NETC Student Athletes of the Month
Lake View — Kaleigh Blackmon is a senior and softball player at Lake View High School . As a student athlete, and dual enrolled with NETC, Blackmon has completed 11 college level classes already and many of these courses will help reduce her college work load. She’s already completed American History, Macroeconomics, Probability and Statistics, English 101 and 102, plus Biological Science, to name a few. Blackmon who has been a starter on her softball teams since the 7 th grade readily admits softball is her favorite sport. She enjoys the challenges of playing in the infield at third base. She is also interested in continuing to pursue athletics at the next level. In the classroom she carries a 4.2 GPA, and she says that after high school she plans to attend Horry Georgetown Technical College to earn an Associate’s Degree in Sonography. For all her athletic and academic accomplishments, Blackmon has been chosen the “NETC” Female Student Athlete of the Month.” This honor is bestowed through a partnership between the Northeastern Technical College and “The High School Sports Report” with the publication communicating with athletic directors at high schools in the counties of Dillon, Marlboro, and Chesterfield, where NETC serves the needs of high school students seeking to earn dual credits in various subjects that can be transferred to colleges after a student’s high school graduation. The NETC currently offers over 44 online dual credit courses for the 2025-26 school year to students in the three counties they serve. Currently, Blackmon is enrolled in dual credit online courses offered by NETC. “Being an athlete has helped me improve my time management because I’ve learned to balance practices, games, schoolwork, and all my other responsibilities,” she said. “It’s taught me to stay organized, don’t procrastinate, and make the most of my time.” When asked about what NETC did to help her, Blackmon said, “It helped prepare me for college by teaching me how to manage online classes along with my high school workload and athletics. It has improved my time management, organization, and ability to stay disciplined without someone constantly reminding me.” When asked about the online class experience, Blackmon said her online experience “It helped me become more independent and responsible with my schoolwork,” she said. “I’ve really enjoyed taking online classes and that was a confidence booster for her time management and planning skills. I try my best to stay organized by getting my NETC work done at the first of the week. I often get my schoolwork done at school so after practice I have time to spend time with my family.” Blackmon recalled her favorite thing about playing softball “is the camaraderie of the dugout; we chant and cheer to uplift our teammates, and it’s just having fun.”
Lake View — Bryce King is a senior, three-sport athlete at Lake View, where his senior year has been one sports season after another. This fall, he played football at the wide receiver and safety positions, which is a sport he’s played every season since middle school. After football, he returned to basketball for his senior season as a guard. Then, with spring time, his favorite sport baseball has started. King started playing t-ball early in life and he has played baseball, in some organized fashion, from summer travel ball to varsity athletics. He readily admits baseball is his favorite sport and hopes his final season will get him noticed by more college scouts. In 18 games this season he’s is batting .530 with 29 hits and a home run. He plays short stop and pitches. He has pitched in 9 games with 53 strikeouts. He is interested in playing in college. King says he has visited USC - Salkehatchie . With his planned college major in nursing, he is also considering USC - Sumter and Florence Darlington Tech . In the classroom, he carries a 4.3 GPA, and he plans to pursue degree in nursing with the goal of becoming a Registered Nurse and possibly a career as a flight nurse in medical transportation. For all his athletic and academic accomplishments, King has been chosen the “NETC” Male Student Athlete of the Month.” This honor is bestowed through a partnership between the Northeastern Technical College and “The High School Sports Report” with the publication communicating with athletic directors at high schools in the counties of Dillon, Marlboro, and Chesterfield, where NETC serves the needs of high school students seeking to earn dual credits in various subjects that can be transferred to colleges after a student’s high school graduation. The ”NETC” is currently offering over 44 online dual credit courses for the 2025-26 school year to students in the three counties they serve. King has completed his English 101 and 102 requirements for college plus Algebra 101 and Statistics via the online courses offered by NETC. When asked about managing his time to balance academics and sports, King said “Time management is about priorities, and you just have to give up some lesser priority stuff, to make sure you complete your priority items. As a student athlete, and Christian, I prioritize what is important and that means my academics come first, so I can use my athletic talent plus I prioritize making time for church activities.” King had this comment about the NETC experience. “It showed me a college level work load and gave me valuable experience that will prepare me for success at the next level,” he said. “One thing about the online experience, with some courses we were required to talk in groups about the assignments which meant meeting and interacting with our classmates in the online setting which was nice.” When asked about a favorite memory in any sport, King noted that happened in baseball during his junior year, “We had to beat Latta twice in the playoffs to win and earn a spot in the State Championship series,” he said. “We ended up doing just that and earned the lower state title.”
Dillon High School’s Morgan Leonard Named “NETC” Female Student Athlete of the Month.
Dillon High School's John Bohachic chosen the “NETC” Male Student Athlete of the Month.”
Larry Gamble HSSR Photo Editor Latta — Heath Mew is a senior and former two-sport athlete at Latta High School, where he played baseball and basketball before switching to only playing Golf for his senior year. Of the three sports he has participated in, he readily admits that Golf is his favorite sport, despite having just started playing the game a year ago. While Mew will close out his high school career playing golf, he does have fond memories of playing basketball from the seventh grade through his junior year. Similarly, he played baseball starting in the eighth grade through his sophomore year. Everything changed when he says, “My buddies invited me to go play golf and I found I really enjoyed the game,” he said. That outing led him to eventually play golf for on his high school team. In the classroom Mew carries a 4.512 GPA, while maintaining his online course load, and participating in sports. For all his athletic and academic accomplishments, Mew has been chosen the “NETC” Male Student Athlete of the Month.” This honor is bestowed through a partnership between the Northeastern Technical College and “The High School Sports Report” with the publication communicating with athletic directors at high schools in the counties of Dillon, Marlboro, and Chesterfield, where NETC serves the needs of high school students seeking to earn dual credits in various subjects that can be transferred to colleges after a student’s high school graduation. The NETC is currently offering over 44 online dual credit courses for the 2025-26 school year to students in the three counties they serve. Mew is currently enrolled in dual credit courses offered by NETC. He just finished College Algebra and this semester he will take Psychology. His plans are to attend North Greenville University and work towards a degree in Physical Therapy. Afterwards, he aspires to enroll in MUSC’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program and make that his career. By taking the online courses through the NETC, Mew says, “It will help me prepare for the work-load and schedule I can expect with my future college work, and this helps me balance my schedule for my classes,” he said. ” By taking these classes my NETC classes will transfer, and they will count for freshman required classes which will put me ahead in my academic load.” When asked about a memorable moment in his sports career, Mew said, “Last year, I was new on the golf team, and we made it to state,” he said. “I got to play, and that first time hearing my name called to tee off, with me being new to the sport, was special. Even better, I addressed the ball for the tee shot and it was the best drive I ever hit at that point.”
Larry Gamble HSSR Photo Editor L atta - Kate Gasque is a senior student athlete at Latta High School, where she has been a member of the cheerleading squad since the eighth grade. She started on the junior varsity squad and moved up to varsity where she’s been a “back spotter” for stunts and lifts, as well as an enthusiastic leader on the sidelines. Gasque is enjoying her senior year and continuing to take NETC online classes to help prepare for college. Gasque said she enjoys cheering at football and basketball events while she calls baseball her favorite sport to watch. She enjoys her time on the sidelines of football and basketball games, two sports that have back-to-back long seasons. After high school, Gasque plans to attend Clemson University and focus on her studies. While she has enjoyed being a cheerleader, once this basketball season ends, she will miss the camaraderie of the team and friendships she has developed over the years. In the classroom, she carries a 5.240 GPA, and she says that after high school she plans to major in Agri-Business while at Clemson. For all her athletic and academic accomplishments, Gasque has been chosen the “NETC” Female Student Athlete of the Month.” This honor is bestowed through a partnership between the Northeastern Technical College and “The High School Sports Report” with the publication communicating with athletic directors at high schools in the counties of Dillon, Marlboro, and Chesterfield, where NETC serves the needs of high school students seeking to earn dual credits in various subjects that can be transferred to colleges after a student’s high school graduation. The NETC is currently offering over 44 online dual credit courses for the 2025-26 school year to students in the three counties they serve. Currently, Gasque is enrolled in dual credit online courses offered by NETC. She just started taking classes this school year, and is completing classes that will fill basic requirements for freshman year of college. She has taken Math 110 and this semester will take Psychology. Gasque looks forward to going to college and a business career afterwards. When asked what NETC does to help her prepare for school after graduation, Gasque said, “Taking online classes gives me familiarity with college classwork,” she said. “It gives me the experience of completing college level work before I arrive on campus and keeps me from being completely thrown into it.” Gasque rates her overall experience as positive, saying the dual enrollment classes are; “Different than anything I’ve had to do before, but not in a bad way,” she said. “You must look for the positives sometimes as you are working through the assignments. I see a real benefit to getting an advanced taste of college classes, which helps me as a student, and one or two completed classes could reduce my course load.” As a high school student, being a hard-working cheerleader while also playing spring sports, plus being enrolled in the NETC online classes, how does Gasque manage her time? “I have to plan, so there is a balance in everything between school, sports, and life,” she said. “I put together a schedule that enables me to get all the course work completed so I don’t have to give up on doing other things.” Gasque reflected on a favorite memory cheering. “The end of each season is an emotional time,” she said. “We worked hard together at practice and games. It’s a point where we reflect on how much joy there has been, as we became a team working together as friends, helping each other every step of the way.”
McBee’s Hanna McLeod Named “NETC” Female Student Athlete of the Month McBee — Hanna McLeod is a senior and tennis player at McBee High, where she has been team captain and this year she made it to state for her singles play. She started playing tennis in the eighth grade and the last two years her team made the playoffs, including winning the regional title in her junior year. In the classroom, she carries a 5.294 GPA and after high school, she does look to continue playing tennis but as a club sport at the college level. Her focus to earn degree in Public Health from the University of South Carolina. For all her athletic and academic accomplishments, McLeod has been chosen the “NETC” Female Student Athlete of the Month.” This honor is bestowed through a partnership between the Northeastern Technical College and “The High School Sports Report” with the publication communicating with athletic directors and guidance counselors at high schools in the counties of Dillon, Marlboro, and Chesterfield, where NETC serves the needs of high school students seeking to earn dual credits in various subjects that can be transferred to colleges after a student’s high school graduation. The ”NETC” is currently offering over 44 online dual credit courses for the 2025-26 school year to students in the three counties they serve. McLeod started taking classes as a dual enrolled high school student her sophomore year. So far, she’s completed eight classes including US History, Algebra, English Composition, Computer technology, and Public Speaking. “Taking online courses through NETC has acclimatized me to the college level workload and it’s giving me a good idea of how much work I’ll have to do at college,” said McLeod. She continued, about it being a “good experience with NETC, the professors are nice and they respond to my questions via email.” She went on to explain that she is “trying to take many of the required classes that aren’t core classes for my degree and that should help tremendously so I can get ahead in my studies.” When asked about managing her time to balance two school loads, sports, and life, McLeod said, I utilize every opportunity to get my NETC work done and use my study hall wisely, then I can finish other work after practice, games, and once home.” When asked about a favorite memory from her playing time on the tennis court, McLeod reflected about a player from Darlington High School, they were closely ranked and played each other many times. “In our very last match, we were playing close each set, and it went to tie break. I won.”
McBee’s Alex Bergman Named “NETC” Male Student Athlete of the Month McBee — Alex Bergman is a junior and two-sport athlete at McBee High, where he was a designated hitter during the Baseball playoffs leading up to McBee earning the SCHSL Class A State Championship trophy, plus he is plays on the Basketball team.. Bergman, who is a Pitcher and plays first base, readily admits baseball is his favorite sport and started playing the game when he was first able to join t-ball teams . Last season, his held a .308 batting average. He also enjoys basketball which he started playing it in the seventh grade. In the classroom he carries a 5.080 GPA and he has a strong desire to play baseball at the next level if presented the opportunity. His two favorite schools for continuing his education after next year are University of South Carolina and Duke. For all his athletic and academic accomplishments, Bergman has been chosen the “NETC” Male Student Athlete of the Month.” This honor is bestowed through a partnership between the Northeastern Technical College and “The High School Sports Report” with the publication communicating with athletic directors and guidance counselors at high schools in the counties of Dillon, Marlboro, and Chesterfield, where NETC serves the needs of high school students seeking to earn dual credits in various subjects that can be transferred to colleges after a student’s high school graduation. The ”NETC” is currently offering over 44 online dual credit courses for the 2025-26 school year to students in the three counties they serve. Bergman started taking classes as a dual enrolled high school student his freshman year. He completed several courses offered by the NETC so far. Courses he’s taken include English 101, Public Speaking, US History, Macro Economics and two Biology classes. He says he plans to continue taking NETC classes this year and again during his senior year. “Taking online courses through NETC has really helped me get used to the difference in workload at the high school level and college level. This is really preparing me for that next step up,” said Bergman. He continued saying. it’s been a good experience with NETC. “It’s different than in-person classes with a teach leading the lecture, but it works better for me as I learn best by reading information or watching videos.” Bergman said, “I’m pretty sure I’ve mapped it out right and taking these NETC courses should significantly reduce my college class load.” He says he’s still undecided about a college major but after college he plans to attend law school. He credits the NETC classes for helping him be better prepared and honed his time management skills. “School work is the priority, I try to do as much as I can during the school day, then after practice and when I get home, I’ll finish whatever is not done.” When asked about a favorite memory from his play either on the diamond or the court, Bergman says, “it has to be our 2025 State Championship run and in the final game, I’d been the DH all series, we have the lead, and at this point I’m in the dugout watching the other team’s batters as we get down to the final out for the game. The batter hits a strong ground ball to our third baseman who fields it and then makes the throw to first base for the final out, thus giving us the State Title.”
Larry Gamble HSSR, Photography Editor Bennettsville — Sumner McLaurin is a senior who plays volleyball and soccer at Marlboro Academy . McLaurin said she started playing volleyball in the seventh grade, which is her favorite sport, and she also began playing soccer in the 9 th grade. Being a two-sport student athlete, McLaurin said,” My favorite part is being on a team with friends.” After high school, she plans to focus on education, and she will pursue a degree in health sciences. Her first choice for college is Clemson and possibly playing at the club sport level. Taking two classes from two schools, plus sports, she had this to say about making it work; “It helps me with planning my study time, and practice time,” she said. “Taking online courses from the “NETC” helped me to develop my time management skills.” McLaurin’s has done well managing academics and athletics in her life and she currently carries a 5.220 GPA. For all her athletic and academic accomplishments, McLaurin has been chosen the “NETC” Female Student Athlete of the Month.” This honor is bestowed through a partnership between the Northeastern Technical College and “The High School Sports Report” with the publication communicating with athletic directors at high schools in the counties of Dillon, Marlboro, and Chesterfield, where NETC serves the needs of high school students seeking to earn dual credits in various subjects that can be transferred to colleges after a student’s high school graduation. The “NETC” is currently offering over 44 online dual credit courses for the 2025-26 school year to students in the three counties they serve. Currently, McLaurin is enrolled in two dual credit online courses offered by NETC. She started taking classes in her junior year. She has already completed many basic requirements for her freshman year of college like Spanish and English. She says she took Music Appreciation first to get an idea about the online learning experience. When asked about how the “NETC” experience helped prepare her for the next step in her education, she said, “Taking NETC classes helped my communications skills with my professors, and introduced me to the stricter schedule of college and to complete the work on time. “The class experience with NETC was good and I have really good professors,” said McLaurin. “They helped me learn how to prepare my assignments, follow the discussion boards, and improve my ability to communicate at the college level. By taking these NETC online classes I will be well ahead towards my major in college.” With all the demands for her time, between academics, sports, plus family and friends, McLaurin said, “Setting priorities is a must; school first, Marlboro Academy classes, practice, NETC classes are next, then making time for family and friends. It helps that a lot of my friends are on the volleyball team.” Nearly have way through her senior year, McLaurin was asked to reflect on a memorable moment she had experienced in sports. “At senior night, we played Lee Academy, and the game was about the great teamwork and friends on the team. I really enjoyed the camaraderie and sportsmanship of team play this season.”
Larry Gamble HSSR, Photography Editor Bennettsville — Beckham Jacobs is a senior four-sport athlete at Marlboro Academy, where he earned all-region honors and All State honors this past baseball season. He just finished competing at the SCISA State Cross Country meet and he also played on the boys Volleyball team. He is looking forward to the start of basketball season, and in the Spring, he will participate in baseball. As a student athlete, he ran on the Marlboro Academy Cross Country team this year, played on the inaugural boys’ volleyball team, and looks forward to the basketball season. In the Spring, baseball will close out his high school athletic career. When asked about a favorite sport, Jacobs said, “Baseball is my favorite since I starting played T-Ball when I was big enough to swing a bat,” he said. Last season he earned All Region and All State honors playing baseball. “This was our first year having a boys volleyball team and that was fun also.” In terms of the opportunity to play baseball at the next level, Jacobs replied, “If the opportunity arises that would be great.” In the classroom, he carries a 4.5 GPA, and he plans to major in Electrical Engineering at the University of South Carolina. For all his athletic and academic accomplishments, Jacobs has been chosen the “NETC” Male Student Athlete of the Month.” This honor is bestowed through a partnership between the Northeastern Technical College and “The High School Sports Report” with the publication communicating with athletic directors at high schools in the counties of Dillon, Marlboro, and Chesterfield, where NETC serves the needs of high school students seeking to earn dual credits in various subjects that can be transferred to colleges after a student’s high school graduation. The” NETC” is currently offering over 44 online dual credit courses for the 2025-26 school year to students in the three counties they serve. Jacobs is currently enrolled in two dual credit online courses offered by NETC. He started taking classes after a conversation with his sister who took advantage of the NETC program when she was in high school. “She recommended I can take classes now, for dual credit, because I’ll have to take them at some point,” said Jacobs. He plans to continue taking dual credit classes next semester, and has already completed English 101 and 102, plus a Personal Finance class and Public Speaking. When asked about managing his time to be successful academically and in sports, Jacobs had this to say; “Time management can be hectic, but you just have to plan ahead and stick to you your schedule,” he said. “With so many time commitments between school, sports, and having a social life, time management is very important. “It may look a little hectic, but plan ahead and take it as it comes,” said Jacobs. “This way, you can stay ahead.” He went on to say this about the classes he’s taken, “Hopefully, this will knock out a few freshman classes, and the Public Speaking is really helping me with my ability to communicate. “Taking online courses through the “NETC” I feel like I am being prepared for what my actual experiences could be once I get to college,” said Jacobs. “I am really enjoying the two online courses I am involved with right now, and I plan on taking two more online courses from the “NETC” next semester.” Getting back to sports, when asked about a favorite memory, Jacobs noted that even with baseball as his favorite sport, the standout memory is this year’s Cross Country meet, partly because he last ran Cross Country in the sixth grade and did not have any expectations for this season. He noted, “In the state championship, I wasn’t expecting this, but I posted a personal best for the three-mile with a 16th place time of 20.50 time. That was special for me to do that at State.”