Williamsburg, Laurence Manning girls win state tournament openers

Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor • February 21, 2026

Updated girls scores and schedule and boys Saturday schedule available here

Sumter – The Williamsburg Academy girls basketball team outscored Patrick Henry Academy 10-6 in the second overtime to pick up a 57-53 victory in the first round of the SCISA AAA state tournament on Friday at Wilson Hall’s Nash Student Center.

 

The Stallions, who improved to 11-15 on the season, will take on Orangeburg Prep on Monday in a quarterfinal game at a site and time to be determined.

 

PHA finished the year with a 9-11 record.

 

WA led 36-27 entering the fourth quarter and scored the first basket to go up by 11. However, the Patriots rallied to send the game into overtime with a 42-42 tie. The game was tied 47-47 after the first overtime.

 

Williamsburg had three players in double figures led by Abby Ward with 16 points. Corrine Kellahan added 11 points, and Audrey Wadford had 10.

 

Avery Belue had eight, and Perry Wise finished with six.

 

SaQuoia Sexton led Patrick Henry with 17. Sara Guty had 13, and Emilee Stanley finished with 11, while Maura Mathis had seven.

 

In the other AAA games, St. John’s Christian Academy beat Thomas Sumter Academy 44-37, defending state champion Pee Dee Academy beat Colleton Prep 30-18, and Hilton Head Prep topped Calhoun Academy 44-40.

 

The other AAA quarterfinal games on Monday will have SJCA facing Shannon Forest, PDA taking on Florence Christian School, and HHP going up against Greenwood Christian School.

 

Laurence Manning 48

Porter-Gaud 39

 

Orangeburg – Ashley Rae Hodge scored 16 of her 23 points in the second half to lead Laurence Manning Academy to a 48-39 win over Porter-Gaud on Friday in the first round of the AAAA girls tournament at the Orangeburg Preparatory School gymnasium.

 

The Lady ‘Cats, who evened their record at 11-11, will take on Northwood Academy on Monday at a site and time to be determined.

 

Lyza Prickelmyer added 15 for LMA. Sarah Margaret Ferriell and Lily Wellborn both had four.

 

The Cyclones, who finished 9-18, were led bt Ella Holzer with 12. MacKenzie Sellers had seven, Morgan Howell five and Addie Legette four.

 

Holly Hill 46
         W.W. King 29

 

Orangeburg – Holly Hill Academy had three players score in double figures on the way to a 46-29 triumph over W.W. King in a quarterfinal game in the Class A girls state tournament on Friday at the OPS gymnasium.

 

The Raiders will face Richard Winn Academy in a semifinal game on Tuesday at a site and time to be determined.

 

Essie Wolpert led 8-12 HHA with 15 points. Milly Kate Prescott added 12, and Caitlyn Crisp had 10. Kaley Bell had seven.

 

Blythe Buzhardt paced RWA with 18 points. Kenzie Morse had four.

 

Wardlaw 46

Jefferson Davis 25

 

Orangeburg – Wardlaw Academy used a balanced scoring attack to top Jefferson Davis Academy 46-25 in a quarterfinal game in the Class A state tournament on Friday at the OPS gymnasium.

 

The Patriots, who improved to 12-7, will take on defending state champion Curtis Baptist in a semifinal game on Tuesday at a site and time to be determined.

 

Katherine Trotter led WA with 10 points, while Brooklyn Proctor had nine. Brianna McNeal and Mary Blanche Stark both had six, and Savannah McNeil had five.

 

Rynn Fickling led JDA, which finished 7-6, with 13 points. Rileigh York had eight.

 

St. John’s Christian 44

Thomas Sumter 37

 

Sumter – St. John’s Christian scored 34 points in the second half to come from behind for a 44-37 win over Thomas Sumter at Nash Student Center.

 

SJCA, now 14-11, trailed 11-3 after one quarter and 21-10 at halftime. However, it scored 22 points in the third quarter to forge a 32-32 entering the final eight minutes.

 

Kylie Finley led the Cavaliers with 21 points. Chandler Cumbie had eight and Reagan Ashby added six.

 

LilaKate Stines led TSA with 13 points, while Annabelle Connell had 12. Natalie Saphore and Hanna Gibbons both had four.

 

Our Lady of the Rosary 44

Conway Christian32

 

Sumter – Our Lady of the Rosary came away with a 44-32 win over Conway Christian School in the first round of the AA state tournament on Friday at Nash Student Center.

 

The Lions will play Lee Academy in a quarterfinal game on Monday at a site and time to be determined.

 

Saoirse Cunningham led Rosary with 14 points. Bailey Reed added 12, and Kate Strelow had 10. Sofia Sisk and Kyra Cunningham both had four.

 

Emily Gaston and Grace Polatty both had seven points to lead Conway. Virginia Quick and Haylee Kunkle had six apiece.

 

Girls

AAAA

 First Round

Friday February 20

Game 1 – (Upper 5) Laurence Manning 48, (Upper 4) Porter-Gaud 39

Game 2 – (Upper 3) Hammond vs. (Upper 6) Palmetto Christian

Game 3 – (Lower 5) Trinity Collegiate 62, (Lower 4) Heathwood Hall 56

Game 4 – (Lower 3) Wilson Hall vs (Lower 6) Northside Christian

Quarterfinals

Monday, February 23

Sites To Be Determined

Game 5 – (Upper 1) Northwood Academy vs. (Upper 5) Laurence Manning, TBA

Game 6 – (Upper 2) John Paul II vs. Game 2 winner. TBA

Game 7 – (Lower 1) First Baptist vs. (Lower 5) Trinity Collegiate, TBA

Game 8 – (Lower 2) Ben Lippen vs. Game 4 winner, TBA

Semifinals

Wednesday, February 25

at Sumter County Civic Center

Game 9 – Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, TBA

Game 10 – Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, TBA

State Championship

Friday, February 27

at Sumter County Civic Center

Game 11 – Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 6 p.m.

 

AAA

First Round

Friday, February 20

Game 1 – (Upper 4) Williamsburg 57, Patrick Henry 53 (2 overtimes)

Game 2 – (Upper 3) St. John’s Christian 44, (Upper 6) Thomas Sumter 37

Game 3 – (Lower 4) Pee Dee 30, (Lower 5) Colleton Prep 18

Game 4 – (Lower 6) Hilton Head Prep 44, (Lower 3) Calhoun Academy 40

Quarterfinals

Monday, February 23

Sites To Be Determined

Game 5 – (Upper 1) Orangeburg Prep vs. (Upper 4) Williamsburg, TBA

Game 6 – (Upper 2) Shannon Forest vs. (Upper 3) St. John’s Christian, TBA

Game 7 – (Lower 1) Florence Christian vs. (Lower 4) Pee Dee, TBA

Game 8 – (Lower 2) Greenwood Christian vs. (Lower 6) Hilton Head Prep, TBA

Semifinals

Thursday, February 26

At Sumter County Civic Center

Game 9 – Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, TBA

Game 10 – Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, TBA

State Championship

Saturday, February 28

at Sumter County Civic Center

Game 11 – Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 5 p.m.

 

AA

First Round

Friday, February 20

Game 1 – (Upper 2) Andrew Jackson Academy vs. (Upper 3) Carolina Academy

Game 2 – (Upper 2) Our Lady of the Rosary 44, (Upper 3) Conway Christian 32

Game 3 – (Lower 2) Cathedral Academy 44, (Lower 3) Oakbrook Prep 31Game 4 Game 4 – (Lower 2) The King’s Academy 44, (Lower 3) Charleston Collegiate 30

Quarterfinals

Monday, February 23

Sites To Be Determined

Game 5 – (Upper 1) Dorchester Academy vs. Game 1 winner, TBA

Game 6 – (Upper 1) Lee Academy vs. (Upper 2) Our Lady of the Rosary, TBA

Game 7 – (Lower 1) Laurens Academy vs. (Lower 2) Cathedral Academy, TBA

Game 8 – (Lower 1) Cross Schools vs. (Lower 2) The King’s Academy, TBA

Semifinals

Thursday, February 26

Sites To Be Determin1ed

Game 9 – Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, TBA

Game 10 – Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, TBA

State Championship

Saturday, February 28

at Sumter County Civic Center

Game 11 – Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 1 p.m.

 

Class A

Quarterfinals

Friday, February 20

Game 1 – (Upper 2) Holly Hill Academy 46, vs. (Upper 3) W.W. King 29

Game 2 – (Lower 2) Wardlaw Academy 46, vs. (Lower 3) Jefferson Davis 25

Semifinals

Tuesday, February 24

Sites To Be Determined

Game 3 – (Upper 1) Richard Winn vs. (Upper 2) Holly Hill Academy, TBA

Game 4 – (Lower 1) Curtis Baptist vs. (Lower 2) Wardlaw Academy, TBA

State Championship

Friday, February 27

at Sumter County Civic Center

Game 5 – Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 4 p.m.

 

 

Boys

AAAA

First Round

Saturday, February 21

at Cathedral Academy (Charleston)

Game 1 – (Upper 4) Porter-Gaud vs. (Upper 5) John Paul II, 3:30 p.m.

at Sumter County Civic Center

Game 2 – (Upper 3) Hammond vs. (Upper 6) Hilton Head Christian, noon

Game 3 – (Lower 4) Trinity Collegiate vs (Lower 5) Augusta Christian, 4:30 p.m.

at Cathedral Academy (Charleston)

Game 4 – (Lower 3) First Baptist vs (Lower 6) Wilson Hall, 2 p.m.

 

Quarterfinals

Monday, February 23

Sites To Be Determined

Game 5 – (Upper 1) Heathwood Hall vs. Game 1 winner, TBA

Game 6 – (Upper 2) Laurence Manning vs. Game 2 winner, TBA

Game 7 – (Lower 1) Pinewood Prep vs. Game 3 winner, TBA

Game 8 – (Lower 2) Ben Lippen vs. Game 4 winner, TBA

Semifinals

Wednesday, February 25

at Sumter County Civic Center

Game 9 – Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, TBA

Game 10 – Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, TBA

State Championship

Friday, February 27

at Sumter County Civic Center

Game 11 – Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 7:30 p.m.

 

AAA

First Round

Saturday, February 21

at Wilson Hall Gym A (Sumter)

Game 1 – (Upper 4) Shannon Forest vs. (Upper 5) Williamsburg, 12:30 p.m.

at Sumter County Civic Center

Game 2 – (Upper 3) Spartanburg Christian vs. (Upper 6) Hilton Head Prep, 3 p.m.

at Wilson Hall Gym A (Sumter)

Game 3 – (Lower 4) Greenwood Christian vs. (Lower 5) Orangeburg Prep, 2 p.m.

at Cathedral Academy (Charleston)

Game 4 – (Lower 3) Florence Christian vs (Lower 6) Spartanburg Day, 3:30 p.m.

Quarterfinals

Tuesday, February 24

Sites To Be Determined

Game 5 – (Upper 1) Calhoun Academy vs. Game 1 winner, TBA

Game 6 – (Upper 2) Christian Academy vs. Game 2 winner, TBA

Game 7 – (Lower 1) Colleton Prep vs. Game 3 winner, TBA

Game 8 – (Lower 2) St. John’s Christian vs. Game 4 winner, TBA

Semifinals

Thursday, February 26

Sites To Be Determined

Game 9 – Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, TBA

Game 10 – Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, TBA

State Championship

Saturday, February 28

at Sumter County Civic Center

Game 11 – Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 6:30 p.m.

 

AA

First Round

Saturday, February 21

at Wilson Hall Gym B (Sumter)

Game 1 – (Upper 2) Andrew Jackson Academy vs. (Upper 3) Our Lady of the Rosary, 4:30 p.m.

at Sumter County Civic Center

Game 2 – (Upper 1) Laurens Academy vs. (Upper 4) Conway Christian, 1:30 p.m.

at Cathedral Academy (Charleston)

Game 3 – Upper 2) Beaufort Academy vs. (Upper 3) Faith Christian, 5 p.m.

Game 4 – (Lower 2) Dorchester Academy vs (Lower 3) Cross Schools, 12:30 p.m.

Game 5 – (Lower 2) Charleston Collegiate vs. (Lower 3) Thomas Heywards, 11 a.m.

Quarterfinals

Tuesday, February 24

Sites To Be Determined

Game 6 – (Upper 1) Cathedral Academy vs. Game 1 winner, TBA

Game 7 – Game 2 winner Game 3 winner, TBA

Game 8 – (Lower 1) Bethesda Academy vs. Game 4 winner, TBA

Game 9 – (Lower 2) Carolina Academy vs. Game 5 winner, TBA

Semifinals

Thursday, February 26

Sites To Be Determin1ed

Game 10 – Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 winner, TBA

Game 11 – Game 8 winner vs. Game 9 winner, TBA

State Championship

Saturday, February 28

at Sumter County Civic Center

Game 12 – Game 10 winner vs. Game 11 winner, 2:30 p.m.

 

 

Class A

First Round

Saturday, February 21

at Wilson Hall Gym B (Sumter)

Game 1 – (Upper 4) W.W. King vs. (Upper 5) Richard Winn, 1:30 p.m.

Game 2 – (Lower 4) Ridge Christian vs. (Upper 5) Anderson Christian, 3 p.m.

Game 3 – (Lower 3) Newberry Academy vs. (Lower 6) Jefferson Davis, noon

Quarterfinals

Tuesday, February 24

Sites To Be Determined

Game 4 – (Upper 1) Ragin Prep vs. Game 1 winner, TBA

Game 5 – (Upper 2) Cambridge Academy vs. (Upper 3) Marlboro Academy, TBA

Game 6 – (Lower 1) Curtis Baptist vs. Game 2 winner, TBA

Game 7– (Lower 2) Mead Hall vs. Game 3 winner, TBA

Semifinals

Thursday, February 26

Sites To Be Determin1ed

Game 8 – Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, TBA

Game 9 – Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 winner, TBA

State Championship

Saturday, February 28

at Sumter County Civic Center

Game 10 – Game 8 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 11 a.m.



Andrews beats East Clarendon to reach Lower State finals

By Billy Baker • May 21, 2026
Andrews—East Clarendon out-hit Andrews 6-5 on May, 20, on the road in the AA Lower State softball semi-finals, but the Yellow Jackets took advantage of two errors and six walks to come out on top 5-1, as they advance to play Chesterfield on Friday in the Lower state finals. Joy Weisner is the Andrews head coach, and she told the HSSR after the game: “What we have tried to do all season is take advantage of any opportunities a team gives us,” said Coach Weisner. “We hit the ball better today and that is very important.” Andrews last won a state title in 20218. Andrew had five players earning all-region honors. They were center fielder Sarah Jennings, pitcher Addyson Davis, who will also play in the North-South game. Other all-region selections were junior catcher Chloe Skipper who was the Region MVP, senior Addison McCants, Region MVP outfielder Skipper, and talented sophomore shortstop Tori Smith. Andrews lost to Chesterfield 7-3 this past Monday (May 18). “We have to hit the ball better when we go to them this Friday,” said Coach Weisner. “We didn’t hit the ball well at all this past Monday when we played Chesterfield. We hit the ball well today, so we just have to keep that momentum going into Friday. “We have to go to Chesterfield and beat them twice,” said Coach Wesiner. “We have to play some of our best softball this season in order to that, so I hope we are focused. We need to start the game with momentum and end the game with momentum when we play at Chesterfield. East Clarendon (25-8) head coach Jason Newsome closed out his third season in the loss. “I thought our pitcher hung tough (Addyson Davis) today and she is just a freshman and she has been learning by fire all year long,” said Coach Newsome. “She is extremely talented and she is a good pitcher now, but she is going to an even better pitcher in the future.” Coach Newsome. “In the playoffs the margin of error is very thin and the mistakes we made, they took advantage of,” said Coach Newsome. “On the other hand, the mistakes they made, and the opportunities they gave us we didn’t take advantage of them and that was a key in the game. They did a good job of keeping us off-balance.” All region players from EC included: Region POY Peyton Hanniford, Bailey Hicks, Riley Atkinson, Layke Jeffords, and Zoey Culick. The score was tied 0-0 until the bottom of the third when Andrews scored four runs. Karaline Gainey singled to start the inning and was advanced on a sac bunt by Lauren Stump to second. Sarah Jennings next singled to left field advancing Gainey to third. Torian Smith drew a walk. Then Jenna Cook hit a ball deep into the corner down the first base line that resulted in an inside the park grand slam. Andrew added an insurance run in the bottom of the 4thwhen B. Walker singled and advanced on a single by Gainey. Stump was then Hit by pitcher to load the bases. Sarah Jennings then hit an RBI ground out that brought in Walker to account for the Yellow Jackets’ five runs.

Hanahan wins lower state in softball

By David Shelton • May 21, 2026
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Wilson Hall Softball Finishes With 21-7 Record

By Dennis Brunson • May 20, 2026
By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor Sumter – The Wilson Hall softball team came up short of reaching the SCISA AAAA state championship series, which is a goal for everyone at the start of the season. Only two can get there though, so while not fun to come up short, it is bearable. However, the way things went down for the Barons this season didn’t help at all. Wilson Hall just needed one victory on Day 2 of the state tournament at Patriot Park SportPlex in Sumter to punch its ticket to the title series. Instead, the Barons lost to archrival Laurence Manning Academy twice by the scores of 12-0 and 6-4. LMA advanced to the best-of-3 series instead and swept Pinewood Prep to win a third straight championship. In retrospect though, Barons head coach Teresa Alexander finds it hard not to be proud of the season her team had. “The season’s ending didn’t turn out how we had hped, but I’m really proud of the tough schedule we played and the success we had all year.,” said Alexander, who guided Wilson Hall to a 21-7 record. “I’m excited to see this young bunch return with the experience they now have under their belts. But we will truly miss our seniors, Addie Griffin and Marymae Lampron .” The Barons had four players selected to the All-Region 3-AAAA team in Griffin, freshman pitcher Marsha Kate Skey , sophomore shortstop Mary Paisley Geddings and junior catcher Caroline Moorman . Griffin, who played left field, had a .279 batting average to go with an on-base percentage of .423. She had one double, one triple, one home run, 13 runs batted in and 18 runs scored. Skey was a standout in the circle as Wilson Hall’s primary pitcher. Shd had a `1.69 earned run average to go with 115 strikeouts. At the plate, Skey batted .400 with an OBP of .489. She had three doubles, two triples, 17 RBI and 33 runs. Geddings batted .317 with a .406 OBP to go with seven doubles, one triple, four homers, 26 RBI and 28 runs. Moorman had 14 RBI, 17 runs and four doubles to go with a .354 batting average and an OBP of .429. Other returning starters are freshman second baseman Tatiana Erichsen , freshman outfielder Anna Meldrim , sophomore third baseman Lilly Grace Przybyla , freshman outfielder Emmie Williamson and eighth-grade centerfielder Caroline Andrews . Meldrim hit .412 with three homers, 31 RBI and 24 runs, Przybyla hit .373 with 21 runs and 15 RBI, Williamson batted .263 with an OBP of .500, and Erichsen batted .324 with 19 RBI and 23 runs.

Stallions Reach SCISA Class AAA Baseball Title Series In Morris’ First Year

By Dennis Brunson • May 20, 2026
Williamsburg runners makes diving slide for the plate in the playoffs. (Photo by Mara Feagin)

Warlaw’s Lady Patriots Fall 5 Runs Short Of Winning State Title

By Gerald Doolittle • May 20, 2026
Lady Patriots Katherine Trotter, Bailey Sturkie, Ellie Yonce, Taylor Hilll and Brianna McNeill (not pictured) were selected to the North-South All-Star Team!

Wolves Boys’ Track Team Finishes Fourth At AA State Meet

By Rob Gantt • May 20, 2026
By Rob Gantt Special to the HSSR ST. STEPHEN - Timberland High School’s boys track and field team finished fourth in the state Saturday, May 15, at Richland Northeast High School. The Wolves, who finished with 45 points, produced state champions in multiple events. They placed three points out of a tie for second place. Hurdler Malyk Goodman won the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 56.63 seconds and jumper Carter Hawkins soared to victory in the triple jump with a mark of 14.24 meters. Goodman also placed third in the 110-meter hurdles in 14.82 and Hawkins finished second in the long jump with an effort of 6.65 meters.  Timberland’s boys sent three more to the awards podium. Hurdler Day’vian Bennett placed third in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 57.89 seconds. Jumper Antaun Faison finished sixth in the long jump with a mark of 6.51 meters. The boys’ 4x100-meter relay team posted a time of 43.17 seconds to place seventh. For Timberland’s boys, jumper Robert Roberts finished 11th in the triple jump with an effort of 12.11 meters, while the 4x800-meter relay placed 11th and 4x400-meter relay team 13th. The Timberland girls finished 10th in the state and sent quite a few to the awards podium (top 8). Kennahdi Murrell placed third in the 400-meter hurdles, sixth in the 100-meter hurdles and seventh in the high jump. Kemani Lampkin finished fifth in the 800-meter run and Jermanee Washington placed fifth in the 400-meter hurdles. China Greene recorded a sixth-place finish in the 400 hurdles and teammate Kiana Glenn was two spots back in eighth. Tiana Jefferson finished 12th in the long jump and 13th in the 400-meter dash. Zoe Cooper was 13th in the discus. Timberland’s girls placed eighth in the 4x400-meter relay and 10th in the 4x100 relay.

Thomas Heyward Has Good Season In Golf

By David Shelton • May 20, 2026
The THA golf program is relatively new but interest seems to be gaining each year.

Summerville Softball Wins District 3 Title

By Roger Lee • May 20, 2026
Senior Jayden Bennett has had some key turns at bat for Summerville during the playoffs.

Stratford’s Kowlok Repeats As State Champion In Pole Vault

By Rob Gantt • May 20, 2026
Lukas Kowlok headlined by repeating as the state champion in the pole vault soaring over the bar at 4.85 meters.

Tough Loss to Stags in Playoffs Doesn’t Dilute an Otherwise Great White Knoll Softball Season

By Worthy Evans • May 19, 2026
By WORTHY EVANS Contributing Writer Columbia - The pain of falling out of the 5A Division 2 District 4 tournament May 11 was still fresh when longtime White Knoll softball head coach talked about the season the next day.  The Timberwolves (14-13, 7-3) faced Berkeley for the second time in the tournament. The Stags held a 6-3 lead but White Knoll rallied for two runs in the seventh. After Melinda Veler drew a walk, Reginae Porterfield swatted a 1-out double to put runners at second and third. Lillian Priest lined out on the next at-bat, but Berkeley first baseman Emma Drawdy misplayed Adelynn Lewis’ ground ball, enabling Veler and Porterfield to score and cut the Stags’ lead to 6-5. With Lewis on base representing the tying run, Jaida Gray struck out swinging to end the hopes of an upset, and close out an otherwise great Timberwolves season. “It’s hard to shake it off. In the season you go to the next game but at the end of the season you can’t,” said Farr, who watched her team take a 3-0 lead only to be hit with Berkeley’s run in the third and a five-run fourth. “I could see my kids kind of feeling it, you could see it in my kids eyes,” she added. “We’ve got to fight to survive and they rallied around those seniors. They knew their time was coming and for two outs we were down 6-5. And that last pitch, it’s a hard way to go out. We’ve got to regroup and build off of what we did this year.” White Knoll beat Socastee 8-7 May 4 to get into the bracket, then upset Berkeley 3-2 May 6. West Florence , led by phenomenal pitcher Annie Eliason (19-0, 0.00 ERA, 309 strikeouts; who gave up two hits and struck out 20) beat White Knoll 7-0 May 8 to set up the rematch with the Stags. While the season ended on a sour note, there was much to praise about a team that Farr said few people would look to as contenders. After a young Timberwolves team battled through trials and tribulations, injuries and other issues, Farr said she watched her team come together in the second half of region play. “On senior night we really started playing for each other and giving it everything we had,” Farr said. “They worked their tails off to get better every single day and it showed. We have 12 players who fought their hearts out. We got to that fourth game, and our losses were close. We were right there, and it really was just one lucky pitch and that’s how the runs ended up.” White Knoll loses just two seniors in Priest and Gracie Fisher , but those seniors made a huge impact on the team. Priest had three home runs, 11 RBI, 34 hits and a .405 batting average. Fisher batted .311 with a double and 14 RBI. “Those two seniors have left their legacy, and we’ll continue with what they started on this swing upward,” Farr said. “We’re really excited that everyone else is returning.” Among the returners are freshmen Veler and Porterfield, and sophomores Charity West and E.G. Birchmore . Porterfield finished with a .393 batting average and a team-leading four home runs and six triples, six doubles and 20 RBI. Veler had 31 hits and 17 RBI to go with a .360 batting average an a .415 on-base percentage. West hit .323 with 11 hits and 10 runs batted in. “Mindy Veler started out in left field since seventh grade and she’s fantastic,” Farr said. “She’s got speed and runs down everything in the outfield but she’s really a good infielder, can play shortstop without missing a beat. An unbelievably great kid who won’t talk very loud but she’s a leader. “Reginae, that kid is small but she’s strong and compact. She can fly and you can’t get anything past her in centerfield,” Farr said. “Charity has been our DP and catcher. She puts the ball in play and has quality at-bats.” Birchmore caught fire in the circle late in the game and finished the season with a 2.23 earned-run average. She was 3-1 in five appearances. “E.G. is a pitcher and utility player, one of those kids in the past couple of years who was always there,” Farr said. “We didn’t expect her to be our starting pitcher but in the back half of the season she started to pour it on and keep us in games. She’s a battler along with our other pitchers.” The White Knoll baseball team finished 10-14 and 5-5 in Region 4-5A, but had a bounce-back season after going 7-22 and 0-10 the year before. The Timberwolves reached the play-in series of the 5A Division 2 District 3 tournament, but fell two games to zero in the best-of-three series with Lugoff - Elgin . White Knoll fell 4-1 in game one, but rallied for six runs in game two after falling behind 7-0. The Timberwolves had a 4-run rally going on in the bottom of the seventh with two outs and two men on, but a strikeout closed out the game and the season. Senior Dillon Woods led the team with a .465 batting average, five home runs and a .573 on-base percentage. Senior Jean Maldonado batted .364, and junior Tra Johnson batted .329. The team loses six seniors but has plenty of younger hitters, fielders, and pitchers to put together another successful season next year.
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