By David Shelton Senior Writer Johnsonville – Playing in perhaps the toughest Class A region in the state, the Johnsonville High baseball team ended up having a solid 2025 season. Region 6-A included three other teams that were ranked among the top 10 in Class A at some point in the season. The Flashes also earned top 10 status, giving the region four top 10 teams. Region member Lake View won the Class A Lower State title, beating region foe Latta. Johnsonville and Hannah-Pamplico of region six were among the final four teams in the Lower State bracket. Johnsonville was eliminated by Latta by a 9-8 final score. Second-year head coach Carson Carroll , while disappointed with coming up short of the goal of winning a state title, could praise his team for their efforts this spring. “I am very proud of them and with the effort they gave me this year,” Carroll said. “Obviously, we wanted to be playing in that final series but that just didn’t happen for us this year. We had a very good season though.” The Flashes finished the season with a 13-8 record, posting an 8-5 record in region play. The key to success was the offensive balance and production within the lineup. Leading the way was senior Landyn Cribb , who earned Class A all-state honors. Cribb finished the season with a .530 batting average and drove in 13 runs. Three others hit over .400 for the season. Jackson Eaddy hit .431 with 21 RBIs while Gavin Marlowe hit .404 with 15 RBIs. Larkin Powell finished at .403 with 13 runs driven in. The softball team also made the state playoffs and finished with a 10-11 overall record. Coach Walter Clark had a relatively young roster this spring and looks to be even stronger next season. “We have a good group returning so the future looks bright.” One key senior who will be missed is catcher Blair Coker, who earned all-state honors for the third straight season. Coker batted .462 with 18 runs batted in this season. Sophomore Peyton Wall , the third baseman, ended up hitting .439, while sophomore first baseman Mallory Prosser and eighth-grade shortstop Claire Cook each hit over .320. Junior pitcher Natalee Taylor batted .291 with 15 RBIs and provided solid work inside the circle. The only other senior on the roster was outfielder Sadie Stone . Junior Allison Eaddy played second base while juniors Brianna Lawrimore , Charley Tippett and CJ Smith worked in the outfield as well. Like in baseball, region six was a juggernaut in softball. Latta won the Class A state championship while Lake View and Hannah-Pamplico had deep runs in the playoffs. Several members of the track and field program earned their way to the Class A state meet through region and Lower State qualifying. Six girls and three boys got an opportunity to compete against the best in Class A. Malyric Singletary 13 th in the javelin and 11 th in the shot put. Teammate Michelya Doctor finished second in the javelin and Zykeria Skinner finished fourth in the high jump. Abigail Lambert finished fifth in the 400 meter hurdles and Arkeria Cunningham finished sixth in the 400 hurdles. Harmony Gregg was eighth in the 200 meter dash ad 11 th in the 100 meter dash. Jamere Ross was the top performer on the boys team. Ross earned silver in the long jump, was fourth in the 200 meter sprint and fifth in the 100. Skylar Montgomery finished ninth in the triple jump and Ben Eaddy finished 14 th in the 3200 meter run.

Johnsonville softball looking to peak at end By David Shelton Senior Writer Johnsonville – Sports is not so much about how you start but more about how you finish. Teams can slug along for most of the season, get hot at the end, and win a championship. The goal of every coach is for their team to be peaking when the games matter most. Johnsonville softball coach Walter Clark is no different. As of April 13, the Flashes were 6-8 overall but seemingly playing better each time out, according to Clark. “We’re doing pretty good, competing very well,” the coach said. “Sometimes its hard to gauge because of how good our region is. We literally could finish anywhere from second to sixth. Any of the six teams can beat another team on a given night. That’s a good thing because I think this region prepares you for the playoffs. We see good pitching every night and the teams are so well-coached. “We were in a different region last year and made the final four bracket of the Lower State. The other three teams were from this region and now we’re in it as well.” The region consists of Latta, Hannah-Pamplico, Lake View, Carver’s Bay and Green Sea Floyds. The Flashes have a win over Hannah-Pamplico and lost to region leader Latta by a run. After some experimenting, Clark feels he has settled on a lineup and that has helped the team perform better. He says defensive improvement has been a key as well. “Playing better defense has been a key of late,” the coach said. Junior Natalee Taylor is back as the team’s No. 1 pitcher and Clark says she has been more consistent this season. Senior Blair Coker is behind the plate and is a two-time all-state selection for Class A. Coker is one of the offensive leaders as well. She delivered a walk-off grand slam in a win over Green Sea Floyds earlier this season. Sophomore Mallory Prosser is playing first base and junior Allison Eaddy plays second base. Eighth-grader Claire Cook is playing shortstop and hitting leadoff while sophomore Payton Wall plays third base and has provided home run power this spring. The team’s other senior, Sadie Stone , starts in right field. She is joined by junior Brianna Lawrimore in center and junior Charley Tippett in left. Junior CJ Smith also has seen action in the outfield. “Our goal is to just keep improving and staying consistent,” Clark said. “We have a competitive group of girls and we just want to be peaking at the right time. I think this team can play with any team in the Lower State.” The baseball team also has sights set on a strong finish and extended playoff run. Second-year head coach Carson Carroll feels the Flashes are in a good place. “I think this team has gelled a little better. We have great leadership and it’s a competitive group. I really believe these guys enjoy each other and they are working hard for the same thing. Having talent is important but I don’t think you can underestimate chemistry.”  The Flashes were 10-4 overall and 7-2 in region 6-A play as of April 13. The Flashes are in the mix for a region title but teams like Latta and Lake View have proven to be strong as well. Senior Landyn Cribb and sophomore Jackson Eaddy have been among the top hitters in the state early on. Eaddy hit .655with 14 RBI early while Cribb is at .654 with seven RBIs. Sophomore Larkin Powell is hitting .464 and senior Cole Dennis is hitting .444 with nine RBIs. Junior Caden Jackson is hitting .346 with 10 RBIs and sophomore Gavin Marlowe is hitting .386 and is the No. 1 starter on the mound.

Johnsonville avenged their Jan 13 loss to Hanah Pamplico with a 47-39 win on Feb 12th. Images courtesy of Tamara Rhodes

Johnsonville basketball building for strong future By David Shelton Senior Writer Johnsonville – As the calendar flipped to February and the end of the 2024-25 regular season is in sight, the basketball teams at Johnsonville High are gearing up for potential participation in the Class A Lower State playoffs. Both teams have made great progress over the season and that success will springboard into a strong future. Both rosters are stocked with a bevy of underclassmen who have played key roles this season. The boys team , coached by Casey Geter , have only a few wins but that has not dampened the coach’s spirit and optimism. The Flashes went 3-9 overall in their first 12 games, winning two of seven region games.  “We are fighting hard for the last playoff spot in our region and I think we have an 80 percent chance of getting it,” Geter said on Feb. 1. “I feel like this team has not played its best basketball yet and these final 5 games will be huge stepping stones in the future success of this basketball program. This team will be a scary first-round matchup for any team and I believe we have the potential to peak at the right time and advance at least to the third-round of the playoffs.” Top performers this season include junior Tahkari Ross , senior Taysawn Brown, and sophomore Jackson Eaddy. Ross leads the team in scoring at 12.8 points per game, adding 2.5 steals per game. Brown is scoring 9.5 points per game, adding five rebounds and 3.2 steals, while Eaddy chips in 7.5 points, six rebounds and two blocked shots per outing. “This team has the potential to win multiple state titles in the next three years with a host a good young players getting important reps early” Geter says. “Seven of our 12 players are sophomores who are providing good minutes and getting better every game. “The strength of our team is defense and depth. We have a strong collection of defensive guards to pair with lengthy wings. Individual offensive skill progression over the next few years will be the key determinant in our overall success over the next few years.” Despite the lack of wins, Geter says the team has developed a strong work ethic and is doing what he asks. “Adding weight lifting as a part of practice has helped us stay healthy while playing intense defense throughout the season. The athletes have started to buy in to weight room work, translating to the court and it will show up in due time” the coach said. The Johnsonville girls team will certainly be headed to the state playoffs, picking up five region wins by Feb. 1. “These group of girls have had some tough battles this season, but they have a great attitude about it all, win or lose,” coach Latima Hannah reports. “Their positive attitude matches their determined work ethic. These girls stay ready to get in the gym and work towards our goals of the week.” Much of the heavy lifting on the court is provided by a promising group of underclassmen who Hannah sees great potential. “My two top performers are Michelya Doctor and Izabella Frieson ,” Hannah reports. “ Michelya is a sophomore guard and forward averaging 10 points, seven rebounds, and three steals a game. Izabella is a freshman center averaging 4.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and three steals a game. Michelya is one of the team captains and she does a great job motivating and leading this team. Zy’Kerria Skinner is our other team captain. She does a great job with keeping her teammates calm under pressure and leading this team.” Freshman Peyton Singletary is another starter who averages 6.2 points per game. Sophomore guard Shy Alston is coming off the bench and contributes about five points per game. “In the next couple years, I see this team being very successful,” Hanna said. “With Peyton, her speed and toughness is a great asset to this program. Shy is tiny, but very mighty when on the court. Speed and defense will be the strengths to build on in the years to come. These girls get up and down the court fairly quickly and their defense this season has been wonderful. “Overall, I am beyond proud of these girls. In comparison to past years, these girls have really shocked their community. Many fans have stated they enjoy watching these young girls play and have supported them tremendously. They have really worked hard this season and it is evident every time they step onto the court. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for JHS Girls Basketball.”

Flashes get playoff victory, push Lake View to limit in 5-7 season

By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor Sumter – The regular season in high school football is always special, but there is nothing that compares to the postseason. Looking at the brackets, seeing what has to happen for this particular matchup to happen, the anticipation of said matchups and the excitement that builds up as teams try to make a run toward a state championship. With the reclassification put forward by the South Carolina High School League for this year, all of the classifications will have a different vibe. Class A no longer will have Christ Church , Southside Christan School and St. Joseph’s because of the multiplier rule, but it does have a new dominant force in Abbeville . The Panthers, long a force in AA, is now in Class A and has to be seen as the prohibitive favorite. Still though, you’ve got to play the games and see what happens. We can’t do that, but we can fill out the bracket to see who we have facing off for the championship in Orangeburg the second week of December. WHO’S IN: Upper State Region 1 : 1. Abbeville 2. Ware Shoals 3. Whitmire 4. Dixie 5. McCormick 6. Calhoun Falls Region 2 : 1. Lewisville 2. Lamar 3. Lee Central 4. McBee 5. C.A. Johnson Region 3 : 1. Hunter-Kinard-Tyler 2. Blackville-Hilda 3. Calhoun County 4. Ridge Spring-Monetta 5. Williston-Elko Lower State Region 4 : 1. Bamberg-Ehrhart 2. Ridgeland 3. Denmark-Olar 4. Hardeeville Region 5 : 1. Cross 2. Branchville 3. Baptist Hill 4. Scott’s Branch 5. Military Magnet 6. Bethune-Bowman Region 6 : 1. Lake View 2. Hannah-Pamplico 3. Latta 4. Carvers Bay 5. Johnsonville 6. Green Sea Floyds FIRST ROUND Upper State C.A. Johnson (2-8) at Abbeville (8-1) Dixie (7-2) at Blackville-Hilda (8-2) McCormick (3-7) at Lamar (7-3) Calhoun County (3-7) at Lee Central (5-4) McBee (4-5) at Hunter-Kinard-Tyler (9-1) Williston-Elko (2-7) at Ware Shoals (4-5) Calhoun Falls (1-8) at Lewisville (9-1) Ridge Spring-Monetta (5-5) at Whitmire (3=7) Lower State Green Sea Floyds (1-9) at Cross (8-2) Scott’s Branch (4-6) at Ridgeland (6-4) Military Magnet (2-6) at Hannah-Pamplico (7-2) Carvers Bay (4-6) at Denmark-Olar (3-6) Hardeeville (3-7) at Lake View (8-1) Johnsonville (4=6) at Branchville (8-2) Bethune-Bowman (1-9) at Bamberg-Ehrhardt (6-2) Latta (5-5) at Baptist Hill (6-3) The first round of any high school sports playoff is usually filled with blowouts, and that could easily be the case with these 16 games. However, there are intriguing matchups in this group. While Blackville-Hilda has to be the favorite with an 8-2 record, it will take on a 7-2 Dixie squad. Ridgeland finished second in a weak Region 6, while Scott’s Branch came on strong down the stretch to go 4-6. Carvers Bay is 4-6 and will play at 3-6 Denmark-Olar . Latta at Baptist Hill will be an intriguing matchup because the Vikings pound the ball while Baptist Hill pushes the ball through the air. Johnsonville may be just 4-6 and going against an 8-2 Branchville squad, but Johnsonville is the 2-time defending lower state champion. Don’t look for them to go down easy. First-round winners: Upper State: Abbeville, Blackville-Hilda, Lamar, Lee Central, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler, Ware Shoals, Lewisville, Ridge-Spring Monetta. Lower State: Cross, Scott’s Branch, Hannah-Pamplico, Carvers Bay, Lake View, Branchville, Bamberg-Ehrhardt, Latta. SECOND ROUND Upper State Blackville-Hilda at Abbeville Lee Central at Lamar Ware Shoals at Hunter-Kinard-Tyler Ridge Spring-Monetta at Lewisvlle Lower State Scott’s Branch at Cross Carvers Bay at Hannah-Pamplico Branchville at Lake View Latta at Bamberg-Ehrhardt This is the round where the fun starts to kick in with matchups of teams with gaudy records and outstanding reputations. Also, with the Class A regions so widespread, you can easily get pairings of teams that aren’t geographically close, thus leading to first-time matchups. The two most noteworthy showdowns in this round would be 2-loss Blackville-Hilda playing at 1-loss Abbeville. The Panthers will be favored and are led by Damarcus Leach . He will be going up against a future teammate at South Carolina in B-H’s Jaquel Holman . The best lower state matchup will have 2-loss Branchville at 1-loss Lake View . Second-round winners: Upper State: Abbeville, Lamar, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler, Lewisville: Lower State: Cross, Hannah-Pamplico, Lake View, Bamberg-Ehrhardt THIRD ROUND Upper State Lamar at Abbeville Lewisville at Hunter-Kinard-Tyler Lower State Hannah-Pamplico at Cross Bamberg-Ehrhardt at Lake View You’ve got the three champions of the upper state regions and the three region champions from the lower state still alive. The other team in the upper state is No. 2 seed Lamar , while No. 2 seed Hannah-Pamplico is the fourth lower state team. In years past, a matchup between Lamar and Abbeville would be a premier showdown. While Lamar is still a top program, Abbeville is simply a cut above. Hunter-Kinard-Tyler has had a great season, but Lewisville has been on a mission after going out in the second round last season. These lower state matchups would be fun to watch as the pairings have two teams that go about their business in different ways. Third-round winners: Upper State: Abbeville, Lewisville Lower State: Cross, Bamberg-Ehrhardt SEMIFINALS Upper State Lewisville at Abbeville Lower State Bamberg-Ehrhardt at Cross This would be the “collision course” game of the upper state bracket. Lewisville and Abbeville have been dominant all season. The lower state game will be a pairing of two teams that like to pound the football. However, Bamberg-Ehrhardt has senior quarterback Chanston Crosby to give it a better passing option. Semifinal winners: Abbeville, Bamberg-Ehrhardt STATE CHAMPIONSHIP Abbeville vs. Bamberg-Ehrhardt The Red Raiders will present a physical challenge, but Abbeville has tremendous throughout its roster, especially on the defensive side of the ball. However, I go back to what I said at the beginning of the story. Abbeville has to be considered the favorite to win until someone beats it. Your state champion: Abbeville

Lewisville WR Jacorreun Howze on the run after a catch.

By David Shelton Senior Writer Johnsonville – Johnsonville High girls tennis coach Brian Welch works hard to foster a competitive environment while also building strong team chemistry. Welch has been successful in both goals over the years as the Johnsonville program continues to compete well among its peers in Class A. While winning the state championship is the ultimate goal, Welch feels developing the overall student-athlete is his primary role as a teacher and coach. “We try not to focus very much on results, but on the journey that we are taking. If we work hard, do things the right way and treat everyone with respect, then the results will take care of themselves,” Welch said during last season. “Results will not define you years from now. People forget accomplishments and awards. We want to focus on representing our program, school and families the right way. “ The 2024 Johnsonville team is again among the top Class A programs in the Lower State. The road, however, has not been an easy ride this fall. Welch has put his team through a very competitive non-region slate of matches in hopes of building for a strong playoff run. “The team has played a tough non-region schedule to prepare for the region and playoffs,” Welch reports. “We played Aynor, Georgetown, East Clarendon and Carolina Academy in non-region. These are all very talented teams and playing this great competition hopefully has helped us to grow and improve as a team.” Welch says the team also has had a few injuries to deal with this season, including an injury to junior Lexi Hanna, who would have been a key contributor in the singles lineup. Hanna has missed most of the 2024 season. “Not having her as certainly impacted the team,” Welch said. Nonetheless, the rest of the roster is putting in the work and showing improvement with every contest. Many of the top performers are underclassmen so the future looks strong. The lone two seniors on the team this fall are Lauren Newell and Ansley Wise , who are seeded seventh and eighth respectively in the team singles order. Junior Lilly Margaret Driggers plays No.1 singles, with freshman Juliana Owens working at No. 2 singles. Driggers played No. 2 singles last season while Owens played five singles. Junior Ada Howell sits in the third singles spot and sophomore Sophia Cook plays No.4 singles. Rounding out the top six are junior Lucy Truesdale and sophomore Mallory Prosser . Junior Maddie Windham , eighth-grader Haidyn Carter , and seventh-grader Sara Boyd round out the 2024 roster. “This is a great group of young ladies who are putting in the work and effort that it takes to excel,” Welch said. “I am very proud of what they have accomplished thus far and equally excited for what they are going to do.” Football Update The early part of the 2024 season has been a roller coaster ride for the Johnsonville football team. After playing in the last two Class A state championship games, the Flashes are going through a rebuilding season this fall. Injuries to key performers and a lot of inexperience at some positions has led to a 3-4 overall record this season. The Flashes won one of their first three region games as they look to fight for a state playoff berth down the stretch. Offensively, the top returning rusher, sophomore Zaghe Davis , has not been able to get going this season. The leading rushers early on have included Jay McFadden , Bricen Howell and Ja’Mere Ross . Sophomore quarterback Larkin Powell is a first-year starter and has experienced the growing pains that come with being a new varsity quarterback. But he is improving as he gains confidence. When healthy and available, the offensive line can be a team strength. Senior Bubba Tapia is a third-year starter at left tackle. Juniors Jason Brigham and Brayden Baxley are returning starters and sophomore Daniel Ortiz gained experience as a freshman. KC Davis is the first-year starter at center. Tight end Dylan Smith and guard Chase McDaniel also have starting experience. Defensively leaders include linebacker Landyn Cribb , Howell at linebacker, and Tayshawn Brown at safety.

Abbeville is the clear cut "team to beat" in Class A football in 2024!