Woodland Girls basketball Team Clinches Play-0ff Berth With Win Over Academic Magnet

Billy Baker • February 14, 2025

Mail

Woodland Girls basketball Team Clinches Play-0ff Berth With Win Over Academic Magnet

By Billy G. Baker

Publisher

Dorchester—The Woodland girls’ basketball team played their best offensive game of the season against Academic Magnet at home on February, 7^th to claim a 54-36 win and clinch a fourth- place play-off spot also.

Two returning all-region players for the Lady Wolverines stood out in the big win. Sophomore guard Jalina Goodwin scored 17 points, grabbed four rebounds, had four steals and three assists in the big region win. Teammate, senior Makiza White (team captain) scored 12 points, recovered 8 rebounds, and had four assists in the win.

Junior guard Carmen Allen contributed 11 rebounds, two assists and one steal in the win over Academic Magnet while 8^th grader Lenaya Ross scored seven points and pulled down 10 rebounds.

“We came into the game with Academic Magnet averaging 35 points a game so to have our best game of the season with 54 points is very encouraging,” said head coach Austin Jefferies. “Depending on how the bracket shakes out and I can definitely see us winning one or two play-off games if we continue to play well.”

Prior to the game with Academic Magnet the HSSR visited Coach Jeffries in the Woodland gym for some comments on the team. “We work hard on our defense every game, seeing the ball and seeing the man and keeping up with the ball is,” said Coach Jeffries. “We do not have a double figure type scorer like we had last year (Gaddis now at Coker after averaging 17 a game as a senior).

“My point guards this season, one is in the 7^th grade (Essence Walker) and the other is a sophomore (Jalina Goodwin), so we are young there right now,” said Coach Jeffries. Goodwin went into the Academic Magnet game averaging 4.7 points and 2.4 rebounds a game along with 1.3 assists and 1.7 steals. Walker was averaging 4.8 points a game.

“Jalina is still in that development stage but she has a lot of potential if she will keep working hard,” said Coach Jeffries. “It is a learning process but she is coming along really well.”

Woodland starts four guards. One of the first subs off the bench is 8^th grader Brazil Nelson who brings a lot of energy to the court when she comes in. “Brazil is a defensive stopper,” said the coach.

Some other key reserves include junior forward Mercedes Breeland, senior point guard Janette Gates, sophomore guard Emani Smalls, senior small forward Linda White, sophomore Makaila Adgerson, sophomore center Sh’mya James, and junior center Alishanee Ford.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Gators’ Hall has built consistent winner on Redbank Road

By Rob Gantt • July 30, 2025

Blake Hall has coached the Gators since the 2012-13 season and consistently produced winning teams over the years.

Hanahan volleyball program under new leadership

By Rob Gantt • July 30, 2025

Hanahan High School promotes Jamie Kock to head coach of the girls varsity volleyball. Koch, who has moved up from the junior varsity, takes over for former coach Sheena Lanham.

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.