Hampton County Are Now All Canes
Since Estill and Wade Hampton merged to become Hampton County High School they have quickly become one of the top AA programs in the lower state.
Hampton County Are Now All Canes
By Neill Kirkpatrick
Special to the HSSR
Varnville – In the three years since Estill and Wade Hampton merged to become Hampton County High School they have quickly become one of the top AA programs in the lower state reaching three lower state championships games, one state championships and have won 19 region championships but it is this the fourth year that has athletic director Rob Hanna really excited about his program.
“We were lucky in 2023 as we had a phenomenal group of kids that knew we could really good and they did everything we needed to buy into the culture we wanted for our program to be successful. We didn’t have any of the ‘We’re from Hampton, we’re from Estill’ we don’t have listen to the other,” said coach Hanna. “Being year four this will be the first time on our teams that we will have kids that weren’t Red Devils or Gators. They have been Hampton County Hurricanes since they have been in high school.”
Coach Continued, “both Wade Hampton and Estill had solid athletic programs before the merger so bringing that talent together has been one key to the success we have in the first three years. When you have a little bit of success the kids want to be part of that and they get involved and they expect to be successful.”
The Hurricanes will be moving into region 7 A next season which has coach excited about the opportunity sports other than football, basketball, track, and field to reach the success those programs have in the first three years.
The Cane’s also benefit from a coaching staff that wants to be in Varnville and be part of the success of the kids, the school, and the community.
Head basketball coach Josh James is an example of coach who wants to be at Hampton County. He is a former Wade Hampton Red Devil that wanted to come back and coach on the court he played on. He has gone 40-10/19-1 since taking over legend Romon Gray.
Myrriah Hanna has been cross country coach snice 2006 and is one of the top coaches in the low country.
Long time girls soccer coach Barry Whittington returned three years ago and is getting the girls program back on track while boys coach Jesse Rooker has his team in the playoffs.
Megan Peeples, who was a volunteer last year, will begin her first year as the head coach of the girls tennis program.
Dobie Hiers and Sophie Thompson are the head coaches of softball and volleyball teams and both led their teams into the playoffs.
Henry Howard joined the Cane’s family as the head girls basketball coach and will help with football while Don Williams will join the football team and head up the wrestling program.
