By David Shelton Senior Writer Charleston - Porter-Gaud’s girls team went wire-to-wire as the top team in Class AAAA this season, completing a 24-2 season with a 6-0 win over Hammond School of Columbia. Zoe Molten scored three goals and Gracie McCabe added two goals to lead the Cyclones to their first title since 2019. “We’ve been shooting for this for several years but came up short. This team came into the season very determined and focused,” coach Hope Walters said. “They worked extremely hard. We knew we had a chance for a special season and today was just the final statement.” Molten’s goal in the sixth minute of play gave the Cyclones a 1-0 halftime lead. A red card on the Hammond goalkeeper left the Skyhawks short-handed and the Cyclones took advantage. McCabe’s tally in the 47 th minute made it 2-0. Less than a minute later, Spencer Hostetter made it 3-0 with a score, and Molten’s second goal pushed the advantage to 4-0 in the 53 rd minute. McCabe scored in the 57 th minute and Molten completed her hat trick with a goal in the in final minute of regulation. Molten, a junior, scored 55 goals this season, which was seventh most in the state overall. She has 107 career goals and was named the SCISA player of the year. McCabe, a freshman, finished with 22 goals and six assists. Senior Claire Trowbridge and freshman Ava Adams also were key midfielders. The Cyclones allowed only eight goals all season and out-scored their playoff opponents, 21-0. Senior captain and center back Anna Davis was the leader defensively. Davis started and played in 106 games during her career.  The Porter-Gaud boys were trying to unseat powerhouse Cardinal Newman in the AAAA boys championship but the Cardinals won their sixth consecutive championship with a 6-2 win. After falling behind on a Cardinal Newman goal in the first minute of play, the Cyclones evened the score on a penalty kick from Mateo Tozzi in the 19 th minute. But, the Cardinas answered with two goals over the next 10 minutes and led 3-1 at the half. A score early in the second half pushed the lead to 4-1. Trailing, 6-1, Porter-Gaud got a goal from Graham Winterfield in the 78 th minute of play. The Cyclones finished with a 16-7 record. Porter-Gaud sweeps SCISA lacrosse titles There have been eight state championship games in SCISA girls lacrosse and Porter-Gaud has won all eight titles. The private school powerhouse completed a perfect 19-0 season with an 18-2 win over Heathwood Hall. Porter-Gaud led early and held a commanding 13-1 lead at halftime. The Cyclones defeated Heathwood Hall three times this season. Scarlett Mayer finished with five goals and three assists and went over 100 goals this season. Ragan Stryker added four goals and Ravi Hawkins and Hila Tiller each scored three times. “The eight straight is a great accomplishment but the undefeated season is what really stands out to me,” said coach Brent Hilpert . “Getting to work with this amazing group of girls who came together and pushed each other every day was the highlight of my coaching career..” The Porter-Gaud boys team also won the state championship on Friday, taking care of Heathwood Hall, 16-5. It was their sixth title in the last seven years after seeing a five-year winning streak snapped in last year’s finals.

By David Shelton Senior Writer Charleston – Porter-Gaud girls soccer coach Hope Walters could not be happier with her 2025 team as the regular season nears an end. The Cyclones went 15-1 in their first 16 outings with the lone loss coming to Cane Bay in a preseason tournament. Porter-Gaud is hoping to make another run at the SCISA AAAA state title. They lost to Pinewood Prep in the finals last season and Walters knows the three-time defending state champions will again be the biggest threat. Porter-Gaud beat Pinewood Prep earlier this season and will close out the regular season against their arch-rivals in late April. “We have had a strong season,” Walters said. “The girls have been working extremely hard and are preparing for a strong finish. We have great leadership from our seniors and the underclassmen have been very productive.” Senior leadership starts with captain Anna Davis , who is a center back on the field. Other senior leaders include Claire Trowbridge , Sarah Oswald, Zacora Ascue and keeper Oceania Schaay . Trowbridge has seven assists to go with four goals while Ascue has six goals and six assists. Junior Zoe Molten and freshman Grace McCabe lead the team offensively. Molten has 29 goals and nine assists in the first 15 contests while McCabe has tallied 11 goals with 11 assists. Freshman Ava Adams scored eight goals in 15 games and freshman Sasha Stuart scored 10 goals. Eighth-grader Sydney Burke has six goals, as does junior Charlotte Thompson . Spencer Hostetter and Ella Holzer round out the starting lineup. The girls lacrosse team also is a powerhouse, seeking their eighth straight SCISA state title. No other team in SCISA has won a state title since the league began to recognize a state champion. The girls team won their first 11 contests of the spring. Junior Scarlett Mayer is again proving to be one of the top players in the state, scoring 62 goals with 19 assists in the first 11 contests. Junior Hannah Taylor scored 35 goals with 14 assists while eighth-grader Revi Hawkins has added 27 goals and eight assists. Freshman Ragan Stryker has scored 12 goals with 11 assists, and senior captain Hila Tiller has 10 goals. In goal, Jordan Walker is allowing about nine goals per game with 45 saves in the 11 matches. The boys lacrosse team won five straight state titles before losing in the finals last season. The Cyclones should once again be in contention for the crown. Porter-Gaud went 7-6 in their first 13 games, playing a very competitive schedule against top teams. Senior Mac Grubbs is the leading goal scorer with 26 tallies to go with eight assists. Sophomore Laken Hawkins has 16 goals at 18 assists while sophomore Huck Nevin has 14 goals in 13 outings. Freshman Brodie Hoof has 11 goals and six assists. Senior Kyler Boggan is allowing about six goals per contest with 94 recorded saves in 13 games.

Photo from both the Girls and Boys SCISA Class AAAA title games. In the girls game, Trinity Collegiate faced First Baptist . In the boys game, Porter-Gaud faced Augusta Christian . This sample of images, follow this link for the full gallery.

Photos from the SCISA Class AAAA Boys State Championship Game between Porter-Gaud and First Augusta Christian. These two teams were the best possible match up for the Championship title game. After trading leads for all of the first half, Augusta Christian establish dominance in the second half with a ten point lead at one point. In never say die fashion, Porter-Gaud did not give up bringing the game back a tie half way through the fourth quarter. The last four minutes were trading the lead right up to the final 6 seconds of the game. Both of these teams played their hearts out, but only one could win. No one can say that Augusta Christian didn't play to win and they played like champions. Porter Gaud ended up winning in the last 6 seconds with a go ahead basket to take a 66 to 65 lead. But, a turnover by Augusta Christian and foul sent Porter Gaud back to the stripe and they won 68 to 65. Follow this link to all images from Championship Friday!

Augusta Christian, Porter-Gaud to meet for boy title; First Baptist takes on Trinity Collegiatte for girls crown

Pinewood Prep Boys in action against the Porter-Gaud Cyclones.

Porter-Gaud celebrates national signing day By David Shelton Senior Writer Charleston – The Porter-Gaud athletic department is one of the most successful in the state. Winning multiple state championships in the SCISA ranks is a common thing from year to year.  Winning takes great coaching, great support, great facilities and great athletes who are committed to excellence. Porter-Gaud certainly has all of those ingredients. The school recently honored a handful of athletes who have earned the opportunity to test their skills on the college level while continuing their education. Following is a recap. Mac Grubb - Haverford (lacrosse) As a sophomore, Mac Grubb led the Cyclones with 47 goals and 9 assists. He was the top scorer in our 2023 state championship run and earned First-Team All-State honors as an attack man. Mac will enter this year’s season with a staggering 109 goals, 21 assists, and 55 groundballs. He has been a two-time First Team All-State Attackmen and last year became the second ever Academic All-American in program history. He is also on track to be the all-time point leader for Porter-Gaud lacrosse. From his coach, Robbie Robinson: “Over the past three years, it would be an understatement to say that I’ve simply enjoyed coaching Mac. The truth is, I’ve leaned on him more than almost any other player in recent years.” Chase Anderson, The Citadel (football, preferred walk on) Anderson recorded 123 tackles and three interceptions in 2024, racking up 230 tackles over the last two seasons. He was a SCISA all-state selection and an All-Lowcountry selection. He played in the first-ever I-26 all-star game. T ony Brown, University of South Carolina (football, preferred walk on) From his coach, Brad Bowles: “Quietly dominated SCISA football over the last four years.” Brown had 107 tackles and four interceptions this past season, adding 1,422 rushing yards with 17 touchdowns. Brown finished his career with 356 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 2.515 rushing yards while playing corner, safety and running back. He was a three-year team captain and the SCISA defensive player of the year. JJ Fludd, Citadel (football) Rushed for 4,211 yards and 68 touchdowns over the last two seasons while also recording seven interceptions on defense. In 2024, Fludd rushed for 1,932 yards and 32 touchdowns with six interceptions. He was the SCISA player of the year and a two-time all-state and all-lowcountry selection. From his coach, Brad Bowles, “Excited to watch him grow as a player and an athlete for the next 4 years at the Citadel.” Frank Schmidt, Citadel (football, preferred walk on) Schmidt was a team captain in 2024 and was a four-year starter. He was the SCISA all-state lineman of the year and played in two all-star games. Sam Teich - Rhodes College (baseball) The pitcher/shortstop will be a four-year varsity starter and won the team ace award the previous three seasons. He also has been named MVP the last two years. Teich broke the school single game strikeout record with 16 SO's in 7 innings that was held for 27 years! John Settle - Berry College (track) John Settle made an immediate impact on the Track and Field team during his 9th grade year and he has continued to achieve great success throughout his entire high school career. He is a school record holder in the 4X400 relay and has multiple team and relay state championships. From his coach, Hugh Knight: “John has been a huge part of the boys' last three state title runs and serves as a valuable leader on our track team. He is a wonderful person, student, and athlete and has an amazing opportunity to compete in track and field at Berry for the next four years.”

Northwood Academy HC Ginnell Curtis with Alyvia Tocco, Rylan Dundon, and Maliyah Birch.

Porter Gaud senior RB Tony Brown came into the finals having rushed for 1,339 yards and 17 touchdowns