HHP fall athletes aiming high in postseason

David Shelton • October 18, 2024

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By David Shelton

Senior Writer

Hilton Head – The Hilton Head Prep athletic program is one of the more successful athletic programs, across the board, in the SC Independent Schools Association.

Dolphin athletes compete for region and state champions in many sports and almost always experience the opportunity to hoist the gold during the school year in various sports.

The fall sports season of 2024 is coming to an end as SCISA teams turn their focus to the state playoffs. Hilton Head Prep’s fall teams will be among those competing for state championship honors once again.

The volleyball program is having a very competitive season, taking advantage of an experienced roster. Entering the final stretch of regular season contests, the Dolphins were at .500 overall against a competitive schedule. The hope is a shot in the state tournament to test their skills against the best.

Leading the way is a solid group of seniors, led by Courtney Campbell, a three-sport star at Prep and a motivational sparkplug for the volleyball team. Other seniors include Ella Boorom, Sophia Haroutunian, Olivia Denny, and Izzy Bauer.

A solid cast of juniors includes Molly Helms, Erin Cleary, Lola Chambers, Merritt Fisher, Sophia Schieman, Lyla Alford and Alexis Luckasevic.

Rounding out the 2024 roster are freshmen Phoebe Helms, Charley Frey and Makayla Hunt.

The girls golf team will be in contention at the SCISA state tournament on Oct 14, The team has posted a solid regular season and looks forward to a title chase.

Members of the team include Rachel Del Garzo, Bella Johnson, Ella Jones, Abgail Kell, Alexa Palazzo, and Shengyi Zhu.

Though not likely to contend in the state meet, the members of the cross country program have put in a lot of work during the fall and have competed in several meets.

The girls team is not a full compliment of runners but Maya Biles and Riley Wilbert have been participating in most races as individuals.

The boys team has better numbers and looks to have a strong state meet. Jonathan DeMaria leads the team as the top runner, with Charlie Hardwick, Matthew Moe, Levi Wright, Luke Levensour and Isaiah Cozza also competing well.

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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.