TheSunNews.com: High School Sports

Three sets of twins get double takes from area teams

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:36 EST

Stacy Hughes claims her starting back-court hasn’t tried to get involved in twin shenanigans.

The Carolina Forest coach believes identical twins Britney and Whitney Burgess have not taken part in any of the normal scams. It’s exactly what the sisters want her to think.

Tonight, the Burgesses may be playing their final game together when the Panthers complete their regular-season against Conway, and for all the memories of their time at Carolina Forest and playing for Hughes, it’s not hard to recall their favorite trick.

St. James girls basketball wins first region title

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:10 EST

In a span of two months, St. James girls basketball team took history and smacked it in the mouth.

The Sharks capped off the program’s first region championship with a 58-41 victory over rival Socastee Thursday night. With the win, the team also earned the first 20-win season in school history.

“Since we’re the first team in school history to win a region championship, it’s pretty special,” senior forward Stephanie Roberts said after the win.

Myrtle Beach boys, girls sweep Georgetown

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:56 EST

Craig Martin preached patience.

With his team serving a one-year playoff ban last season, the Myrtle Beach boys basketball team knew that a handful of seniors would have just one more chance to make this season count. Now, the Seahawks are within striking distance of not only returning to the playoffs, but hosting a game there, as well.

That much is possible after Martin’s squad used a monster third quarter to overcome a poor first half and defeated Georgetown 63-51 Tuesday night.

Tuesday’s area sports briefs: Socastee boys clinch playoff spot

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:57 EST

SOCASTEE Travis Frye had a game-high 31 points and See Man added 11 as the Socastee boys basketball team got past the North Myrtle Beach Chiefs in a double-overtime thriller to clinch the fourth playoff spot in Region VIII-AAA on Tuesday.

Frye grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double and was 12-of-14 from the free throw line. Socastee went hard in the paint, outscoring North Myrtle Beach 36-8 from the key.

Josh Lindsey nailed seven 3-pointers for a team-high 23 points and Jaquan Grissett had 21 for the Chiefs. Rodrick Hemingway also had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds for North Myrtle Beach.

Prep notebook | High school football recruiting focus turns to 2013

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:11 EST

National Signing Day is almost a week old. That means many members of the current junior class are now on the clock.

Carolina Forest running back Harold Atkinson, who has one official offer from Minnesota, could have at least one more in hand by the beginning of next week. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound back is planning on a trip to Georgia Tech this weekend, according to Panthers coach Drew Hummel.

“I know that Paul Johnson and [Atkinson] are going to meet in his office,” Hummel said. “I don’t know if an offer will be extended, but it kind of sounds that way.”

Myrtle Beach girls top St. James in key region battle

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:23 EST

The Myrtle Beach girls aren’t ready to relinquish their hold on the Region VIII-AAA title just yet.

The Seahawks, outright winners of the past five region titles without suffering a single conference loss, kept their hopes of a title alive Friday night by handing St. James its first VIII-AAA defeat of the season to pull within a game of the Sharks.

Khadijah Sessions scored 30 points and the Seahawks (18-4, 6-2) scored all 12 of their points in the fourth quarter from the foul line to fend off the Sharks 48-45.

Myrtle Beach boys roll past St. James

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:49 EST

It was difficult to discern which team entered the game atop the Region VIII-AAA standings Friday night at St. James High.

The Sharks (11-8) entered the game with just one loss in the region, but they were no match for Myrtle Beach, which was trying to improve its chances of securing a playoff spot.

The Seahawks (11-11) jumped out to an eight-point lead in the first quarter and their lead was never truly challenged as they cruised to a surprisingly easy 59-43 win.

Friday’s high school roundup: Carolina Forest boys edge Sumter

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:39 EST

Jarvez Holmes scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and Melquan Nelson had 15 points and 10 rebounds as the Carolina Forest boys basketball team slid past Sumter 54-51 on Friday night.

Robert Gray added 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists and Aaron Williams added six points and five steals for Carolina Forest.

• CAROLINA FOREST (54) – Aaron Williams 6, Robert Gray 13, Chris Johnson 4, Jarvez Holmes 15, Ryan Yurachek 1, Melquan Nelson 15.

Carolina Forest boys get key region victory over West Florence

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:27 EST

With his team holding a double-digit lead for most of the second half, Carolina Forest coach Brian Brunson split his time between jawing at officials, chewing the heck out of his fingernails and wrapping a folded black towel around the back of his head.

Welcome to late-season basketball.

The Panthers held on for a 60-50 win over Region VI-AAAA foe West Florence Tuesday, pushing themselves one step closer to a spot in the postseason.

Area roundup | Myrtle Beach girls get region win over Socastee

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:45 EST

Khadijah Sessions had a game-high 26 points to lift Myrtle Beach over Socastee, 51-47, in a Region VIII-AAA win. Sessions had a double-double as she added 13 rebounds to her points. She also had five assists.

“We will take any win we can get,” Seahawks coach Brian Kiper said. “Our region is very balanced this year. We lost to Wilson last week, who had the same record as Socastee. We are still trying to find ourselves without Tanisha [Brown].”

Myrtle Beach didn’t have to completely rely on Sessions on Tuesday evening. Sophomore Shavae Shaw had 18 points for the Seahawks.

Several Grand Strand football players to announce college commitments

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:31 EST

It should be an active Wednesday for the prep football landscape.

Several Grand Strand players will finalize or make their commitments to various colleges at different levels. Most notable are Myrtle Beach players T.J. Jones (Kentucky) and Tyler Knox (North Carolina State), who have been firm on their verbal commitments to their respective schools for some time.

Most of the action is going to fall to the NCAA Division II level, where at least a dozen local players are expected to sign this week.

Toast of the Coast: Conway’s Moody a handful for opposing defenses

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:54 EST

Chuck Jordan doesn’t believe in participation trophies.

The Conway football coach isn’t heaping praise on every player who comes through his program. And he certainly isn’t selling every player to college coaches as if he’s the next Heisman candidate.

With Mykal Moody, Jordan sees something different. The junior quarterback bounced back from an injury-shortened sophomore season and lit up defenses from start to finish.

Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach’s bouts with public schools paying off

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:57 EST

When it comes to winning state championships, coach Darren Gore and the Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach Saints know how to do it.

The Saints are the two-time defending SCISA state champions. Having conquered the private school sector, the Saints have ventured into an increasing amount of games against public schools in recent years to test their mettle.

They picked up their first victory over a public school last season when they beat Carvers Bay and this year knocked off Green Sea Floyds twice.

Toast of the Coast: Wilson a force for mighty Myrtle Beach defense

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:35 EST

Daquarius Wilson pauses for moment. He seems unsure of the answer.

The Myrtle Beach football program has placed numerous players in college football’s highest ranks. Some have flirted with S.C. high school records. Others earned name recognition early in their careers.

So, is Wilson – one of the most reliable Seahawks and this season’s Toast of the Coast Defensive Player of the Year – worthy of being considered part of that elite group?

Myrtle Beach boys unable to hold off Wilson

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:50 EST

Myrtle Beach let an opportunity to jump into the race for the Region VIII-AAA title slip away Friday night.

The Seahawks saw a nine-point halftime lead over region co-leader Wilson dissipate in the third quarter, and later couldn’t sustain the momentum of a 14-3 run in the game’s final four minutes that forged a tie.

Wilson (14-6) scored the only two points in the final 1:25 at the foul line and escaped with a 55-53 road win to remain tied with St. James atop the region at 5-1.

Friday’s high school roundup | St. James boys beat North Myrtle Beach in OT

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:35 EST

Despite getting a game-high 25 points from Jaquan Grissett, the North Myrtle Beach boys basketball dropped a Region VIII-AAA contest to St. James in overtime, 64-59.

The Sharks (10-7, 5-1 Region VIII-AAA) had three of their starters score in double figures. Caleb Duggan led St. James with 20 points, and J.C. Cavin (13) and Matt Strange (10) also scored in double figures. St. James led for most of the game and then doubled the Chiefs up in overtime for the win.

“In a tough region that we are playing in, every game counts,” Sharks coach Monty Carr said. “Coming out of their (North Myrtle Beach) gym with a victory is very fortunate. (Jaquan) Grissett carried a heavy load for the Chiefs at the end. For being a young team, they never quit. My players just persevered and was able to push the win out in overtime.”

Toast of the Coast: Waccamaw’s Rice has fun, success on tennis court

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:52 EST

Tolley Rice’s approach is simple: work hard and have fun.

It’s a system with a proven record.

The Waccamaw High junior won her third consecutive Class A/AA individual state title in the fall and helped the Warriors reach the Lower State final en route to being named The Sun News Toast of the Coast Girls Tennis Player of the Year for the second straight season.

Adams staying at Georgetown; Green Sea Floyds continues search

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:59 EST

One Grand Strand high school is about to take the next step in its coaching search.

Another won’t have to.

Georgetown football coach Bradley Adams withdrew his name from the opening at Hilton Head on Wednesday.

Toast of the Coast: North Myrtle Beach’s Jenerette leads pack in cross country

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:03 EST

It may be another year, but the Toast of the Coast Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year hasn’t changed.

Even with the high school cross country season over, North Myrtle Beach’s Benjamin Jenerette has been racking up first-place finishes in local races. That success follows a high school season in which she placed fifth in the Class AAA cross country state meet.

“I’m really happy to be here again this year,” Jenerette said about getting the honor. “I gave my best this season. I’m just really happy to win this title again.”

Tuesday’s high school roundup: Sessions scores career-high 41 in Myrtle Beach win

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:33 EST

Khadijah Sessions had a career night with 41 points as the Myrtle Beach girls defeated Georgetown 66-60 in a Region VIII-AAA contest on Tuesday night.

Sessions also added 14 rebounds.

The Bulldogs were led by Raven Smith’s 21 points. Taziya Moody and Justice Evans each added 11 points for Georgetown.