Hartsville hires new coach in girls basketball

David Shelton • July 22, 2024

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Hartsville – Hartsville High athletic director Brad Boob did not look very far to find a new varsity girls basketball coach when the job became available.

Boob looked within the county and within his own school to tab the next coach, hiring Andre Hooks, Sr., to fill the position earlier this year. Hooks is a Darlington County native and a 1993 graduate of St. John’s High in Darlington, and has worked in district schools for more than 20 years. At the time of his selection, he was an assistant varsity boys coach at Hartsville.

“He has a passion for developing student-athletes, on and off the floor,” Boob said in his announcement.

Hooks has a wide range of coaching experience, working at both the middle school and high school level. His coaching philosophy is centered around a strong work ethic and commitment to excellence.

“I believe firmly in the motto ‘hard work pays off,’” he says.

His approach emphasizes not only the importance of athletic balance but also the value of perseverance, teamwork and personal growth.

“It means a lot to take over a varsity program at Hartsville High School,” Hooks said. “I love the potential of the student-athletes here and the great culture of being winners in life.”

Hooks inherits a solid winning program from former coach Justin Johnson, who left for a position at Manning High. Hartsville posted 54 wins over the last three seasons, including 40 wins over the last two campaigns.

Two key returners to the team this winter are senior guard Brooke Mitchell and sophomore guard Jaz Reyes, who combined to average 18 points per game last season.

At press time, the other varsity sports teams were slated to return their respective head coaches for the 2024-25 school year.

Jeff Calabrese returns for his 21^st season as the head football coach this fall. Parker Oldham is back for his second season as the varsity volleyball coach.

Dusty Braddock will coach the boys and girls tennis teams while Randell Ewing heads up the cross country program. Dani Fassett directs the swim program.

Jason Earle will return for his second season as the boys basketball coach. Michael Lynch is slated to return as the boys wrestling coach and Aimee Jo Howle will again coach the growing girls wrestling program.

Tony Gainey is set to return as the head baseball coach next spring while Amber Harvey will return as the softball coach. Bryan Laney is the varsity boys soccer coach while Steve Jewell heads up the girls soccer program.

Frankie Humphrey will head up the boys and girls track programs.

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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.