SCISA Playoff Battles Set To Start

Gerald Doolittle • November 14, 2025

SCISA Playoff Battles Set To Start

By: Gerald Doolittle

Goose Creek, S.C. – The South Carolina Independent Schools Association has it 2025 playoffs set to start on November 7 with many hot battles expected before the finals.


All five 2024 Champions return to defend their titles. Hammond (4A), Pinewood Prep (3A), Pee Dee Academy (2A), Thomas Heyward (1A) and Richard Winn (8 Man). All five 2024 runners-up are back to challenge again. Porter-Gaud (4A), Wilson Hall (3A), Bethesda Academy (2A), Williamsburg Academy (1A) and Laurens Academy (8 Man).


In 4A can Hammond (9-1) take another title despite losing in regular season to Northwood Academy (9-1)? Can Heathwood Hall sneak in to take the Crown? In regular season the Highlanders were defeated 9-7 by Hammond.


The other 4A teams in the hunt are Laurence Manning (6-4), Porter-Gaud (4-6) and Ben Lippen (3-7).


The Northwood Academy Chargers has been led by quarterback Kevin Johnson (jr) who has passed for 1876 yards and 17 touchdowns. Kaven Ford (sr) has led the rushing attack with 1056 yards 20 touchdowns.


In the passing game Johnson has had three targets in Aydan Hogan (sr), Drew Wolfe (jr) and Jacair Medlock (jr). Hogan has 783 receiving yards for 7 touchdowns. Wolfe has 471 yards for 4 touchdowns and Medlock has 365 yards for 4 touchdowns.


The Hammond Academy Skyhawks has used a dual quarterback attack led by Ben Muela Kiser (sr) who has passed for 559 yards and 4 touchdowns. Cade Amell (fr) has passed for 562 yards and 4 touchdowns.


Kiser also leads the rushing attack with 723 yards and 5 touchdowns. Levi Myers (jr) has 662 yards and 7 touchdowns. Kanye Reed (jr) has 298 yards and 8 touchdowns.



The Heathwood Hall offense has been powered by Patrick Belk. He has passed for 1723 yards 17 touchdowns. He also has rushed for 378 yards 5 touchdowns. Julian Hughes (sr) has rushed for 298 yards with 3 touchdowns.


The top two pass receivers for the Highlanders has been Keon McKinnley (jr) and Jamonie Batts (sr). McKinnley has 529 yards 3 touchdowns. Batts has 408 yards for 3 touchdowns. Jackson Noble (sr) has 224 yards for 4 touchdowns.


In Class 3A the Pinewood Prep Panthers offense has been powered by quarterback Silas Brawner (jr). He has 2593 passing yards for 33 touchdowns.


Brawner has had four favorite receivers led by Jayden Alexander (sr) who has 995 yards for 13 touchdowns. Lavoris Lucas (jr) has772 yards for 7 touchdowns. Heyward Moore (jr) has 448 yards for 5 touchdowns and Tre Green (jr) has 369 yards for 8 touchdowns.


Grayson Salego (jr) has led the Panther rushing attack with 629 yards for 10 touchdowns. Lucas has rushed 252 yards for 3 touchdowns. Jeremy Kendall (fr) has rushed for 200 yards 3 touchdowns.


The Wilson Hall Academy Barons offensive attack has been led by Ford Wilder (sr) who has passed for 507 yards 4 touchdowns and rushed for 246 yards scoring 8 touchdowns.


The Barons have six rushers with over 200 yards. Ben McLaurin (sr) has 854 yards 10 touchdowns. Milling Galloway (sr) has 562 yards 11 touchdowns. Cameron Wilsey (so) has 328 yards 5 touchdowns. Shep Vincent (so) has 208 yards 4 touchdowns.


Riley Minton (so) has led the Florence Christian Eagle offense with 824 passing yards 3 touchdowns and rushed for 170 yards 5 touchdowns.


The Eagles rushing attack has been led by Andrew Miller (jr) with 660 yards 11 touchdowns. Brooks Poston (sr) has 494 yards 7 touchdowns and Josh Davis (sr) has 317 yards 3 touchdowns.


In Class 2A the Bethesda Academy Blazers offense has been led by Jordan Turner (so) from the quarterback slot. He has passed for 1551 yards 26 touchdowns and rushed for 163 yards with 4 touchdowns.


The Blazers ground attack has been led by Jordan Cheever (sr) who has 981 yards 12 touchdown. Jeffrey Armstrong (so) follows with 314 yards 3 touchdowns. Joseph Adkins (so) has added 153 yards 2 touchdowns and Jamarri Young (sr) follows with 138 yards 3 touchdowns.


The Calhoun Academy Cavaliers offense has been fired by Colt Layton (jr) from the quarterback slot. He has passed for 698 yards 6 touchdowns and has rushed for 1205 yards 21 touchdowns.


Cael Parler (jr) follows Layton with 869 yards 14 touchdowns and Joseph Lyons (so) has tallied 600 yards 9 touchdowns.

The Greenwood Christian Hawks has used a balanced offensive attack this season. Quarterback Leland Reed (jr) has passed for 754 yards 12 touchdowns.


The Hawks rushing attack has been led by Leighton Davis (fr) with 469 yards 5 toucdowns. Holden Poole (sr) has 148 yards 1 touchdown and Isaiah Scott-Palacios (jr) has 113 yards 2 touchdowns.


Ty Kennedy (sr) and Bryson Dixon (sr) have been top targets for Reed in the passing attack. Kennedy has 311 receiving yards with 6 touchdowns and Dixon has 181 yards 4 touchdowns.


Cholly Williams has sparked the Orangeburg Prep Indians from the quarterback slot. He has passed for 1662 yards 22 touchdowns. He has also rushed for  254 yards 4 touchdowns.


The top receiver has been Tilden Riley(sr) with 1003 yards 17 touchdowns. Council Burroghs (so) has 242 yards 3 touchdowns. Maxx Judy (jr) has 287 yards 2 touchdowns and Marshall Livingston (jr) has 176 yards 1 touchdown. 


In Class 1A the Williamsburg Academy Stallions has been led by Micah Balder (sr) who has passed for 841 yards 8 touchdowns and rushed for 456 yards 5 touchdowns. His top receiver has been Charlie Caulder (jr) with 548 yards 6 touchdowns.


The Stallions rushing attack has been led by Grant Small (jr) with 1582 yards 24 touchdowns. Eli Brown (so) has rushed for 440 yards 4 touchdowns.


The Dorchester Academy Raiders offense has been led by quarterback John Quattlebaum (sr) who has passed for 817 yards 12 touchdowns.


The Raiders rush game has been led by John Whetsell (sr) with 1142 yards 15 touchdowns. Reed Almers (so) has rushed 157 yards 4 touchdowns and Warren Judy (so) has 130 yards 3 touchdowns


The top two receivers has been Abe Shuler (sr) with 344 yards 3 touchdowns followed by Noah Risher (jr) with 264 yards 5 touchdowns.


The Colleton Prep Academy War Hawks has been led by dual quarterback Cale Owens (jr). He has passed for 1661 yards 17 touchdowns and rushed for 1029 yards 15 touchdowns. Tanner Wolf (sr) has rushed for 553 yards 10 touchdowns and Thomas Corbett (jr) has rushed 123 yards.


Corbett has been the top receiver with 651 yards 7 touchdowns. Hartman Fisk (jr) has 376 receiving yards 3 touchdowns.


In 8-Man the W W King Academy Knights have been led by a strong running game. Joseph Morse (so) has 1505 yards 25 touchdowns. Blake Rabar (fr) has 332 yards 3 touchdowns and Ty Doolittle has 120 yards 4 touchdowns.


Elijah Hutto (jr) has passed for 956 yards 19 touchdowns. Dallas Hill (sr) has been the top receiver with 375 yards 11 touchdowns. Landell Anderson (jr) has 386 yards 6 touchdowns and Luke Harvey (jr) has 150 yards 1 touchdown. 


The Laurens Academy Crusaders offense has been sparked by their passing and rushing quarterback Ethan Collins (jr). He has passed for 1657 yards 23 touchdowns and rushed for 449 yards 11 touchdowns.


The rushing has also been led by Caleb Hardy (jr) with 1206 yards 12 touchdowns. Mason Cooper (so) has 678 yards 6 touchdowns. Hardy also has 835 receiving yards 14 touchdowns.


Other receivers has been Riley Whittaker (fr) and Nathan Bell (sr). Whittaker has 380 yards 4 touchdowns and Bell has 200 yards 2 touchdowns.


The Holly Hill Academy Raiders has been led by Parker Kizer (jr) who has been involved in 50 touchdowns. He has rushed for 2962 yards 46 touchdowns and passed for 136 yards 4 touchdowns.


Jake Kirven (so) has rushed for 428 yards 7 touchdowns and Jayden Krier (fr) has rushed for 165 yards 2 touchdowns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHSL Release 2026-2028 Realignment Final

By Staff Reports • December 22, 2025
SCHSL Release 2026-2028 Realignment Final Columbia, SC (12-19-25) -- The South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) has finalized the classification placement of all schools beginning with the 2026-27 school year. This classification placement will be in effect for two years. The guidelines established by the Reclassification/Realignment Guidelines Committee served as the blueprint for schools’ placements. Schools were assigned based on their enrollment count, to include district additions and the 3.0 multiplier. Flexibility, as approved by the Reclassification/Realignment Guidelines Committee, was also used with consideration given to geographics and travel. “Appreciation is expressed to those who served on the Reclassification/Realignment Guidelines Committee,” said Dr. Jerome Singleton, Commissioner of the SCHSL. “Classification placement of schools is the initial phase of the process. The next step for the League staff is to place the schools into regions in their respective classifications.” The SCHSL’s Executive Committee will meet January 13-14, 2026, to hear appeals regarding the classification placements. The final reclassifications are attached.

Stratford’s Davis Leads South Carolina to 17-7 Win in 89th Shrine Bowl

By David Shelton • December 21, 2025
By David Shelton Senior Writer Spartanburg – Stratford quarterback Jachin Davis threw a pair of touchdown passes and South Carolina defeated North Carolina, 17-7, in the 89 th Shrine Bowl all-star game in Spartanburg on December 20. Davis , named the offensive most valuable player for the Sandlappers, completed 10 of 15 passes for 184 yards in the game. He is headed to Liberty University as an early enrollee. “Great experience and great to get a win,” Davis said. “Playing with all of these great players was something I will never forget.” South Carolina dominated the game defensively, allowing only 136 total yards. The Tarheels completed just five of 19 passes. Stratford running back Maliq McGowan , a late addition to the roster, finished as the leading rusher for South Carolina with 42 yards on nine carries. West Ashley’s Bristol Biegenzahn played on the defensive front for the Sandlappers while Berkeley’s Zion Britt started on the offensive line. Cross safety, and South Carolina signee Caden Ramsey , Berkeley linebacker Gehad Sneed , and Timberland offensive lineman Desmond Green, who is headed to Florida, also played for the Sandlappers. “You win all-star games with defense and our defense was outstanding,” said SC head coach Paul Sutherland , who retired as the head coach at Liberty High after the season. “Glad to get the win for South Carolina. The kids were great. I am very blessed to have had this opportunity.” It took less than 10 seconds for the Sandlappers to score the game’s first touchdown as Davis combined with Dillon receiver Zay Robertson , heading to North Carolina , on an 80-yard bomb on the first play of the game for a quick 7-0 lead. Robertson finished the game with four catches for 131 yards. “He’s a great player,” said Davis of Robertson. “Getting that first touchdown was a tone setter.” South Carolina lost fumbles on their next two possessions, the second miscue leading to North Carolina’s game-tying touchdown after a 23-yard drive. Spartanburg’s Will Love , heading to Virginia Tech , kicked a 35-yard field goal late in the second quarter for a 10-7 halftime lead for the Sandlappers. South Carolina’s last play offensive snap in the game was Davis’s nine-yard touchdown pass to Jude Hall of Christ Church with :59 seconds left on the game clock. Chester linebacker Terry Rayford , who had 11 tackles, was the defensive most valuable player for the Sandlappers. Dorman's Kentavion Anderson and Ridge View's Jordan Best recorded interceptions The win gives South Carolina a 48-34 lead in the series. There have been seven ties.

SCHSL releases proposed reclassification for 2026-27, '27-28 school years

By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor • December 20, 2025
Proposal has AAAAA going from 54 schools to 40 and not being split into divisions

OCA Wins Third Consecutive State Title with 28-7 Win Over BHP

By David Shelton • December 19, 2025
Oceanside senior WR, Terence Johnson, a Shrine Bowl all-star game selection, had 57 catches for 1,153 yards and 17 touchdowns plus 9 rushing touchdowns this season.

Panthers aim to remain a contender

By Roger Lee • December 19, 2025
Running back Grayson Salego is one of several starters who should return to the Panthers’ football team next season. Photo by Roger Lee. 

Timberland girls basketball team off to torrid start

By Rob Gantt • December 19, 2025
Timberland's Zion Prioleau, named on of Class AA's top seniors by the SC Basketball Coaches Association, averaged 14.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.8 steals per game in 2024-20225.

Wilson Hall senior class 32-7 last 3 years

By Dennis Brunson • December 19, 2025
 By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor Sumter – The Wilson Hall football team played in its third straight SCISA AAA state championship game in November. And for the third straight year, the Barons came out on the short end of the stick. WH lost to Pinewood Prep for the second consecutive year, falling by a score of 55-13. That being said, Wilson Hall head coach Adam Jarecki could only praise his team, especially the 17-man senior class. “This group of seniors graduates with three trips to the state championship and not many people can say that,” Jarecki said of the Class of 2026, which went 32-7 over that 3-year stretch. “I’m extremely proud of them. They’re our leaders at the school. They’re the influential people at our school. We’d love to see them go out with success in the end, but what they accomplished is pretty special, and they’ve got to take pride in that. “They had a great year (finishing with an 11-2 record for the second straight year) and they’ve had a great career. It’s tough not to come out on top, but they know what it takes to get here and they bought into it.” Six of those seniors were among the eight Barons named to the All-Region 2-AAA team. Leading the way was quarterback Ford Wilder , who was selected as the Region Offensive Player of the Year. Wilder completed 41 of 79 passes for 565 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 483 yards and 12 TDs on 87 carries. Senior running backs Ben McLaurin and Milling Galloway were selected. McLaurin rushed for 1,234 yars and 16 scores on 121 carries. Galloway rushed for 585 yards and 11 touchdowns 62 carries despite missing three games and the majority of a fourth due to injury. The other senior All-Region picks were free safety Harris Naylor and defensive linemen Walker Wilson and Andrew Howle . Naylor had 35 tackles, one tackle for loss, two interceptions and three pass deflections. Wilson had 39 tackles, seven TFLs, two quarterback sacks and one PD. Howle had 28 tackles, a team high nine TFLs and two sacks. The other two All-Region selections were junior defensive lineman Reese Wilson and junior linebacker Peyton Gilley . Reese Wilson shared the team lead in sacks with four to go with 21 tackles, eight TFLs, one PD and one fumble recovery. Gilley had a team high 61 tackles and shared the team lead in interceptions with three, returning one for a touchdown, to go with three sacks and six TFLs. Along with being All-Region picks, each of the eight were All-State selections and were chosen to play in the SCISA North-South All-Star Games.

Lee Academy basketball teams start slow

By Dennis Brunson • December 19, 2025
By Dennis Brunson Hssr.com Associate Editor Bishopville – Both the boys and girls basketball teams for Lee Academy got off to 1-3 starts, but neither of the head coaches are close to making a determination on what the season holds for their squads. “I am really excited about the team we have for this season,” said boys head coach Kemp DeWitt , who is in his second season at Lee. “We return four players that gave us crucial minutes last season. Brayden Davis , Cain June , Gavin Makela and Paxton Greene give me a solid base surrounded by the new faces we have this season. “We look to find our identity as a team before we head into Christmas break, so we can come out strong when region play starts.” Davis, a sophomore point guard, and June, a senior small forward, are the two returning starters. Davis was averaging 9.3 points per game, while June was scoring at a 9.0 clip. Makela is a junior center while Greene is a senior shooting guard. The other starter is junior power forward Aiden Fitzgerald . Greene was averaging 6.3 points, Fitzgerald 3.5 and Makela 1.6. Other members of the boys team are senior Collins Drayton , junior Cannon Hopkins , who was averaging 5.0, junior Tucker Rodgers , junior James Watson , junior Matthew Inabinet and junior Keegan Gainey . Girls head coach Kim Langston , a decades-long veteran of the SCISA wars, said she hadn’t seen enough of her team to form an opinion. The Lady Cavaliers are young with just one senior starter in Mazie Tomlinson . The other starters are junior Mallori Frye , sophomore Karagan Melton , freshman Kaisley Melton and eighth-grader Beth Whiteside . Karagan Melton was the leading scorer with a 9.5 average to go with 3.8 rebounds. Tomlinson was averaging 6.3 points, 3.3 steals, 4.3 assists and 9.5 boards, Whiteside was at 5.0 points, 1.0 blocked shots and 6.8 rebounds, Frye was averaging 2.0 points and 3.3 rebounds, and Kaisley Melton was averaging 2.3 steals, 2.3 points and 2.5 rebounds. The rest of the roster includes sophomore Emma Beasley , senior Sara Bell , senior Zana Brazell , senior Raylee Catoe and junior Addie Grace Wilkes . 4 CAVALIERS FOOTBALL ALL REGION The Lee football team had four players selected to the All-Region 1-Class A team. The selections were wide receiver/linebacker Cain June, senior quarterback/defensive back Andrew Bowers , senior offensive lineman/defensive lineman Hampton Layton and senior linebacker/running back Tucker Boyce .

Andrews Girls Looking for Best Season Yet

By Neill Kirkpatrick • December 27, 2025
By Neill Kirkpatrick Special to the HSSR Goose Creek – The Andrews Yellowjackets girls basketball team has had a tough time since head coach Tevin Wallace took over the program three years ago as they have managed to win just four games in that time but it was also a time that coach Wallace was getting a young team to play hard every time out on the court no matter the score. The lumps they have taken are starting to show the growth of the team as these young ladies have gotten older and stronger as well as the understanding of what coach Wallace expects of them. It has translated into a 4-3 start to the season and expectations “Our growth has been huge. Being thrown into varsity competition so early forced them to learn quickly, and now you can see the difference in their confidence, their decision-making, and their toughness. They understand the speed of the game, they communicate better, and they’re starting to take ownership as leaders,” said coach Wallce. “The physical development has been noticeable too—stronger, faster, and more comfortable under pressure.” Coach continued, “This year, I expect us to take a major step forward. We’ve spent the last two seasons rebuilding, and now the experience is finally catching up with the talent. My expectation is that we compete every night, play with discipline, and show the maturity we’ve been developing. I believe this group is ready to turn the corner and establish a new standard for our program.” The Yellowjackets top three returning players have plenty of varsity playing experience despite all being under classmen in juniors Chole Skipper and Camaria Gibson and sophomore Makayla Singleton . Gibson currently leads the team in scoring at 15.7 ppg. And in steals with 10 on the year. She is a very versatile player who handles the ball, can defend and impacts the game in several ways. Singleton is second in scoring on the team at 11.1/ppg. Coach Wallace says she improved in her ability to score and defend. She has become a steady presence on both ends of the court. One of the team’s top three-point shooter has been Skipper. She brings leadership and consistency to the team. She is averaging 7.9ppg. Joining the Yellowjackets top three players are several other players who have started during the year in seniors Ariel Holloway, Jade Wallace and Miracle Myers , junior forward Christin Cooley and eighth grader Nyla Brown. Wallace is the teams top rebounder at 4.3 a game. Rounding out the Yellowjackets roster are junior Christin Cooley and freshman Elisa Dunmore. Coach said this about his teams playoff chances this year, “Absolutely. I believe this is the year we put ourselves back in that conversation. We’ve taken our growing pains, but now the experience and chemistry are in place. If we stay healthy and continue to buy in defensively, we can compete for a playoff spot and surprise some people along the way.”

LADY PATRIOTS READY FOR ANOTHER TITLE RUN

By Gerald Doolittle • December 18, 2025
Wardlaw Academy senior Taylor Hill during the 2025 championship game.
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