Bruin athletes compete for titles in region 5-AAAA track meet
By David Shelton
Orangeburg – In the competitive world of South Carolina high school track and field, qualifying for the Class AAAA state track and field championship meet is not easy to do.
Athletes must first qualify as one of the top competitors in their own region, then must qualify again as part of the AAAA lower state meet. Getting to be one of the final eight competitors in a specific event is a tough chore.
Orangeburg-Wilkinson’s track and field program recently competed in the region 5-AAAA championship meet and while several athletes were able to qualify for the lower state meet a week later, no Bruins were able to continue their trek to the state AAAA meet on May 15th.
Nonetheless, those athletes are worthy of note.
Among the boy’s team, senior Raheem Howell enjoyed great success in the region meet, finishing first in the 400 meter hurdles, second in the long jump and fourth in the triple jump. He participated in the lower state meet in all three events. A false start in the hurdles led to a disqualification. He later finished 29th in the long and 22nd in the triple.
Jordan Turkvant was third in the 400 meter hurdles at the region meet and placed 16th at the lower state meet.
Sprinter Roderick Davenport finished second in the 200 meter race at region but was 14th at the lower state meet. Freshman Sam Felder placed third in the high jump and was 22nd in the lower state meet.
O-W’s three relay teams qualified for the lower state meet. The 400 meter unit was second in the region meet and 17th at lower state. The 1600 meter relay team was second in the region meet and 16th at lower state, while the 3200 meter team was fourth in the region meet and 22nd at lower state.
From the girl’s team, sophomore LaShauntrel Johnson finished sixth in the 100 and fifth in the long jump. Sophomore Quianna Myers finished third in the 400 and 10th in the 200 and freshman Shantane Riley was 12th in the 800 meter run. Freshman Kira Staley finished 10th in the 400 meter hurdles at the region meet.
Jada Brown placed sixth in the shot put and Shaquitta Anderson was sixth in the high jump. Audriana Jones was fourth in the long up.
The 400 meter relay team placed fifth in the region meet while the 3200 meter team was fourth. The 1600 meter relay team finished fifth in the region finals.
O-W tracksters shaping up
By David Shelton
Consulting Managing Editor
Orangeburg – Along with the rest of the state, the Orangeburg-Wilkinson High track teams are working hard to be in top form by the time the region meets roll around later this month.
O-W is traditionally one of the better programs in class AAAA and it’s not uncommon for the program to send a host of athletes to the state AAAA championships in May.
As the season hits the stretch drive, it’s time to take a look at some of the top performances from the Bruins program so far.
On the girl’s team, Quianna Myers is one of the top sprinters and is competing well in the 100 and 200 meter dashes. Also working in the sprints are Lashauntrel Johnson and Jada Brown.
Destiny Coulter is also competing in the 200. Working in the 400 meter run are Jordan Myers, Audriana Jones and Shatara Tarte.
Shantane Riley is working in the 800 meter run. Erima Cook is throwing the discus and shot put. Also competing in the shot are Jada Brown and Banisha Green.
Shaquita Anderson is the top performer in the high jump.
On the boy’s side, one of the top sprinters will be Kevin Thomas, who has run in the 11-second range during the early season. Thomas has run a 24.70 in the 200 meter dash. Rod Davenport is also showing progress in the sprints.
Jordan Turkvant and Sam Felder are competing in the 110 hurdles. Raheem Howell is a solid competitor in the 400 meter hurdles.
In the distance events, Issiah Bowman has been the top performer in the 1600 and 3200 meter runs. Tyrik Curry and Tyrek Voigt are also working in the distance events.
Jarett Wilson is the top 800 meter runner. Sam Felder has cleared 5-8 in the high jump and Josh Davis has jumped more than 20 feet in the long jump. Howell is the top triple jumper.
In the throws, the top shot putter is Mike Brown while the top discus thrower is Morris Hodges. Brown also competes in the discus event.
O-W girls in tight race for playoff berth
By David Shelton
Consulting Managing Editor
Orangeburg – Entering the 2009-10 basketball season with only two returning starters, Orangeburg-Wilkinson girl’s basketball coach Josh Staley knew there would be some bumps along the way.
The Lady Bruins annually rank as one of the top contenders in the state in class AAAA and last season advanced to the state championship game before falling to Spring Valley.
Two starters returned from that 25-6 team and the fourth-year coach expected growing pains.
As the regular season winds down, the Lady Bruins are not in contention to win the region 5-AAAA championship but they are in position to secure a state playoff berth.
Entering a game with Lexington on January 29, Orangeburg-Wilkinson was 11-9 overall and 4-5 in region play. The Lady Bruins were near the middle of the pack but need a strong finish to secure a playoff berth. They play at North Augusta and Aiken this week, and close out the regular season with White Knoll and Richland Northeast.
The team’s two returning starters from last season are senior guard Kim Henderson and senior forward Janee Simmons. Both are having solid seasons overall. In a loss to Dutch Fork on January 26th, Simmons scored 15 points and pulled down 14 rebounds. Henderson had five assists and eight points in the loss.
Junior Jasmine Carson is showing improvement at the point guard postion. Junior forward Bethany Haigler is having a good year inside as well. Sophomore center Nyillah Jamison-Myers is learning the game and her 6-3 height makes her a prospect of the future.
O-W’s boys team is having a tough year under first-year coach Tracey Gamble. The Bruins entered Friday night with a 2-17 record overall and an 0-9 mark in conference play.
The wrestling program continues to rebuild under second-year coach Paul Watson. The program has 14 more wrestlers involved this year, raising the total to 38. The Bruins are 5-18 in dual matches. The top wrestler is Devin Gilmore, who has a 14-7 record in the 171-pound weight class.
O-W’s junior varsity boy’s basketball team is 14-2 this season and will serve to strengthen the varsity program next season. The junior varsity girl’s are 6-7 this season.
Gamble not giving up on Bruins after tough start
By David Shelton
Consulting Managing Editor
Orangeburg (12/22/09) When he accepted the job as boys basketball coach at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School last summer, Tracey Gamble knew that his first season could potentially be a be a rough one. The coach was right.
The Bruins, with only few players returning with limited varsity experience, have opened the season with nine consecutive losses. Some of the games have been close, a few have gotten away from them early. However, Gamble has no doubt that the team can and will turn things around.
"I can't say enough about the effort and the attitude of this team," said Gamble. "We are really playing hard every game. We're competing pretty well for the most part. It seems we always have a three to four minute stretch where things kind of fall apart for us. The difference in most of our games so far has been a few minutes.
"We played Keenan twice and lost once in overtime. We played pretty well with Spring Valley twice but had a bad stretch in a quarter or two and lost. We fell behind Irmo early but held them to 19 points in the second half. We've done some positive things and we have things we can build on. It's not like we're just not showing up to play. The kids are giving it all they have got."
Gamble has about three players on the varsity team that saw moderate playing time last season, under the former coach. Having to learn a new system makes it tough as well on the players. And, many of the basketball players were involved in football, something that compounded the situation.
Laquinton Williams is a senior and had some starting experience last season. Junior Kintrell Disher saw action as a sophomore and K'Sone Williams returns with some starting experience.
Alexicon Void was a starter early on last year but tore his ACL over the holidays and missed the rest of the season. He has returned healthy this winter and is the team's leading scorer overall.
Other members seeing playing time as starters and reserves include Melvin Clark, Tremaine Young, Jordan Turkvant, Patrick Myers, Akeem Corley, and Cairston Berry.
"We had hoped to be farther along than we are but we just have to keep working," said Gamble. "The wins aren't there yet but we see improvement with each practice. Getting better is what this is all about right now in December. I feel like a few wins can boost our confidence and it shows the kids that their hard work and effort will pay off for them."
Staley expects Lady Bruins to contend again this season
By David Shelton
Consulting Managing Editor
Orangeburg (11/17/09) A year after coming up just short of the chase for the ultimate prize in girl's basketball, Orangeburg-Wilkinson coach Josh Staley feels the 2009-10 Lady Bruins have the potential to make another run.
Orangeburg-Wilkinson won the class AAAA lower state title a year ago before losing to Spring Valley in the state championship game. The loss ended the season with a 25-6 record.
Staley has nine players returning from that team, including two starters who should be ready to step up and lead the group.
"I think we'll be fine, very competitive," said Staley, now in his fourth season. "I think we've established a strong work ethic early and the potential is definitely there. I expect big things and I think this team understands the tradition we have here and they have begun to understand what it means to wear this uniform.
"I was very pleased with their commitment over the summer and I love their attitude early on. I think this team wants to do something special."
The top two returners are senior guard Kimberly Henderson and senior wing/forward Janee Simmons.
"I expect big things from those two," said Staley. "Each of them led us in scoring in some games last season so they're good players."
Junior Jasmine Carson will start at point guard and started several games last season.
Senior Daniellya Tinker will move into the lineup as a starting wing/forward this winter. Sophomore forward Nyillah Jamison-Myers, who stands 6'3, will work on the interior and shows signs early of being a prospect to watch.
Another key returner is junior forward Bethany Haigler, a third-year member of the varsity team with good skills inside the paint.
O-W opens the season on December 1st at Keenan.
"I think it will take us a few games to get it all figured out but I think we can learn a lot about ourselves early and find out what our strengths will be," said Staley, who has scheduled preseason scrimmages with Lower Richland and Colleton County.
Young Bruins post impressive numbers in tough season
By David Shelton
Consulting Managing Editor
Orangeburg (10/26/09) - It has been a long, learning season for a young football team at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High but head coach Tommy Brown sees plenty to be happy about as the season comes to a close.
The Bruins, with as many as 15 underclassmen on the field during games this season, entered their final two regular season games with a 2-7 record and winless in five region games. However, the season has had some high moments.
Junior wide receiver Kintrell Disher entered the final two games headed for state record for receptions. The 6-3, 185-pounder had caught 95 passes in the first nine games, which was just short of the state record of 103 receptions in a season. Disher had 1,174 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.
"He's a kid that has worked very hard to become a complete receiver and he is certainly going to be a key player in our future," said Brown recently.
Orangeburg-Wilkinson might also be the first team in state history to have not one but two 1,000 yard passers in a single season. Entering the final two games, senior Josh Charles had 1,133 yards passing, completing 90 of 154 passes for 13 touchdowns. In a 28-27 loss to Aiken on October 23, Charles completed 32 of 49 passes for 330 yards.
Junior Cyril Davis had 1,000 yards passing, completing 80 of 120 for nine touchdowns.
"I've never heard that a team has had two quarterbacks in one season have 1,000 yards so that's a pretty special thing," said Brown. "Davis hasn't played in a few weeks (due to injury) so Charles has been in there most of the time and has done a good job."
Another junior quarterback, K'sone Williams, has 476 yards passing. Williams also has 300 yards rushing and 115 yards receiving.
Junior Rod Davenport has 226 yards rushing and 25 pass receptions for 206 yards.
Junior Raheem Howell has 22 receptions for 368 yards and Mel Clark has 22 catches for 318 yards. Troy Thompson has 21 catches for 279 yards.
"All of those skill people will be back next year so we think the experience that they got this year is going to make us much better next year," said Brown.
Bruins seek improvement this week against Lower Richland <o:p></o:p>
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By David Shelton <o:p></o:p>
Consulting Managing Editor <o:p></o:p>
Orangeburg ? For a half, the Orangeburg-Wilkinson Bruins were a pretty good football team. The Bruins out-scored visiting Colleton County, 22-6, in the second half of last week?s contest. <o:p></o:p>
Unfortunately, that run came after the Bruins spotted the Cougars 26 points in the first half. Colleton County went on to win, 32-22, dropping the Bruins to 0-2 on the season. <o:p></o:p>
Orangeburg-Wilkinson will try to get on track this week as they host Lower Richland on Friday. Head coach Tommy Brown says the opponent presents another challenge for his young team. <o:p></o:p>
?They have a lot of speed and they throw the football well,? said Brown. ?They spread it out and toss it all over and that puts a lot of pressure on a defense. They are very quick on their defense and well-coached. It?s another great challenge for us but we?ll be ready.? <o:p></o:p>
Brown calls last week?s first half against Colleton County a nightmare. He watched his team miss tackles, miss assignments, drop passes and basically give the game away early. <o:p></o:p>
? Colleton County executed well and I commend their effort but our mistakes were costly,? said Brown. ?We just got too far behind. We had a much better performance and effort in the second half. I thought we showed some character but the thing is, we just played better. We were not physical in the first half but we got after it harder in the second half. I don?t know for sure why we didn?t come to play in the first half.? <o:p></o:p>
Quarterback K?Sone Williams passed for 211 yards, completing 14-of-29 passes. He also threw three interceptions. Kentrell Disher had a touchdown reception and Rahim Howell caught a touchdown pass from Josh Charles. <o:p></o:p>
?We?re young and that has a lot to do with it but we can?t use that as an excuse for not playing hard,? said Brown. ?The kids are working hard though. We?re doing some things in practice that are making us better. We just have to bring it to the game field.? <o:p></o:p>
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Orangeburg-Wilkinson defeats Barnwell in girl?s tennis action <o:p></o:p>
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Orangeburg ? The Orangeburg-Wilkinson girl?s tennis team picked up a nice victory on September 2, defeating Barnwell, 4-3. Orangeburg-Wilkinson won three of the five singles matches and captured the match victory with a win at number one doubles.
Denailya Tinker plays number one singles for the Lady Bruins. She won her match against Barnwell?s Sarah Gardner, 6-0, 6-0. Kanah Cobbs is the number two singles performer and won her match with Valarie Still, 7-5, 6-0.
Playing number three singles this fall is Angel Spigner, who won a tough match with Barnwell?s Tandria Fierall, 6-4, 7-5. Kyra Staley plays number four singles and lost a close match with Barnwell?s Dale Braggs, 5-7, 5-7.
At number five singles is Shaunice Walters, who lost to Barnwell Shaunah Bank, 6-1, 6-2.
At number one doubles, the tandem of Tinker and Cobbs defeated Gardner and Still to secure the fourth win and the match. Pooja Singh and Shyika Stokes are the number two doubles team.
O-W was to play Irmo on September 3 in their region opener.
