Myrtle Beach fall sports preparing for playoffs

David Shelton • October 14, 2024

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By David Shelton

Senior Writer

Myrtle Beach – While much of the focus during October, in regards to high school sports, centers on region play for football, the rest of the fall sports teams around the state are focusing in on their respective upcoming state playoffs.

October is certainly a busy month as non-football sports will begin and even conclude their playoffs during the month. Girls tennis, volleyball, swimming, girls golf and cross country are in the final stages of their regular season.

As of this year, Myrtle Beach High is a member of Class AAAAA, up from AAAA. The competition level will increase but the Seahawks are expecting to compete in every sport during the postseason.

The girls tennis program was a perennial state title contender in AAAA and should have a team capable of challenging in AAAAA. The best part about this team is their overall youth, which could make them a factor for years to come.

This year’s team does have two starting seniors. Julianna Merritt plays No. 2 singles and Elizabeth Raynor plays the No. 5 singles.

Sitting atop the singles ladder is sophomore Mary Hannah Morrison. Eighth-grader Elena Barnes plays the No 3 singles and sophomore Ava Anthony plays No. 4 singles.

The volleyball team is in contention for a region title, sitting one game behind North Myrtle Beach. The Seahawks won six of their first seven region games, losing to their rivals from the North.

Leading as seniors this season are Blake Carter, Sarah Lirijoni, Madison Brown and Sophia Fogarty.

Juniors on the roster are Margaret Truluck, Trinity Owens, Samantha Scholz and Makenzie Trisler. Gabriella Fogarty and Emily Mullinix are the sophomores on the team.

Rounding out the roster are freshmen Gianna Petruzzello and Anna Trisler, along with eighth-grader Dylan Roberts.

In cross country, Anna Sedeska anchors the girls team as the top runner this fall. Riley Clements, Katherine Cooke and Isabelle Lowry round out the top four runners.

Kai Wilmot is the top runner on the boys team, with Thomas Smith, Liam McGuire, Carson McGee and Ahmed Rahmouni rounding out the top five runners this season.

Meanwhile, in football, the Seahawks began region play on Oct. 4 with a 36-6 win over St. James. That win improved the Seahawks to 3-3 overall this season. The Seahawks were slated to play Conway on Oct. 11.

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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.