Cross boys aiming to peak in playoffs

David Shelton • February 11, 2025

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By David Shelton

Senior Writer

Cross – the 2023-24 basketball season for the Cross High boys team was certainly one to remember. The Trojans are hoping for bigger memories this season.

Cross played in the Class A Lower State championship game last season, using a hot playoff run to make a strong dash at the end.

All indications point to Cross having the talent and experience to again challenge for the Class A state title. It has taken some time to bring the chemistry together but coach Chaquain Boone likes where his team is.

“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,” Boone reports. “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.

“I feel good about how the season is going so far. We have high goals, so we'll ultimately be judged by how we perform in the postseason.”

With the regular season winding down, Cross had won nine of their first 11 games overall and were 4-1 in region 7-A play. A second-place finish in the region would secure a home game in the first round of the playoffs but the goal remains a region title.

As was the case last season, the team leader this winter is 6-4 junior forward Caden Ramsey. As one of the team captains, Ramsey is putting up solid numbers across the stat sheet. He averages 14.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 1.3 blocked shots per game.

Another captain is senior Lavell Joyner, who adds 10.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.4 steals per game.

The third captain is senior Preston Fuller, who contributes 7.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.9 steals per contest.

Senior Micah Flute plays a key role inside. Flute is scoring 9.3 points and pulling down 10.1 rebounds per game.

Freshman Isaiah Wright is averaging 6.5 points, 3.3 steaks and 2.8 assists per game.

Boone is hoping the success of the last two seasons has set the foundation for extended winning down the road. The roster has plenty of underclassmen.

“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.”

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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.