Bishop England wins the Director's Cup

The Bishop England athletic program was once again named tops in the state for Class AA schools.

The Bishops were recently awarded the South Carolina Athletic Administration Association Director’s Cup. It has been presented annually to the most successful athletic department of each of the High School League’s four classifications and includes 11 boys’ and 11 girls’ sports.

It was a case of the song remaining the same as the Bishops won for the 14th consecutive year. Not too shabby because the award has only been in existence for 14 years.

The Bishops did it in style for the 2015-16 academic year, winning a school best eight state titles.

The Bishops won state titles in boys’ and girls’ soccer, boys’ track and field, volleyball, girls’ lacrosse, girls’ basketball, girls’ tennis and girls’ golf.

The girls’ lacrosse and girls’ golf titles were achieved for the first time in history.The girls’ basketball team won a state title for the third straight year and fourth in last five years. The invincible volleyball team tied a national record with its 16th straight state title.

The Director’s Cup uses a points system to decide the winners. For example, teams earn 100 points for a state championship, 80 for runner-up, 60 for a third-place finish all the way down to 10 points for a 32nd-place finish in the state.

Bishop England also won state titles in rugby and ice hockey. But those titles don’t count in the Cup race because the sports aren’t sanctioned by the High School League. Wando won the Class AAAA award. Hilton Head claimed the Class AAA title while St. Joseph’s was best in Class A. Next year will present more of a challenge for Bishop England, which will compete at the Class AAA level in the new five-class system.

Van Buren drafted

It was a case of good news, bad news for Hanahan standout pitcher Malcolm Van Buren.

The good news was that he was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the Major League Baseball Draft on June 10. He was taken in the 31st round and was the 943rd pick, overall.

Earlier in the day, Van Buren announced on his Twitter account that he faces Tommy John surgery.

“Last Monday, I discovered that I have to undergo Tommy John surgery,” Van Buren tweeted. “This has come as a very big surprise to both myself and those close to me.”

Van Buren went 5-3 in his senior season with the Hawks with a 1.92 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 47.1 innings pitched.

He signed with North Carolina State and was headed to play for the Wolfpack. He hasn’t made a final decision about pro or college, but it is certain that he will have a rehab process that could take at least a year.

Sertoma

Hanahan and Bishop England will compete in the 2016 Sertoma Football Classic, which will be held Aug. 11-12 at The Citadel’s Johnson Hagood Stadium.

The Hawks will conclude play on Aug 11 with a two quarter-scrimmage against James Island. The Bishops will conclude play on Aug. 12 with a two-quarter scrimmage against Pinewood Prep.

Gates open each day at 4:30 p.m. with the action expected to begin at 5:30 p.m.