Woodland Girls basketball Team Clinches Play-0ff Berth With Win Over Academic Magnet  By Billy G. Baker Publisher Dorchester —The Woodland girls’ basketball team played their best offensive game of the season against Academic Magnet at home on February, 7 th to claim a 54-36 win and clinch a fourth- place play-off spot also. Two returning all-region players for the Lady Wolverines stood out in the big win. Sophomore guard Jalina Goodwin scored 17 points, grabbed four rebounds, had four steals and three assists in the big region win. Teammate, senior Makiza White (team captain) scored 12 points, recovered 8 rebounds, and had four assists in the win. Junior guard Carmen Allen contributed 11 rebounds, two assists and one steal in the win over Academic Magnet while 8 th grader Lenaya Ross scored seven points and pulled down 10 rebounds. “We came into the game with Academic Magnet averaging 35 points a game so to have our best game of the season with 54 points is very encouraging,” said head coach Austin Jefferies. “Depending on how the bracket shakes out and I can definitely see us winning one or two play-off games if we continue to play well.” Prior to the game with Academic Magnet the HSSR visited Coach Jeffries in the Woodland gym for some comments on the team. “We work hard on our defense every game, seeing the ball and seeing the man and keeping up with the ball is,” said Coach Jeffries. “We do not have a double figure type scorer like we had last year (Gaddis now at Coker after averaging 17 a game as a senior). “My point guards this season, one is in the 7 th grade ( Essence Walker ) and the other is a sophomore ( Jalina Goodwin ), so we are young there right now,” said Coach Jeffries. Goodwin went into the Academic Magnet game averaging 4.7 points and 2.4 rebounds a game along with 1.3 assists and 1.7 steals. Walker was averaging 4.8 points a game. “Jalina is still in that development stage but she has a lot of potential if she will keep working hard,” said Coach Jeffries. “It is a learning process but she is coming along really well.” Woodland starts four guards. One of the first subs off the bench is 8 th grader Brazil Nelson who brings a lot of energy to the court when she comes in. “Brazil is a defensive stopper,” said the coach. Some other key reserves include junior forward Mercedes Breeland , senior point guard Janette Gates , sophomore guard Emani Smalls , senior small forward Linda White , sophomore Makaila Adgerson , sophomore center Sh’mya James , and junior center Alishanee Ford .

All-Region selected Senior wide receiver Ja'Keese Salley.

By David Shelton Senior Writer Moncks Corner – At long last, the regular season came to an end and the Class AA state playoffs are upon us. The brackets are set and the fans of the favorites are hoping to make plans in mid-December for Orangeburg and the state finals scene. Who are the favorites in AA? Is there a sleeper or two that may surprise everyone and get to the title game. Most of the time, the teams that survive the grind and reach the fifth week of the playoffs, the title game, are teams that everyone who follows the sport predicts will be there. Let’s have a little fun and handicap the AA field. My process is to list my top four teams in the Upper State bracket and top four in the Lower State, as I see it. Any team not in my top four would be considered a sleeper to make it through the bracket. But, it can be done. In the Upper State, my No. 1 team is Batesburg-Leesville . I know, shocker. The 10-0 Panthers have answered every challenge and have proven to be quite formidable. They allow seven points per game with a defense that has speed and physicality. Nearly half of the total points they have allowed in 10 games came in one game, to Abbeville, in a two-point win. Abbeville is the top-ranked team in Class A and their coach , Jamie Nickles , is a believer. “They are certainly capable of winning the state championship,” he said. Running back Amadre Wooden and quarterback Tanner Watkins are a solid one-two punch offensively. Wooden has rushed for more than 1,500 yards and Watkins has passed for more than 1200 yards. My No. 2 pick to win the Upper State is Clinton. The 7-2 Red Devils have lost only to Woodruff and Daniel. Each of those teams has just one loss this season. The tough non-region schedule makes me feel the Red Devils are battle-tested for close, big games. Quarterback Tashawan Richardson makes it all go for the offense with James Cook adding a major threat in the run game. My No. 3 pick in the Upper State is Fairfield Central . The Griffins lost their season opener to Ridge View and have won nine straight games since. The scouting report needs just one word – speed. The Griffins can run and are explosive. Running back Tydarion Grier has gained more than 1.400 yards and averages 9.3 yards per carry. And, my No. 4 is Saluda . The Tigers’ only loss came to Batesburg-Leesville and they would love another shot at their region rivals. Saluda is another of the top defensive teams in AA and defense wins championships. Tahe your pick as the favorite in the Lower State cause several teams have a shot. My No. 1 going in is Barnwell . While not flashy or dominant, the Warhorses are solid and athletic. Senior Cameron Austin is a great leader at quarterback and if they have success on the ground, game over. No. 2 is Barnwell rival Hampton County . Again, the Hurricanes run the football and have good solid play at quarterback. They made a good run a year ago and I think their confidence level is high. The last two favorite picks are difficult and I ended up with three teams for two spots. At No. 3 I am going with Cheraw . The 8-2 Braves are not great at anything but very solid at most. Running back Cam McClendon is a threat to score from anywhere and the defense gets after it pretty good. For No. 4, I am sharing the spot between Manning and Philip Simmons . Manning has just one loss, the season opener to Crestwood, but their schedule and region was not overly difficult.  Philip Simmons went undefeated in a tougher region and seems to be peaking at the right time. The Iron Horses have a veteran quarterback and they really play hard on defense. Class AA state playoff first-round pairings Upper State Pelion at Clinton Strom Thurmond at Chester Columbia at Batesburg-Leesville Andrew Jackson at Liberty Chesterfield at Fairfield-Central Ninety Six at Chesnee Landrum at Central Mid-Carolina at Saluda Lower State Academic Magnet at Barnwell Lake City at Timberland Edisto at Cheraw Andrews at East Clarendon North Central at Manning Woodland at Hampton Co. Mullins at Philip Simmons Kingstree at Whale Branch

Timberland's big man on the line, Jr. Desmond Green (6-5, 340) plays Guard and DT.

By Billy G. Baker Publisher Dorchester — Wylie McCall is in her first year as the head volleyball coach at Woodland High and even though the Lady Wolverines are 2-5 over-all the coach is proud of the work ethic of her young team. Two of the team’s three wins thus far this season were over Barnwell. “The girls have worked hard all season buying into our culture,” said Coach McCall recently. “My assistants are Sommer Troutman and Sara McClellan and they have been a great example, and continue to buy in to our program as well. “We have truly come together as a team this season and we have emphasized the importance of commitment to leadership, mentorship and high standard of excellence,” said Coach McCall. The team stats leaders going into the final three regular seasons games are: Izzy Lopez and Lenaya Ross —Hits , Keelie Downs -Digs, Jordan Gokey -Assists & Aces, Taniyah Davis -Blocks. Downs is a senior team captain and the team’s Libero. “Keelie is the leader of our defense and continues to have great poise under pressure,” said Coach McCall. Carlie Dantzler i s also a senior team captain. “Carlie is a a right-side hitter and she comes every day with a positive attitude and a hard work ethic,” said Coach McCall. Davis is a junior captain and middle hitter. “She is a hard worker with a determined spirit,” said Coach McCall. Some key reserves contributing include: Freshman Josie Mitchum , Katey Westbury , along with Addyson Waggoner. Other developing players include Ivy Moorer , Emily Neuhaus , Brinhnna Simmons , and Paisley Wolfe . “Our goals are to continue to implement our new culture and expectation of excellence on and off the court,” said Coach McCall. “We plan to continue to support our middle school team and mentorship. By aligning the goals and expectations across all of our teams, my staff and I hope to inspire younger players to stick with the sport of volleyball. “The sense of family and team unity is expected to translate into stronger performances on the court as the season progresses,” said Coach McCall. “We are getting better every day as a team.” The Woodland volleyball team will close out the regular season with a home game against Academic Magnet (Oct. 8), a road game at Timberland (Oct. 10), and they conclude the season at Andrews (Oct. 17).

By Billy G. Baker Publisher Dorchester --The Woodland Wolverines started the 2024 season with four straight wins before the “turnover bug” infected the team and sent head coach Eddie Ford seeking prayer from the football god. “I feel like we would be undefeated if were not for the 12 turnovers we suffered in our losses to Bishop England and Philip Simmons over the past two weeks,” said Coach Ford. “In all my years of coaching I have never had 12 turnovers in back-to-back games. It is something that we have been working on very hard in practice to correct.” This week the Wolverines are on the road for a region game with Andrews High. “They run a spread option type offense that we have not played against this season so we are going to have to work extra hard this week in practice,” said Coach Ford. “Their quarterback does a good job reading the zone and I would say their offense is a lot like the offense Jeremy Chadwell use to run at Coastal Carolina .” Last week in a 22-26 loss to region foe Phillip Simmons the Wolverines scored on a touchdown pass from QB Trevon Tate to wide receiver Ja’keese Salley and they got a second touchdown on a 10-yard run by Tate. They also scored three points on a 27-yard field goal by freshman Gibson Kepley who was recruited off the soccer team. The Wolverines four wins have come over Colleton County (32-14), Bethune-Bowman (42-0), Whale Branch (42-13) and Bamberg-Ehrhardt (25-20). “I feel like the best game we have played all season was the win over Bamberg-Ehrhardt,” said Coach Ford. “In that game we had two defensive touchdowns and you do not see that very often. Jaemin Pinckney (6-5, 197) picked up one fumble and advanced it 55-yards for one score and Lakye White revered a fumble and advanced it 35-yards for a second score. “Our defense is really good but all the turnovers in our last two games have put them in some bad situations,” said Coach Ford. “Our goal is to compete for a region title and we will need some help from a team playing Philip Simmons . We can cut out the turnovers I feel like our strong defense gives us a chance to be very competitive.” Through six games Tate is the top rusher on the team with around 410 net yards on 95 carries and he has scored six TD’s. Zishawn Majette is the top next top rusher with around 250 yards on 60 carries and three TD’s. Dorian Britt provides depth at RB and he has 180 yards on 45 carries. The regular starting QB Jervase Salley (6-2, 190) has missed several weeks with a concussion and he might be cleared to play this week. His return will send Tate back to his familiar starting role as a slot receiver. The starting OL at Woodland consists of tackles Tyreon Summerson (6-3, 305) and Antonio Addison (5-11, 245) along with guards Jakobi Doctor (5-10,290) and Antonio Ford (5-11, 300) The center is Devon Cobb (5-11, 220). The defense has been led in tackles by veteran senior leader DJ Blanding (5-11, 225) who has around 70 tackles. Junior OLB Jaemin Pinckney (6-5,200) is next on the hit index with 48 tackles followed by ILB La kye White (5-10,205) with 40 tackles and FS George Perry has around 32 tackles. Some other defensive contributors include junior DE Donovan Miles (6-2, 260) and freshman tackle prospect David Hall (5-11, 280) who plays in the middle. Perry gets help in the secondary from junior Jaemin Brown and junior Al-Casio Teel . The safeties are Tate and Lavonte Furry .

Senior running back Jayden Acosta chewed up a lot of yards for Ashley Ridge on Aug. 16 during the annual Dorchester County Showdown.

By Billy G. Baker Publisher Dorchester — Woodland High School is fortunate to be guided by the leadership, focus, and guidance of Dorchester School District Four Superintendent Jeff Beckwirth who actually volunteered to head coach the boys’ soccer team at the school this past season. Mr. Beckwirth enjoys his day-to-day working relationship with Wood land High athletic director Ty Sibert . “Sibert just understands people,” said Beckwirth. “Not educators, not administrators, but just people in general. He treats everybody with respect in the same way that he wants to be treated. In return people give him the same type of respect that he affords them. “All of our coaches in the district understand that they are invested not only in the schools they serve, and the team they are coaching, but it most about developing student athletes to be well-rounded productive citizens and less about the final score of a game,” said Beckwirth. “If you put in the work and give the kids the right amount of attention they are going to perform for you. Ultimately you will get positive results.” Woodland High opened in 1999 and at that time wrestling matts came with the new high school. “We probably should have started a wrestling program much sooner but over the years it just didn’t work out but Coach Sibert has worked hard and we will have a wrestling program this school year for the first time,” said Beckwirth. “We are really excited about the opportunity it will give to many athletes in the winter that do not play basketball.” Coach Sibert is in the process of hiring a wrestling coach but he joked to the HSSR one time that he might end coaching the sport. “Trust me, Coach Sibert will not be the head wrestling coach,” said Beckwirth. “We have our wrestling head coach in mind but it is not official yet.” The school held a Meet & Greet activity for new varsity head volleyball coach Riley McCall on July, 19 th . Coach Beckwirth said that Sibert gave him a three-year no cut contract to coach the boys’ soccer team. Beckwirth is a former high school and college soccer player who loves to teach the sport to high school student athletes. Woodland experienced great growth in boys’ soccer this season. “At one point we were one game away from being the region champs,” said Coach Beckwirth. “We should do even better this upcoming season. This year’s goal was to create a team and we had 20-plus kids on both the varsity and junior varsity teams.” “It is great therapy to get out there with the kids and be around something I love to do,” said Beckwirth. “It is a nice reminder of why we got into the job in the first place. It can be easy to become disconnected to the purpose of our job. Getting out and helping coach the kids help keeps me connected and keeps me grounded with not only the students, but the parents and the community in general. “Coaching soccer allowed me to see other teams like baseball, softball and track working out all around me on adjacent fields,” said Beckwirth. “It also let me see our facilities for these sports and where we might need to make improvements. When the need arises to make improvements, I will have some insights into exactly what is needed with a good understanding of legitimate costs also.” “Coach Beckwirth” brought up an interesting point worth sharing. “In South Carolina we are big on AAU travel teams, in all kinds of sports, and coaches are running to get involved at that level of sports and it has created a shortage of quality coaches along with teachers across the state,” he said. “Coaches truly do not get paid what they are worth when you factor in all of the other responsibilities they face in their day-to-day jobs.” One coach who will be sadly missed at Woodland High this season is long-time track coach Chavez James who has left the school to pursue other opportunities. Coach James had brought state championships to the school. “Coach James put Woodland track on the map and he made a smaller dot into an even bigger dot and we will miss him a lot,” said Birthwirth. “I have no idea where he is headed but I wish him well.” Eddie Ford (97-39) is beginning his 6 th season as the head football coach at Woodland High and the Wolverines will be playing in a completely new region this fall with the realignment that happens every two years. “Coach Ford is a coach that cares as much about the kids on-and-off the field and their well-being is more important to him then the score of a game,” said Beckwirth. “He is very consistent from year-to-year.” In an earlier interview Coach Ford told the HSSR, “We are literally in the middle of the region we just left ( Barnwell & Hampton County ) and the new region (Phillip Simmons & Timberland) that we are in now,” said Coach Ford. “The travel is about the same either way. We were last in a region with Phillip Simmons and Timberland four years ago. Both regions are competitive and I do not have a preference.” One bit of good news, competition wise, is that Oceanside Collegiate has moved up to AAA after being in the same region with Woodland the past four years. “What is interesting is that in my five years at Woodland we have lost in the third round of the play-offs three times to Oceanside Collegiate, and in the second round to Barnwell twice. Those are the only two teams we have lost to in the play-offs since I have been the head coach at Woodland.” Big time recruit Kam Pringle has graduated and is now competing for early playing time in the offensive line at South Carolina . Running back TJ Wright has also graduated along with his 1,432 yards he rushed for as a senior including 14 touchdowns and he is now at Wingate College . Coach Ford and his staff worked out with around 52 varsity football candidates, and 25 junior varsity candidates during 10-days of Spring drills in May. “Our main goals in Spring drills were getting our players familiar with a couple new wrinkles we have added, especially on defense, and getting a full understanding of our schematics,” said Coach Ford. “We were very pleased with several of our seniors showing good leadership skills during our work-outs. Having good senior leadership is very important to a team.” Woodland finished with an 8-3 record last year and they return 13 starters for the upcoming season. Veteran softball coach Kim Reaves returns for this season. “Kim is a great person and a well-respected coach,” said Beckwirth. “I know they were really young this year. She is a perfect example of a coach who works hard at building a program.” The baseball program will once again be under the direction of former HSSR all-state player Keith Lowman . Alston Jefferies returns to coach the girls’ basketball team and Fanontae Hanna will once again coach the boy’s team. Girl’s tennis will be coached again by Gladys Summers and the boy’s tennis team will be coached by Vic Simon . His team won a region title last year. Beckwirth is very excited about the new Woodland Middle School about to open adjacent to Woodland High School. The middle school’s various sports teams will be competing against middle school teams in the Summerville area for middle school Dorchester county championships. “Our middle school will become a tremendous feeder program for our junior varsity and varsity teams in the near future,” said Beckwirth. “The middle schools cost $45 million and it is one first-class facility.” In closing, Mr. Birthwirth said, “In recent years I’ve noticed the majority of our honor graduates were also very good athletes at the school and academics and athletics go hand-in-hand,” he said. “When I sit down with coaches from time-to-time I stress that our students and their needs come first and foremost in all that we do.”

By Billy G. Baker Publisher Hopkins —The Gray Collegiate War Eagles edged out tradition rich Bishop England (75-72) and 30 other AA girl’s track teams, to earn the school’s first SCHSL Track & Field state championship hosted by Lower Richland High School on May, 18. The next 10 teams in the AA girl’s finals were: Fairfield Central (59), Oceanside Collegiate (50), Woodland (48), Hampton County (42), Greer Middle College (38.5) Landrum (36) Mid-Carolina (34.5), Academic Magnet (28), Keenan (24), and Marion (23). Bishop England, coached by Tony Colizzi , had been seeking their 14th state title. Gray Collegiate, won the state title with just 9 state qualifiers. The Griffins are coached by former Orangeburg-Wilkinson and Clemson track athlete Jackie Robinson . “The good thing is that we won as a team, and it was not just from one person,” said Coach Robinson. “It was everybody collectively, and all season long these ladies have sacrificed, and they did not complain while putting in the work. They came to work every practice and it paid off for them today. “To win a state championship it takes a lot of hard work and dedication and you have to put in the hours,” said Coach Robinson. “You have to be disciplined and true to your focus of self-improvement. Getting involved in year-round track programs certainly helps you to become better. Track has become a year-round sport now, and it takes a lot of hard work “I knew coming in we had a chance but only if we had several PR’s in a few events and it trusted each other to do our very best,” said Coach Robinson. “Winning a championship with only 9 state qualifiers is a testament to those young ladies. We have a lot of quality, but not quantity, on both our teams at Gray.” The War Eagles took three first place finishers in individual events from Tresta Miller in the 400 meters (58.33), Aubrey Guy in the 100-meter hurdles (15.42) and Tamara Steward in the 400-meter hurdles (1:05.00). Miller picked up two second place finishes for GC in the 100-meters (12.04) and the long jump (5.51m) producing 16 additional points for her team. Guy was third in the 400-hurdles ((1:08.60) and Steward was 5 th in the long jump (5.02m). Zaria Gaines contributed points in the 100-meters (12,57) and in the 200-meters (26,27) with a 7 th and 8 th place finish respectively. GC placed second in both the 4x100 (48.98) and the 4X100 Relay (3:27.82) to earn 16 total points. The 4X100 was ran by Steward, Gaines, Taylor Jones and Guy. The 4X400 was run by Steward, Amariah Gonzalez , Taylor Jones and Gaines. While Gray and BE competed back-and-forth throughout the even, Fairfield Central senior Sharmelle Holmes was dominating the competition once again, with three individual gold medals and another gold medal as a participant on the winning 4X100 relay. Holmes set a new state record in the 100-meters (11.45). when she ran the anchor leg. Holmes, She was first in the 200-meters (23.57) and took gold in the long jump (19-02.75). Holmes has signed to run track at Kentucky . She produced 32.5 points for her team and is the leading candidate for the 2024 HSSR-SCHSL Miss Track awards in South Carolina. After the majority of the gold medal winners left their moment of honor, on the victory podium at the meet, the HSSR asked them to share how they were able to beat the field in the respective event. Holmes was among the most enthusiastic performers interviewed. “This is the second year that I have won four gold medals and it makes all the hard work worthwhile,” said Holmes. “I participated in four individual events last year and this year I traded out the 100-hurdles to run anchor on the 4X100 relay. It’s a woo-woo moment for me with the state record! “I had hoped to set a state record but I will tell everybody who competed with me that it takes hard work to win gold medals at a state track meet,” said Holmes. “I am really grateful to God for all of my success. I am excited to be going on to the University of Kentucky. Go Wildcats!!” Tresta Miller (Gray Collegiate-junior) won the 400-meters (58.33 and she has a 57.01 personal best earlier this season) and she told the HSSR , “My goal is just to take off fast, maintain a steady speed, and leave something in the tank for a strong kick down the stretch,” she said. “Next year my goal is winning the 200 and the 400 and I hope to run a 55 flat in the 400 next seasons.” Freshman Aubrey Gray of Gray Collegiate won the 100-meter hurdles (15.42). “I would love to set a state record in the 100-hurdles by my senior year,” she said. “I also want to also be a double winner with a win the 400 hurdles in the future.” Batesburg Leesville’s sophomore Ja’Quan Corley won gold in the discus with a personal best of (157.01.75). “I would love to get a track scholarship by my senior year,” said Corley. “My technique is to always turn my left foot and get across the circle.” Oceanside Collegiate senior Joyce Siobhan was a double winner in the 1600-meters (4:59.03) and in the 3200 (11:06.09). She was proud of finally running a sub-five-minute 1600 that had been her goal all season. She will be running track at South Carolina next year. “My strategy is to stay near the front of the pack in either race and then kick it hard at the end,” said . “At South Carolina I will be more of a 5-K runner in cross country.” Oceanside Collegiate junior Kailen Kramer won the pole vault (3.80m). “My winning jump was 12’ 6” and I missed at my personal best attempt at 13’ 1”,” said Kramer. “My technique is not to slow down on my last few steps down the lane and hitting it hard, dropping my shoulders back and shooting for the sky ,” she said. “My goal is 14’ at the state meet next year and I would love to compete in college.” Senior Sinead Joyce of Oceanside Collegiate won the 800-meters (2:18.19) for the second year in a row. “I usually start out not super conservative but at a steady pace, but today I probably started out a little too fast,” she said. “I will be running at South Carolina next season. My goal is to respond to good college coaching and keep improving.” The AA girl’s shot put (10.77m) was won by Eau Claire junior Sytiria Bethel . “If feels great to see all the all- hard work pay off,” she said. “My goal by next year is 38 feet. My technique is using the power throw. I never change my technique.” Senior Sydney Price of Landrum won the Javelin toss (15.66m) for the third year in a row at the AA meet. “I have improved every year but today I threw around 128 feet and my personal best is 134,” said Price. “Everybody thinks it is your arm in throwing the Javelin but it really more the use of your hips and legs,” said Price. “Getting a good block and then throwing your hips into it is very important.” Price has actually signed to play softball at North Greenville College . She is a middle infielder with 30 career home runs. Keenan High senior Lauren Hannibal won the triple jump (11.02m). “I hit the board just right today on my final spring and I knew it was going to be among my best jumps ever and it was,” said Hannibal. “It feels great to go out with a gold medal my senior year.”