Hilton Head Prep Eyeing Another Championship Run

Larry Gamble • January 9, 2025

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Hilton Head Prep's Courtney Campbell driving to the basket.

Larry Gamble

Photo Editor

Hilton Head – Getting off to a rough start is nothing new for young teams, but for the Hilton Head Prep Lady Dolphins; the team is a seasoned team just working out those early season bugs. Head Coach Phillip Hartman described the season as starting “1 and 6 then going on to win 7 of the next 8, and currently 8-7” at the end of December. “It’s been a bit of an up and down season” according to Coach Hartman.

Returning this season, the Dolphins four-year starter and captain, senior Courtney Campbell who averages 23 PPG, and 7.5 RPG this season. She’s led the team in scoring every season and recorded 1,659 career points. After this season, Campbell signed with USC Beaufort and will play for the Lady Sand Sharks and Coach Sharon Versyp.

Juniors on the team are Merritt Risher and Erin Cleary. Both are captains with Campbell. Cleary averages 9.7 PPG and 2.2 RPG. Riley Wilbert is the key to the Dolphins full court press and adds energy to the team when she takes the floor. and Helen Kerkow complete the juniors on the roster. Other underclassmen on the team are sophomores Ava Zeoli, Brooke Heins, freshmen Katie Dweerd and Sophie Moe complete the squad.

When asked about his vision for where the team is now and looking forward, Coach Hartman sounded optimistic about his team. “The team is much better than 8-7. Getting the younger players to embrace physicality, energy and a fast pace of play; is a work in progress. The players need to do a better job and so do I. Under the leadership of Campbell, Cleary and Risher, we have the potential to make a run in the state playoffs” according to Coach Hartman.

The next challenge is Jan 10^th when the Lady Dolphins travel to St. John’s Christian Academy.

Boys Basketball

The Hilton Head Prep Boys team started their season off strong. Led by Head Coach Richard Barron and Assistant Coach John Britschge. The Dolphins have seven returning seniors.

There are three returning senior starters are Billy Barron ( coach’s son), Connor Campbell, Brendan Moore plus one senior reserve player Luke Eanes. According to Coach Barron, “these four were part of last year’s state championship and Billy and Connor were on the team for the past two state championships.” This season the Dolphins added transfer senior Ty Harpring who moved from Atlanta. The other seniors are Finn Gregory and Jake Sheahan.

The two juniors are Tyler Britschge and Alston Adams, and the lone freshman is Sammy Middleton.

With seven seniors on the team, Coach Barron told the HSSR that they rotate captains.

When you look at current stats, closing out December with a 13-3 record, one easily sees where Coach Barron gets his optimism for this team. One can argue that Ty Harpring (6-3, 195) is one of the best players in the state. He leads the team at 22.2 PPG, has 4.7 RPG, and 55% AFG%. The next is Billy Barron (6-2, 185) with 7.3 PPG with 54% AFG%. He is an elite shooter and has a great basketball IQ. Connor Campbell (6-0, 175) is a tough point guard and defender with 6.6 PPG and 4.1 RPG. An all-around good player, Brendan Moore (6-3, 165)is referred to as a Swiss Army Knife because he can play in the pivot or on the perimeter. He is currently at 7.3 PPG and 5.6 RPG.

When asked about the team dynamic with four outstanding senior, coach Barron said, “we are a very balanced team offensively and play well together and with great connectedness on defense.” With this talent and current performance, coach Barron told the HSSR, “we hope to compete for another state championship, and we are 13-3 on the season at this point.”

The next challenge for the Dolphins comes on Jan. 8 when Bethesda Academy travels over the border from Savannah.

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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.