Abbeville boys basketball is again a state title contender
By David Shelton
Senior Writer
Abbeville – Abbeville High’s boys basketball team enters the 2025-26 season as one of the favorites to win the Class A state title.
The Panthers, coached by Doug Belcher, reached the state championship game last season but lost the final game to Denmark-Olar. Abbeville posted a 23-3 record.
Several key players from last year’s team are back this season. Abbeville opened the season with an 88-29 win over Ware Shoals on Dec. 12.
Back as the leading scorer is senior Jaden Baylor, who averaged 16.8 points and 7.0 rebounds last season. He scored 34 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the season opener.
Senior Jaylen Baylor was the leading rebounder last season, pulling down 9.3 boards per game. He averaged 7.3 points as well. Baylor scored eight points and had 10 rebounds in the opener. Sophomore Jamerion Williams scored 23 points in the opener and junior Corde Hadden had eight points, Sophomore Jamiere Killingsworth had seven points in the opening game.
Rounding out this season’s roster are seniors Quatavius Silus and Darius Riley, junior Cory Calhoun, sophomore Jamiyus McManus, and sophomore Jaiden Moss. Riley averaged 12.2 points per game last season.
Volleyball wins state title; football ends season with playoff loss
On Nov. 8, Abbeville defeated Latta, 3-1, to win their first-ever state championship in the Class A finals at Dreher High School. Abbeville’s championship was the perfect ending to a 23-3 season.
“I thought at the start of the season that we had a team capable of winning a championship but you just never know,” said second-year head coach Sara Wojtkowski. “We knew we had a great group that would work hard. My goal was to get past the third round and once we got to the finals, we had a chance to win.”
The Panthers had just two starting seniors, Ella Atkins and Lucy Kollman, but their leadership was a key factor.
“Ella was our energy player and Lucy was like our team mom,” the coach said. “Both were so important because we had a lot of younger girls. We will miss them greatly but I’m so happy they could win a championship.”
Other members of the team included middle hitter Lauryn Murray, freshman setter Maddy Beiler, senior defensive specialist Kaylee Bundrick, sophomore setter Bella Evans, freshman OPP Sarah Gulley, sophomore defensive specialist Reese Jones, senior OPP Tielle Killingsworth, freshman Libero Rylee Tiller, and junior hitter Laylan Yates.
Abbeville’s trek to the title game was a familiar path. They had to get past Lewisville, the team that eliminated them from the playoffs last season, and ended up playing region rival Dixie four times. They beat Dixie in three of the four meetings, including the Upper State championship game.
“Beating Lewisville was huge for our confidence,” Wojtkowski said. “Once we got past them, I think our girls started to believe.”
No longer the hunter but now the hunted, Abbeville should be a title contender again next season. But, allow the Panthers to enjoy their title for a little while before talking 2026.
“We are definitely excited about the future,” Wojtkowski said. “Hopefully we will have the same desire as we had this year.”
Abbeville’s football team suffered a heart-breaking loss to Lewisville in the second round of the Class A state playoffs. The Panthers could not hold on to a late lead and Lewisville posted a 29-28 win after converting a game-winning two-point conversion. Abbeville finished with a 9-3 record.
