Day 1 of SCISA softball state tournaments

Dennis Brunson hssrcom Associate Editor • May 10, 2025

Tournaments resume on Saturday at 9 a.m. at Patriot Park, Palmetto Park in Sumter

      Sumter – Laurence Manning Academy and Wilson Hall in AAAA, Pee Dee Academy and Clarendon Hall in AAA, Dorchester Academy and Carolina Academy in AA and Holly Hill Academy and W.W. King in Class A are all within one victory of reaching their respective best-of-3 state championship series after the first day of the SCISA softball state tournament on Friday at both Patriot Park SportPlex and Palmetto Park.

 

   The AAAA and AAA tournaments resume on Saturday at 9 a.m. at Patriot Park, while the AA and Class A tournaments will resume at 9 at Palmetto Park.

 

   AAAA

 

   Defending state champion LMA rolled to a pair of easy victories on Friday. The Lady ‘Cats defeated Heathwood Hall 16-2 in its opening game before hammering defending state runner-up Hammond 17-2. They will face the winner of the 9 a.m. game between Ben Lippen and Heathwood Hall in the championship round of their bracket beginning at 11 a.m. needing just one win.

   

   In the triumph over Heathwood, Laurence Manning led 3-2 going into the bottom of the fourth before scoring 13 runs. It wrapped it up after five due to the 10-run mercy rule.

 

Ashley Rae Hodge and Marlee Black led LMA with three hits apiece. Hodge had two doubles, a home run, two runs scored, two runs batted in and two stolen bases. Black came up a homer short of hitting for the cycle and had two runs and three RBI.

 

   Lyza Prickelmyer had two hits, including a homer, three runs and three RBI, Caroline Welch had two doubles and three RBI, Jessica Griffith had a hit, two RBI and two runs, Carol Ann Briggs had a hit, three runs and three stolen bases, and Laini Kosinski had a double and an RBI.

 

   Kosinski worked five innings to get the win. She allowed six hits while striking out eight and walking none.

 

   Frances Laughlin had two hits and two runs to lead the Highlanders. Mamie Biel had a hit and an RBI, and Finley Buscher had an RBI.

 

   Against Hammond, the Lady ‘Cats scored 10 runs in the second and added five in the third to end the game after three innings due to the 15-run mercy rule.

 

   Briggs went 3-for-3 with two doubles, Pthree runs and an RBI to lead Laurence Manning. Prickelmyer had two doubles and five RBI, and Black, Hodge and Kosinski had two hits apiece. Hodge had a double and two runs, and Kosinski had a triple and two RBI. Griffith had a hit, three runs and an RBI.

 

   Kosinski again got the win in the circle, finishing with seven strikeouts among the nine outs she recorded in three innings.

 

   Barrett Brazell had a hit and two RBI for Hammond, while Ava Sapp had a hit and a run.

 

   Wilson Hall is trying to get back to the state championship series after having a lengthy streak snapped last season. The Lady Barons defeated Augusta Christian School 10-0 before edging Ben Lippen 4-3. They will face either Hammond or John Paul II at 11 a.m.

 

   Againist ACS, WH beat up eight runs in the bottom of the first. Caroline Moorman was 2-for-4 with a triple, a run and an RBI, while Mary Paisley Geddings had two hits,one a triple, an RBI and two runs . Caroline Andrews had a hit and two RBI.

 

   Lily Grace Przybyla allowed just one hit in three innings of work. Mary Kate Skey pitched hitless ball in the final two innings. Both had four strikeouts and didn’t walk a batter.

 

   Against Ben Lippen, Wilson Hall scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh after the Falcons had tied the game 3-3 in the top of the inning.

 

   Moorman had a triple in this game with a run and an RBI. Skey had two RBI, and Abby Bradley had a hit and a run.

 

   Pryzbyla worked the first three innings, allowing two runs. Skey worked the final four innings to get the victory.

 

   AAA

 

   If Clarendon Hall and Pee Dee are able to advance to the championship series, AAA will have a team that has won four straight state titles at the end of the series.

 

   PDA has won the last two AAA state titles after claiming the AA crown in 2022. The Golden Eagles won 12-0 over Colleton Prep Academy and beat Orangeburg Prep 4-0. They will face either Williamsburg Academy or Colleton Prep at 11 a.m. in the championship round.

 

   Clarendon Hall is in its first year in AAA after realignment. The Lady Saints won the last two AA crowns and the Class A title in ’22. They edged Dillon Christian School 4-2 and Williamsburg 9-0. They will meet either Dillon Christian, Calhoun Academy or Orangeburg Prep at 1:15 p.m. in the championship round.

 

   Against DCS, Calli Yount and Aubree Richardson both had two hits, a double and an RBI. AC Martens had a hit and two runs

 

   Brynli Brewer worked 6 2/3 innings to get the win, striking out seven while walking two and allowing six hits. Yount recorded the final out to get the save.

 

   Molly Andrews went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI to lead the Warriors.

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   Against Williamsburg, Yount pitched a 1-hit shutout, striking out 15 and walking none. It was a 2-0 game until CH scored seven runs in the bottom of the sixth.

 

   Mandy Wells led the CH offense with a homer, two runs and two RBI. Yount had two hits and two RBI, Martens had two hits and an RBI, and Sunshine Brown had a hit and two RBI.

 

   Abby Ward pitched five innings for the Stallions, striking out 11 while walking our and allowing four hits. Audrey Wadford had WA’s only hit.

 

   Williamsburg won two earlier games, beating Thomas Sumter Acaemy 15-3 and Calhoun Academy 5-1. In the win over Calhoun, Ward struck out 17.

 

   Orangeburg Prep, the 2-time defending AAA runner-up, beat Spartanburg Christian Academy 9-2 before falling to Pee Dee 4-1. Prestan Schurlknight had four hits, including a homer, against SCA.

 

AA

 

   Carolina rolled to two easy wins in its bracket, beating Thomas Heyward Academy 16-1 and Lee Academy 13-1. The Bobcats will face either The King’s Academy or Cross Schools at 11 a.m.

 

   Against THA, Natalie Braveboy had two hits, two RBI and a run. Paisley McCutcheon and Carly Ann Smith both had a hit, three runs and an RBI, Raylee Frye had a hit, two runs and two RBI, and Savannah McCutcheon had a hit, two RBI and a run. Lauren Sims and Kaylee Lyerly both scored two runs.

 

   Frye worked two innings of the 3-inning contest to get the win.

 

   Against Lee, Smith had three hits, including a double, three RBO and two runs. Frye had two hits and three RBI, while Savannah McCucheon had two hits and two RBI. Paisley Coker and Sims both had a hit and two runs.

 

Frye struck out eight in five innings, allowing just one hit.

 

   Dorchester beat Andrew Jackson Academy 15-0 and The King’s Academy 5-1 to advance to the championrhip round of its bracket. The Raiders will face either Lee or Laurens Academy at 11 a.m.

 

   Lyla Owens had two hits and four RBI against AJA. Briinley Pope, Rylee Matthews, Lucy Varnadoe and Emery McClure each had two hits. McClure got the win, allowing just two hits in four innings of work. She struck out six and walked two.

 

   McClure had a strong outing against TKA, going all seven innings and allowing just one run. She allowed five hits and four walks while striking out eight.

 

   Pope, Matthews, McClure and Alyssa Grooms all had a hit and an RBI.

 

   CLASS A

 

   Holly Hill and WW. King needed just one win on Friday to advance to the championship round HHA beat defending state champion Jefferson Davis Academy 7-1 and will face Marlboro Academy at 9 a.m. Marlboro eliminated JDA with a 7-2 victory.

 

   Taylor Wright got the win for Holly Hill, striking out nine. She also had a hit.

 

   King beat Marlboro 9-5. It will face Richard Winn Academy at 9 a.m.


AAAA

At Patriot Park SportPlex

Upper Bracket

Friday, May 9

Game 1 – Wilson Hall 10,  Augusta Christian 0

Game 2 – Ben Lippen beat John Paul II

Game 3 – John Paul II beat Augusta Christian (Augusta Christian eliminated)

Game 4 – Wilson Hall 4, Ben Lippen 3

Saturday, May 10

Game 5 – Hammond vs. John Paul II, 9 a.m. (Field 1)

Game 6 – Wilson Hall vs. Game 5 Winner, 11 a.m. (Field 1)

Game 7 – If Necessary

 

Lower Bracket

Friday, May 9

Game 1 – Cardinal Newman beat Northwood Academy

Game 2 – Hammond beat Cardinal Newman

Game 3 – Laurence Manning 16, Heathwood Hall 2

Game 4 – Heathwood Hall 17, Northwood Academy 2 (Northwood Academy eliminated)

Game 5 – Heathwood Hall 20, Cardinal Newman 4 (Cardinal Newman eliminated)

Game 6 – Laurence Manning 17, Hammond 2

Saturday, May 10

Game 7 – Ben Lippen vs. Heathwood Hall, 9 a.m. (Field 2)

Game 8 – Laurence Manning vs. Game 7 Winner, 11 a.m. (Field 2)

Game 9 – If Necessary

 

AAA

At Patriot Park SportPlex

Upper Bracket

Friday, May 9

Game 1 – Dillon Christian beat Greenwood Christian

Game 2 – Williamsburg 15, Thomas Sumter 2

Game 3 – Clarendon Hall 4, Dillon Christian 2

Game 4 – Williamsburg 5, Calhoun Academy 1

Game 5 – Calhoun Academy beat Greenwood Christian (Greenwood Christian eliminated)

Game 6 – Dillon Christian 3, Thomas Sumter 2 (Thomas Sumter eliminated)

Game 7 – Clarendon Hall 9, Williamsburg 0

Saturday, May 10

Game 8 – Calhoun Academy vs. Dillon Christian, 9 a.m. (Field 3)

Game 9 – Orangeburg Prep vs. Game 8 Winner, 11 a.m. (Field 3)

Game 10 – Clarendon Hall vs. Game 9 Winner, 1:15 p.m. (Field 1)

Game 11 – If Necessary

 

Lower Bracket

Friday, May 9

At Palmetto Park

Game 1 – Colleton Prep 15, Florence Christian 5

Game 2 – Pee Dee 12, Colleton Prep 0

Game 3 – Orangeburg Prep 9, Spartanburg Christian 2

Game 4 – Spartanburg Christian 21, Florence Christian 14 (Florence Christian eliminated)

Game 5 – Colleton Prep 11, Spartanburg Christian 1 (Spartanburg Christian eliminated)

Game 6 – Pee Dee 4, Orangeburg Prep 1

Saturday, May 10

At Patriot Park SportPlex

Game 7 – Williamsburg vs. Colleton Prep, 9 a.m. (Field 2)

Game 8 – Pee Dee vs. Game 7 Winner, 11 a.m. (Field 2)

Game 9 – If Necessary

 

AA

At Palmetto Park

Upper Bracket

Friday, May 9

Game 1 – Carolina Academy 16, Thomas Heyward 1

Game 2 – Lee Academy 13, Cross Schools 6

Game 3 – Cross Schools 17, Thomas Heyward 3 (Thomas Heyward eliminated)

Game 4 – Carolina Academy 13, Lee Academy 1

Saturday, May 10

Game 5 – The King’s Academy vs. Cross Schools, 9 a.m. (Field 1)

Game 6 – Carolina Academy vs. Game 5 Winner, 11 a.m. (Field 1)

Game 7 – If Necessary

 

Lower Bracket

Friday, May 9

Game 1 – Dorchester Academy 15, Andrew Jackson 0

Game 2 – The King’s Academy 12, Laurens Academy 1

Game 3 – Laurens Academy 14, Andrew Jackson 9 (Andrew Jackson eliminated)

Game 4 – Dorchester Academy 5, The King’s Academy 1

Saturday, May 10

Game 5 – Lee Academy vs. Laurens Academy, 9 a.m. (Field 2)

Game 6 – Dorchester Academy vs. Game 5 Winner, 11 a.m. (Field 4)

Game 7 – If Necessary

 

CLASS A

At Palmetto Park

Upper Bracket

Friday, May 9

Game 1 – Jefferson Davis 4, Wardlaw Academy 1

Game 2 – Holly Hill 7, Jefferson Davis 1

Game 3 – Marlboro Academy 16, Wardlaw Academy 7 (Wardlaw Academy eliminated)

Saturday, May 10

Game 4 – Holly Hill vs. Marlboro Academy, 9 a.m. (Field 3)

Game 5 – If Necessary

 

Upper Bracket

Friday, May 9

Game 1 – Marlboro Academy 7, Richard Winn 5

Game 2 – W.W. King 9, Marlboro Academy 5

Game 3 – Richard Winn 7, Jefferson Davis 2 (Jefferson Davis eliminated)

Saturday, May 10

Game 4 – W.W. King vs. Richard Winn, 9 a.m. (Field 6)

Game 5 – If Necessary

SCHSL Release 2026-2028 Realignment Final

By Staff Reports • December 22, 2025
SCHSL Release 2026-2028 Realignment Final Columbia, SC (12-19-25) -- The South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) has finalized the classification placement of all schools beginning with the 2026-27 school year. This classification placement will be in effect for two years. The guidelines established by the Reclassification/Realignment Guidelines Committee served as the blueprint for schools’ placements. Schools were assigned based on their enrollment count, to include district additions and the 3.0 multiplier. Flexibility, as approved by the Reclassification/Realignment Guidelines Committee, was also used with consideration given to geographics and travel. “Appreciation is expressed to those who served on the Reclassification/Realignment Guidelines Committee,” said Dr. Jerome Singleton, Commissioner of the SCHSL. “Classification placement of schools is the initial phase of the process. The next step for the League staff is to place the schools into regions in their respective classifications.” The SCHSL’s Executive Committee will meet January 13-14, 2026, to hear appeals regarding the classification placements. The final reclassifications are attached.

Stratford’s Davis Leads South Carolina to 17-7 Win in 89th Shrine Bowl

By David Shelton • December 21, 2025
By David Shelton Senior Writer Spartanburg – Stratford quarterback Jachin Davis threw a pair of touchdown passes and South Carolina defeated North Carolina, 17-7, in the 89 th Shrine Bowl all-star game in Spartanburg on December 20. Davis , named the offensive most valuable player for the Sandlappers, completed 10 of 15 passes for 184 yards in the game. He is headed to Liberty University as an early enrollee. “Great experience and great to get a win,” Davis said. “Playing with all of these great players was something I will never forget.” South Carolina dominated the game defensively, allowing only 136 total yards. The Tarheels completed just five of 19 passes. Stratford running back Maliq McGowan , a late addition to the roster, finished as the leading rusher for South Carolina with 42 yards on nine carries. West Ashley’s Bristol Biegenzahn played on the defensive front for the Sandlappers while Berkeley’s Zion Britt started on the offensive line. Cross safety, and South Carolina signee Caden Ramsey , Berkeley linebacker Gehad Sneed , and Timberland offensive lineman Desmond Green, who is headed to Florida, also played for the Sandlappers. “You win all-star games with defense and our defense was outstanding,” said SC head coach Paul Sutherland , who retired as the head coach at Liberty High after the season. “Glad to get the win for South Carolina. The kids were great. I am very blessed to have had this opportunity.” It took less than 10 seconds for the Sandlappers to score the game’s first touchdown as Davis combined with Dillon receiver Zay Robertson , heading to North Carolina , on an 80-yard bomb on the first play of the game for a quick 7-0 lead. Robertson finished the game with four catches for 131 yards. “He’s a great player,” said Davis of Robertson. “Getting that first touchdown was a tone setter.” South Carolina lost fumbles on their next two possessions, the second miscue leading to North Carolina’s game-tying touchdown after a 23-yard drive. Spartanburg’s Will Love , heading to Virginia Tech , kicked a 35-yard field goal late in the second quarter for a 10-7 halftime lead for the Sandlappers. South Carolina’s last play offensive snap in the game was Davis’s nine-yard touchdown pass to Jude Hall of Christ Church with :59 seconds left on the game clock. Chester linebacker Terry Rayford , who had 11 tackles, was the defensive most valuable player for the Sandlappers. Dorman's Kentavion Anderson and Ridge View's Jordan Best recorded interceptions The win gives South Carolina a 48-34 lead in the series. There have been seven ties.

SCHSL releases proposed reclassification for 2026-27, '27-28 school years

By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor • December 20, 2025
Proposal has AAAAA going from 54 schools to 40 and not being split into divisions

OCA Wins Third Consecutive State Title with 28-7 Win Over BHP

By David Shelton • December 19, 2025
Oceanside senior WR, Terence Johnson, a Shrine Bowl all-star game selection, had 57 catches for 1,153 yards and 17 touchdowns plus 9 rushing touchdowns this season.

Panthers aim to remain a contender

By Roger Lee • December 19, 2025
Running back Grayson Salego is one of several starters who should return to the Panthers’ football team next season. Photo by Roger Lee. 

Timberland girls basketball team off to torrid start

By Rob Gantt • December 19, 2025
Timberland's Zion Prioleau, named on of Class AA's top seniors by the SC Basketball Coaches Association, averaged 14.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.8 steals per game in 2024-20225.

Wilson Hall senior class 32-7 last 3 years

By Dennis Brunson • December 19, 2025
 By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor Sumter – The Wilson Hall football team played in its third straight SCISA AAA state championship game in November. And for the third straight year, the Barons came out on the short end of the stick. WH lost to Pinewood Prep for the second consecutive year, falling by a score of 55-13. That being said, Wilson Hall head coach Adam Jarecki could only praise his team, especially the 17-man senior class. “This group of seniors graduates with three trips to the state championship and not many people can say that,” Jarecki said of the Class of 2026, which went 32-7 over that 3-year stretch. “I’m extremely proud of them. They’re our leaders at the school. They’re the influential people at our school. We’d love to see them go out with success in the end, but what they accomplished is pretty special, and they’ve got to take pride in that. “They had a great year (finishing with an 11-2 record for the second straight year) and they’ve had a great career. It’s tough not to come out on top, but they know what it takes to get here and they bought into it.” Six of those seniors were among the eight Barons named to the All-Region 2-AAA team. Leading the way was quarterback Ford Wilder , who was selected as the Region Offensive Player of the Year. Wilder completed 41 of 79 passes for 565 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 483 yards and 12 TDs on 87 carries. Senior running backs Ben McLaurin and Milling Galloway were selected. McLaurin rushed for 1,234 yars and 16 scores on 121 carries. Galloway rushed for 585 yards and 11 touchdowns 62 carries despite missing three games and the majority of a fourth due to injury. The other senior All-Region picks were free safety Harris Naylor and defensive linemen Walker Wilson and Andrew Howle . Naylor had 35 tackles, one tackle for loss, two interceptions and three pass deflections. Wilson had 39 tackles, seven TFLs, two quarterback sacks and one PD. Howle had 28 tackles, a team high nine TFLs and two sacks. The other two All-Region selections were junior defensive lineman Reese Wilson and junior linebacker Peyton Gilley . Reese Wilson shared the team lead in sacks with four to go with 21 tackles, eight TFLs, one PD and one fumble recovery. Gilley had a team high 61 tackles and shared the team lead in interceptions with three, returning one for a touchdown, to go with three sacks and six TFLs. Along with being All-Region picks, each of the eight were All-State selections and were chosen to play in the SCISA North-South All-Star Games.

Lee Academy basketball teams start slow

By Dennis Brunson • December 19, 2025
By Dennis Brunson Hssr.com Associate Editor Bishopville – Both the boys and girls basketball teams for Lee Academy got off to 1-3 starts, but neither of the head coaches are close to making a determination on what the season holds for their squads. “I am really excited about the team we have for this season,” said boys head coach Kemp DeWitt , who is in his second season at Lee. “We return four players that gave us crucial minutes last season. Brayden Davis , Cain June , Gavin Makela and Paxton Greene give me a solid base surrounded by the new faces we have this season. “We look to find our identity as a team before we head into Christmas break, so we can come out strong when region play starts.” Davis, a sophomore point guard, and June, a senior small forward, are the two returning starters. Davis was averaging 9.3 points per game, while June was scoring at a 9.0 clip. Makela is a junior center while Greene is a senior shooting guard. The other starter is junior power forward Aiden Fitzgerald . Greene was averaging 6.3 points, Fitzgerald 3.5 and Makela 1.6. Other members of the boys team are senior Collins Drayton , junior Cannon Hopkins , who was averaging 5.0, junior Tucker Rodgers , junior James Watson , junior Matthew Inabinet and junior Keegan Gainey . Girls head coach Kim Langston , a decades-long veteran of the SCISA wars, said she hadn’t seen enough of her team to form an opinion. The Lady Cavaliers are young with just one senior starter in Mazie Tomlinson . The other starters are junior Mallori Frye , sophomore Karagan Melton , freshman Kaisley Melton and eighth-grader Beth Whiteside . Karagan Melton was the leading scorer with a 9.5 average to go with 3.8 rebounds. Tomlinson was averaging 6.3 points, 3.3 steals, 4.3 assists and 9.5 boards, Whiteside was at 5.0 points, 1.0 blocked shots and 6.8 rebounds, Frye was averaging 2.0 points and 3.3 rebounds, and Kaisley Melton was averaging 2.3 steals, 2.3 points and 2.5 rebounds. The rest of the roster includes sophomore Emma Beasley , senior Sara Bell , senior Zana Brazell , senior Raylee Catoe and junior Addie Grace Wilkes . 4 CAVALIERS FOOTBALL ALL REGION The Lee football team had four players selected to the All-Region 1-Class A team. The selections were wide receiver/linebacker Cain June, senior quarterback/defensive back Andrew Bowers , senior offensive lineman/defensive lineman Hampton Layton and senior linebacker/running back Tucker Boyce .

LADY PATRIOTS READY FOR ANOTHER TITLE RUN

By Gerald Doolittle • December 18, 2025
Wardlaw Academy senior Taylor Hill during the 2025 championship game.

Thomas Heyward’s O’Banner ends stellar career

By David Shelton • December 18, 2025
Thomas Heyward's Tony O'Banner closes his high school FB career with 8,019 all-purpose yards and 96 career TDs.
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