Chesterfield wrapping up winter sports campaign
By David Shelton
Senior Writer
Chesterfield – It was not that long ago when the Chesterfield High girls’ basketball program was among the best in class A.
Two years ago, Chesterfield won 21 games and advanced to the class A upper state championship game before losing to Christ Church.
Coach Chris Clark had a talented and veteran team that season and he knew back then that the program would be looking at a few lean years as he tried to rebuild with younger talent.
Last season produced expected results as Chesterfield struggled to find success and missed the playoffs.
A year later, things have improved somewhat but the best years are still ahead for Clark’s young team.
With three games to play in the 2011-12 season, Chesterfield sits with a 4-12 record overall while winning three of six games in region 3-A. It appears Chesterfield will make a return trip to the state playoffs as they sit in third-place in region three.
Chesterfield closes out the season with games against Great Falls, North Central and McBee.
Clark’s team is indeed young this season. The roster does not include a junior or senior. Most of varsity team is comprised of sophomores, and there are eight of those.
Members of the team from the sophomore class include Bria Allsbrooks, Sierra Hartwick, Anna Louise Bittle, Yasmine Jones, Krystan White, Kayrn Brown, Dani Davis and Destiny Watts.
Freshmen include Kaylon Sparkman and Hannah Beaver, while Reagan Chewning is an eighth-grader.
The Lady Rams have suffered three losses by two points or less, including two-point losses to McBee and Buford, and a one-point loss to Buford.
Chesterfield’s boys’ team is also struggling a bit this season. The Rams are 5-16 overall and 1-6 in region play with three games to play.
Chesterfield’s wrestling team is again a contender for the class A state title but will again have to get by a very tough Bamberg-Ehrhardt squad, the defending class A state champions.
Chesterfield recently participated in the Stratford Invitational to prepare for the state individual tournament that takes place in two weeks.
Earning second-place finishes for the Rams were Travis Hinson at 152-pounds and Jared Maltby at 138-pounds.
Dakota Rivers placed fourth in the 120-pound weight class.
Others competing in the tournament include Eric Cote (106), Shyreef Kelly (113), Adam Crowley (126), Weldon Dixon (145), Jamie Arant (160), Bradley Grice (220) and Aaron Manukas (285).
Football players to be honored at HSSR banquet
Head football coach Steve Taneyhill and six members of the football team will be honored at the High School Sports Report’s annual all-state awards banquet, held on February 19th at the Seawell’s restaurant in Columbia. The banquet begins at 5 p.m.
Taneyhill will be recognized as the Region 3-A Coach of the Year. Selected to the Division I Class A all-state team were quarterback Dalton Rivers, wide receiver Chris Jackson, placekicker J.T. Cutchin, linebacker David Grant and defensive back Markel Melton.
