Gators’ Hall has built consistent winner on Redbank Road

Rob Gantt • July 30, 2025

Blake Hall has coached the Gators since the 2012-13 season and consistently produced winning teams over the years.


By Rob Gantt

Special to the HSSR

 

Goose Creek – The boys basketball program at Goose Creek High School has been under the leadership of Blake Hall since the 2012-13 season and a consistent winner over the years. Opponents know they’re in a battle against Hall-coached teams.


This past winter, the Gators captured a Lower State championship for the second time in three seasons before falling to Greenville in double overtime. The Gators ended the campaign with a 25-4 record and were state runners-up for the fourth time since 2006.


The Gators under Hall are known for their tenacity and getting after opponents for four quarters or however long it takes.


“Our guys work really hard and maybe I run them a little too much, but I think you have to have that will not to give in late when you get tired,” Hall said.


The 2023-24 team was the type of squad Hall builds every winter.


“I was proud of them before the game even started,” he said after the championship loss. “… I love these guys. The result of a game doesn’t change that they’re champions in how they act and behave in the community and on campus. It’s a little disappointing, but that’s life.”


The contest was the last for several seniors, including all-state guard Shane Potts.


“They’re all great young men,” Hall said. “You don’t win at a high level without character people. They’re the epitome. I truly believe if you don’t have good people, you’re not going to win at a high level. They will be missed, but the relationship goes on. I look forward to watching them get out into the real world and do great things.”


Goose Creek brings back several key pieces from that squad for the 2025-26 season and should be in the bull’s eye again next winter. They’re still looking for their first state crown since 2009. Returning all-state guard Ja’Quell Brown will lead the way. Brown scored 27 points in the title game and forced the first overtime with an off-balance 3-pointer from the wing at the horn to tie it 58-58.


In addition to being named all-state, Brown earned the region’s player of the year honor.


Hall’s first squad on Redbank Road also capped the season in the state championship game after he guided North Charleston to its first state crown since 1997.

Hanahan volleyball program under new leadership

By Rob Gantt • July 30, 2025
Hanahan High School promotes Jamie Kock to head coach of the girls varsity volleyball. Koch, who has moved up from the junior varsity, takes over for former coach Sheena Lanham.

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.

Andrews Volleyball and Softball on solid foundation

By Neill Kirkpatrick • July 30, 2025
Joy Weisner begins her fourth year at Andrews High School and her third as the head coach of both the volleyball and softball teams.

Chesterfield Alum Hired to Football Post

By David Shelton • July 30, 2025
Chesterfield High has hired a former player and alum, Nick Dixon, to head up its football program.

Colleton Prep continues growth in athletics

By David Shelton • July 30, 2025
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Lewis has a seasoned group of Ashley Ridge coaches

By Roger Lee • July 30, 2025
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May River’s Bonneville Hopes To Build On Success Of Last Years Football Team

By Billy Baker • July 30, 2025
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Christ Church moves up and continues success

By Neill Kirkpatrick • July 30, 2025
Athletic Director Molly Miller has outstanding coaches who believe in the core values of Christ Church and the vision statement for CCE.

New Chapin AD looks to carry on Eagles traditions

By Worthy Evans • July 30, 2025
Chapin high school hires Billie Williams as Athletic Director after retirement of longtime AD Ronnie Wessinger.

Shaun Welch and his staff have St. John’s Christian on the right path

By Neill Kirkpatrick • July 30, 2025
By Neill Kirkpatrick Special to the HSSR  Moncks Corner – Head coach Shaun Welch begins his second season as the head of the St. John’s Christian football program after a solid first season where the Cavaliers ended the season in the first round of the SCISA Class AA playoffs. Before taking over the head job the Newberry College graduate had been an assistant coach for three years at SJCA. He began putting his stamp on the program last season and looks for year two to see more progress from his team. “Last year was my first year as head coach and I was proud of the way the team responded and played throughout the year. We went 4-6 in regular season and 3-2 in region. Our region losses came from Pee Dee Academy, which on the state championship and Bethesda Academy, which was the state runner up. We also took our first lost a season from Pinewood Prep the 3a state champion,” said coach. Coach continued, “My first goal when I first took over the program was to make sure that our team was disciplined, learn life lessons, give all our glory to the Lord, and get better every day, not just us football players, but as young men.” On the field coach Welch and his staff put in a spread offense that relay’s heavily on RPO’s but stressing the run game. Defensively, the one thing the Cav’s struggle with his size along the defensive front so they play with three down linemen with the rest of the defensive made up of athletic players that can get the football. Returning to coach Welch’s staff are Matthew Myers and Stephen Billiot . Myers handles the offensive and defensive lines and brings a wealth of experience to Cavaliers. Billiot is in his third year at SJCA and is the team’s defensive coordinator and running back’s coach. Ryan Jackson and Christopher Oliver will be in there first year at SJCA. Jackson will coach the wide receivers and the defensive backs while Oliver will handle the quarterbacks as well as help with the receivers and the defensive backs. “We stress to our kids discipline conditioning and getting better every day. Each week we must get better as we make it to our region into our playoff run, of course the first few games matter, but we want to progress every week. We have a veteran group returning so we are expecting a good season but we have a lot of work to do before the season starts,” coach Welch said. .
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