By Roger Lee Contributing Writer Summerville – Ashley Ridge’s soccer season was going great until the Swamp Foxes ran into an undefeated J.L. Mann squad.  The Ashley Ridge Boys won the Mill Town Invitational tournament to jump out to a 6-3 start this season. The team had wins over Rock Hill, Eastside, Catawba Ridge, May River and Stratford , the team that defeated the Swamp Foxes in the 2024 5A Lower State Championship Game . During its stretch to start the 2025 season, Ashley Ridge’s losses came to Bluffton, Cardinal Newman and Wando . “These kids always leave everything on the field and they train hard so I can’t ask for anything more,” coach Nate Harris said. “I like the fight we have. They all believe in themselves and they don’t make excuses.” The Swamp Foxes only lost one more game the entire season, but it cost them a state championship. After sweeping its region to claim the crown, Ashley Ridge opened the 5A, Division 1 Playoffs May 10 with a 4-1 victory over Stratford. The Swamp Foxes then defeated Fort Dorchester 2-1 and James Island 5-3 to advance to the state finals. J.L. Mann (26-0), ranked third nationally and the top team in the state, held off Ashley Ridge (22-4) May 23 during the 5A, Division 1 Boys Soccer Championship . The Patriots capped the season with a 5-3 win over the Swamp Foxes at Memorial Stadium in Columbia to secure the division State Championship . “We are a family whether we win or lose and the 2025 team is a unique team,” Harris said. “These players are very special and they will have memories. While at first it was painful, over time they will remember this fantastic season and the friendships we’ve had. I am so thankful for the crowd we had all season and the support our principal and entire athletic department gave us.” This season four-year starter and team captain Beckham Harris , the coach’s son, became the first player in school history to win 34 straight region matches. His brother, Nathaniel Harris , won 32 straight during his four seasons at Ashley Ridge before graduating in 2024. Neither has ever lost a region match. Beckham Harris, a midfielder who has signed with William and Mary , is one of only 18 players in the state selected for the Clash of the Carolinas All-Star Game . He scored 15 goals his senior season and had 10 assists. He also made 27 steals while helping Ashley Ridge to the Lower State Championship and Region 8 Championship . He was the team leader for goals and assists and was second in steals. Junior Austin Butts was the leader in steals and had 12 goals and eight assists. Senior captain Bennett Boomershine was one of only 18 players selected for the North-South Classic Boys All-Star Team . Seniors Jett Buelna, Zion Spivey, Abdullah Shehab and Ashton Bice were also key to AR’s success this season. Other members of the team are Austin Fuller, Josh DeSouza, Aaron Mata Vera, Keith McCune, Charlie Smith, Brennan Awtry, Luis Landaeta, Abdullah Shehab, Nickolai Kunitsa, Landon Shabeldeen, Elijah Dunkerley and Brycen McCoy . Other post-season honors Brooke Price was selected for the South Carolina Girls All-star Team for the Clash of the Carolinas . Price, who has signed with Newberry College , is a midfielder who helped the Lady Swamp Foxes advance to the second round of the state playoffs. Ashley Ridge midfielder Kierstyn Davenport was named to the South All-Stars team for the North-South Soccer Classic . Ashley Ridge pitcher Noah Seguer was selected for the 2025 North-South Baseball All-star Series .

J.L. Mann’s Nico Ortiz and Ashley Ridge’s Joshua DeSouza battle for possession May 23

James Island goal keeper Jackson Crawford comes out of goal to defend an attack by Ashley Ridge midfielder Joshua DeSouza May 17 during the 5A, Division 1 Boys Soccer Lower State Championship. 

By Neill Kirkpatrick Special to the HSSR Bamberg – The 2024 track and field season for the Bamberg Ehrhardt Red Raiders ended in fine fashion as both the boys and girls teams finished in the top ten of the class A state meet. The boy’s finished in sixth place while the girls wound up in fifth place and with several returning runners, jumpers, and throwers returning they will be looking to move up into medal contention this season. Junior Ezariah Williams was the top finisher for BE as she brought home the only gold in the Discus with a personal best of 112.40. She also throw the shot and the Javelin with personal bests of 33.66 and 91.24, respectively. Keshauria McMillan, a sophomore, captured a silver at last year’s state meet in the shot put. Her personal best is 35.82 which she put at the state meet. The Red Raiders also brought home a silver medal in the 4x100 relay and were fourth in the 4x400. They have several sprinters returning and will be threat to be in the top three again this year. The top returning sprinter is freshmen Daisha Etheridge . She runs the 100, 100 hurdles, the 400 hurdles and the relay events. She finished ninth in all three events at last year’s state meet. She has a personal best in the 100 of 12.91. Also, back is arguably the best athlete at Bamberg Ehrhardt Miss Raven Brown. She was recently named to the class A All State basketball team by both the HSSR and the SCBCA for the second year in a row. She runs 200 and 400 meters as well as a leg on the 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams. Seniors Jade Moody and Shaleah Flowers are back in the 100 and 400, respectively. Sophomores Keshauria McMillan and Carmyn Folk are also back as well. McMillian puts the shot while Folks runs the 100 and 400 hurdles and long jumps. The boys team has an outstanding junior class led by reigning silver medalist Levar Miller in the triple jump. He had the only elite performance at last years lower state meet when he hopped, skipped, and jumped 45.93 feet. Junior class A All State football players Marcus Cann (WR) and Jaylen McGraw (LB) are back. Cann runs the 200 and the 400 while McGraw is a high jumper. Senior Kewanni Brunson throws the Javelin finished fifth at last years state meet while junior Jalen Willis brought home a bronze medal in the 400 meters with a time of 51.42 which was a personal best. Willis also runs the 800 meters. The Red Raiders won bronze in the 4x100 and 4x800 relay’s last season. Both teams were senior heavy but the they have the young talent to be competitive against this year.

Noah Seguer throws heat for Ashley Ridge.

Ashley Ridge senior Skyla Tuthill was named the 5A Girls Basketball Player of the Year. Photo by Roger Lee 

Senior Kaylin Brown is one of eight lettermen back for the Ashley Ridge Girls Basketball team this season.

Summerville sophomore running back Keshon Washington

Ashley Ridge co-captain Reece-Bellush