Dion Bethea, Gray Collegiate’s first boys basketball coach in the school’s history, returns to the program this season.

Gray Collegiate's rising junior, Aspen Boulware on the diamond at short stop.

By Billy G. Baker Publisher Columbia —In this Modern Turf recruiting article we will focus on Gray Collegiate rising junior softball player Aspen Boulware , her highly regarded rising senior football playing brother Michael Boulware , Jr., and Southside Christian junior left-handed pitcher Carson Boleman who struck-out 19 batters in his team’s state championship win over Oceanside Collegiate . As always, we would like to extend our appreciation to Mark Grainger and the fine folks at Modern Turf, in Irmo and Rembert, for sponsoring our monthly recruiting feature page. Having covered two recent Gray Collegiate softball games, this writer of 52 years, truly feels like rising junior Aspen Boulware, who plays shortstop for the War Eagles, was the best softball player in the state of South Carolina this past season, from any grade level. In all honesty, I think she may have been the top prep sophomore player in the United States, and that covers a whole lot of ground. This past season Boulware led the state of South Carolina in home runs (22), RBI’s (44), and runs scored (67). She hit .573 and was easily chosen the AAAA Player of the Year by the South Carolina Softball Coaches Association . She was the Region Player of the Year also.  And if we can all keep this a secret, due to the fact the HSSR, will not officially release our Spring Sports all-state teams until Monday, June, 16, Boulware was the top vote getter on all-state ballots returned from head softball coaches all around the state for 2025 Miss Softball honors. She will indeed be named Miss Softball in the state of South Carolina when the lists of honorees are made public by the HSSR at hssr.com in mid-June. After watching her play “live” on May, 6 in an early round play-off 15-0 win over Bluffton, it was time to meet this truly gifted athlete, and have her share some of her hopes and dreams she has as a softball player. “Absolutely, my number one goal right now is to help my team win a state title,” said Boulware after the Bluffton win. “My role is to help carry the team offensively and defensively. We are not a one- person team. It takes all of us playing together to have success. “I love being a part of this team, and we are all focused on competing hard, and hopefully winning a state title,” she said. “I have been playing softball competitively since I was 8 years old, and softball is the only varsity sport I play. I take a lot of pride in trying to lift up, and support my teammates. “One of my strong goals is to be on the USA softball team in the 2028 Olympics,” said Boulware. “That would be a dream come true if I could accomplish that goal.” Boulware has already played on the USA National 16-U softball team, and she has been promoted to the 18-U USA National team this summer, and this group of the best-of-best will play against other top teams for a three- week period over the summer. Less than 24 hours after helping her team defeat York 5-2, to capture the state title, with a towering home run over the right field fence in the first inning, Boulware has joined her elite travel team known as the Thunder Bolts based in Alabama. In that game she blasted another home run! By the way, after her first inning bomb against York she was walked the next two times she came to bat. In fact, Boulware was walked 35 times during her sophomore season, making her stats even more impressive. How many more home runs and RBI’s might she have had if teams were willing to pitch to her? Doug Frye is the highly regarded head softball coach at Gray Collegiate . He is an old school coach who rarely gets carried away talking about any one player he coaches. He breaks his own rule when talking about Aspen Boulware. “Her work ethic is what blows me away,” said Coach Frye. “Who gets in a car with her mother (former Florida State Softball Hall of Fame member Jessica van der Linden , who was named the National Softball Player of the Year in 2004), and drives 250 miles to Alabama to play with her travel team the next day? “Last year, the day after we won the AA state title, she and mother went to a local rec field and Boulware asked her mother to hit her 500 ground balls as hard as she could,” said Coach Frye. “I can say with confidence that she is the best high school softball player in South Carolina. With everything she brings to the table I do not think any other player can match her all around play. “She could easily play center field for us, and she can throw a softball 64 miles per hour, but she would rather play shortstop,” said Coach Frye. “You might say there is a little competition between she and her mother. Aspen studies pitchers like no player I’ve been around. She takes pride in knowing when the change-up is coming for example. “Well, one day her mother is pitching to her during one of their many practice routines, and Aspen tells her Mom (who won 67 games in the circle at FSU) that she could hit a home run against her best pitching,” said Coach Frye. “Well, the competition between the two began and after 30 pitches, or so, the Mom was winning the challenge. “Aspen figured out that her Mom’s next pitch would be a change-up and she guessed right,” said Coach Frye. “She blasted the ball over the fence, and deep into the woods, and I don’t even think they even went to look for the ball, as that was the end of that batting practice.” In conclusion, Coach Frye says Aspen is the fastest player he has ever coached. “Teams that walk her have to deal with the fact she will be on third base before they know it,” said Coach Frye. “As a shortstop she can get to balls hit deep into the hole, that few other shortstops can get to. She can make a very challenging play look routine and she throws many batters out by two steps from deep short.” The HSSR considers the top junior baseball prospect in South Carolina to be Carson Boleman a 6-3 LHP pitcher from Southside Christian who recently stuck-out 19 batters against Oceanside Collegiate to lead the Sabre’s to the AAA state title. Boleman is a commitment to Wake Forest but the Deacons could be competing with major league baseball for his services after he graduates next year. Southside Christian is head coached by Scott Freeman , and he was just appointed the athletic director for the Sabres as well. Coach Freeman has won five baseball state titles and he finished the 2025 with 307-110-1 career record. He has help develop numerous major college prospects, particularly when he heads coached Mauldin baseball for six years, earlier in his career. When asked if he had ever coached anyone better than Boleman, Freeman had a quick response, “No, I have not and I doubt that I ever will.” In the first inning of the state finals second game with Oceanside Collegiate, Coach Freeman said Boleman’s fastball was clocked at 95 mph. “Carson just doesn’t over power you on the mound because he has command of several pitches and he is very effective with his off-speed pitches as well. “He throws a slider, curve ball, and change-up and he is just a student of the game,” said Coach Freeman. “He began pitching for our varsity in the 8 th grade when he pitched game one against Johnsonville in the state championship series. He had elbow surgery his 9 th grade year and he returned to hit some late in the season, but he did not pitch at all his freshman year. “He came on strong his sophomore year on the mound and has been even better as a junior,” said Coach Freeman. “Coaches love it when their top player is also the hardest worker on the team. Carson never lets anything go to his head. The day after he had 19 strike-outs in the championship game he was back in the gym the next day working out.” As a junior, Boleman finished 12-0 on the mound. He had an unreal 135 strike-outs in 55 innings of work. He had an ERA of 0.00. Teams batted .039 against him. These are some impressive stats for any baseball pitcher. Boleman is a first baseman when he is not on the mound. He hit .352 with seven home runs and 38 RBI’s this season. He is under serious consideration for the Gatorade SC Player of the Year according to Coach Freeman. “I knew Carson was going to be a special player when I first heard about him in like the fourth grade,” said Coach Freeman. “You will never meet a more humble kid. He does not let success go to his head. He is a great team mate. In the class room he carries like a 4.65 GPA. “I would use adjectives like focused and confident when he is on the mound,” said Coach Freeman. ”He is smart on the mound and he is always thinking ahead of the batters he is facing. He is a kid that was born to play baseball at a very high level. If he does not get early round consideration for the major league draft, after next season, there should not even be a draft. He is everything you are looking for in a pitcher and he has been a pleasure to coach.” Boleman plays on a well-respected National Showcase travel team known as the Canes and his coach says he will be active with the canes this summer where he is surely to get scouted by numerous major league teams. “Honestly, Carson is really committed to Wake Forest and he loves the coaching staff in place in Winston Salem,” said Coach Freeman. “His family has ties to the Winston Salem area also. “”Carson has had interest from many major colleges like Clemon and South Carolina,” said Coach Freeman. “He has been to a lot of prospect camps over the past two summers but he fell in love with Wake Forest and the baseball staff and it would be hard for any college to get him away from Wake Forest right now.” When you watch film of Gray Collegiate 2026 linebacker Michael Boulware (6-2, 220), or watch him play on Friday night, it’s like a flash-back to the days his father ( Michael , Sr .) and uncle ( Peter ) played at Spring Valley, back in the 1990’s. Peter and Michael, Sr. went on to play at Florida State and both brothers went on to play in the NFL after college. The younger Boulware had 155 tackles, 8 TFL, two sacks, 11 hurries, and four interceptions as a sophomore when he helped lead Gray Collegiate to the AA state title. He followed up those outstanding accomplishments with 103 tackles, five sacks, 9.5 TFL, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and two blocked kicks as a junior. Unfortunately, his team was put out of the play-offs by the SCHSL for using an ineligible player so he only played in 10 games as a junior. The question this writer has is likely the same questions the Boulware family has, now that the off-campus Spring evaluation period has come and gone. Despite his hard-work as a sophomore and junior, Boulware is yet to receive a major college football offer. He was even left off the 247 2026 in-state watch list for South Carolina. This writer had an in-depth conversation with Boulware’s high school coach DeAngelo Bryant and he is little disappointed also. After graduation from Silver Bluff Coach Bryant went on to enjoy a college career at Wake Forest . In fact, he played against Michael’s father in college. “Back in February I watched Michael play in a junior all-star showcase game at Airport High School with most of the top rising seniors involved in the game,” said Coach Bryant. “Michael had 12 tackles and he was the best linebacker in the game, on either team, hands down. “A couple months later he attends a Coaches Combine at Woodland High and he runs a 4.25 shuttle that measures how well at athlete runs from side-to-side and in all directions,” said Bryant. “When you run a shuttle that fast, carrying 218 pounds of weight, that is really separating you from the pack. No one at that event came close to that shuttle time.” Boulware runs a 4.65 laser times forty. He dead lifts 500 pounds with a 425 squat. He powers cleans 290 with a vertical of 32 inches. He has a 295- pound bench press. Having reported on top football players in South Carolina for nearly 40 years I companion with the Boulware family in asking this question. What else does Michale Boulware need to do on a football field to merit an offer from a major college football program? During the May evaluation period Coach Bryant said 32 different colleges came by to see him and he said several came by only to talk to him about Boulware. “I got the impression that while a lot of major colleges said they like the sheer athleticism of Michael, they have yet to elevate liking him, to loving him” said Coach Bryant. “There is no doubt in my mind that he is a power five football player. On a football field he has a high motor that all coaches love. “I think what has been lost by major college coaches is the fact that no one is going to out-work Michael Boulware, and I mean no one when I say this,” said Coach Bryant. “Trust me, this will be verified by the college that is fortunate to sign in.” At the present time Boulware has serious interest from Wake Forest , Virginia Tech , and Coastal Carolina . South Carolina has told him that he is on their radar and to date Clemson has not shown little interest but he did camp with the Tigers recently. He will be attending numerous one day prospect camps over the summer. The HSSR currently ranks Boulware as the 15 th over-all 2026 prospect in South Carolina. He is expected to have a monster senior season at Gray Collegiate and we wish him well. With football scholarships increasing from a total of 105, compared to the old allotment of 85 one would hope there is an opportunity for a truly talented player like Boulware to land a spot in a power five program. So, in this Modern Turf recruiting feature we have talked in-depth about top sophomore softball prospect Aspen Boulware of Gray Collegiate, rising senior football prospect Michael Boulware also of gray Collegiate, and Carson Boleman , one of the nation’s top junior pitchers this past season. The state of South Carolina continues to be a hotbed for next level prep talent as exemplified by these three outstanding athletes.

Midlands Top 10 Baseball 1. Airport (27-6) 2. Batesburg-Leesville (24-6-1) 3. Lexington (22-11-1) 4. Blythewood (24-7) 5. Ben Lippen (23-6) 6. Gilbert (26-6) 7. Dutch Fork (19-7) 8. Chapin (18-7) 9. A.C. Flora (19-9-1) 10. River Bluff (19-10) Softball 1. Gray Collegiate (32-3) 2. Gilbert (25-5) 3. Lexington (23-6) 4. A.C. Flora (23-7) 5. Blythewood (20-9) 6. Pelion (16-8) 7. Airport (15-11) 8. White Knoll (14-9-1) 9. Chapin (13-11) 10. Hammond (11-10) By WORTHY EVANS Contributing Writer Columbia - The spring sports season in the Midlands featured dozens of teams going for state championships in baseball, softball, boys and girls soccer, boys tennis, lacrosse, and track and field. Several Midlands teams played through the competition and claimed state championships. To note, Batesburg - Leesville baseball collected its first state title since 1949. Airport baseball went on a late-season hot streak and won its first state crown in the team’s history. Gray Collegiate softball got its first 4A state championship and third state title in four years.  In boys tennis, A.C. Flora won its first state title since 2021 and third in team history. In girls soccer, A.C. Flora earned their first state title. The Cardinal Newman boys soccer team picked up their sixth straight SCISA state championship, and the Lexington girls Lacrosse team won its first state crown. The South Carolina High School League’s state track and field championships showcased the Blythewood girls team , which won their second straight 5A championship; the Gray Collegiate Academy girls team , which won the 4A state title; and the Fairfield Central boys team , which won their second straight 2A state title. Batesburg-Leesville’s first state title since 1949 With an 8-5 victory over Philip Simmons at the University of South Carolina’s Founders Park May 31, the Batesburg-Leesville baseball team won their first state championship since 1949, winning the best-of-3 2A championship series two games to one. The Panthers (24-6-1) scored three runs in the first inning and three more in the second, and took a 6-2 lead into the fifth inning, where they picked up two more runs. The Iron Horses rallied for two runs in the sixth inning, but relief pitcher Landon Soper pitched an uneventful seventh inning to seal the win. “I can’t describe how it feels,” head coach Rob Bouknight said. “These kids have battled all year. (The six seniors) have been here since they were eighth graders. … We’re so happy and so blessed. It was amazing. It was supposed to be a neutral site. … Our whole town showed up and made it feel like a home game.” Philip Simmons won the first game of the series 5-3 May 24, but the Panthers won 3-2 May 28 to force the deciding game at Founders Park. Besides pitching four innings and getting the win for the Panthers, Braydon Hallman hit a 3-run double in the second inning that put the game out of reach. On the mound, Hallman gave up seven hits, walked two and gave up three earned runs, but struck out nine. Gavin Parish also doubled. Airport wins 4A championship, first state title Airport’s baseball team blew through the competition in the regular season and postseason to capture the team’s first state championship. The Eagles (27-6) won the Region 4-4A title. Then the already hot team turned it up a notch, winning nine straight games, most of them convincingly, en route to a 4A championship series 2-game sweep of Seneca . Airport won 3-2 at Seneca May 25, but closed out the series quickly with a 10-0, 6-inning victory over the Bobcats at home. “This was for a lot of people. We lost some good ones this year… We were playing for our community and friends and it was good,” head coach Casey Bradwell said. “We put pressure on people, that’s what we do all the time, make them make plays, and we did that. We put enough balls in play to make them make some mistakes and we capitalized on them.” Hunter Epps worked the entire six innings on the mound, giving up four hits and striking out six while walking just one. “That dude’s never in trouble, man,” Bradwell said. “He throws the ball over the plate, he’s the best competitor I’ve ever coached. I’m proud of him, he did great.” Epps also went 2-for-3 with a double, while Braden Gross went 3-for-3 with three runs batted in. Brice Gillette also had two hits. GCA softball wins third title in four years Gray Collegiate softball, competing in the 4A classification after years at the 2A level, didn’t miss a step. The War Eagles (32-3) stumbled in a lopsided loss to eventual 5A Division 1 champion Byrnes March 15, and lost a Region 4-4A game to rival Gilbert April 21. The rest of the regular season and postseason leading up to the 4A championship series against York was all victories. York’s ace, senior and Erskine signee Layla Clayton , got the best of Gray in game 1 May 27 as the War Eagles fell 2-1 in a game interrupted by rain and completed in York before the start of game 2 May 28. Clayton stayed in the circle for game two, but the War Eagles got a 4-0 victory to force a game three set for May 31. The Cougars took a 2-1 lead by the third inning of game three, but Maddox Long’s 2-run home run in the fourth inning and Kayley Anderson’s 2-run shot in the fifth inning sealed a 5-2 win and 2-1 series victory for the War Eagles. “They work so hard. People wouldn’t believe how hard these kids work,” Gray Collegiate head coach Doug Frye said. “There ain’t that many teams that can outwork us. They may beat us, but they don’t outwork us. We lose, we come back and get better. We’re done today, and I’ll bet half these kids will be practicing tomorrow, trying to get better. They’re hungry for it.” Long also was the starting pitcher and worked three innings, giving up two earned runs on three hits. She made way for Makenzie Sease , who pitched a complete game in game one and returned to pitch four innings of 1-hit ball to get the win. Besides Long’s and Anderson’s home runs, sophomore Aspen Boulware hit her team-leading 22 nd home run in the first inning. AC Flora girls soccer The Falcons took only two shots on goal in their 4A state championship final May 10, but Samantha Lowther’s shot 22 minutes into the game hit the back of the net, and the Falcons defense ensured a 1-0 win for the team’s first state championship. A.C. Flora head coach Eric Navarro , in his first year as varsity coach after serving as the junior varsity coach last year, said he knew the team’s potential. “I knew there was something special about this group,” Navarro said. “As we progressed through the season we had some bumps, some hiccups. Every single time we faced a challenge, they stepped up. They got closer and stronger This was the best defensive performance we’ve had all season.” Flora keeper Kennedy Bagley held up her end with a clean sheet despite Bishop England getting 13 shots on goal. Bagley is in her second year as a soccer player. “With every save I got more and more confident. I just didn’t want to lose because this team worked so hard for this,” Bagley said. Cardinal Newman boys soccer Playing on their home field, St. Sebastian Stadium, the Cardinal Newman boys (13-8) beat Porter Gaud 6-2 to claim their sixth straight SCISA state championship. “That was by far our most complete game,” head coach Will Eudy said. “With the weather and the field and the way things were going, we knew we had to change the way we played a little bit, plus we knew they were going to press and try to counter, so we went with a lot of long balls, diagonals into space, and we were really, really lethal with those today.” Junior Tanner Battafarano led the way with three goals, the third straight state championship match where a Cardinal Newman player achieved a hat trick. Sophomore Chase Nelson , Senior Dakota Venugopal , and junior Brayden Roth scored one goal apiece. Junior Quade Wilson two assists, sophomore Frankie Marion two assists. Boys tennis The seasoned A.C. Flora boys team (21-1) weathered a stoppage of play due to rain at the Cayce Tennis Center and a change of venue to the USC indoor tennis facility and battled to a 5-1 victory over Bishop England May 10. The Falcons’ third state championship is the first since 2021. “I don’t know how it works but each one gets sweeter and sweeter,” head coach Amy Martin , who won four state championships, three with the boys and one with the girls, said. “This was the middle school team from 2022, we grew them up from 2021 and they have come out and gotten exactly what they needed to get done this year.” Bishop England No.1 player Dante Naud defeated James Smyth 6-1, 6-4, but the Falcons notched a victory in every other match. No.2 Jude Smyth defeated Roland Wier 2-6, 6-1 (10-3), No.4 Vijay Sinha defeated Colin Murphy 6-1,6-2; No. 4 Will Hewitt defeated Parker Murphy 6-2, 6-4; and No.5 Wiliam Beasley defeated Lucas Kizzetto 6-2, 6-4. In doubles, the No.2 team of Will Trumpeter and Tripp Van Vlake defeated Andrew Hamilton and Caleb Watson 6-1, 6-0. The doubles match was the first win on the board for the Falcons, and once that victory was notched, the hassle of weather and moving from venue to venue disappeared. Girls Lacrosse Lexington beat Spartanburg 12-7 at Irmo’s W.C. Hawkins Stadium May 3 and won the first state title in program history. Goalkeeper Emersin Clamp held off most of the Spartans’ assaults and racked up 15 saves. Lenoir-Rhyne signee Izzy Saville scored five goals, finishing the season with 68 goals. Track and field Several Midlands teams took the top spot in the state track and field meets. The Blythewood girls team blew away the 5A Division 1 competition early with its sprinting depth May 17. The Bengals finished with 107 points on the day to claim their third straight state championship and first in the 5A Division 1 classification. “From Blythewood, the high school, the parents, the younger brothers and sisters come out, it’s just wonderful,” head coach Aleshia Hawkins said about the team’s atmosphere. “Everyone takes everything seriously. They want to get to the next level, and I tell them, you work. You don’t work, you can’t make it to the next level.” Peyton Hightower won gold in the 400 dash and won gold as a leg in the 4x400 relay team. Her sister, Hayley Hightower also ran a leg for that state championship team to go along with her basketball state championship the Bengals won in March. Brooke Bramlett won gold in the 100 hurdles, Amina Rhone won gold in the 400 hurdles in addition to running a leg on the 4x400 team. The Gray Collegiate girls track team won the 4A championship at Richland Northeast High School May 16 with 61 points, edging second-place Daniel’s 58 points and third-place Seneca’s 55 points. “I’m really proud of these girls, they worked hard all year. The coaches did a great of preparing our kids to come out here and preform at a high level,” Head Coach Jackie Robinson said. “First time getting a AAAA state championship at Gray Collegiate, we did it with only seven girls making it so for them to come out here and maximize all the individual and relay events I just can’t say enough good things. We had several personal records; they picked themselves up and delivered in a big way.” Senior Tamara Steward took home the gold in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.83 seconds. She also took first in the long jump with a mark of 5.48 meters. She finished second in the 400 hurdles with a time of 1:03.23. The Fairfield Central boys track and field team faced competition May 16 from Philip Simmons , the 2024 3A state champions who came down to 2A this year. While the Iron Horses got close, the Griffins sprinted past them and claimed their second straight state 2A championship at Spring Valley High School’s Harry Parone Stadium . “We broke through last year with a lot of young kids,” Fairfield Central head coach Raymond Harrison said. “We returned a lot of kids who scored points last year, so I knew we had a pretty strong chance to win it again this year. All season long, I knew Philip Simmons was going to be tough to deal with.” With wins and top placings in the 100-, 200-, 400- and 800-meter dashes and runs, Fairfield Central collected 65 of its 101 points on the night. Philip Simmons finished second with 82 points. Senior Tydarion Grier won the 100 and 200 dashes, and won gold as a leg on the team’s 4x100 relay team with junior Jamie Brown , who also won gold in the 400 dash. Brown also won gold as a leg on the team’s 4x400 team. Hank White won gold in the 800 run.

By WORTHY EVANS Contributing Writer Columbia - The Gray Collegiate Academy softball bats overcame the solid pitching of York Comprehensive in a 5-2 victory in the third and deciding game of the 4A softball state championship series Saturday, and the War Eagles now have a 4A state championship to go along with 2A crowns the team won in 2022 and 2024. Leadoff batter and home run champ Aspen Boulware got the team started in the first inning with a solo home run, her 22 nd of the year, while seniors Maddox Long and Kayley Anderson delivered 2-run shots in the fourth and fifth innings. Long started the game in the circle for the War Eagles (32-3) and gave up the Cougars’ only two runs, one apiece in the second and third innings. Makenzie Sease came on in relief to pitch four innings of 1-hit ball to claim the win. Both pitchers struck out three apiece. “They work so hard. People wouldn’t believe how hard these kids work,” Gray Collegiate head coach Doug Frye said. “There ain’t that many teams that can outwork us. They may beat us, but they don’t outwork us. We lose, we come back and get better. We’re done today, and I’ll bet half these kids will be practicing tomorrow, trying to get better. They’re hungry for it.” The War Eagles got on the scoreboard early with Boulware’s longball in the first inning. York (25-5) senior and Erskine signee Layla Clayton singled in A.C. Lingerfelt with one out in the second. Long struck out Emma Farrell and got Sullivan Littleton to pop out to end the inning. The Cougars took a 2-1 lead off of Marisa Reyes’ one-out solo home run in the third, but that was all the runs York could get across. Long got Natalie Dover and Lingerfelt to pop out to retire the side. “I thought we’d be fine,” Frye said. “We’re just waiting for the right pitch. (York starter Peyton Brooks ) threw a good breaking ball off the plate, and we worked hard on trying to go with the pitch, being patient and don’t chase things. 2-1 you’re always in the game.” Gray showed that were very much in the game in the bottom of the fourth inning, when they got to Brooks. Sease led off that inning with a single to leftfield and promptly came home on Lane’s 2-run homer that soared over the fence in left and gave the War Eagles a 3-2 lead. “I knew it was my time to step up for the team,” said Long, who will attend Charleston Southern as a student in the fall. “I just went up to the plate and did what I was supposed to do. It always feels better when the bats are moving. It helps us when we have a little bit of runs, makes us feel a little bit better.” With no one out, Anderson singled after Long’s homer, which brought Brooks’ time in the circle to an end in favor of York’s ace, Clayton. Clayton, who threw 209 pitches in games one and two for the Cougars, gave up Maliah Wright’s bunt single, but managed to get out of the jam with outs attributed to Elizabeth Robinson’s sacrifice bunt, Braelyn Triplett’s pop fly, and Kaylan Boudreau’s inning-ending fielder’s choice. Clayton and the Cougars weren’t so fortunate in the fifth inning. With one out, Sease singled and put her courtesy runner, Madison Bumgarner , at first. Gracie Porter bunt sacrificed Bumgarner to second, and Anderson took her the rest of the way on a high 2-out home run that skimmed the fence in centerfield before it went over. “It was a great feeling to know that my team had already put up the runs and we were ahead,” said Anderson, who will play for Converse College in the fall. “But just to add to that was really cool, and to know that they were behind me was a really cool feeling.” After that homer the Gray lineup livened up significantly, as three-run leads with two innings left to play tend to do. “It was really great, we all worked together,” said Boulware, who had just one hit on the afternoon but was intentionally walked and reached base three times on walks and being hit. “I feel like we hit a lot better in this game compared to the other two games, I was glad we were able to string our hits together.” Boulware added about Anderson, “The energy she brings to the team is great, and on top of that she hit a home run. I was so glad she got to finish off her career with a home run, so that’s really great.” Sease closed out York’s sixth and seventh innings in quick fashion. She needed just six pitches to get three outs in the sixth, and fourteen pitches in the seventh. Eleven of those pitches were to Brooks, who with two out fouled off five pitches on a full count before going down on a called strike three to end the game. “I can’t believe it. I’m shocked but I knew we could do it,” Sease said. “I don’t know how to feel right now. Those last pitches I was just focusing and trying not to get too excited, to stay calm and focused.” The Cougars gave Gray Collegiate everything they had and came close to reaching the state crown, but second place is not something to be sad about, York head coach Danny Mazell said. “Cherish the moment, because it’s hard to get there,” Mazzell said. “I don’t care if it’s softball, baseball, basketball, football, it’s hard to get to the state finals. We were in the state finals and we were the No.2 best team in the state.” Mazell added, “No excuses, they beat us. And you’ve got to make the fundamental plays. I think we had four errors in this game and one of those errors they capitalized on it. But I’m excited for these girls and what’s coming up next year. I’ll miss Layla Clayton, her ERA’s probably the best in the state in all classifications (0.62 in 20 appearances). She’s going to the next level and it’s up to our girls to pick it up.” Frye said that Gray Collegiate’s seniors made game 3 a treat, and will give the returning teammates something to remember as they get back to work for the 2026 season. “The best thing was the seniors and they were going out with their last at-bats as a home runs, that’s pretty impressive,” Frye said. “Boulware, she’s just special anyway, she got probably 35 intentional walks this year because she’s hit like 22 home runs this year. She’s just special kid, a special player.” On Anderson’s tension-breaking homer in the fifth inning, Frye added “She hit it good. It’s being disciplined and waiting on the pitch going with the pitch, don’t try to do too much with it, I think we did a good job of that today. We hit the ball pretty hard.” Tuesday-Wednesday Game One York Comprehensive 002 000 0 – 2 6 1 Gray Collegiate 010 000 0 – 1 5 3 WP: Layla Clayton, 7 IP, 5H, 1R, 0ER, 3BB, 6K. G – Kaylan Boudreau 2B. Y – Kayla Johnson 3-4, HR. Wednesday Game Two Gray Collegiate 100 102 0 – 4 9 2 York Comprehensive 000 000 0 – 0 3 1 WP: Peyton Hendrix, 7 IP, 3H, 1BB, 8K. G – Makenzie Sease 2-3. Peyton Hendrix 2-3, 2B. Aspen Boulware HR. Kaylan Boudreau 3B. Y – Peyton Broom 2B. Friday Game Three York Comprehensive 011 000 0 – 2 4 4 Gray Collegiate 100 220 x – 5 7 0 WP: Makensie Sease, 4 IP, 1H, 0R, 0ER, 3K. Y – Marisa Reyes 2-3, HR. G – Kaley Anderson 2-3, HR, 2 RBI. Maliah Wright 2-3. Maddox Long HR, 2 RBI. Aspen Boulware HR.

Gray Collegiate sophomore Peyton Hendrix pitched all seven innings in their 4-0 win over York in game 2.

York senior Sullivan Littleton makes the catch at first base against Gray Collegiate.

SCHSL Championship Series got started on Saturday with 12 teams in each category striving to earn a state title. It's looking to be a wet week for most of the state, we'll see how the forecast holds up for these games to be completed. Softball 5/26 - Class 5A Div 1. - Byrnes @ Summerville 5/26 - Class 5A Div. 2 - Catawba Ridge @ St. James 6p 5/27 - Class AAAA - York @ Gray Collegiate 6:30p 5/27 - Class AAA - BHP @ Aynor 6p5/27 - 5/27 - Class AA - Saluda @ East Clarendon 7p 5/27 - Class A - Latta @ Lewisville 6p 5/28 - Class 5A Div 1. - Summerville @ Byrnes 5/28 - Class 5A Div. 2 - St. James @ Catawba Ridge 6p 5/28 - Class AAAA - Gray Collegiate @ York 5/29 - Class AAA - Aynor @ BHP 6p 5/29 - Class AA - Lewisville @ Latta 5/29 - Class A - East Clarendon @ Saluda 7p Game 3s (if needed) on 5/30 Baseball - Games Started Saturday, May 24 th with games 5/27, 5/29, and 5/31 5/24 - Class AAA - Southside Christian 14 , Oceanside 1 5/24 - Class AA - Philip Simons 5 , Batesburg-Leesville 3 5/24 - Class A - McBee 5 , LakeView 3 5/27 - Class 5A Div. 1 - Lexington @ James Island 6:30p 5/27 - Class 5A Div. 2 -Catawba Ridge @ Berkeley 5/27 - Class AAAA - Airport @ Seneca 5/27 - Class AAA - Oceanside @ Southside Christian 5/27 - Class AA - Philip Simons @ Batesburg-Leesville 5/27 - Class A - McBee @ Lake View 5/29 - Class 5A Div. 1 -Lexington@ James Island 6:30p 5/29 - Class 5A Div. 2 -Berkeley @ Catawba Ridge 5/29 - Class AAAA - Seneca @ Airport Game 3s (if needed) on 5/31

By Neill Kirkpatrick Special to the HSSR Columbia – The Magnificent Seven is a classic old time western movie at Richland Northeast in the AAAA girls state track and field meet the Gray Collegiate girls track and field team wrote their version of the Magnificent Seven as they won their first AAAA state track and field state championship narrowly defeating runner up Daniel 61-58. “I’m really proud of these girls, they worked hard all year. The coaches did a great of preparing our kids to come out here and preform at a high level,” said Head Coach Jackie Robinson. “First time getting a AAAA state championship at Gray Collegiate, we did it with only seven girls making it so for them to come out here and maximize all the individual and relay events I just can’t say enough good things. We had several personal records; they picked themselves up and delivered in a big way.” The state championship was the second consecutive for coach Robinson and Gray Collegiate as they won their first state track and field championship last season at the AA level. Gray led Daniel by two points 58-56 heading into the final event, the 4x400 relay. The Lady Eagles team of Tamara Steward, Taylor Jones, Aliyah Edwards, and Zaira Gaines made sure the lead held up as the finished sixth while Daniel finished seventh for the final of 61-58. The foursome also got the meet started off on a solid note as they won bronze in the days first event the 4x100 relay. Steward led the way for Gray Collegiate winning three individual medals: two gold and a silver. She won the 100 hurdles in a time of 14.83 equaling her personal best and the long jump setting a new personal best of 5.48 meters. She also set a new personal best in the 400 hurdles in a time of 1:03.23. Tresta Miller , also visited the medal podium for Gray as she placed second in the 100 and the 400 meters. She also participated in the 200 and the long jump. Daniel’s lone gold was in the 4x800 relay with Lizah Williams, Ellen Breed, Lilly Tidwell, Lilly, and Ashby Williams. Williams was the top individual winner for the Lions as she won silver in the 1600 and 3200. She set a new personal best of 5:08.39 in the 1600. In the 100 and 200 meters, Gaines scored valuable points for Gray as she placed fifth and sixth, respectively. Greer’s Jewel Brantley had won a gold and silver medal winning the 100 meters in a time of 11.88 and finishing second in the 200 meters in 24.68. She is just a junior. Also winning two individual medals was Westsides Ayanna Hunt. She won the discus with a throw of 47.51 meters and won silver in the shot put with a put of 12.17. She won the discus by over 10 meters. South Pointe’s Azyah Adams won two bronze medals in the 100 and 200 meters. She set new personal best in both events with a time of 12.05 in the 100 and 24.83 in the 200. The 4x100 relay team of Jayla Robinson, Adams, Amiya Davis, and Kavae Anderson took home gold in the event. ================= 1 Gray Collegiate 61 2 Daniel 58 3 Seneca 55 4 Hilton Head 47 5 South Pointe 45 6 Bishop England 40 6 Westside 40 8 Wren 39.5 9 Lakewood 26 9 York 26 11 Dreher 25 11 Lower Richland 25 13 Travelers Rest 19 13 South Florence 19 15 Greer 18 15 Fountain Inn High School 18 17 Bluffton 16 18 Gilbert 14 19 Wilson 13 20 Aiken 12.5 21 Hartsville 12 22 AC Flora 11.5 23 Blue Ridge 9 24 Airport 8 25 May River High School 6 25 Richland Northeast 6 27 Brookland Cayce 5.5 28 Midland Valley 5 28 South Aiken 5 30 Colleton County 4 30 Camden 4 32 Pickens 3 32 Southside 3 34 Beaufort 2 35 Lancaster 1