Nine Charleston-area baseball teams appeared in the South Carolina Baseball Coaches Association’s top 10 preseason polls, including four Berkeley County School District programs.

Leading the way from the county is Hanahan High School at No. 2 in Class 3A. The Hawks finished state runners-up the previous two seasons and will have to overcome the departure of most of the 2024 squad.

Berkeley High School enters the season No. 6 in Class 5A Div. II, while Stratford is No. 7 in Class 5A Div. I.

Philip Simmons is No. 8 in Class 2A.

More Charleston-area squads projected to compete for big things on the diamond this spring are James Island (No. 1, Class 5A Div. I), Ashley Ridge (No. 4, Class 5A Div. I), Summerville (No. 5, Class 5A Div. I), Stratford (No. 7, Class 5A Div. I), Bishop England (No. 6, Class 4A) and Oceanside Collegiate (No. 4, Class 3A).

Duals wrestling season over

Duals high school wrestling season ended for three Berkeley County School District programs Monday, Feb. 3.

Hanahan, Goose Creek and Stratford finished up in the third round of the playoffs.

In Class 3A, the Hawks lost at home to Waccamaw (40-37), while Goose Creek fell at Lugoff-Elgin (42-29) in Class 5A Div. II and Stratford lost at Carolina Forest (39-23) in Class 5A Div. I.

Hanahan’s winners were Andy Avery (106), Jayden Serrano (113), Eddie Yambao (120), Owen Miller (132), Hunter Teal (138), Pedro Afonso (175) and Zach Morrison (heavyweight).

Stratford’s winners were Jacob Lutz (120), Travis Grey (126), Jonah Coleman (132), Graham Howell (144), Tanner Merta (150) and EJ Gaters (215).

Goose Creek’s winners were Allen Quiaem (106), Montero Royal (113), Mekye Nelson (126), Henry Schultz (132), Jacob Butts (150) and Andrew Adams (HW).

Wrestlers now turn their focus to individual state qualifiers Feb. 14-15. Individual state championships are in Florence at the Florence Center Feb. 21-22.

A year ago, five wrestlers from the school district captured state titles. Royal (113 pounds) and Cane Bay senior Madeline Bowlin (girls 120 pounds) have a chance to make it two in a row. The other three were seniors.

Iron Horses highly-ranked as soccer season opens

Philip Simmons girls and boys soccer teams are top 4 to start the season by the South Carolina Soccer High School Coaches Association.

The Iron Horses’ girls are ranked No. 2 in Class 2A/1A and the boys No. 4 in Class 2A.

The only other ranked team from the Berkeley County School District is Hanahan’s boys in Class 3A. The Hawks are No. 7.

Fifteen more Charleston-area squads are ranked in the top 10, including Oceanside Collegiate’s teams. The Landsharks are No. 1 in both Class 3A polls. Two other No. 1 squads are Bishop England’s girls in Class 4A and Academic Magnet’s girls in Class 2A/1A.

Ashley Ridge’s boys will enter the season No. 2 in Class 5A. St. John’s boys are No. 3 in Class 1A.

Caption:

Berkeley High School baseball coach Landy Cox (left) and the Stags enter the 2025 season as the No. 6 team in Class 5A Div. II.

Rob Gantt/Independent

Hanahan High School’s wrestling team reacts during a match against visiting Waccamaw High School in the third round of the Class 3A playoffs Monday, Feb. 3, at HHS.

Rob Gantt/Independent

February 12, 2025 | Berkeley Independent, The (SC)
Author/Byline: Rob Gantt, rgantt@berkeleyind.com | Page: 007 | Section: A