

GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN

Hampton Davis 2 TD catches

HAMMOND

Kinson Holland 8 carries, 83 yards, 3 TD runs

HEATHWOOD HALL

James Richardson 2 FGs

HILTON HEAD CHRISTIAN

Reid McCollum 10-19 passing, 155 yards, 1 TD; 18 carries, 74 yards, 4 TDs

JOHN PAUL II

Bryant Jolley 211 rushing yards, 4 TDs

NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN

Sam Burks 150 rushing yards, 1 TD

ORANGEBURG PREP

Tilden Riley 3 catches, 58 yards, 2 TDs

LAURENCE MANNING

Grainger Powell 23-34 passing, 317 yards, 1TD

Scoop Dennis 9 catches, 130 yards, 1 TD

Drew Ferriell 6 catches, 72 yards

PORTER-GAUD

JJ Fludd 3 INTs, 1 TD INT return; 77 rushing yards, 1 TD

Mike Knapp 17 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack

THOMAS HEYWARD

Joshua Gibson 1 catch, 65 yards, 1 TD; 94 TD KO return

WILLIAMSBURG

Layton Morris 13 tackles, 2 TFLs

Grant Small 17 carries, 142 yards, 2 TDs

Connor Morris 10 tackles, 1 TFL

WILSON HALL
Milling Galloway 12 carries, 139 yards, 2 TDs; 2 catches, 56 yards, 1 TD

 

8-MAN

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Garrett Murphy 16 carries, 320 yards, 4 TDs

 

LAURENS ACADEMY

Ethan Collins 10-11 passing, 72 yards, 1 TD; 3 carries, 18 yards

Mason Cooper 15 carries, 109 yards, 1 TD

Caleb Hardy 6 catches, 41 yards; 1 carry, 9 yards; 4 tackles, 2 TFLs

Garrison Vaughan 7 tackles, 3 ½ TFLs

RICHARD WINN

Charlie Bonds 3 TD passes; 2 TD runs

Jake Gaillard 2 TD catches

WARDLAW

Colt Bailey 26 carries, 204 yards, 3 TDs; 4-7 passing, 78 yards, 1 TD

Randell Thompson 15 tackles, 1 TFL

Josh Bussey 13 tackles

Jake Winn 8 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 1 FR

Cross High athletes having good track season

By David Shelton • April 19, 2025
By David Shelton Senior Writer Cross – With the Class A state track and field meet just a month away, the athletes at Cross High are working hard to be at their peak when the most important meet of the year arrives. Cross has put in a lot of work this spring, competing in several large meets against bigger schools. The hope is that the competition is helping the Trojans improve and see what it takes to be a champion. Cross competed in the Berkeley County track meet, meets at Cane Bay and Timberland, and will have a meet at Woodland on April 23. A lot can happen over the final month of the regular season but it would appear that several athletes will qualify for the state meet. A true state championship contender is Caden Ramsey , a junior three-sport star at the school. Ramsey has earned all-state honors in football and basketball and would like add a gold medal in track. Ramsey’s best event is the 400 meter run where he finished third overall in a highly-competitive Berkeley County track meet. Jonathan Bradley also runs the 400 while William Grant is the top sprinter in the 100 and 200. Corinthian Wilson and Ashton Geathers also work in the sprints. Micah Dukes has been running the 800 and competing in the long jump. Bernard Middleton and Jerry Sweatman are working in the hurdles while Que Taylor and Jeremiah Grant are running the 1600. Jailyn Broughton and Marquis Pringle are tops in the discus while David Wigfall and Dakari President have been best in the shot put. Lavell Joyner has competed well on the long jump and Preston Fuller was fourth in the county meet in the pole vault. Throwing the javelin are Andrew Black and Martrell Forbes . On the girls team, working in the sprints are T aLancia Fuller, Michayla Bennett and Talea Small . Running in the 400 is Aaliyah Davis . In the throws, Caylee Bradley and Abigail Ingram are working the discus and shot put while Tamia McCray is throwing the shot put as well. Competing in the javelin are Milan Davis and Laura Campbell . Davis also has been throwing the discus.

First Baptist athletes competing well this spring

By David Shelton • April 19, 2025
By David Shelton Senior Writer James Island – With the SCISA state playoffs just around the corner, now is the time for athletes and teams to hit their peak level of performance. That’s the goal for the spring sports athletes at First Baptist School as several teams look forward to a postseason opportunity. Both of the First Baptist varsity soccer teams have posted winning seasons to date. The regular season will conclude in less than two weeks. The boys team is in position to claim a region championship if they can finish strong. As of April 13, the Hurricanes were 8-2 overall with a 3-1 record in region play. That lone defeat came to rival Porter-Gaud, 2-1, and the Hurricanes get a rematch on April 22. First Baptist also has two key region contests remaining with Pinewood Prep on April 15 and April 24. Most of the 2025 roster is comprised of underclassmen. In fact, 10 of the rostered players are either sophomores or freshmen. The team has solid senior leadership, however, and those seniors are key factors. The seniors include goalkeeper Thomas Sanders , defenders Parker Thomas and Joshua McClain , and midfielders MacLain Luke and Camp Oliver . The girls soccer team won seven of their first 12 matches and appear headed for a third-place finish in the very competitive region that is controlled by Porter-Gaud and three-time defending state champion Pinewood Prep. Senior Fynn Domrese is the team’s leading goal scorer with 12 tallies, including a hat trick in a win over Northwood Academy. Sophomore Reese Tipton has seven goals and six assists while sophomore Britton Lempesis has a pair of goals. Like the boys team, the girls roster is very young with Domrese the only senior. She and junior midfielder Wells Griffin are the team captains. First Baptist recently restarted the softball program. The program was a dominant winner in the 1990’s but faded as the game changed to fast pitch. The program has a rebirth under coach Katelyn Powell , a former all-state player at Northwood Academy. There were teams dating to 2000-01 but not every season. Interest appears high as the school is fielding a b-team and a junior varsity team this spring. First Baptist has experienced some success with four victories early on. Some of the key players this season include Trissa Medlin, Addison Townsend, Bailey Millemad, Lulu Mayo and Izzie Tracy. The boys golf team is preparing for the SCISA state tournament in late April. Members of that team include sophomore Graham Edwards , junior Bates Walpole , freshmen Jack Finuca n, Slate Shope , William Askins , Elijah Crawford and Banks Cordray ; eighth-grader Tucker Mappus and sixth-grader Will Mappus . The baseball team sits in second-place in the region standings, posting a 12-6-1 overall record as of April 14. The Hurricanes have three region losses, all to Pinewood Prep, with a key three-game series with Porter-Gaud at the end of the regular season.

Laurence Manning baseball, softballt teams having trremedous seasons

By Dennis Brunison hssr.com Associate Editor • April 18, 2025
Lady 'Cats gearing up for another run at SCISA AAAA state title

Emerald Baseball Focused On Strong Finish In Pursuit Of play-off Berth

By Billy Baker • April 18, 2025
By Billy G. Baker Publisher Greenwood — Emerald head baseball coach Mack Hite knew if he could ever get talented freshman Beau Hite back on the mound that his confidence would be restored and positive things would emerge. Hite has been able to bat all season, but an injury prevented him from pitching until recently. “Beau has been able to throw an inning here and there recently, and he had a big strike out against a highly regarded prospect at Laurens who is going to Georgia. Big moments like that have helped him get his confidence back,” said Coach Hite. “It has also helped him increase his hitting average at the plate also.” Hite is now batting .438 with 9 RBI’s, including five doubles and a triple. Hite also has 8 stolen bases. He is a three-sport athlete at Emerald where excels in football and basketball also. One bit of recent bad news for the team was losing the pitching services of LHP and PC commitment Tucker Meredith . “He is still able to play a position and bat, so not all is loss,” said Coach Hite. Other top hitters to date for the Vikings include freshman Ethan Metts at .375 along with sophomore Eli Swancey who is at .400 with five TBI’s including an excellent .978 fielding percentage. Finn Howard is at ,367 with four RBI’s while junior Aaron Polly is hitting .351 with 9 RBI’s. Freshman Coleman Marino is at .360 with six RBI’s. With Meredith off the rubber, Hite, Howard, Marino, and Swancey have all stepped up to share pitching duties. Howard has become the work horse and he is 2-1 with 32 K’s in 28.2 innings of work. As of April, 11 the Vikings were in 5 th place in the region. “I think as competitive as our region has been this season, with so many good teams, that we should have a good case to possibly qualify for an at-large play-off berth,” said Coach Hite. “In the mean time we just need to keep playing with grit and toughness and win as many games as we can. “We have been hitting well is spurts, but we can’t seem to get a timely hit with runners in scoring position,” said Coach Hite. “Hopefully our luck will change as we enter a crucial part of our schedule.” The team had seven games left as of April, 14 when they played at Ware Shoals . Hey have region games against Westside on April 15 and 17. They next play region games against Laurens on April 22 and 24 before hosting Abbeville on the 30 th . They close out the season at home against Ware Shoals on May, 1. Emerald Softball Very Young This Season  Tiaria Agnew is in her fourth season as the Emerald High girls’ softball coach and her team is very young and rebuilding this season. The Lady Vikings are made up of one 7 th grader, three 8 th graders, two freshmen, one sophomore, three juniors and just two seniors so a youth movement has certainly hit the program. The team was 5-3, 2-6 entering the final two weeks of the season. They recently had two confidence wins over Southside (16-1, 20-0). The young team is being led by senior LHP Bria Jones, sophomore Paydyn Stafford and freshman utility athlete Caitlyn Hackett.

Dorchester softball team having a great season

By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor • April 18, 2025
Raiders off to an 11-4 start as SCISA AA state playoffs draw near

Spring sports hitting the final stretch of regular season play

By Billy Baker • April 18, 2025
Spring sports hitting the final stretch of regular season play By David Shelton Senior Writer Lake City – Don’t look now but the 2025 spring sports season is nearly over and the athletes at Carolina Academy are prepping for the stretch drive. The spring has been a mixed bag of success to date but all of the teams are looking to finish strong. The baseball team has had a tough go, winning four of their first 15 games. Several losses were close games so the team has been competitive at times. On the mound, getting work are Walker McCutcheon, Bennett Mathews, Hampton Kirby Ryker Rhodes and Ryan Cox . McCutcheon, Rhodes and Matthews have seen time behind the plate as well. Kirby has seen time at short, along with Matthews, while Parker Miles , Carson Hanna and Holden Carsten are seeing time at the corner infield positions. Cox, Tanner Floyd and Kingston Cox are working in the outfield. The boys golf team has had some success this spring and will be playing in the SCISA state tournament on April 26 th in Conway. The Bobcats played in the region tournament on April 10.  The team has a bevy of seniors who are playing in the top group. Seniors include Thomas McDaniel, Cam Porter, Mason Huggins, Michael Wyatt, Blanding Franks, Jamison Andrews and Drake Morri s . Also playing are Landon Crosby , eighth-grader Grady Long , and seventh-graders Braeden Morris and Kohl Elmore . The Carolina Academy softball team has had better luck so far this season, winning nine of their first 12 games to put them in contention for a region title. Coach Scotty Philips felt his team had what it takes to challenge for a state championship if things continue to progress. “I see a lot of potential with this team but they have to focus and continue to work,” Phillips said. The strength of the 2025 team is inside the pitching circle. Junior Raylee Frye is a third-year performer who is as good as any hurler in SCISA when she brings her “A” game. Freshman Ella Ham will log innings at pitcher as well while also playing centerfield and first base. Lauren Sims also will pitch and share third base duties with Frye. “We have three good pitchers, dependable,” Phillips said. “I feel good giving the ball to any of them.” Handling the catching duties is returning starter Carlie Ann Smith , a junior who has been impressive behind the dish early on. Sophomore Jaylyn Davis will play most of the innings at first base while eighth-grader Natalie Braveboy will move from left to second base to replace McCutcheon. Three eighth-graders, Paisley Coker, Kayley Lyerly and Emma Amos are working in rightfield, with Ham also getting reps. Rounding out the varsity roster this season are Katherine Holiday, Lexi McCutcheon, Sarah Emma Garris, Savannah McCUtcheon, Jennifer Vargas and Hannah Grace Matthews.

Panthers enter HIT as region champs

By Roger Lee • April 18, 2025
Max Poulakis has been key to Pinewood’s success this season as a pitcher, infielder and batter.

Baseball, softball struggling this spring

By David Shelton • April 18, 2025
By David Shelton Senior Writer Bennettsville - The 2025 season has been a rough ride for the baseball and softball teams at Marlboro County High . With the top four teams in each region of Class AAA qualifying for the Lower State playoffs, both of Marlboro County’s teams are in jeopardy of not making the cut. Both need a strong finish in the remaining region 6-AAA games to earn their postseason opportunity.  The baseball team has been a regular in the postseason and was expected to be a top four team in the region this spring. As of April 7, the Bulldogs were 2-8 overall with three of those early losses by two runs or less. Coach Ryan Pierce has mixed and matched his lineup this season, searching for the right combination of players that can yield success. Senior Cam Hunt is arguably the top overall player on the roster as a shortstop and pitcher. Tristan Quick plays mostly third base and is another arm on the mound. Others who have seen time on the mound include Zach Hardee and J ameson Bradshaw . Hardee also does work defensively as a corner infielder. Patrick Stubbs mans centerfield in most games while Layton Chavis handles most of the catching duties. Jayden Chavis plays second base while Ty Kickery , Tim Sloan and Landon Sweatt are working primarily in the outfield. Justin Haithcock and Khalil Sloan have seen time as the designated hitter, and Greir Norris has spot time at first base. Rounding out the roster are RJ Hale, Coy Preston and Jake Sloan . Entering the first full week of April, the Marlboro County softball team was 0-7 in region play and 3-13 overall. In recent years the Bulldogs have been region title contenders but have not been able the get it going this spring. One player who is playing at a high level is sophomore shortstop Addison Skipper , who is hitting .618 with five homeruns and 15 runs batted in through 15 games. Sophomore Ruthie Grooms hit .344 with nine RBI in the first 15 games while junior centerfielder Amir Bridges is hitting ,316 on the season. Eighth-grader Kaylee Sweatt is hitting ,296 and senior Abby Quick is hitting .286.

KNIGHTS BASEBALL GROWING STRONGER

By Gerald Doolittle • April 18, 2025
BY: GERALD DOOLITTLE Contributing Writer Batesburg-Leesville, S.C. – The W.W. King Academy Knights coached by Brian Kneece heads into Spring break with an 5-4 overall record. The Knights still have regular season games left with Greenwood Christian, Ridge Spring-Monetta and Wardlaw Academy. After the regular season games SCISA Region 3-A will have a Region tournament at Richard Winn on 4/21 and at W.W. King on 4/22. With a win over Wardlaw Academy to close the regular season the Knights will have a 4-2 region record which will give them second place behind Richard Winn Academy. The Knights offense has been sparked by Casen Buzhardt (so), Elijah Hutto (so), Joshua Oswald (fr) and Greyson Rikard (fr). These four are followed by Colton Buzhardt (sr) and Zed Watkins (jr). Casen leads with a batting average of .393 and 8 RBIs. And 10 runs scored. Hutto has a batting average of .375, 4 RBIs and 14 runs scored. Oswald has a batting average of .375, 4 RBIs and 8 runs scored. Rikard has a batting average of .375, 8 RBIs and 5 runs scored. Rikard also has 2 home runs. Landen Anderson (so) has four hits that has resulted in 9 RBIs. One of those hits was a home run. Leading the base running stats is Hutto with 14 stolen bases followed by Colton Buzhardt with 6 stolen bases. Oswald follows with 5 and Casen with 4.  Hutto leads the pitching staff with 28 Ks followed by Colton and Casen Buzhardt with 17 each.

With Spring Break Over Gaffney Softball Focused On AS Winning Streak

By Billy Baker • April 18, 2025
By Billy G. baker Publisher Gaffney —The Gaffney Lady Indians softball team went into Spring break at 10-7, and in sixth place in a very competitive AAAAA region, and head coach Maddie Pruitt is very focused on the team having a strong finish to the 2025 season over the next two weeks. “We are coming off Spring break well rested and we are ready to go to work and we are looking forward to finishing the regular season on a high note so we can ride into the playoffs the first week of May with a lot of momentum,” said Coach Pruitt. “We play all the region teams we faced in the first half of the season over the next two weeks. It will be a busy time and our focus is to work hard and have success.” One setback to the team was an injury to talented 8 th grade infielder Maysen Byars who was hitting .514 at the time of her injury. Maysen played second and third base for me and she is a solid infielder and we will miss her so much,” said Coach Pruitt. Over the Spring break Brooklyn Jennings committed to play softball at USC Union . Senior Dacy Phillips has signed with North Greenville and Korbyn Lydia is headed to USC Upstate. Both Phillips and Lydia have been a key part of the Gaffney softball program for five seasons including junior varsity. The team’s ace pitcher this season has been sophomore Ashley Caraway who has a record of 5-2 with an ERA of 2.70. caraway has worked 46 innings in the circle with 41 strike-outs. The leading hitters for Gaffney have been junior Kourtney Caraway who is batting .442. Sophomore Ashley Caraway is batting .405. Lydia is batting .378 and Jennings is at .333. Dacy Phillips is batting .250 and playing solid defense “Dacy has been barreling balls up and good during her at bats, but it’s been right at the defense,” said Coach Pruitt. “Hopefully, she will have a strong finish to the season.” Gaffney has played a very competitive schedule this season and they have defeated some talented teams among their 10 victories. They have wins over: ALA (15-5), Legion Collegiate (7-3), Seneca (4-3), Oceanside Collegiate (6-1), Greenville (14-1 & 5-2), Riverside (7-3), and Wade Hampton (9-2).  Gaffney will play at Spartanburg on April,15 then travel to Eastside the next day before hosting Byrnes on April, 18. The Indians host Boiling Springs on April, 21 and Riverside on April 22. Gaffney is at Dorman on April, 25 before hosting Wade Hampton on April, 29. Chapman comes to Gaffney on April, 30 and then the Indians close out the regular season at home against Eastside on May, 2.
More Posts