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Two-time state finalist coach headlines Hardeeville returnees

By Stephen Prudhomme

Staff Writer

Hardeeville- Hardeeville High School will start another school year in August with a number of seasoned coaches, including one who has led her team to the state title game for the past two years.

Tonya Strobridge, coaching the girls’ basketball team, took the Lady Hurricanes to a 21-3 record this past season and a spot in the state championship game. Unfortunately for Hardeeville, the result was the same as the previous season, a loss to Christ Church Episcopal.

The Lady Hurricanes had an outstanding point differential of plus-24. They averaged more than 54 points a game and surrendered an average of 30 points per contest. Hardeeville showcased that point differential on Jan. 15, defeating Cross by 60 points, 74-14. In other impressive victories, they topped Hampton, 61-20; Academic Magnet, 61-29; Lincoln, 68-15; and St. John’s, 68-11. 

Following a nail-biting 54-53 in the semifinals of the state playoffs, Hardeeville’s offense and defense came up short in the title game against Christ Church Episcopal, 47-38. Hardeeville’s point total was among the lowest of its season and 16 below its average, while its defense surrendered 17 points above its season’s average.

On the boys’ side, Kevin Wilson had a 1-12 record.

In football, Hardeeville, led by coach Blake Raley, had a 5-6 record last season. The Hurricanes averaged 16.3 points a game while surrendering an average of 20.3 per contest. They open their season Aug. 26 at Beach High School in Savannah.

In baseball, under coach Chris Staton, Hardeeville had a record of 2-6 in Region 6-A.  With a number of players returning from last season, the Hurricanes should add some luster to their diamond performance. These include junior infielder/outfielder Phillip Harris, who has a potent bat and is one of the team’s top pitchers; junior outfielder/pitcher Charlie Morrison Ford, who possesses outstanding speed; freshman Paul Habersham, who led the team in hitting last season as an eighth grader before being sidelined with injuries sustained in an auto accident; sophomore rightfielder Amar Wilkins, who features good speed and hitting ability; and junior leftfielder Promise Life, the only player to hit any home runs (three) by late last season.   

Shelia Mitchell coaches the girls’ volleyball team.

 

"They're a good football team," says Hardeeville coach Blake Raley. "They have a lot of playmakers. They come right at you. We have to stop their running game and block on offense. They have a strong defense."

Hardeeville relied on a record-setting performance at running back to defeat Military Magnet Academy last Friday, 24-8. When starting tailback Jarrell Knighton had to miss the game due to an injury, fullback Michael Kinlaw took his place and responded with 233 yards on 22 carries and scored two touchdowns. The 5-9, 180-pound junior had a long run of 52 yards and broke Knighton's school rushing record by 3 yards.

"Michael had a great game," Raley says. "He's a downhill runner and is tough as nails. He's a bowling ball."

Unfortunately, Kinlaw won't be able to knock down any more "pins" this week. He hurt his knee on his last carry and will have to sit out the game. Back to take his place will be Knighton, who's recovered from his injury and likely has the added incentive of reclaiming his rushing record.

Quarterback Phillip Harris didn't have a great statistical game, failing to complete any of his eight passes. Raley points out, however, that his receivers "didn't give him any love," dropping three to four passes. Harris had better luck running. The 6-1, 190-pound sophomore rushed for 15 yards on 16 carries and scored one touchdown. Freshman tailback Caylon Morrison-ford rushed for 24 yards on five carries.

On the offensive line, junior right tackle Jamal Kinlaw had a "solid game" blocking.

On the other side of the ball, Aaron Grant continued to belie his size (5-7, 150) with outstanding play. The junior defensive back recorded seven tackles and one interception.

"He's a hard-nosed player who has heart, passion and energy," Raley notes. "Every spring, he wins the award for hardest hitter."

Sophomore linebacker Dominique Riley also earned plaudits for his defensive play, making 10 tackles, two of them for a loss. Terrell Knighton, Jarrell's twin brother, proved there is room for more than one star in the family. The junior linebacker made 10 tackles against Military Magnet.

The game against Cross is the first of three consecutive region matchups. Games against St. John's and Baptist Hill await Hardeeville.

"They don't get any easier," Raley said.