By: David Shelton Senior Writer Holly Hill – If ever a team has extra motivation to right a wrong, it’s the softball team at Holly Hill Academy . After winning the SCISA Class A state title in 2023, the Raiders were the favorite to repeat last spring. However, misfortune in the state tournament led to an upset loss to Jefferson Davis Academy, a team they had beaten twice during the regular season. Thus, the 2024 season ended in disappointment but the way it ended has carried over to the 2025 spring. Coach Kally Knight has most of last year’s team back this spring and has seen a focused group all season. The Raiders enter spring break with an 8-2 record. “They appear to be very determined to make up for last year,” Knight said. “Last year left a bad taste and they came into this season with one goal. They have worked hard and their focus has been great. They know they have a chance to be state champions but it’s important that we play well when it counts. We’re gelling as a team and it’s a great group to coach.” The Raiders are again one of the top offensive teams in SCISA, averaging in double figures in runs scored with some lofty batting averages. “Some of the top hitters started a little slow but the bottom of the order has been very consistent,” Knight said. “The others are getting hot so our lineup is pretty solid. We’re also playing solid defense and getting solid pitching.” Sophomore pitcher Taylor Wright has been a force offensively, hitting .531 with 20 runs batted in and a pair of homeruns. Sophomore outfielder Kloie Mizell is hitting .419 with 13 RBI while sophomore Shelby Hinson is hitting .409 with six RBI. Senior catcher Kaylee Brabham hit .400 with 14 RBI in the first 10 games, and senior Chloe Wren is hitting .375. Seventh-grader Milly Kate Prescott has made a huge impact, hitting .370 with 10 RBI, and junior Kaley Bell is hitting .300 but will hit better, says Knight. “We’re still a young team with a lot of underclassmen, but we’re experienced,” the coach said. “These girls have played a lot of softball and hopefully that experience will help us in the state tournament.” Rounding out the 2025 roster are junior Peyton Strickland , sophomore Bethany Martin, freshman Alli Thomas , and eighth-grader Ariel Stanley .

HHA has only girls team in Region 1; Raiders one of only 3 boys teams

Holly Hill Academy's senior guard Jody Gillam

By David Shelton Senior Writer Holly Hill – The main goal of the 2024 Holly Hill Academy football team is a return to the top of the mountain. A streak of three straight state titles in the SCISA 8-man ranks was ended last season with a loss to Jefferson Davis Academy . This year’s Raiders team is aiming to return to the championship level. So far, so good. The Raiders are off to a good start this fall. Winning five of their first six games of the season. The lone loss came to nemesis Jefferson Davis Academy by a 36-18 score in mid-September. Remaining games on the schedule include Kings Academy (10/11), Cathedral Academy (10/18), Cross Schools (10/25) and Jefferson Davis again to close out the regular season. As is usually the case with the Raiders, there have been a host of solid contributors to the success this season. At quarterback, senior Ashton Soles has rushed for 265 yards and seven touchdowns while passing for 174 yards and four scores. Three players share the bulk of the load in the running game. Sophomore Parker Kizer has rushed for 488 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 9.4 yards per carry. Senior Ax Wolpert has rushed for 391 yards and six scores while averaging 11.1 yards per carry. And, senior Camdin Harmon has gained 214 yards and averages 11.9 yards per attempt. Jody Gillam is the team’s leading receiver with 93 yards on seven catches. Harmon has 77 receiving yards. Senior Tyler Green is a returning right guard. Senior Brodon Murray is working at left guard and senior Jagger Edmonds is the center. Juniors Ryan Brown and Shade Snyder are getting reps at right guard, while freshmen Kaz Brown and Aarav Patel are working on the left side. Backing up Edmonds are junior Evan Floyd and freshman Caleb Bell . Many of the same players are key performers on the defensive side as well. Junior Jason Iller has 42 tackles, including 17 tackles for loss. Kizer has 39 tackles and Wolpert has 33 tackles. Soles has 38 tackles and eight tackles for loss while Harmon has a team-high 48 tackles with 11 tackles for loss and two interceptions.

By David Shelton Senior Writer Holly Hill – For three years, the Holly Hill Academy football program ruled the eight-man ranks of SCISA football. The Raiders won three straight state championships from 2020-22 and posted 39 consecutive wins. But streaks don’t last forever and the winning streak and state title run ended in 2023. Holly Hill Academy suffered two losses, both to Jefferson Davis, with the last defeat coming in the state championship game. The Raiders were seven points from a fourth consecutive championship. The losses last season will serve as fuel for the fire as the Raiders take on the 2024 season. They opened the season with a 34-26 win over the Carolina Wildcats on Aug. 23. Second-year head coach Andy Palmer lost some key players from last year’s team and this year’s lineup will include several first-year starters. But the prospects are good for another strong campaign. The quarterback position is arguably the most important in football and the Raiders will have experience under center with the return of senior Ashton Soles . Soles threw for nearly 800 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for six more scores. He also is a key leader defensively at outside linebacker, totaling 71 tackles last season. Gone are the top two rushers from last season. Tyree James accounted for more than 1,900 yards and 34 touchdowns on the ground while Mason Rudd added nearly 400 yards and nine scores. Looking to step into bigger offensive roles at running back are senior Camdin Harmon and sophomore Parker Kizer . Both also are key defenders at linebacker with Harmon posting 146 tackles and Kizer racking up 89 total tackles last season. Sophomore JP McGriff and senior Ax Wolpert also figure into the running back mix. Juniors Aaron Johnson and Takobe Sweatman are the starting tight ends. Senior Tyler Green is a returning right guard. Senior Brodon Murray is working at left guard and senior Jagger Edmonds is the center. Juniors Ryan Brown and Shade Snyder are getting reps at right guard, while freshmen Kaz Brown and Aarav Patel are working on the left side. Backing up Edmonds are junior Evan Floyd and freshman Caleb Bell. Senior Jody Gilliam is the top returner at receiver with senior Brayden Mizell also getting work. Many of the same offensive players also see time on defense. Along the front will be junior Jason Iler . Murray will start at the other end and Floyd or junior Brady Garing will start at nose. Working at linebacker will be a group including Soles, Harmon, Kizer, senior Connor Teague , Johnson, McGriff and freshman Jake Kirven . Senior Jonathan Boyd is a safety, as is Wolpert. Gilliam is a returning starter at safety but is recovering from injury as the season begins.