Hilton Head’s DeMarzo signs with Michigan State football
Cole DeMarzo’s dream of playing at Michigan State became a reality earlier this week.
The Hilton Head Island standout signed with the Spartans on Wednesday on the first day of the early-signing period. DeMarzo had the signing in Spartanburg where he will play in the Shrine Bowl for South Carolina on Saturday.
DeMarzo committed to Michigan State in August. 247Sports ranks him a three-star prospect and will play linebacker in college.
“Cole DeMarzo is a linebacker with Michigan connections, out of Hilton Head, South Carolina. He’s a multi-sport, multi-position type player; he plays wide receiver, linebacker, and safety,” Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. “We look at him as sort of that hybrid (linebacker) guy that has to go out in space and play over the slot a lot. But we’ll see where he plays when he gets here. He demonstrated his abilities in camp: 10-foot long jumper; a guy that ran extremely well, ran 4.6; and had a vertical of 34 inches. He also has great hands. He’s a player we looked at and said he’ll find a place.”
The 6-2, 200-pound DeMarzo played safety for HHI and compiled 102 tackles, including eight tackles for loss and three sacks, to go along with two interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 10 pass break-ups. On offense, DeMarzo caught 36 passes for 663 yards and two touchdowns
DeMarzo was one of several Lowcountry players to sign this week.
Battery Creek’s Brandon Wilson signed to play football with Georgia Southern. Wilson had 48 tackles and 10 sacks this season. He was selected to play in the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl.
Hilton Head Prep quarterback Stone McDonald signed with Lafayette. McDonald had 1,500 yards passing, 500 rushing and 15 TD passes this season. Lafayette lists McDonald as an athlete and can play a variety of positions in college.
John Paul II’s Hope and Jasmine Hamilton signed to play volleyball. Hope signed with Brevard College and Jasmine is headed to Converse College.
Boys Basketball
Ridgeland-Hardeeville 53, Beaufort 45
Mauriq Singleton scored 18 points to lead the Jaguars past the Eagles on Thursday.
Oliver Holmes led Beaufort with 11 and Josh Aiken had 10. Beaufort will play South Point (NC) in the Bluffton Christmas Tournament on Dec. 26 at 4:30 p.m.
Clarendon Hall 66, Beaufort Academy 50
Dawson Coleman had 18 points in the loss to Clarendon.
Thomas Holladay, Braxton Tolbert, and Elijah Fess each scored eight for the Eagles, who are now 4-2 on the season.
St. Andrews 59, Hilton Head Prep 46
St. Andrews outscored HHP 34-21 in the second half for the win.
Stone McDonald led HHP in scoring with 13. Kane Eanes added 10 points.
Wade Hampton 66, Beaufort 50 (Tuesday)
Zyrin Odom led Beaufort with 16 points and eight rebounds in the loss.
Jamaad Rivers added 12 points and Oliver Holmes had 11 points.
Girls Basketball
Beaufort Academy 61, Clarendon Hall 10
Mike’Ala Washington poured in 26 points as the Eagles moved to 6-0 on the season.
Amelia Huebel added 17 and Tahleea Heyward scored 10. BA is off for Christmas break and will play Hilton Head Prep on Jan. 3.
Bluffton 64, River Bluff 45
Tacoya Heyward scored 18 points in the Bobcats’ win at the YC Winborm tournament in Rock Hill.
Tatyana Aiken added 16 points. Bluffton continues in the tournament on Friday.
Hilton Head Prep 24, St. Andrews 12
HHP outscored St. Andrews 15-0 in the first quarter on its way to a win.
Haylee Hopman led the Dolphins with seven points.
Beaufort 43, Wade Hampton 39 (Tuesday)
Layla Warren scored 20 points and Sequoia Smalls had nine in the win.
Wrestling
Beaufort splits tri-match
Beaufort hosted a tri-match with Bamberg and Battery Creek.
In the Bamberg-Ehrhardt defeated the Eagles, 49-30. Gaining victories for Beaufort against Bamberg were Gary Bayne (106), Ryley King (138), Michael Cenci (170), and Jeremiah Simmons (195) all by pins.
The Eagles bounced back with an inspired effort to defeat Battery Creek in the night cap by a score of 51-24. Leading the way for the Eagles were Tayriq Legree (113), Matthew Durrance (138), Ryley King (145), James Dagin (160), Michael Cenci (170), Jeremiah Simmons (182) and Degin Lowery (285).
May River routs Hilton Head Island
May River defeated Hilton Head Island, 70-6, on Wednesday.
Match winners for the Sharks were Isham Peace, Chad Hadden, Kailin Prescott-Ferguson, Noah Creque, EJ Seman, CJ Ciccarelli, Pat Treacy, Anthony Nelsen, Gabriel Juarez, Wyatt Banfield, Donovan Ling, Anthon Funderburk and Eli Hall