By Thomas Grant Jr. Losing the season-opener in front of a home audience reveling in the improvements to Cecil Woolbright Field is one set of motivations for Chapin High School. Then there’s this week’s annual “Battle of the Bell” matchup with longtime rival Mid-Carolina. One of the Palmetto State’s oldestContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. A contentious season awaits the Gray Collegiate football team both on and off the field.Ranked second in the preseason Class 2A S.C. Prep Football Media Poll, the War Eagles are considered top contenders to regain the state title it won two years ago. They are blessedContinue Reading
There is much to report in Local Golf as summer nears its end. We have numerous local youths who have earned their way onto the SCJGA Hootie Summer Series All-Star team. We also are featuring an eight-year-old who lives in Irmo this week. Congratulations to the following players for earningContinue Reading
Irmo Little League will play another day at the Junior League World Series in Taylor, Mich. Team Southeast (Irmo) defeated Team Southwest (Lubbock, Texas) 13-3 in five innings Wednesday in the loser’s bracket game. Cooper Derrick hit the first of two, 3-run homers by Team Southeast as part of aContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. Chapin High School will recognize its newest Athletic Hall of Fame class on Aug. 26 at Chapin Town Hall. A total of five inductees will be honored during the 6 p.m. banquet. In addition, Jim Graham will receive the Jimmie Ruff Service Award. Tickets are $25Continue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. The summer of Irmo Little League Baseball continues Monday in Taylor, Mich. A week after the senior team reached the Senior League World Series in Easley, the junior program now gets its turn. The team won the Southeast Region in Bridgewater, Va., beating out seven stateContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. Certainty and uncertainty. It’s how Irmo and Chapin are approaching their Week 0 matchup. As of Monday, the location of the matchup remained in question. Originally scheduled for Cecil Woolbright Field, ongoing renovations to the seating and plumbing have put the home opener in an uncertainContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. Every year, wounded soldiers from all across the Southeast may enjoy a fun-filled day at no cost thanks to the Troop Appreciation Fishing Derby. The rescheduled 11th annual Fishing Derby was held Aug. 10 at the Lake Murray Sailing Cub. Sponsored by Dominion Energy and theContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. It was eight years ago when the Blowfish baseball organization made the trek from Columbia across Lake Murray to Lexington County. On Saturday night, the team wearing the Lake Murray Blue jerseys completed its mission of bringing a Coastal Plain League title to the county andContinue Reading
The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) is pleased to announce that Ronnie Wessinger, Athletic Director at Chapin High School has been recognized as a Certified Master Athletic Administrator. To earn this distinction, Wessinger has demonstrated exemplary knowledge, contributions and ongoing professional development in the field of interscholastic athletic administration.Continue Reading
The South Carolina Women’s Open will be held in Blythewood, South Carolina at Cobblestone Park Golf Club, August 11-13. This championship is an official LPGA Legends Tour points event. The South Carolina Women’s Open was established in 2018 by The Women’s South Carolina Golf Association and Rockin’ Double Bar Productions.Continue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. The wait is over for the Lexington County Blowfish. Nine years after making the move from Columbia across Lake Murray to Lexington, the team is back in the Coastal Plain League Petitt Cup final. The Blowfish earned a berth Tuesday after winning the final two gamesContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. The ongoing renovations to Cecil Woolbright Field Stadium have forced Chapin High School to move its Aun and McKay Kickoff Classic. The preseason scrimmage involving six schools will now take place at Fairfield Central High School in Winnsboro. The event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. andContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. The “buzz” is back at Irmo High School. Under head coach Aaron Brand, the Yellow Jackets have worked diligently to revive the team’s proud football legacy. In Year Three, the team is truly ready to hit the “Gas” on achieving success beyond a region title. “WeContinue Reading
Sheriff Leon Lott discusses winning, leadership, and life beyond football By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott addressed the coaches and players of Benedict College’s football team during an all-hands team meeting at the Benedict Football offices, Saturday, July 29. Lott was joined by former standout BenedictContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. “It’s been surreal.” That was Irmo Little League Seniors team head coach Pete von Ahn’s description of his team’s historic season. This All-Star group of players from Lexington-Richland District Five high schools Chapin, Dutch Fork and Spring Hill reached unchartered territory for the seven-year-old program. NotContinue Reading