Local teams to compete for state titles in soccer, tennis, golf, and track and field
The third time was the charm for the Bishop England girls’ soccer team. The third time also was the most nerve-wracking time.
The Bishops advanced to Saturday’s Class AAA state championship with a thrilling victory over rival Academic Magnet Monday night at Jack Cantey Stadium on Daniel Island. The match was decided on penalty kicks.
The teams were scoreless after regulation and there was still no score after overtime, which pushed the playing clock to 110 minutes after two 10-minute overtimes and two five-minute OTs.
The Bishops went 3-0 this season against the Raptors, with all matches close encounters. But Monday’s was the most intense with all that was at stake, and the Bishops held on to push their record to 20-3-1.
The Bishops, who won the battle of No. 1 vs. No. 2 against the Raptors, advanced to Saturday’s state championship against Powdersville, a 4-2 winner over Woodruff in the Upper State title match. Saturday’s championship is slated for noon at Irmo High School.
Meanwhile, the Bishop England boys played at May River Tuesday night in the Class AAA Lower State soccer championship. The winner will advance to Saturday’s state championship, which will be contested at 2:30 p.m. at Irmo High School.
TENNIS PLAYOFFS
The Bishop England boys’ tennis team lost in No. 1 singles against Academic Magnet Monday night, but swept the other six matches to claim the Class AAA Lower State championship.
The Bishops will go after their second straight state title and 11th in the program’s history when they battle Clinton on Saturday at the Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center.
Academic Magnet’s Cameron Dawson defeated Zach Dacuba, 6-3, 6-3, but the Bishops ruled the rest of the night. Hector Romero defeated Vinod Pandey, 6-2, 6-0; Harrison Estey topped Timothy Wilson, 6-2, 6-3; Lukas Gosselin trumped Carson Moore, 6-0, 6-3 and Rafe Flathman (BE) def. Kyle Smith, 7-6, 6-1.
In doubles, the Bishops’ teams of Dacuba and Romero, and Josie Rentas and Liam French both posted impressive victories.
Meanwhile, the Philip Simmons boys’ team hosted Oceanside Collegiate Tuesday night in the Class AA Lower State championship and trounced the visitors 6-0. The Iron Horses play St. Joseph at noon on Saturday.
GOLF
The Bishops’ boys’ golf team won the Lower State tournament on Monday at Diamondback Golf Club in Loris, S.C. The team fired 297 to outpace second place Waccamaw (321) and the 14-team field. Leading the way for the Bishops was sophomore Austin Scott, who shot an even par 72 to earn tournament medalist honors. Also scoring for BE were Luke Walmet (74), JJ Keene (75) and Ollie Rotermund (76). The team will compete in the state championship next Monday and Tuesday at Camden Country Club in Camden, SC.
The Hanahan Hawks also qualified for the upcoming state championship playoffs with a seventh place finish.
TRACK AND FIELD
Philip Simmons High School’s Hailey Meyers is only a seventh-grader, but she is quickly turning into a sensation.
Meyers claimed three gold medals in the Class AA state qualifier and is ready for a big effort Saturday when the state track and field championships are contested at Spring Valley High School.
She won the 800-meter run (2:26.02), the 1,600-meter run (5:23.60) and the 3,200-meter run (11:45.89) to lead the Iron Horses.
Kiamani Denmark and Noah Ward had big efforts for the boys’ team.
Denmark won the 200-meter dash (22.69), while Ward won the 800 (2:01.87) and the 3,200 (9:34.31).
Bishop England and Hanahan, meanwhile, had several strong performances at the Class AAA Lower State Qualifier.
The Hawks’ Aidan Hatton won the boys’ 800 (1:59.80) and Amari Smith won the girls’100-meter hurdles (15.40).
The Bishop girls won the 4x400-meter relay. Grace Hotchkiss won the pole vault and Emma Albano claimed gold in the discus.