Panthers Boys BasketballComing off a 15-7 record and a third straight region championship, the Panthers aim to keep building on their success that they've found over the past few seasons. Senior guard Miles Carter – an All-Region selection last season – is the lone returning starter for Chapman. However, they do bring back some players who saw a lot of game action, which includes Jonathan Mitchell and Taygan Ray. Senior guard Landon Solesbee will make his long-awaited return to the court after missing the 2020-21 season due to a leg injury. Chapman will lean on their strong senior leadership as they aim to compete for another Region III-3A crown. Their non-conference schedule will feature some contests against area teams ranked in the Top 10. They will host Blue Ridge (Dec. 1st), visit Chesnee (Dec. 9th), and could face Landrum if they match up at the ‘Battle At The Border’ tournament (Dec. 28th-30th at Landrum HS). Panthers Girls BasketballThe 2020-21 campaign saw the Lady Panthers notch an 11-12 overall record and a runner-up finish in Region III-3A. As Chapman gears up for the season, there’s a sense of pride amongst the group.
“(This team) is young, hardworking, and determined athletes who are striving to be part of tradition,” said head coach Leslie Boyd. “The Lady Panthers' tradition of excellence is what this team will continue in the program this year. We have returners who are eager to lead their teammates and this team in the right direction. We have new additions who will contribute to our team in various ways.” Three seniors – two of whom were starters – graduated from last season’s team, but the Lady Panthers bring back a strong blend of youth and experience. Sharpshooters Clara Gramling and Caroline Garner return, along with freshman guard Krislyn Wilder, who begins her third year on the varsity level. Gramling and Wilder were All-Region selections in 2020-21. Gabby Freire also returns to the team as she saw a substantial amount of game action and made a number of key contributions off the bench in 2020-21. There will be some new faces on the team as well - like Grace McDaniel - that Chapman expects to get contributions from throughout the season. “Our coaching staff and athletes are excited about what is in store for our program,” Boyd stated. “We look forward to continuing to chase our goals and build on our sisterhood as we compete at a high-level.” Both Chapman varsity basketball teams will open the regular season at home on November 29th against the Boiling Springs Bulldogs. The girls’ basketball game will tip off at 6 PM, followed by the boys' game at approximately 7:30 PM. -Justin Mathis INMAN, S.C. – As we close in on Thanksgiving Day and the heart of the holiday season, one area team has an event on their calendar that is circled every year.
For the past few seasons, the Chapman Panthers football program has participated in Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse. Since 1993, approximately 188 million children across 170 countries have received a shoebox by way of Operation Christmas Child. For head coach Harry Cabaniss, it’s something that holds a special place in his heart. “When my wife and I lived in Summerville,” Cabaniss recalled. “For our first Christmas, instead of doing our own big Christmas, we filled shoeboxes (for OCC). We used to go skiing in the Boone area and Samaritan’s Purse is based there. We got involved with it in Summerville… then we came here (to Chapman) and it’s full blown, which is exciting. No matter where we are in the season, it’s going to happen that week.” Seniors Lance Holden and Ricky Montalvo have taken part in this team-wide function for four years and remember what it was like participating as freshmen. “I had heard about it through my church,” said Holden. “To be able to do something for somebody else, it made me happy. It brought joy. It really helps a team bond when they do something together, to do good together. To be part of this every year means a lot to us.” “I learned about it from my brother,” Montalvo remarked. “I think that this is a great thing to do because some kids don’t get to have Christmas and other holidays that we get to have here. We’re a family here and we enjoy doing this, giving back to people.” The players and coaches filled the boxes with items like toys and school supplies for children, with ages ranging from two years up to 14. This past Monday evening, the Panthers filled over 220 shoeboxes that will be collected and distributed soon thereafter. To partake in a unique act of service such as this has impacted everyone involved and put things in perspective. “It’s an awesome thing,” Montalvo exclaimed. “I recommend giving it a try one time, maybe with a church or group of friends. It’s very special because not too many people go around and give back to people all around the world.” “It really shows that this team is about more than just winning games,” Holden added. “It’s about something more – giving back to the community and the world. The best way I can describe this is it brings you joy to bring other people joy.” As gift giving becomes one of the main themes for this time of year, Cabaniss and the Panthers see the bigger picture – that each of the shoeboxes can make an eternal impact. “It’s really cool,” Cabaniss said. “Having the ability to go reach far places of the world and giving kids something that they may never have the possibility of hearing is awesome – the message of Jesus.” “For a lot of them, it’s the first time they will hear about Jesus. Being able to see our team help spread the message is something that means a lot to me.” Never underestimate the power of a shoebox. Chapman (8-2) will continue in the 3A playoffs with a home contest on Friday, November 12th against the Chester Cyclones. -Justin Mathis INMAN, S.C. – When it comes to vehicles, there are several components that enable them to run, but it all begins with the engine. In football, the same premise can also be said about one position group in particular – the offensive line.
It’s well documented what the Chapman offense has done this season in terms of breaking numerous records. Another was shattered during last week’s regular season finale, a 48-41 win over Broome. Senior running back Derrick Miller had 31 carries for 318 yards and four scores, setting the new mark for individual rushing yards in a single game. DJ Twitty held the previous record with 285 yards in a 77-61 first round victory over Camden on November 18th, 2016 during his junior season. “It was really a shock,” Miller recalled. “I watched (DJ) when I was in middle school. I never thought that I’d come close to that. He was so great and is somebody that (running backs) Coach (Jason) Settle talks about in practice in terms of replicating how to run the football. It really was a great feeling on Friday (breaking the record).” With all of the talk that comes from setting a new benchmark, Miller was quick to deflect credit to his lineman, who have been paving the way for him and his teammates all season. “For most of these guys,” Miller stated. “We’ve been playing together since middle school. It feels good knowing that these guys are like brothers to me. I know that they will block their tails off every single play. They’re a unit and move as a group, as brothers, as family. You can’t ask for anything else from them – that’s how you get 300 (rushing yards).” “We had about seven or eight guys rotating in (on the line) all night,” head coach Harry Cabaniss recalled. “Those guys up front set the tone for us. Derrick is really fun to watch play, especially when he puts his hand on the back of a lineman. They kind of just guide him away (from defenders). That was pretty cool to watch.” The 2021 season saw all five starters from last year’s campaign return, anchored by senior center Nick Cox. The men in the trenches have brought forth a lot of energy and consistency as a group. “That was the one thing I was most excited about,” exclaimed Jonathan Dailey, who serves as offensive line/assistant head coach along with being the co-offensive coordinator. “I’ve been coaching O-Line now for 12 years and I’ve never had a group that played all of their junior year together. They play so well together as a group and it really shows.” “We moved Sam (Maloa) over to the left side and he’s really solidified that spot. Dylan Fortner is doing really well on the right side. I can’t say enough about Nick. He’s ‘the general’ up front because he sets the calls, combos, and gets everything squared away.” During the season, a couple of injuries have led to some younger players stepping into a starting role. Even with a lineup that has been shuffled around, they never seemed to miss a beat. “Last week was the first time that we had all five starters back in a while,” Dailey remarked. “Guys like Daniel Brown, Braydon Bliss, and Jack Settle have all stepped up while others have been out. Jonah Rollins has helped us out a lot in his role as the H-Back. It was really good to have all of the guys back together.” “We practice like we play,” said Cox, a third year starter. “We do that so that when we get in a game, we’ll be ready to go both mentally and physically. We’re like a family. If someone gets knocked down, we’re there to pick them up and get ready for the next play.” Though they may never get their names on a stat sheet or much of the spotlight, those around them know that the hog mollies up front have played a major role in rewriting the program record book. “It’s fun to block, do your job, and see (Derrick) run for 300 yards,” Cox said. “It feels like you’re also part of history when you see him doing well. As an offensive lineman, I’m just happy he got the record. We don’t get the spotlight a lot, but when he is shining on the field, we’re right there shining beside him.” Chapman (7-2) will open the 3A playoffs with a home contest on Friday, November 5th against the Blue Ridge Tigers. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 PM. -Justin Mathis |
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