BHP’s Emma Jo Evans AAA Player of the Year

           Honea Path – Belton-Honea Path High School’s Emma Jo Evans has been named the AAA Softball Player of the Year.

           Evans had a monstrous season for the Bears, who finished with a 29-5 record and as state runners-up. She had a .567 batting average to go with an on-base percentage of 675. She had 17 home runs, 13 doubles, two triples, 54 runs batted in, 68 runs scored and 36 stolen bases.

           “Emma Jo had an unbelievable year and career here at BHP,” said head coach Jarad Jennings, who led the Bears to the 2024 state title. “If she ain’t the best to play here, she will definitely go down as one of the top three. Hitting in the leadoff spot caused a lot of problems. Teams started pitching around her or even intentionally walking her. Then she’d steal two bases and still score.

“She definitely made our offense go. The best part about her though is that she is a great person and a competitor. She will definitely be missed, but I'm excited to follow her in the next chapter of her life.”

           Meg Griffin joined Evans on the AAA All-State team. Griffin had a .357 batting average with a .477 OBP, five doubles, one triple, 20 RBI and 22 runs.

           Evans was the Region 1 Player of the Year and was joined on the All-Region team by Griffin, Rhiley Bannister, Carson Foster, Kinsley Martin and Addi Vaughn.

           BOYD MAYNARD BASEBALL-STATE

           BHP’s Boyd Maynard was selected to the AAA All-State baseball team and was chosen as the Region 1 Pitcher of the Year.

           Maynard, who was also selected to play in the North-South All-Star Game, was joined on the All-Region team by Aiden Jenkins, Tye Kelly and Preston Dixon.

           BHP BOYS 10^TH, GIRLS 13^TH IN AAA STATE MEET

           The Belton-Honea Path boys track and field team finished 10^th with 26.5 points while the girls finished 13^th with 24 in the AAA state meet on May 17 at Richland Northeast in Columbia.

           Leading the way for the BHP boys was Ryan Lee, who won the pole vault. He had a vault of 4.65 meters. Teammate Landon Cawthon was third at 4.25.

           The 4x100-meter relay team finished third, Brelin Dennis was sixth in the high jump and the 4x400 relay team finished seventh to close out the scoring.

           On the girls ledger, the Bears’ top finisher was the second place 4x1 relay team. Lauren Darby finished fifth in the discus and seventh in the javelin, while Brielle Martin was sixth in the 100-meter dash. Glory Dixon was seventh in the shot put, and Brooklyn Williamson was eighth in the 3,200-meter run.