Cross basketball continued growth in 2024-25

David Shelton • March 19, 2025

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By David Shelton

Senior Writer

Cross – A one-point loss to Carver’s Bay in the second-round of the Class A Lower State playoffs was a crushing end to the 2024-25 basketball season for the Cross High Trojans.

Cross entered the playoffs looking for another great run. The Trojans reached the Lower State finals in 2023-24. While coming up a little short, Cross continued the growth that coach Chaquain Boone had hoped for. Cross finished the season with a 14-3 record despite most of the roster getting a late start to the success of the football team. The Trojans have racked up 50 wins over the last three seasons. And more winning is coming with a good group of underclassmen on the way.

“We only have three seniors so we will have most of the team returning next year,” Boone said. “Our players work and play extremely hard. That work ethic and style of play is a great sign for our future.

“Apart from two players, the entire team played in the Class A football state championship, so we had a late start to the basketball season. However, none of the players have ever complained about the basketball workload even after a long and hard football season. They have maintained a great attitude and have worked extremely hard. That bodes well for the future.”

The top performer this season was 6-4 junior Caden Ramsey, who averaged 15.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. He earned Class A all-state honors for the second straight season. Ramsey will be one of the top senior prospects in Class A in football and basketball.

The three seniors contributed well to the team’s success. Micah Flute averaged 8.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. Lavell Joyner added 9.4 points and 3.4 assists, while Preston Fuller added 9.6 points per game.

Among the underclassmen, top contributors included freshman Bernard Middleton (5.0 ppg), sophomore Tyler Harris (4.1 ppg), junior Kenji Polite (4.0 ppg) and freshman Isaiah Wright (3.5 ppg).

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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.