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Whale Branch Sports
- Photo: Whale Branch's Andre Watson, center, runs in the 4x100 relay Saturday in Columbia. Watson led the Warriors to the Class 1-A boys team championship, winning two individual events.
Alex Hicks Jr. -- Spartanburg Herald-Journal
Watson's record-setting day leads Whale Branch boys to state track title
COLUMBIA -- Andre Watson never truly realizes just how fast he runs until playing the videotape after the fact.
And even then it's sometimes hard to believe.
"I surprise myself every time," he said.
(full story)Whale Branch boys ready to make run at state track title this weekend
This could be the year for Whale Branch. It's not like it's been a long wait, though.
In only its second year of existence, Whale Branch has to be considered one of the favorites to take home the Class 1-A boys championship at this weekend's S.C. Track and Field State Championships at Spring Valley High School in Columbia.
The Warriors finished sixth last year in their first state meet. The return of the core of that team, coupled with the addition of senior sprinter Andre Watson, has the Warriors' coaches thinking title.
(full story)Prep Roundup, May 3: Hilton Head High, Whale Branch fall in district title games
The defending state champion St. James Sharks -- and ace left-hander Anders DeShields -- were too much for Hilton Head Island High School to overcome, as the Seahawks were defeated in the Class 3-A District VIII baseball championship game Wednesday night in Murrells Inlet, 4-1.
DeShields, who also defeated the Seahawks earlier in the district tournament, held Hilton Head High to two hits. The junior had his best stuff working as scouts watched him propel the Sharks into the Lower State tournament.
"He's the real deal," Hilton Head High coach Chris Wells said. "He's probably the most polished pitcher we've seen all year."
(full story)High school baseball, softball teams hoping to sweep doubleheaders tonight
The Hilton Head Island High School and Whale Branch baseball teams, and the Bluffton softball team each need two victories on the road tonight to win district championships.
The Bobcats jump-started the Class 3-A District VII softball playoffs with a 14-3 win over North Myrtle Beach last week but stumbled against Georgetown in the winners bracket, falling in a 3-2 contest Saturday afternoon. After eliminating Cane Bay with a 4-1 win -- Bluffton's third victory over the Cobras this season -- the Bobcats (18-3) earned the right for a rematch with Georgetown. Bill Ball's team will have to register two victories to advance to the Lower State championship bracket.
The Seahawks, meanwhile, face the daunting task of trying to advance past St. James, the defending state champion. The Sharks tallied a 4-1 win over Hilton Head High (19-6) in the winners bracket last weekend before Chris Wells' squad stayed alive with a one-run victory over North Myrtle Beach on Monday evening.
(full story)Prep Roundup, May 1: Whale Branch earns baseball win
BASEBALL
Whale Branch 9, Green Sea-Floyds 7: Timmy Campbell powered the Warriors on offense -- going 3 for 3 with a three-run homer, five RBIs and two runs scored -- and fellow junior Dee Delaney was a workhorse on the mound as Whale Branch advanced to the championship matchup of the Class 1-A district playoffs.
Delaney -- who also tripled and scored three runs -- struck out seven and allowed four earned runs in going all seven innings. The Warriors led 9-3 with two outs in the ninth before the visitors rallied, but Delaney was able to hold on.
(full story)Whale Branch suffers first loss in district baseball playoffs
Despite a complete-game effort from pitcher Danny Makowski, the Whale Branch High School baseball team stumbled in the second round of the Class 1-A District VII playoffs Saturday at Lamar, dropping into the losers bracket after an 8-5 defeat.
Whale Branch's Dee Delaney had three hits, including a double, with an RBI and two runs scored. Ty Fields collected two RBIs.
The Warriors (11-10) host Green Sea-Floyds at 5 p.m Monday in an elimination game. The winner would then need to defeat Lamar twice on Wednesday to advance to the Lower State tournament.
(full story)Whale Branch, other area teams continue district playoffs today
The Whale Branch baseball team has been here once before.
For the second straight season, the Warriors kicked off the postseason with a victory to move ahead into the winner's bracket. But things went sour at this point last year, as Dean Hawkins' crew bowed out with consecutive losses.
But this is a different year and a different team. This is about progression.
(full story)Prep Roundup, April 27: Bluffton routs North Myrtle Beach in softball playoff opener
Whitney Morrell put some punctuation on the end of the Bluffton softball team's postseason opener Thursday night, launching a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the fifth inning to give the Bobcats a 14-3 victory over North Myrtle Beach in the first round of the District VII playoffs.
The Bobcats were cruising along comfortably with a 10-3 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning when Morrell's slam ended it. She finished the night 2 for 4, also hitting a double, with six RBIs.
Kim Kerby went 2 for 3 with a triple and three RBIs for Bluffton (17-2).
(full story)Beaufort High looks to carry its momentum into baseball playoffs
Beaufort High School baseball coach Scott Mullen expected one of four possible starters to step in and carry much of the load for the Eagles' pitching staff this season.
The emergence of two quality starters and an experienced spot starter/closer provided Mullen a nice surprise and outlines a clear-cut plan as the Eagles play host to South Aiken tonight to open the Class 4-A playoffs.
The season's final two games are what Mullen wants in the playoffs. Carson Gregory tossed a no-hitter April 20 to defeat Colleton County, and Austin Willis-Green earned the victory Monday against West Ashley, with senior Joel Fickes securing the save.
(full story)Whale Branch picks former Beaufort High coordinator as new football coach
Regardless of how his tenure at Beaufort High School ended, this is what Jerry Hatcher wanted.
The former Eagles defensive coordinator was hired Friday as the second football coach at Whale Branch High School. He vowed to bring a physical style in the school's third season and to help his players find a spot on college rosters.
"It all kind of worked out in the end for me," Hatcher said. "The facilities out there are outstanding. They're second to none. And there are a lot of athletes in that area."
(full story)Prep Roundup, April 20: Whale Branch tennis program scores first win
The first-year Whale Branch boys tennis program picked up its first victory Thursday in its final region match of the season, shutting out Wade Hampton, 6-0.
The Warriors' lone senior, Josh Salters, got the sweep started with a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 3 singles. No. 1 player Dustin Jagos finished out the region schedule undefeated, and he'll be participating in the state singles tournament. Jagos is 10-0 this season.
Whale Branch (1-9) will travel to Charleston on Monday to face Academic Magnet in a non-region match.
(full story)Hard work paying off for Ridgeland thrower Brown
Alvin Brown hears the same comments from teammates he remembers filling his head when he was a freshman.
"You make it look so easy," they tell him.
Throwing the discus wasn't always easy for the Ridgeland High School senior. He started off in ninth grade with straight power throws and no technique. His first tosses traveled only 60 feet or so. He spent that summer watching YouTube videos of some of the best throws, repeated in slow motion so that Brown could study the movements.
(full story)Prep Roundup, April 18: Beaufort High tennis team puts away Hilton Head
BOYS TENNIS
Beaufort High 5, Hilton Head Island High 1: The Eagles took the top three singles matches en route to an easy win.
Beaufort High (12-5) gets back into its Region 8-AAAA schedule today at 4 p.m., hosting Summerville. The Eagles and Green Wave are both undefeated in the region.
(full story)Prep Roundup, April 15: Whale Branch's Watson stars at Taco Bell Classic
TRACK & FIELD
Taco Bell Classic: Whale Branch's Andre Watson was named the runner of the meet Saturday at Spring Valley High School after placing second in the 200-meter dash and third in the 100. He also helped the Warriors take fifth in the 4x100 relay in a meet that drew powerful teams from around the Southeast.
Whale Branch's Devonte Alston took sixth in the long jump with a mark of 22 feet, 4 inches.
(full story)Prep Roundup, April 14: Beaufort High falls in final of Hanahan baseball tourney
HANAHAN -- Friday the 13th turned out to be a good Friday for the Ashley Ridge baseball team. The Swamp Foxes rallied from a three-run deficit to top Beaufort High School, 6-5, on Friday night to win the Hanahan Invitational Tournament.
Irv Batten had another big hit to win the game. With two out in the bottom of the seventh, he hit a blooper just past the mound that pitcher Mark Jones couldn't handle. Pinch-runner Jacob Thompson scored from third, and the Swamp Foxes celebrated perhaps the biggest accomplishment in their brief, four-year history.
The night before, Batten had a two-run double that produced the winning runs in a 4-2 decision over Louisville Male (Ky.).
(full story)Prep Roundup, April 11: Smith strikes out 17 in Bluffton softball victory
SOFTBALL
Bluffton 3, Fairport, N.Y., 0: Courtney Smith struck out a whopping 17 batters to help the Bobcats remain undefeated. She only allowed one hit.
Kim Kirby led the Bluffton offense, going 2 for 3 with a two-run homer. Morganne Parker went 2 for 4 for Bluffton (13-0), which hosts Berkeley at 6 p.m. today.
(full story)Prep Roundup, April 8: Beaufort High teams take Beaufort Track Classic titles
TRACK AND FIELD
Beaufort Track Classic: Beaufort High School's boys and girls teams dominated their own Beaufort Track Classic on Saturday, both winning titles.
The Beaufort boys finished with 150 1/2 team points, well ahead of second-place Ridgeland, which had 83. The Eagles won six events, including two by Martin Washington in the high jump and long jump. The Eagles also won the 4x100-meter and 4x800 relays.
(full story)Beaufort High tops hosts in Bluffton BATRUP baseball tournament
Beaufort High School baseball coach Scott Mullen is becoming quite the fan of his team's depth.
The Eagles took the diamond Thursday afternoon without the services of five varsity players -- including injured catcher Weber Pike -- but still managed to cruise to a 13-7 win over Bluffton.
"It is encouraging, especially going into the playoffs, when you know you've got some depth at every position," Mullen said.
(full story)Prep Notebook, April 6: Whale Branch closing in on new football coach
Whale Branch High School could name its second football coach late next week.
That's the plan, anyway. Athletics director Carlos Cave said a second round of interviews, with five candidates, will be conducted early next week and that a recommendation might be made Thursday or Friday.
Cave said the search committee wants the candidate to be a strong teacher and then looks at football criteria.
(full story)Whale Branch hosting inaugural track meet today
Several teams will travel to Whale Branch High School today to compete in the inaugural Marwin Kline Invitational track meet.
Kline is a former Battery Creek standout. His 400-meter time of 47.11 seconds in 1991 is among the top 10 times in state history. Kline, a three-time all-American at Tennessee, is expected to be in attendance.
Battery Creek, Beaufort High, Bluffton, Hardeeville and Ridgeland are the area teams joining the hosts. Allendale-Fairfax, Edisto and Orangeburg-Wilkinson are also registered to compete.
(full story)Prep Roundup, March 31: Hegarty's hat trick lifts Hilton Head Prep soccer team
BOYS SOCCER
Hilton Head Prep 5, Hilton Head Christian 0: Aidan Hegarty scored three times -- upping his output to seven goals in the last three games -- and the Dolphins prevailed in the matchup of island rivals.
Will Peterkin notched two goals and an assist for Hilton Head Prep, and Dylan Clark had one goal and assisted on another.
(full story)Prep Notebook, March 30: Bluffton softball climbs to No. 2 in state
Bluffton High School softball jumped to No. 2 this week in the latest South Carolina coaches' rankings.
The Bobcats are 9-0 overall and 6-0 in Region 7-AAA after Thursday's win at Battery Creek. They defeated Cane Bay 4-2 on Monday and won 3-0 Wednesday at Berkeley.
Bluffton trails only top-ranked Hartsville in the rankings. Bluffton travels to Florida today for a tournament before a long layoff for spring break.
(full story)Prep Roundup, March 30: Beaufort boys soccer team rallies for another win
BOYS SOCCER
Beaufort High 2, Ashley Ridge 1: Down 1-0 at the half, David Seguine evened it with seven minutes remaining and Hector Lopez won it at the 3-minute mark.
Mack Stansell saved 11 shots in goal for Beaufort (4-2, 2-1), which hosts Stratford at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
(full story)Prep Roundup, March 29: Hilton Head High softball team takes two from Battery Creek
SOFTBALL
Hilton Head Island High 10-15, Battery Creek 0-7: Freshman Whitney Haley won both ends of a doubleheader for the Seahawks.
In the first game, she struck out five and surrendered no hits in a three-inning run-rule game. She started Game 2 and left with a big lead. Freshman Peyton Leitner struck out six to close out the game.
(full story)Prep Roundup, March 28: Beaufort High soccer team rallies past Colleton County
BOYS SOCCER
Beaufort High 4, Colleton County 2: Hector Lopez scored two goals, and the Eagles rallied from a 2-0 halftime deficit to notch their first win in Region 8-AAAA.
Josh Gutierrez and David Seguine also scored in the second half for Beaufort High (3-2, 1-1).
(full story)Prep Roundup, March 27: Simonsen, Eagles shine on links
From staff reports
Overall medalist Taylor Simonsen shot a 36 to lead Beaufort High School over West Ashley and Hanahan in a nine-hole event at Shadow Moss Golf Club on Monday.
It was the second tournament in a row that Simonsen finished first overall.
(full story)2012 Island Packet/Beaufort Gazette All-Area Boys Basketball Team
Player of the year: Bryson Bell, Bluffton
Coach of the year: Brett Macy, Bluffton
First team
(full story)2012 Island Packet/Beaufort Gazette All-Area Girls Basketball Team
Player of the year: Sabrina Drammis, Hilton Head Island High School
Coach of the year: Gary Mazzanna, Thomas Heyward Academy
First team
(full story)Prep Roundup, March 23: Layman leads Thomas Heyward to win
SOFTBALL
Thomas Heyward Academy 5, Dorchester Academy 0: Ashlie Layman tossed a one-hitter, striking out 12 in the win.
Layman, Brianna Kelnhofer, Brielle Jungblut, Taylor Ernestine and Caitlyn Cooler had two hits apiece, and Jungblut had two RBIs for the Rebels (9-1).
(full story)Prep Roundup, March 22: Hilton Head High wins pitchers' duel with Berkeley
BASEBALL
Hilton Head Island High 1, Berkeley 0: Michael Haven singled down the third-base line with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning Wednesday, bringing home Michael Perez with the winning run in Hilton Head Island High School's 1-0 victory over Berkeley.
The win moved the Seahawks (6-1 overall, 3-0 region) into first place in Region 7-AAA.
(full story)Prep Roundup, March 20
BASEBALL
Hilton Head High 11, Cane Bay 4, 11 innings: Coach Chris Wells won his 250th career game as Hilton Head Island High won on the road.
The Seahawks broke loose in the 11th, with the big blow coming on a three-run home run from Adam Orischak.
(full story)Prep Roundup, March 18
SOFTBALL
Thomas Heyward Academy: For the third year in a row, the Thomas Heyward Academy softball team has claimed the championship of Colleton Prep's Warhawk Invitational.
The Rebels won once Friday night and three times on Saturday to take the crown in the eight-team tournament.
(full story)Prep Roundup, March 13
BASEBALL
Thomas Heyward 6, Colleton Prep 5, 8 innings: Evan Duncan had the game-winning RBI in bottom of the eighth to lead the Rebels to their fifth straight win to open the season.
Singles by Taylor Cowart and Brian Day, along with a passed ball, put runners at second and third, and Duncan's one-out single ended the game. Day (2-0) earned the win (2 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 5 Ks) in relief.
(full story)Prep Roundup, March 9
BASEBALL
Thomas Heyward 11, Palmetto Christian 1 (5 inn.): Four Thomas Heyward pitchers combined to throw a one-hitter with nine strikeouts as the Rebels improved to 4-0. Joe Laycock started and went two innings, followed by one inning apiece from Jason Quick, Bryan Lee Wade and JD Tuten.
Forest Richardson was 2 for 2 to lead the offense, which had 12 hits.
(full story)2012 High School Spring Sports Preview
BASEBALL
Battery Creek
Coach: Dan Tooman (Fifth year, 37-48)
(full story)2012 Baseball Preview: New coach has Beaufort High focused on basics
David Tilton feels people might discount this Beaufort High School baseball team.
The Eagles did not make the playoffs last season, lost pitcher Beau Brown and another solid bat in Kyle Dawson. But Beaufort High returns a lot, including its infield, catcher/do-it-all senior Weber Pike and some new arms first-year coach Scott Mullen is excited about.
And Tilton, the Eagles' slugger and No. 1 starting pitcher, feels the team is on the correct path.
(full story)Dually double: Battery Creek's Ratliff wins 2nd state wrestling title
David Ratliff came to Battery Creek High School as a freshman intent on not going out for the wrestling team.
Good thing that never happened, because four years later, he's a back-to-back state champion.
Ratliff's 3-0 decision over Socastee's Craig Burton on Saturday at the Civic Center of Anderson gave the Dolphin heavyweight his second state title in as many years. The team captain capped off his senior season with an unblemished 54-0 record and the top ranking in Class 3-A's heavyweight division.
(full story)Eight wrestlers from Beaufort County win in first round at state meet
Eight of the 19 Beaufort County wrestlers competing in the state individual tournament in Anderson won their first-round matches Friday night to keep their championship hopes alive.
Four of Beaufort High School's seven qualifiers won their initial bouts in the Class 4-A event, including 2011 state champ Maliek Maldonado, who won by decision over Rock Hill's Cameron Bell in the 220-pound weight class.
Both of Battery Creek's representatives advanced with pins in the Class 3-A tournament, as DeAndre Johnson pinned Wade Hampton's Daniel Shaw at 160 and defending state champion David Ratliff registered a first-period fall of Blue Ridge's Alfredo Hernandez in the heavyweight bracket.
(full story)Beaufort County wrestlers begin state title quest tonight in Anderson
The standard has been set for a trio of area wrestlers.
Maliek Maldonado, David Ratliff and Label Lewis all took home state championships at last year's finals. Following that up with anything less than a repeat performance at this weekend's state meet in Anderson will be a disappointment.
"I hold myself to high expecatations and I know what I'm capable of," said Ratliff, a senior heavyweight for Battery Creek. "Anything less than winning state will be unacceptable to me."
(full story)Prep Roundup, Feb. 19: Beaufort qualifies 7 wrestlers for state meet
WRESTLING
Class 4-A
Lower State meet at Fort Dorchester:
(full story)
