Hilton Head High wrestling team jumps out to 2-0 start in region

Hilton Head High's Jose Gomez pins Stall's William Shaw in their 145-pound bout Thursday night at Hilton Head Island High School. Jay Karr -- Staff photo

High School Sports

Hilton Head High wrestling team jumps out to 2-0 start in region

By CHRIS COX - ccox@islandpacket.com

There are no dreams of a region championship for those on the Hilton Head Island High School wrestling team.

The Seahawks have much bigger goals in mind.

"Our goal as a team is to make it to states," Label Lewis said. " ... I think it's realistic. We've got a pretty good team."

Hilton Head High continued the long trek toward that goal Thursday, as a pair of dominating wins over Stall and Orangeburg-Wilkinson lifted the Seahawks to a 2-0 mark in Region 8-AAA.

"That's never been a goal for us," coach Mike Newton said of the region title. " ... We have bigger goals than that. But winning the region would be a step to making the playoffs."

The two easy victories brought the Seahawks (22-10) one step closer. Hilton Head High first took down Stall, 67-12, before blasting Orangeburg-Wilkinson 74-6 in the final match of the night.

Ten wrestlers went 2-0 for the Seahawks, with five of them registering a pair of pins. Lewis (132) and J.C. Graham (220/285) led the way, as both wrestlers earned quick first-period pins.

Martin Duane (170/182), Jose Gomez (145/152) and Zane Braden (170/182) also registered two pins.

"(Stall) was at our tournament and the Hanahan tournament," Newton said. "They played us well there. We were expecting a tough match from them. We just wrestled really well."

The Warriors won two of the first three matches of the night, but watched as the Seahawks took each of the final 11 weight classes. Orangeburg-Wilkinson, meanwhile, failed to win a single match as the Bruins' scored their points from a forfeit at 195.

Hilton Head High returns to region action with another tri-match against Berkeley and James Island on Jan. 22. Two days later, the Seahawks will face off at home against Hanahan, ranked No. 5 in Class 3-A, in the region finale.

"Our goal is to beat Hanahan, beat Socastee, practice hard as a team and get it done," Lewis said.

Lewis, Class 3-A's top-ranked wrestler at 132, has taken on the task of getting the Seahawks primed for their state title run. The senior relinquished his captain status a year ago after deciding he wasn't ready but has welcomed the task in his final season.

"Everybody is ready," he said. "We're pushing it and getting better."

Hilton Head High 67, Stall 12

Note: Match started at 145

106: Matt Levy (HHH) maj. dec. Johnny Watkins, 10-2

113: Tyler Fick (HHH) pinned Kenton Kelley, 1st period

120: Chance Bentzoni (HHH) pinned Antavius Johnson, 2nd period

126: Brock Massey (HHH) dec. Davin Aiken, 8-2

132: Label Lewis (HHH) pinned Larry Paker, 1st period

138: Hunter Massey (HHH) pinned Theodore Holmes, 2nd period

145: Jose Gomez (HHH) pinned William Shaw, 1st period

152: Kevin Moorcraft (Stall) pinned C.J. Tassone, 1st period

160: Zorrie Green (Stall) pinned Aaron Facenda, 2nd period