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Camellia Gore's putback lifts Heathwood Hall past Northwood 58-56

Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor • Feb 24, 2024

Highlanders defend SCISA AAAA girls basketball state title

            Sumter – The second time was a charm for Camellia Gore, and it made her and her Heathwood Hall teammates 2-time defending state champions.

 

           Gore grabbed her own miss of a short jump shot and put it back up and in with eight seconds remaining to lift the Highlanders to a 58-56 victory over Northwood Academy for the SCISA AAAA girls basketball state title on Friday at Sumter Civic Center.

 

           Northwood, which lost to Heathwood in the title game last year as well, had just tied the game at 56-56 with 22 seconds in the game. Ashton Wyndham went behind a double-screen at the top of the key, received a pass and buried a 3-point shot to tie the game.

 

           The Highlanders chose not to call a timeout, instead pushing the ball down the court. They got the ball to Gore in the low post on the left side of the lane. The shot bounced off the rim, but Gore retrieved it in the lane and put it back up and in.

 

           The Chargers went down the court to try for the tie, but star player Alaya Birch lost her footing trying to get to the basket.

 

           “I just had to have that confidence and aggressiveness in myself,” said Gore, a junior who was a starter on last season’s team. “I missed the first one so once I missed that first one, I just knew I had to box out and go get the rebound because I had to go up strong and get the and-one or put us up by two.”

 

           Heathwood head coach Brionna Zimmerman chose not to call a timeout after Northwood tied the game so it wouldn’t have a chance to set up defensively.

 

           “I wanted to get it so we could get something quick at the basket, and that's exactly what we did,” said Zimmerman, whose team finished with a 21-2 record. “I'm so proud they were able to knock it down.”

 

           The exciting ending was fitting to what was a great fourth quarter in front of two loud fan bases. The Lady Chargers, who finished 26-3, trailed by double digits in the first quarter. After trailing 22-13 at the end of the first, they managed to cut the deficit to 35-29 by halftime.

 

           They managed to tie the game at 37-37 on a shot from the right side by Alyvia Tocco with 5:16 left in the third quarter. Northwood seemingly had the momentum, but neither team would score over the next three minutes. Lady Chargers head coach Ginnell Curtis thought that was an opportunity lost for her team.

 

           “You've got to seize those moment,” Curtis said. “If they’re not scoring, you've definitely got to be scoring.”

 

           After scoring just two points in the first six minutes of the quarter, Heathwood put up eight in the final 1:49 to take a 45-40 lead into the final stanza.

 

           SaBreya Monsanto banked in a shot in the lane to start the fourth quarter to give the Highlanders a 7-point advantage. Northwood made quick work of that, cutting the lead to 49-48 with 5:11 left on a Birch layup.

 

           Heathwood was able to maintain the lead until Wyndham hit the game-tying 3.

 

           “I knew they were going for the 3,” Zimmerman said. “That was just a great play. That's a great team, a well-coached team with a lot of talent. You can't take them lightly.”

 

           The Highlanders were led in scoring by junior standout Lauren Jacobs with 23 points. Monsanto had 21, and Gore finished with eight. Queseya Rhooms scored four points, all of them coming in the pivotal fourth quarter.

 

           Curtis said she was proud of the way her team battled throughout the game.

 

           “The way they fought back play by play, I'm very, very proud of them,” Curtis said. “Heathwood is a good team. I felt like we had opportunities to tie it. It just didn't go our way.

 

           “I can't ask for a better group of girls to battle with. They worked so hard, and I'm very proud of them.”

 

           Alayah Birch had 21 for the Lady Chargers. Maliyah Birch finished with 12, Morgan Jones had eight and Wyndham had seven.


            Jacobs and Monsanto made the all-tournament from Heathwood, while Wyndham and Alayah Birch made if from Northwood. Joining them on the team are Ava Rush of First Baptist and Samira Khalil of Hammond.

 

           Heathwood doesn’t have a senior on its roster. Zimmerman said her team is still learning how good it is.

 

           “I tell them all the time I have more confidence in them than they have in themselves,” she said.

 

           Gore is excited about the future.

 

           “It's really big because we won back-to-back,” she said. “We just made history. Hopefully we’ll come back and win it again next year,”

PHOTOS: Laurence Manning vs Hammond - Game 2

By Larry Gamble • 16 May, 2024
Larry Gamble Photo Editor, HSSR SCISA Softball Championship play kicked off on May 13th, 2024, with teams playing an intense two days of games hoping to make a sweep to victory in the best of three game series to crown State Champion this week. The HSSR photojournalist was at Laurence Manning for their home stand in the Softball Championship Game 2 against Hammond on May 14th. LMA won a very exciting Game 1 at Hammon 5-4. For Game 2, the Swampcats were home hoping for a sweep to close the deal for the State Title. LMA won 9-0 to earn another State Championship. More photos from this game are available by following this link or the one below. High resolution prints and digital downloads from this event are available at www.LarryGamble.com by clicking this link to the photos.

SCHSL softball state championship matchiups rounding into form

By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor • 16 May, 2024
AAAAA, AAA. AA, Class A series set to begin on Monday, AAAA on Tuesday

PHOTOS: Hilton Head Christian vs Pee Dee Game 1

By Larry Gamble • 16 May, 2024
Larry Gamble Photo Editor, HSSR SCISA Baseball Championship play kicked off on May 13th, 2024, with teams playing an intense two days of games hoping to make a sweep to victory in the best of three game series to crown State Champion this week. The HSSR Camera was at Pee Dee for their Baseball Game 1 against Hilton Head Christian. HHC went on the win 3-1 in Game 1 at Pee Dee. for Game 2, the Pee Dee traveled to Hilton Head Christian where HHC won 12-4 to sweep the series and win the State Title. More photos from this game are available by following this link or the one below. High resolution prints and digital downloads from this event are available at www.LarryGamble.com by clicking this link to the photos.

Ashley Ridge forces winner take all game vs Summerville

By David Shelton • 16 May, 2024
S ummerville - Ashley Ridge rallied from an early 4-0 deficit, scoring two runs with two outs in the top of the seventh to beat Summerville, 5-4, forcing a decisive game for the AAAAA Lower State title. Summerville led by 4-0 after two innings but Ashley Ridge scored a run in the third and two in the fifth to close to within a run. With nobody on and two outs, down to their last strike, Ashley Ridge got hits from Ryan Bruno and Cooper Godsave to keep the inning alive. Andrew McLaughlin then delivered a two-run single to give the Swamp Foxes a 5-4 lead. McLaughlin had two hits in the game. Summerville managed only three hits with Banks Knight delivering a two-run bloop single to give the Green Wave their 4-0 advantage. After game one, inclement weather moved in and it was decided to play the championship game on Thursday at Summerville at 6:30 p.m. The winner will play Lexington in the best-of-three state championship series beginning on May 18.

Four teams have clinched berths in SCHSL baseball state championship series

By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor • 16 May, 2024
Lexington, Laurens, Hanahan, Southside Christian will play for state titles

Clarendon Hall Wins Third Straight SCISA Softball Title With Hard-Fought 3-2 Win Over Colleton Prep

By Billy Baker • 16 May, 2024
By Billy G. Baker Publisher Walterboro — The Clarendon Hall Saints softball team captured their second straight SCISA AA softball title, and third in a row counting the Class A title won over Wardlaw three years ago, with a hard-fought come-from-behind 3-2 win over Colleton Prep on May, 15. One of the largest crowds ever to witness a softball game at Colleton Prep observed the two teams battle with everything they got in this game. This was one of those games where both teams left it all on the field. CH head coach Jeffrey Bays shared his feelings with the HSSR soon after the game. “We lost four games this season but we had never been in a situation like this game with so much on the line,” said Coach Bays. “ Mandy (Wells) lives for the important moments, and her two-run homer in the third inning was the difference in the ball game. She struggled some at the plate in game one but she came in this game, like she has in so many, and delivered for the team at a crucial moment. “These girls have been playing together for a long time since rec ball, summer ball and together on our high school team and they have worked hard and they are a real close-knit group,” said Coach Bays. “They jell really well and they know and understand each other on the field. They pull for each other with great team chemistry. “ Colleen (McIntosh) gave us four strong innings but they were starting to hit her some as the game went on so we brought Calli (Yount) in to close things out and I am proud of both of our pitchers who combined for 12 strike-outs,” said Coach Bays. “We are going to miss the five seniors on this team. For the past two seasons we have had only one senior on those two teams. We do have a core group of younger players moving up from the junior varsity.” Mandy Wells made the final out of the game for the Saints, fielding a well hit ground ball, before racing to second base for the forced-out that ended the game. She and her teammates had “explosive confetti” in their back pockets as the game ended and a sea of confetti popped into the air above them shortly after the final out. “I am just so proud and inspired by my team to go out like this with a state championship,” said Wells. “I just want to give God all the praise and credit because we play for Him. I am so glad that we could win another championship and have fun while doing it.” With one more season of high school softball to go, what are Well’s goals with the sport? She recently hit three home runs in one game, that helped her team advance to the state title series. “I do not know if I want to go anywhere, or not, but we’ll see,” said Wells. “Of course, it would be great to play for a team like Oklahoma , or even a smaller college like Anderson College . Wells said she focuses on hitting a softball “back side” and the majority of her career home runs have landed over the fence, just to the right of dead center field. “I guess I get lucky with my timing,’ said Wells, who plans on majoring in Physical Therapy in college. It would not be a shock to this reporter to see Wells end up on the Lady Gamecocks roster at South Carolina, after her senior season. Wells has been taking hitting lessons from the hitting coach at SC the past two years and they have to be impressed with her quick wrist, how fast the ball explodes off her bat in a line drive trajectory, and how fast she reacts to all matter’s softball during live game action. Colleton Prep head coach Tiger Martin was also proud of his team and how they battled the entire game. “We lost six games this season, and four losses came from Clarendon Hall,” said Coach Martin. “We lost to them in our first game early in the season 14-0, then lost to them a second time 8-0, and then in the championship series we lost 6-1 and 3-2 so while I do not like moral victories that does show how much this team improved and continued to battle against a really fine softball team. “Back before the season started this team struggled for the first two weeks of practice and to see them make steady improvement and make it to the state championship series is why I love coaching and working with them,” said Coach Martin. “It was more exhilarating on this Wednesday night than any other Wednesday night we played back in March. We didn’t win today but our adrenalin was flowing and the max effort was there. Our other two losses were to Oceanside Collegiate and Calhoun Academy so we played some tough competition.” CP will graduate three seniors. “They are the last group from our 2021 state championship team,” said Coach Martin. “ Sidney Bailey has been a great hitter and a great athlete for the past four seasons and she had a decisive hit in our state finals game back in 2021. “I know coaches say they do not have favorite players but that is a lie when they say that,” said Coach Martin. “Senior MaKenzie Pellum is among my most favorite athletes I have coached. I have a picture on my desk of her playing pitcher and catcher. Early on in the program she told me, “Coach if you believe in me, I will always give it my very best, and I will there for you and the team. “Our third senior is left-fielder Hannah Strickland who had a key hit the other night,” said Coach Martin. “She has grown every year and I am happy to say that she has earned a spot in the upcoming North-South all-star game.” Colleton Prep went up 1-0 in the bottom of the first when MaKenzie Pellum drew a walk and later stole second. She came home two batters later on a sacrifice bunt by pitcher Sydney Stivender . In the top of the third CH took a 2-1 lead when junior catcher Skyler Dymond singled and stole second. Junioe shortstop Mandy Wells then hit her 28 th career home run to dead center field to put the Saints up 2-1. In the bottom of the third inning CP tied the score at 2-2. With two-out Ava Murray hit a home run to left field It looked like CP might add another run when Sidney Bailey followed the home run with a ripped double in the power alley. However, a pop up to the CH third baseman ended the inning. In the top of the 6 th inning Wells led off with a sharp single just to the left of second base. Two batters later Wells moved to second on a wild pitch while junior Calli Yount was at the plate. Yount delivered a double, easily scoring the speedy Wells from second to give the Saints a lead of 3-2 that held up for the final score. Both teams collected six hits in the game. Wells led the Saints at the plate with two hits and two RBI’s. Senior Lacey Corbett contributed a hit as did Dymond, leading hitter junior Maggie Harrington , and Yount who had one hit and one huge RBI. Colleton Prep got two hits from Bailey, and one hit each from Murray, Stivender, Hannah Strickland , and Pellum. Murray and Stivender each added one RBI. CH used two pitchers in the game. Senior lefty Colleen McIntosh started the game and worked four full innings with six strike-outs. Calli Yount came in for the final three innings and also recorded six strike-outs. Teams take the pressure off their defenses when 12 of the 21 outs in the game were strike-outs. Sydney Stivender worked all seven innings for CP in the circle allowing two runs and registering 6 strike-outs. Colleton Prep last won a SCISA AA softball title against Pee Dee Academy in 2021 in a third game tie-breaker won over The Golden Eagles (10-0) at Laurence Manning Academy . Clarendon Hall has now played in four straight state finals. They defeated Calhoun Academy in a third game tie-breaker (6-2) at Patriot’s Park in Sumter last year. CH will graduate five seniors ( Sidney Berry , Colleen McIntosh , Ashley Timmons , Lacey Corbett , and Macie McIntosh ) from this year’s team. CP is saying good bye to three seniors ( MaKenzie Pellum , Sidney Bailey , and Hannah Strickland ) who were three of the best hitters on the 2024 squad.

Clarendon Hall softball, Hilton Head Christian baseball win state titles

By Staff Reports • 16 May, 2024
Cardinal Newman, Augusta Christian to play if game for AAAA baseball title, Game 2 of Class A baseball series rescheduled again

South Carolina Baseball Coaches Association announces All-State teams

By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor • 16 May, 2024
Summerville's PJ Morlando chosen as AAAAA Player of the Year

PHOTOS: Pee Dee vs Orangeburg Prep on 5-13

By Larry Gamble • 15 May, 2024
Larry Gamble Photo Editor, HSSR SCISA Softball Championship play kicked off on May 13th, 2024, with teams playing an intense two days of games hoping to make a sweep to victory in the best of three game series to crown State Champion this week. The HSSR Camera was at Pee Dee for the Girls Softball ball Game 1. More photos from this Game 1 are available by following this link or the one below. High resolution prints and digital downloads from this event are available at www.LarryGamble.com by clicking this link to the photos.

Jefferson Davis Academy Wins 1st Girl’s State Title In 19 Years

By Billy Baker • 15 May, 2024
By Billy G. Baker Publisher Bluffton — With an 11-1 win over the Cross School at Bluffton High on May, 14 the Jefferson Davis Academy Raiders softball team (14-7) won the school’s first girl’s state title in any sport, since the basketball team won gold 19 years ago, sweeping the series in two games to claim the SCISA Class A championship. The dog pile on top of senior pitcher Reagan Still , at the end of the game, exemplified all the raw emotion that had gone into this historic season, and fulfilled a pledge that head coach Bart Owens had made to the team, in the team huddle, after the Raiders were swept in two games against Holly Hill Academy last season. “The night that we lost to Holly Hill at JDA last season I told the team that if everybody comes to work and does their job that we have the pitcher and the catcher and everything in place for us to win a state championship this season,” said Coach Owens. “I told them we just have to go get it done. “After three innings we decided as a coaching staff we were going to small ball and see how we could do and we were able to follow that up with some hits and from that point on the pressure was on them,” said Coach Owens. “We made great plays on defense, put the ball in play, ran the bases well, and we just did everything the way you are supposed to in this game. “There was no better way to send out Reagin Still than with a state championship,” said Coach Owens. “She is the best pitcher I’ve ever coached at JDA and she has been the main pitcher in our softball program since the 8 th grade. I couldn’t be happier for her and those final two strike-outs in the final inning were just fantastic.” The only other senior on the JDA team is third baseman Gylian Googe who came on strong, playing her best softball of the season during the playoffs. Still, who is headed to Florence-Darlington Tech to play softball, told the HSSR from the field, “I have never been prouder of this team,” she said. “This was a goal of ours all season. It’s just a proud moment for the whole team. My goal is to keep improving on my pitching and to get faster and faster.” Still has been named the HSSR-SCISA Class A Player of the Year by the HSSR . Joining Still on the HSSR-SCISA Class A all-state softball team will be catcher Kinlee Ray , center fielder Carrie Lynn Loadholt , infielder Sydney Owens and Googe. After three scoreless innings Still appeared locked into a pitcher’s dual with Savannah Hollings of the Cross School. However, JDA put up six runs in the top of the fourth inning to break the game wide-open. Kaylee Jackson led off the JDA, in the 4 th , with a single followed by an infield hit from Jamilynn Mock . Both runners advanced on a sac bunt from junior Madeline Respass . Two batters later, Elie Fogle’s infield hit scored Jackon to put JDA up 1-0 while also loading the bases. Catcher Kinlee Ray was up next and her single scored Mock to make it 2-0. A third run came in on a passed ball from courtesy runner Esme Montejano . Junior Rynn Fickling then singled in Fogle to make it 4-0 and Still singled in Ray to make it 5-0. Then, on a head’s up play, Fickling stole home for the sixth and final run of the JDA 4 th inning. In the bottom of the 5 th the Stingrays scored their only run of the game. Alaysia Hollings led off with an infield single and later scored on an RBI single by third baseman Bethany Carson . JDA added five insurance runs in the 6 th inning to go up 11-1. They produced these runs on four singles by Riley York , Fickling, Googe and Jackson along with two bases loaded walks while Owens and York were batting. Still had 8 strike-outs and allowed 9 hits during the game with no walks issued. JDA pounded out 12 hits as a team. After the game Cross School head coach Robert Hollings told the HSSR , “We have only been a varsity program for two years, so I am very proud of my team making it into the finals,” said Coach Hollings. “We only have two seniors on the team and most of my players are 9 th graders. We hope to be back in the finals again next year.” Coach Hollings has three daughters on the team who also play softball year-round. They are center fielder Alaysia Hollings , pitcher Savannah Hollings , and catcher Sydney Hollings .
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