Colleton County softball in region title contention late

David Shelton • April 16, 2025

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By David Shelton

Senior Writer

Walterboro – With some key veterans returning this spring, it is not surprising to see the Colleton County softball team racking up wins in 2025.

The Cougars won 13 of their first 14 games overall this season, which included a 5-1 start in the region 7-AAAA schedule. Colleton County has a chance to win the region and earn some home games in the postseason, which could propel them to bigger and better things in the Lower State playoffs.

Tavara Edwards is in her 11^th season as a coach in the program and has built a solid winning program with her veteran players. One of the team’s strengths is how well they get along and play together.

“I think we’re gelling really well,” reports the coach. “They work hard because they want to win. We still need to improve on some things but overall we are doing well. We’re an improved defensive team and that has been a big key for us.”

Though Edwards, like every coach, would like to see her team be more consistent offensively, it is hard to look at some of the numbers and not see a very capable lineup. Four players posted batting averages of at least .500 in the first 14 games.

The leading hitter this season has been junior infielder Brooklyn Holmes, who is hitting .615 with 23 runs batted in. Senior Lanasia Sanders is hitting .561 with three homers and 24 RBI while eighth-grade infielder Brea Gerard is hitting .528 with 13 RBI.

Junior Alex Eversole is hitting .512 with 13 RBI and sophomore McKenzie Cochran, who plays first base, is hitting .395 with 16 RBI.

Seniors Madison Miller and Kristina Rheam are hitting .375 and .308, respectively.

Sanders does more than hit for the Cougars. She also is the team’s No. 1 pitcher, sharing duties inside the circle with Gerard. Sanders is 6-1 with a 1.94 earned run average, striking out 60 hitters in 36 innings. Gerard is 5-0 with a 1.36 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 36 innings of work. The duo share duties at shortstop as well.

Rounding out the roster this season are Miya Gant, Timayah Believe, McCayla Shaffer, Caroline Herndon, Janay Manigo and Xiomara Oxner, who is injured this season.

The baseball team has had some tough luck this spring, managing just two wins in their first 16 games with a pair of ties.

The Cougars are winless in the region with three-game region series against May River and Beaufort remaining after spring break.

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First Baptist Hires New AD and Football Coach

By David Shelton • July 30, 2025

By David Shelton Senior Writer Charleston – First Baptist School has new leadership within its football program and athletic department for the coming 2025-26 school year. Kevin Mapp was hired as the new head football coach in the early spring and Jay Godbolt was hired as the new athletic director at the start of the summer. Mapp has extensive coaching experience on both the college and high school levels while also working in law enforcement. First Baptist is his first head coaching position. Mapp last coached defensive linemen at James Island Charter High and has had coaching stints at James Madison, Hampden-Sydney, Georgetown, Marshall, Missouri State and Coastal Carolina. Mapp graduated from James Madison and was a defensive lineman on the 2004 Division I-AAA (now FCS) national championship team. “Coaching has always been my passion,” Mapp said. “Ever since I was playing, I wanted to be a coach. I have always found a way to coach while working in law enforcement. I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunities to do both.” Mapp has been with the Charleston County police department for the last 10 years. He took some time away from coaching to start a family. “I felt like First Baptist was the perfect fit for me and my family,” Mapp says. “It’s a great opportunity at a great place. The kids here work hard and there is a lot of support from the administration. I’m excited to be the head football coach at First Baptist.” Mapp has hired coordinators on both sides of the ball. Will McCombs , once the head coach of the program, will call the offensive plays. Chris Hart comes over from James Island as the defensive coordinator. “Our numbers are improving and the kids are working hard,” Mapp said. “I feel like we can be a competitive team. It’s year one of the building process.” Godbolt has been a coach and athletic director in the Charleston area for nearly two decades. As the boys basketball coach at Charleston Collegiate, Godbolt coached three state championship teams. He also has been a coach and athletic director at Lowcountry Leadership Academy. Godbolt has more than 450 career victories as a head basketball coach. Current First Baptist basketball coach Antoine Saunders was Godbolt’s assistant at Charleston Collegiate.