INMAN, S.C. – After a tough opening game in the 3A softball playoffs, the Chapman Panthers looked to bounce back Friday evening against the Chester Cyclones in an elimination game. A strong showing at the plate by Kenslie Edwards helped lead Chapman to a 10-0 victory over the Cyclones in five innings.
In the opening frame, Krislyn Wilder threw a frozen rope from centerfield to home plate that cut down a Chester base runner. During the Panthers’ first at-bat, Autumn Fisher smashed a double off the left field wall and later scored on a wild pitch. Reagan Garrett and Sophie Whitley each drew a free pass, while their respective courtesy runners – Brynlee Martindale and Paisleigh Smith – each recorded a stolen base and advanced into scoring position. Kenslie Edwards sliced a two-run, opposite field single to left, which plated both runners. Edwards rounded the bases on an Addy Lawson base hit to left, creating a 4-0 lead after one inning. “I think the tough loss (Wednesday) made it easier to lock in for this game,” said Edwards. “We know that if we don’t jump on them early, it’s going to be a lot tougher on our pitcher to throw strikes. If we do get on them early, it releases the stress off Reagan and makes things a lot easier.” “My approach is to follow the ball, don’t try to pull it, go up there and have fun. We have a good group here… this win means more time with our seniors and one more game at home. It is just exciting to see.” Chester led off the second with a single, but two groundouts and a line out to shortstop ended the frame. Hailey Coley recorded a web gem in the third with a diving grab in foul territory for an out. The Panther offense exploded for six runs in the fourth inning, as Garrett notched an RBI single that scored Fisher, while Rylan Ivey legged out an infield single and later scored on an Edwards’ two-run single to left-center. Sam McPhail roped an RBI double to left and later crossed home plate on a Coley triple, which provided the final margin of 10-0. “We were more relaxed,” Chapman head coach Casey Green stated. “They were being selective and waiting for their pitch. They played loose, were more confident at the plate, and were more aggressive on the bases.” “If the pitch is located outside, (Kenslie) is going to try and go with it. If the pitch is inside, she is going to try and go with it. It’s not by accident that she does that because she works hard to be able to do that in practice and on her own. That's why she is able to be successful.” Edwards went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and four runs batted in, while Fisher also was 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. Ivey (2-for-3, run), Lawson (2-for-3, two RBI) and McPhail (2-for-3, double, RBI) each recorded a multi-hit game. Garrett was 1-for-1 with two walks and Coley was 1-for-2 with a triple, run batted in, and run scored. Whitley also reached base twice and scored two runs. In the circle, Garrett tossed a complete game and scattered three Cyclone hits. Chapman (16-6) will host West-Oak in an elimination game on Monday at 6 PM. Friday’s Scoreboard 3A Boys Soccer (3rd Round) – Daniel 7, Chapman 0 · CHP finishes at 13-4 overall. o Won third straight region championship (first time in program history) o Will see two seniors graduate: Isaac Andryushenko and Brandon Vallecillo INMAN, S.C. – A chance at history was at stake Thursday evening as the Palmetto Mustangs clashed with the Chapman Panthers in the 3A girls’ soccer playoffs. In a battle of wills, it came down to one shot as the Panthers prevailed 1-0 over the Mustangs.
Over the last 15 minutes of the first half, Chapman began to find their footing and put forth an aggressive attack, tallying six shots on goal. Two of those tries were close calls, as one barely missed just to the right of the net, and another hit the crossbar. That last portion of the half helped the Panthers settle in as they prepared for the second stanza. “Sometimes, it does take us a while to get started,” said senior Chloe Bishop. “But when we realize that we are here to do a job and need to get it done, it is like a switch that we turn on. We are nonstop and nothing can stop us once we turn it on.” “Every defense plays differently,” she added. “We realized what their weak spot was and that we could split them through that middle… and I think we used our speed to our advantage once we got past them.” In the 51st minute, sophomore Elliot Miller capitalized on an opportunity. She pressured a Mustang player into a turnover near the 18 yard box on the far side of the field, dribbled through some traffic, and fired a shot into the top left corner of the net for a 1-0 Panther lead. “We realized that we didn’t just have to make runs on the outside and could be more direct,” explained Miller. “We were also able to outlast them with our endurance. We kept fighting, kept pushing, and that got us to where we were.” “At halftime, (assistant coach Zoren) Rierson reminded us that we were not just playing for our seniors, but that we were also playing for (head coach Will) Maley. This is his last year and the seniors last year… we had to make sure that we got it together and gave them what they deserved.” The back and forth continued as the Panthers continued their attack, which resulted in more chances at the net. Defensively, Chapman’s alignment stymied the Mustangs and held Palmetto in check on the way to the shutout win. “Palmetto has some quality players,” said Chapman head coach Will Maley. “They are a good team. We couldn’t break them down and they couldn’t break us down. A 1-0 match seems pretty much on par for what this game should have been. It was a good effort by both sides. We fought like crazy, and we happened to get there at the right time to put the ball in the net.” Maley also was quick to point out how much the win meant to the history of the Chapman girls soccer program. “As long as I’ve been here,” he stated. “I have asked around and we have never been to the third round, so this is new territory for us. We are just trying to get the program some recognition. These girls have worked hard this season. We lost three games to either the number one, two, or third-ranked team in the state in their respective classifications. We are just trying to build a program here. Right now, our pipeline is pretty good, so we are having a good run.” Following the victory, Coach Maley – who is retiring at the end of the 2023-24 school year – was recognized by athletic director Greg Wilson and principal Matt Davis and given a plaque for his 16 years of service with Chapman soccer. During his time at Chapman, Maley has served as head coach for both the boys and girls varsity teams. Chapman (12-4) will travel to Daniel in the third round of the playoffs on Saturday at 10:00 AM. BASEBALL: Emerald 1, Chapman 0 Hits were hard to come by Thursday evening as the Panthers hosted the Emerald Vikings in a 3A district four elimination game. Colt McPeters got the start and tossed four hitless innings for Chapman. Emerald drew consecutive walks to open the fifth and scored an unearned run on a Chapman error. In the final frame, Grayden Humphries and Chandler Cartee reached on a walk and Viking error, respectively, before each advanced 90 feet on a groundout. Kole Brown drew an intentional walk that loaded the bases for the Panthers, but the Vikings picked up a strikeout to end the game. Chapman will see six seniors graduate – Kole Brown, Cole Daugherty, Lawson Harris, Peyton Hodge, Hudson Moss, and Carson Seymour. INMAN, S.C. – Riding the emotional high of a nail-biting win on Monday, the Chapman Panthers boys’ soccer team returned to action for a second round match against the Fountain Inn Fury. On this night, the Panthers struck early on the way to a 3-1 victory over the Fury.
In the first half, Brandon Vallecillo dribbled down the right side, stopped just inside the 18-yard box, and fired a left-footed shot into the back right corner of the net, creating a 2-0 advantage for the Panthers with 15 minutes left until the halftime break. The goal was a pivotal one in the match as it gave the Panthers a two-goal advantage that proved to be key in their victory. Tim Yakovenko tacked on a third goal for Chapman in the second stanza, which helped propel the Panthers into the next round of the playoffs. Jakob Schall also had a goal in the first half, while Matthew Steading also notched an assist. Junior goalie Landon Pruitt tallied five saves for Chapman. As a team, the Panthers tallied nine shots (seven on goal), while Fountain Inn tallied 13 tries, with six of them on goal. Chapman (13-3) will travel to Daniel in the third round of the playoffs on Friday at 7:00 PM. SOFTBALL: West-Oak 3, Chapman 1 It was a scoreless deadlock until the fifth inning when the Warriors singled and later scored on a base hit to center. West-Oak tacked on two more runs in the sixth with a sacrifice bunt and base knock that created a three-run lead. Reagan Garrett reached on a two-base error to begin the Panthers’ half of the sixth. Kyndal Reid (courtesy runner for Garrett) rounded the bases on a Sophie Whitley double to left, which cut the deficit down to a 3-1 margin. However, the Warriors worked around a two-out single in the seventh to pick up the win. At the plate for Chapman, Autumn Fisher (2-for-3, walk) and Sophie Whitley (3-for-3, RBI) led the way. Chapman (15-6) will host the loser of Chester/BHP in an elimination game Friday at 6:00 PM INMAN, SC - The Chapman volleyball program didn't have to look very far for the new leader of their team, in fact they found the right person sitting on the same bench as Kim LaBoard was hired as the new head volleyball coach for the Panthers program.
Since 2022 she has served as an assistant coach with the Panthers program where they have made the playoffs in both of those seasons. "I am thrilled to lead the Chapman volleyball team, a group with exceptional talent and community backing," says Coach LaBoard. "I am passionate about volleyball and am committed to fostering a culture of excellence and sportsmanship. I look forward to inspiring our players to achieve greatness both on and off the court. It's a privilege to be part of such a supportive school and vibrant community." Prior to her time with the Panthers program, she also served as the head coach for the JL Mann volleyball for eight seasons where she compiled a 143-69 record with a winning percentage of 65 percent. During that time, she turned a program that struggled in her first year into a program that went 22-10 in her final season. From 2016 to 2022 the Patriots volleyball team averaged over 20 wins a season and in 2018 had a record of 32-8. In that final season LaBoard led the Patriots to the 5A Upper State championship game where they fell to eventual state champions Dorman. According to a release by Spartanburg District One she will begin the new job immediately. INMAN, S.C. – Sometimes, it only takes one goal to set the tone for an entire match.
That proved to be the case on Tuesday as the Chapman Panthers girls’ soccer team hosted Pendleton in the first round of the 3A playoffs. On this night, senior Taryn Rogers was quite simply on a roll as her four goals led the Panthers to a 7-0 shutout victory over Pendleton. Chapman’s aggressive attack paid dividends as Kaitlin Salbaum and Avery Holden each registered a shot on goal in the first 10 minutes of play. Rogers scored on a shot from the middle of the six yard box, staking the Panthers to a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute. “We’re really starting to move the ball around,” said Chapman head coach Will Maley. “We have a very, very strong six up front and on any given day, any of them can be the goal scorer and hero. We like to move the ball and see who has the mismatch. Our defense is just playing lights out. I love where we are at, we still have some work to do, and we are improving.” Seven minutes later, Rogers stole the ball from a Bulldog in the open field near the Bulldogs’ 18 yard box. She dribbled by a defender and fired a shot into the left corner of the net from seven yards away, creating a two-goal lead. In the 19th minute, it was a fastbreak as Holden went down the left side of the field and found Rogers in the middle of the field for a goal from 15 yards out. “We really passed the ball around well with connecting passes and through-balls through their back line,” Rogers stated. “My teammates gave me good through-balls that helped lead me onto the goal. I am going to take every opportunity I can to do what I can for my team. This win is great. I’m a senior, so it is my last time ever playing soccer and I want to go as far as we can.” “(Taryn) is starting to understand the space that her speed creates for her,” added Maley. “The great thing is when she checks back in, the defense has to push up and then, we can get in behind them. She is starting to realize how that works for her. The other two girls (Holden and Elliot Miller) can also use that same advantage because we are able to rotate all three at each position.” Just five minutes later, Sarah Visoury lined up a free kick from 35 yards out and found the top right corner of the net, extending the advantage to 4-0. In the 36th minute, Elliot Miller received a pass and fired into the back of the net. Salbaum also scored from close range on a give and go pass, creating a 6-0 lead at the interval. Rogers put the exclamation point on the match with a breakaway goal in the 61st minute, splitting two defenders before firing a rocket to the right corner and providing the final margin of 7-0. “I think Chloe Bishop had a great game,” Maley exclaimed. “Kaitlin Salbaum also had a great game. Sarah Visoury’s goal was like, ‘Boom!’ It was good stuff. My two center backs – Illyana Washington and Charlene Dunning – are so strong. That back four with our keeper (Perla Alviar) are really good. They are keeping it together and learning the game together.” Holden tallied a game-high three assists for the Panthers, while Dunning and Salbaum each added an assist and Alviar recorded 10 saves. Chapman (11-4) will host Palmetto in the second round on Thursday at 6:00 PM. INMAN, S.C. – “The most dangerous lead in soccer is being up 2-0.”
After a strong first half, the Chapman Panthers had to weather a surge from the Pendleton Bulldogs in the first round of the 3A playoffs. Pendleton struck for one goal, but couldn't get any closer as the Panther defense stood tall and secured a 2-1 victory. Each side recorded a couple of saves in the first minutes of the contest, but the Panthers capitalized on a chance in the 20th minute on a throw-in from the far sideline as Jakob Schall corralled the ball on the fringe of the six yard box. Out of the corner of his eye, Schall spotted teammate Brandon Vallecillo on a diagonal cut in from the corner of the 18 yard box. Schall quickly dished it to Vallecillo, who blew by a defender and fired it into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. “Jakob had that flick-on to Brandon, who does what Brandon does and sticks it in the back of the net,” said Chapman head coach Chris DowDell. “We probably should have had another one earlier, but (Pendleton) has a couple of guys that are really, really good who were playing in the back. Their coach did a good job of moving them around to cause problems for us, whether it was defending or attacking. It made for an interesting game.” With less than a minute left in the half, Matthew Steading lined up a corner kick from the near side. Steading fired the ball into the six yard box, where Carson Desjardins tracked it and scored with a header just inside the left post for a 2-0 Chapman lead at the interval. Pendleton broke through in the 66th minute as Jonas Bradley tracked down a loose ball, worked his way inside the 18 yard box, and sent one into the net, making for a 2-1 deficit. However, the Panthers buckled down defensively – which included turning away a Bulldog shot on goal just before the final whistle – to earn the win. DowDell was quick to highlight those who made key plays to preserve the victory defensively. “Landon Pruitt made a key save in goal almost right at the death there,” exclaimed DowDell. “Christopher Pack has really been working hard… he had two interventions there that probably stopped at least one goal. Those two guys really stood out, and Matthew Steading was able to do a good job with (defending Bradley).” Chapman registered 13 total shots (seven on goal) for the game, while Pendleton finished with nine (five on goal). Desjardins and Vallecillo each finished a goal, while Pack, Schall, and Steading each notched an assist for the Panthers. Pruitt also recorded two crucial saves in the net. Chapman (12-3) will host Fountain Inn – a 4-1 winner over Clinton – in the second round on Wednesday at 7:00 PM. INMAN, S.C. – When wintertime arrives, a new – though familiar -- voice will be guiding one area program.
Jared St. Charles has been tabbed as the new head coach for the Chapman High School boys’ basketball team. St. Charles is no stranger to Spartanburg District One, having just served in the same role with the Landrum Cardinals womens’ basketball program from 2020 to 2024. St. Charles led the Lady Cardinals to a 75-31 record – and a 70.75 winning percentage – that featured a pair of 20-plus win seasons, three straight region championships, two trips to the Upper State championship game (2022, 2024), and an appearance in the 2A state final that capped off an outstanding 27-4 record for the 2023-24 campaign. That also marked the Lady Cards’ first trip back to the state championship since 1975. Landrum tallied 12 All-Region selections – two with All-State recognition in Savannah Brown and Kaylee Cortez – during his time guiding the program. Brown and Cortez each surpassed the 1,000 career points milestone during the 2023-24 season. He also served as a JV and varsity assistant coach with the Landrum boys’ basketball program prior to becoming the Lady Cardinals head coach. “I loved coaching the girls’ team at Landrum,” said St. Charles. “To be honest, I’ve always been a boys’ (basketball) coach. I have a lot of experience with the boys’ game, and I wanted to get back to it. Both of my kids are coming up (through high school) and my oldest son is going to be a freshman so that was an intriguing thing as well.” Prior to arriving in the Palmetto State, St. Charles spent nine seasons at the helm of the Mitchell High Mustangs boys’ basketball program in Florida, in which he oversaw the program’s jump from the 4A classification up to the 7A level. During his time with the Mustangs from 2009 to 2018, he accumulated a 164-85 record – a winning percentage of 65.86 – in that span that featured seven winning seasons, with five campaigns of 20 or more victories to go along with four district championships. “I know the Chapman boys have a good tradition of winning a lot of basketball games and there’s a lot of talent there. I know it’s a great community and great town, and I know there’s going to be a lot of good backing from the community, so I’m excited.” As he starts this next chapter with the Panthers, St. Charles feels like the program is already in a good place and has quite a bit of potential. “I think we can be extremely successful right off the bat,” he stated. “There’s a lot of good returning players coming back. Knowing what kids are coming up through middle school and the younger guys as well, we have a real shot to be really good for a long time. It’s very intriguing because there’s a lot of solid players at Chapman already.” “It’s a good group of kids. They act and do things the right way. Coach (Greg) Wilson picked some good kids (to play). I’ve gotten to know them because we’ve had a couple of open gyms now. They’re good natured and coachable. That was the thing I always said about the Landrum girls – they were extremely coachable, and it was a delight to coach them because they did such a good job with that.” When asked about some things he has learned about the team early on, he noted some things they did well in their previous offensive system and believes that can be incorporated into a new style of play. “They are very skilled,” he remarked. “You can tell Coach Wilson did a good job with the offense they were working at, and they can shoot the ball extremely well. The difference for me is that with my girls’ teams, we were very attacking. The biggest thing is that we want to bring an attacking style of defense. We want to cause a lot of havoc, turnovers, and play fast.” “At the same time, we want to play under control offensively. My offense is that we do a lot of back cuts, a lot of movement, and I don’t like people standing and dribbling too much. I like people moving and cutting, so I think that’s going to be a little different. They were used to a dribble-drive offense where they were driving and kicking. That stuff can be utilized in the offense I want to run, but I like a lot of passing, cutting, spacing, screening, that kind of stuff. It’ll be a good fit.” Even though the new season won’t arrive for a few months, St. Charles already has a message for everyone in the community about what they can expect from the program. “We’re going to compete hard, play hard, and play as a team. You’re going to see the kids move the ball, cut, space, and play with a lot of joy and passion. They’re going to play together. We’re going to have a lot of kids who are going to do the right thing and act right on the court.” “We plan on doing some community outreach as I continue to get into the mix. I want these kids to be good citizens of their school, and then get on the floor, play hard, and show their community that they’re playing their butts off." INMAN, S.C. – Thursday morning marked the start of the next chapters for a dozen Chapman High School student-athletes, as each of them put their names on the dotted line to compete at the collegiate level.
Chapman softball shortstop Autumn Fisher will stay in South Carolina, as she will play for the USC Aiken Pacers, members of the Peach Belt Conference. While at USCA, she intends to study business. She has been a member of the Chapman softball program for six years, spending the last four on the varsity level. Over the last two seasons, she has hit 13 home runs and drove in 55 runs. In 2023, she received All-Region and All-State honors, along with winning consecutive Region 3-3A crowns and back-to-back district titles. “I would like to start by thanking God, my family, past and present coaches, friends, and anyone who has helped me accomplish my dreams. I felt that (USC) Aiken was the best choice for me after touring the campus and meeting with the coaches while planning my next four years. I have always dreamed of playing in college after seeing my brother (Kane) succeed and wanted to do the same for myself. This sport has given me lifelong friends, a work ethic, and a purpose. I would especially like to thank my dad for teaching me the sport and putting in extra work to accomplish the dream. I’m so excited to continue my career at USCA and cannot wait to see what the future holds for me.” Panther ace Reagan Garrett will continue her career across the state line in Georgia at Emmanuel University, which competes in Conference Carolinas. Garrett, a standout pitcher, has a 1.47 earned run average as the Panthers open the playoffs on Wednesday. She has also been a key contributor at the plate, compiling 13 home runs and 48 runs batted in during the 2023 season. At Emmanuel, she plans to study biology with a minor in psychology. “I chose to attend Emmanuel based on the small size of the school and that it is in a small town with lots of supporters. I chose to play softball there because the coaches are outstanding. Emmanuel is a place where I will get better not just at softball, but as a person for my future. I would like to thank my family for all the support they have given me throughout the years. I also thank my coaches, administrators, and teammates throughout the years.” Chapman baseball had two players sign their letter of intents to play college baseball next season. Hudson Moss, an anchor at second base for the Panthers since 2023, will stay in state to play at USC Sumter and the historic Riley Park. He has a .389 batting average, a .500 on-base percentage, two home runs, and six hit-by-pitches on the season. “I am excited to attend the University of South Carolina Sumter for baseball. It is a privilege to continue my educational and athletic career. I would like to thank God for presenting this opportunity and my parents for the unconditional support. In addition, I would not have made it this far without my coaches. The coach that has impacted me the most is my father. He has been coaching me for this moment ever since I could walk and I would like to thank him for pushing me to be the best man possible, on and off the field. I would also like to thank my teammates for challenging me to be the best athlete I can be, and for always believing in me. I’m extremely grateful for everyone who has believed in me and helped me get to where I am today.” Carson Seymour put pen to paper and affirmed his recent commitment to play for the legendary Tim Wallace and the Spartanburg Methodist College Pioneers program. He has served in a key role for the Panthers bullpen this season, sporting a 1.72 earned run average in 24 and one-third innings pitched while stranding 29 runners. Seymour has held opposing lineups near the Mendoza line, to the tune of a combined .204 average in 2024. He has been a tri-sport athlete on the varsity level, playing on the football, basketball, and baseball teams. “First and foremost, I want to thank God for blessing me with the opportunity and strength to pursue my dreams. Without Him, this would not be possible. Thank you to my mom and dad for being my biggest fans, always supporting and encouraging me to go after my dreams. I want to thank my coaches who have pushed and helped me over the years. Thank you for your support and dedication in helping shape who I am not only as an athlete, but as a person. Thank you to my teammates over the last four years – you are my family, and I’m forever grateful for the relationships and memories we have made.” Anna-Kate Alexander has been a key member of the Chapman competitive cheer team, helping lead the team to multiple top-three finishes at the state meet. As a captain, she served in varying roles, which helped the team succeed. The Panthers won the Region 3-3A crown and earned a top-three finish in Class 3A at the 2023 state championship meet. During her career, she won five region championships, the Most Valuable Player award, and earned All-Region honors for the 2023 season. “I am so excited to announce that I will be continuing my career at Lenoir-Rhyne University. I chose Lenoir-Rhyne University because I loved the atmosphere and the people. I will be studying for an undergraduate degree in criminal justice. I want to thank my family, coaches, and friends for making this opportunity possible.” Brook Noe served as a captain of the Chapman volleyball team for three years, earning All-Region honor three times along with All-State recognition and a region championship. She also set the school record for assists in a career. At SMC, Noe plans on majoring in elementary education. “First, I would like to thank the Lord for giving me the ability and opportunity to play the sport I love. I’d also like to thank my parents for traveling across the country for tournaments and all the money spent to make my dream come true. Thank you to all my past and present coaches – you have helped me find a deeper love for volleyball. I would also like to thank my teammates along the way because this sport has given me some of my best friends and helped me through all the tough days.” Four members of the Region 3-3A championship football team will hit the gridiron at the next level. This past Fall, the team extended the program’s run of region crowns to seven in a row. Harrison Bridges, who played both offensive and defensive line, will not be far away from home as he will play for the Limestone University Saints, coached by former NFL wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery. While at Limestone, Bridges will major in physical education with a focus on strength and conditioning. He served as a captain of the Panther football team during his junior and senior seasons, earning All-Region honors twice. “I first want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, because through Him all things are possible. I also thank my family for helping me become the man I am today, always supporting me, taking me to practice and camps, and everything I have ever needed to better prepare myself to go to college. I also want to thank my coaches for always believing in me and supporting me, helping me become a better player on and off the field.” Standout wide receiver Shawn Cunningham will take his talents to the Lowcountry, where he'll play for Gabe Giardina and the Charleston Southern Buccaneers in the Big South Conference. He completes his time at Chapman, having been a four-year starter and been named All-Region player of the year. He also was selected for and competed in the Touchstone Energy North-South All-Star game this past December. “I appreciate everyone that has helped me here and to get to where I am now. To my mom, I thank you and love you. Without you, I would not be here.” Signal caller Coleman Gray will not be far away from home, as he will attend Newberry College. He earned all-region recognition in his junior and senior seasons, along with being voted Upstate Player of the Year for all classifications this past Fall. “I would like to thank God for this opportunity to further my education and athletic career at Newberry College. I am very thankful for my mom and dad raising me up and bringing me to this point to be a better man each day. Thank you to my family for supporting me along the way. Thank you to my football coaches for pushing me to get better every day. I would like to thank my teammates for all the memories. I appreciate all of you and loved playing football with y’all.” Defensive back Titus Sexton will make a short trek up Interstate 26 to North Carolina to play football for the Brevard College Tornadoes while majoring in criminal justice. He has been a three-sport athlete at Chapman, competing in football, wrestling, and track. “First, I would like to thank God because without Him, none of this is possible. I would also like to thank my family, coaches, teachers, and teammates for pushing me every day to get better. I want to give a special shoutout to my grandma for always pushing me to be better and showing me what is right and wrong, even if it meant staying at home with her all weekend.” Robert Gray, Chapman's head track coach, knew that entering the 2024 season, there was a need for the pole vault event. Using her background in gymnastics, Chloe Hudson has taken on that task and excelled, turning it into a strength for the program. Hudson also competes in the high jump and the 4x100 meter relay. She signed with Limestone University on Wednesday, where she plans to compete in the high jump. Academically, Hudson plans on majoring in criminal justice. “I would like to thank Coach Gray for pushing me to be better in everything (involving) track and Coach Edwards for introducing me to high jump. Thank you!” Mya Jackson announced her plans to attend USC Upstate. She will major in nursing while also continuing to work in cosmetology. She competes in the 100 meter, 200 meter, long jump, and triple jump events for the Panther track and field team. “I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to compete at the college level. I chose Upstate because it was the right fit for me. I get the best of both worlds in getting to be a college athlete and getting the best education. I would like to say thank you to my parents, family, friends, and my coaches for always pushing me to be better. Lastly, I would like to say thanks to Chapman High School for the last four years and cannot wait to spend the next four at USC Upstate.” INMAN, S.C. – Three softball teams began play on Tuesday with a chance at a share of the Region 3-3A championship and the top spot in the standings. The scenario for the Chapman Panthers was simple.
Just win. An offensive outburst over the final three innings helped power the Panthers to a 11-1 victory over the Broome Centurions in six innings. With the win, Chapman wins a share of the region crown and earns the number one seed, marking back-to-back Region 3-3A titles for the Panthers. Broome looked poised to strike in the opening frame as a Reagan Lee bunt single and an error put two Centurions in scoring position with one out. However, Chapman hurler Reagan Garrett picked up a strikeout and groundout to thwart the threat. Following the early scare, Garrett and the Panther defense retired the side in order over the next four innings. Autumn Fisher drew a leadoff walk in Chapman’s first turn at bat, swiped two bases, and trotted home on a scorching single to left by Garrett, staking the Panthers to an early 1-0 lead. The score remained that way until the fourth inning, when Chapman’s Madison Manning notched a seeing-eye single to left. Hailey Coley reached on a bunt single, but an error on the play allowed both Manning and Coley to score. Two batters later, Fisher launched a 0-2 offering over the left field wall, while Rylan Ivey earned a free pass and sprinted home on an error, creating a 5-0 lead for the Panthers. “They were being patient, waiting for their pitch, and being selective in their pitch choice,” said Chapman head coach Casey Green about the team’s approach. “Pitch selection has been huge for us. If I ask (Hailey) to bunt, she bunts. If I let her swing away, she can swing away. She is a triple threat – she can slap, she can hit, and she can bunt. She is also fast on the bases. She has accepted her role and what I ask of her.” Kenslie Edwards led off the Chapman fifth with a base hit to right and advanced to third on a wild pitch before crossing home plate on a Coley double to center. A Krislyn Wilder single to left plated Coley and extended the Panther advantage to seven. “I’ve been trying to have more confidence at the plate,” Edwards stated. “I struggled with that at the beginning, but as the season has gone on, I started gaining that confidence the more I’ve got on base. The more confidence I have, the easier it is to hit the ball.” “After my first two at-bats tonight, I had to make an adjustment because I kept popping it up. I had to go in there, think about what I was doing wrong – not the negatives, but taking the positives out of it – and fix it. It’s great to win the region because we get another home game. For the seniors, we want to keep playing at home.” Broome loaded the bases in the sixth and plated a run on a Chapman miscue. In the bottom of the inning, Ivey sliced an opposite field single to right and scored on a Garrett single to right, while Garrett and Sophie Whitley each rounded the bases on an Edwards single back up the box to center, which provided the final margin. Coley went 3-for-4 with a double and three runs batted in, while Edwards was 2-for-4 with two runs batted in. Garrett also went 2-for-4 with a run scored and two runs batted in, while Fisher notched a 2-for-3 night with a home run and two runs scored. Whitley drew two walks and scored once, while Manning (1-for-2, run scored) and Wilder (1-for-4, RBI) each added a hit. In the circle, Garrett yielded an unearned run while scattering three hits to go with three strikeouts. “(Kenslie) has been doing a really good job,” Green exclaimed about Edwards. “She works hard in practice and has really accepted her role as our designated player. She takes it and wants to do 100 percent of what she can do. Nothing was easy in region play, so we went about it in a different way. We are willing to work and want to win.” Chapman (14-5, 6-2) will close out the regular season with a trip to Gaffney for a non-region contest on Thursday, April 25th, slated for a 6 PM start. Thursday’s Scoreboard Boys Soccer – Chapman 3, Broome 0 · CHP clinches top seed in Region 3-3A · Next match: home on Monday o First Round of 3A Playoffs o Time & opponent TBA at publishing time Baseball – Chapman 7, Chesnee 6 · Next: home vs Chesnee, 7:30 PM on April 24th Boys Tennis: Chapman 6, West Oak 0 · CHP advances to 2nd round of 3A playoffs CHESNEE, SC - The Chapman Panthers baseball team picked up a 7-6 road win over the rival Chesnee Eagles on Tuesday evening, as the two teams started a back-to-back series between the two longtime rivals.
It's rare in a game where two teams combined for 13 runs and that one team got a solid performance from its starting pitcher, but that is exactly what happened for Chapman as starting pitcher Colt McPeters threw five scoreless innings for the Panthers while scattering three hits and striking out two. Chapman plated the game's first two runs in the top of the third inning as Kole Brown and Cole Daugherty each scored on errors to give the Panthers an early 2-0 lead. The Panthers doubled the lead in the top of the fifth inning as Grayden Humphries hit a leadoff double while Cole Daugherty and Hank Tolleson each drew walks to load the bases with two outs. Lawson Harris plated both Humphries and Daugherty with a two RBI single to make the score 4-0 in favor of the Panthers. The Panthers stretched the lead to 7-0 in the top of the sixth inning as Jake Santoro and Clay Justus reached base to start the inning. After Grayden Humphries sacrificed the runners up a base, Kole Brown drove in the first run with an RBI groundout. The highlight of the inning saw Cole Daugherty hit a deep shot to the centerfield wall and race all the way around the bases for a two run inside the park home run. The Eagles responded in the bottom of the sixth by sending nine batters to the plate and scoring five runs to cut the Panthers lead to 7-5. Kohen Orr, Tucker Johnson, and Paul Martin each reached base to start the inning as Aiden Greene drove in the first run with an RBI single along with a second run scoring on a balk. After Dawson Pruitt, and CJ Morgan walked to load the bases, Jaden Hill promptly cleared them with a deep three RBI double. Kohen Orr led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a leadoff double and later scored on an error that cut the Panther lead to 7-6, but that was as close as the Eagles would get. Cole Daugherty led the Panthers with three hits including the inside the park home run while Hank Tolleson also reached base three times for the Panthers. Jaden Hill had the biggest hit of the night for the Eagles with his three RBI double in his lone at bat while Aiden Greene hit a pair of singles and collected an RBI. The teams will face each other once again on Wednesday evening in Inman as it'll be the Panthers turn to host the rivalry with a 7:30 PM scheduled first pitch. |
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