Fall sports weekly rewind (Sept. 19)

Bateson twins take lead for Socastee swimming

The Socastee boys swimming team has new faces leading the way.

The only catch is it may sometimes be confusing as to which is which.

In their senior seasons, twins Eddie and Chad Bateson have emerged as leaders for a program that is rebuilding after having plenty of success in recent years.

“They’re stepping up and they’ve been really good as leaders in the pool as well as out of the pool,” Socastee coach Jay Preslar said. “That’s really helped the younger swimmers, so that’s been excellent.”

Preslar said it’s been crucial for a program finding itself in an unusual position.

“Rebuilding is a good description. We have a much smaller team than normal; we have 14 swimmers,” Preslar said. “It’s really a young team. A couple of the veterans are just outstanding and will really do quite well at state. The Bateson twins, Eddie and Chad, are both seniors. In just about every event they’ve done so far, they’re ranked top 5 to top 10 in the state.”

The Batesons are in their sixth season with the Braves’ program, and in previous years they were teamed with former standouts such as Ryan Sutton, Walker Harwell and others who have taken on the lead role – and spotlight.

Now, the Batesons are the program’s swimmers to keep an eye on. Both posted top-10 finishes at state a year ago in the Braves’ first season moving back up to Class AAAA.

Preslar expects them to fare even better this year.

“I think there’s a good chance that both of them could win something at states,” Preslar said. “They’re right up in the mix.”

Both are planning to swim at the next level, Preslar said.

“They’ve become outstanding swimmers,” he said.

Paul thriving in second year with Socastee swim team

Jenn Paul has high hopes for the state swim meet this year.

Preslar just hopes injuries won’t get in the way of what should be a promising season.

Paul, a sophomore at Socastee, has excelled when healthy this season, but recently she’s been slowed a bit by nagging injuries.

“If we can get her healthy, she’s got huge potential for this year and certainly the next two years,” Preslar said.

Paul finished 11th in 100-yard freestyle and 18th in 100-yard backstroke in her first season with the Braves since moving to the area from New York.

“She’s got really good form and she works really hard in practice. I think when you put that combination together, it’s [easy to succeed],” Preslar said. “She’s been swimming a long time; she swam before she came to this area. … She’s going to be right up there. She’s had several top 5 times.”

Since moving here, Paul has quickly made a name for herself in swimming circles.

“She’s an outstanding swimmer. She’s one of the best girls swimmers in the area right now,” Preslar said. “She’s done quite well.”

Paul figures to be a key cog for the next couple years as the girls program also looks to rebuild.

“We’re sort of building for the future,” Preslar said. “But they’ve come a long way. Everybody’s improving their times.”

Quartet of seniors key for NMB girls tennis

Brianne Heinz has a mostly young team.

It’s a good thing she has four seniors to go along with the youngsters.

Seniors Makala Gore and Marena Willford are leading the way in singles play, while Kimarria Vereen and Nikki Vereen are playing key roles in doubles.

“I think they’re great leaders and they’re leading the path for next year,” Heinz said.

The Chiefs are three years removed from their last playoff appearance, and Heinz said that’s driving her seniors.

“We made it in years past but fell short last year,” she said, “so they’re aiming for it this year.”

On the court, North Myrtle Beach has had its ups and downs so far this season.

“Communication has been really well with our doubles teams,” Heinz said. “We can work on some footwork and putting some top spin on the ball.”

Heinz hopes her team hits its stride in region play.

“I’m pretty pleased with our top spots,” she said. “We’ve been working hard.”

Transfer adds to already talented MB girls tennis team

A year removed from winning a state championship, Myrtle Beach girls tennis Jeri Himmelsbach knew she had plenty of talent returning.

What she didn’t know is that another reinforcement was about to join her squad.

Freshman Cayce Roberts transferred to the school from Lumberton, N.C., over the summer and is immediately making an impact in the Seahawks’ lineup.

“It was a pleasant surprise for me to start the school year,” Himmelsbach said. “She’s a sweet girl and she gets along with everybody. She’s a nice addition. We’re excited about that.”

Roberts comes from a tennis family, so her transition has been seamless.

“She’s got a tennis background,” Himmelsbach said.

Myrtle Beach lost one of its longtime standouts as Rachel Berkey graduated, but the Seahawks return plenty of talent on a roster that features just one senior. Therefore, the defending state champions’ expectations are lofty once again.

“It’s always good thing to expect to do as good as you did last year. In any sport, that’s a good [outlook],” Himmelsbach said. “We got hurt by losing a big one [in Berkey]. But we tend to be deep, which is a real plus for going far in tennis. Deep is good.”

The Seahawks were tested early during a large tournament in Florence, where they lost their first match against a power from North Carolina.

“No harm, no foul playing those kind of matches,” Himmelsbach said. “That helps in getting us back into shape.”

NMB boys cross country getting up to speed

North Myrtle Beach boys cross country coach Alex Booth admits his team didn’t do very well early in the season in big, invitational cross country meets.

They surely learned from the experience, though.

“It helped them a lot when they got into this meet here,” Booth said after Tuesday’s win over Carvers Bay, a school that regularly succeeds in cross country and track and field.

Booth’s team features a mix of younger and older runners, but even many of the upperclassmen are lacking in experience.

“We still have a lot of really young guys,” said Booth, in his third year at the helm. “But we had four guys who ran [personal records] today.”

Part of their success, he said, is from the experience the Chiefs got in those early big meets.

“It gave them a chance to see other runners and run with better runners,” Booth said. “That pushes them to get better. After the invitationals we had two really good weeks of practice, so it motivates them to do better.”

This story was originally published September 19, 2015 at 9:56 PM with the headline "Fall sports weekly rewind (Sept. 19)."