Loss to Cane Bay puts Battery Creek wrestlers in tough spot

Battery Creek entered Wednesday night's region match against Cane Bay knowing it likely needed a win to remain in the Class 3-A playoff hunt. And with two weight classes to go, the Dolphins were in position to do just that.

Trailing by 11, Battery Creek needed pins in each of its final two weight classes in order to earn a one-point victory. But midway through the second period of the 120-pound match, Battery Creek's Jimmy Sanchez dislocated his left elbow, giving the Cobras a win by injury default on their way to a 41-24 victory.

"All of them are ones we want to win, but tonight was one we felt like we had to have to keep the pressure off our backs and help get us to where we need to be without having to look to other people," assistant coach Jim Shuman said.

Battery Creek now needs to beat Hilton Head High next Wednesday on senior night and get help from other teams in order to finish in the top two in Region 7-AAA to qualify for the state dual tournament.

"It'll be really tough. It's going to be a challenge," Shuman said. "We'll have to look at how everything pans out to see. We're definitely behind the eight-ball, for sure."

Sanchez, meanwhile, was in good spirits as medical personnel tended to him on the mat. Before being taken to the Beaufort Naval Hospital, Sanchez was smiling and joking with those nearby.

"Once he got over that initial shock of, 'I'm injured,' he was fine," Shuman said. "Jimmy's a great kid. He's a hard worker and a veteran for us. His spirit shines through that he's willing to give his all for his teammates. You don't see too many kids sustain that kind of injury and roll over and be able to talk about it a few minutes later."

Cane Bay improved to 3-0 in the region and will have a showdown for the title with Bluffton next week, provided the Bobcats beat Berkeley tonight.

The Cobras trailed by two early on after Battery Creek's D.J. Johnson pinned Michael Greene in the first period at 152 pounds. But Cane Bay responded by winning three of the next four weight classes to take a commanding 30-14 lead. After Austin Huntington earned a technical fall at 113, Paul McKeever's injury default over Sanchez sealed the win.

CANE BAY 41, BATTERY CREEK 24

Note: Match started at 132

106: Chris Bockelman (BC) maj. dec. Albert Ednilao, 15-2

113: Austin Huntington (CB) tech. fall Mike Woodrift, 15-0

120: Paul McKeever (CB) inj. default over Jimmy Sanchez

126: Double forfeit

132: Eddie Brookshire (CB) dec. Josh Green, 7-5 (OT)

138: Brian Labean (BC) tech. fall Tillman Reeves, 15-0

145: Jesse Goodyear (CB) won by forfeit

152: DJ Johnson (BC) pinned Michael Greene, 1st period

160: Dylan Pope (CB) pinned Tarey Jennette, 1st period

170: Ryan Stovall (CB) dec. Javon Livingston, 10-8

182: Matt Rudy (CB) pinned Braden Smith, 1st period

195: Josh Knight (BC) dec. Chris David, 9-5

220: Blake Piez (CB) pinned Shakil Gause, 2nd period

285: David Ratliff (BC) pinned Keith Anderson, 1st period