Sports Headlines
Aleighsa Welch admitted both of the last two makes in the game of her life were lucky bounces.
Or maybe the Goose Creek star just had the magic touch, because that’s more what it looked like.
Or maybe the Goose Creek star just had the magic touch, because that’s more what it looked like.
Go ahead and mark it down. A rematch between Goose Creek and Spring Valley in next year’s final seems like a very strong possibility, Lady Gators junior forward Aleighsa Welch said.
“I know we’ll see them again but they’re going to be hungry to come get us,” said Welch, whose 36-point performance Friday dazzled onlookers at Colonial Life Arena. “We got ’em twice in one season … I think we can do this again.”
“I know we’ll see them again but they’re going to be hungry to come get us,” said Welch, whose 36-point performance Friday dazzled onlookers at Colonial Life Arena. “We got ’em twice in one season … I think we can do this again.”
Cane Bay sprinter Semaj Tolliver has picked up where she left off last season.
Tolliver, a sophomore, finished first in the 100-meter dash to highlight the performances turned in by Gazette-area track and field athletes in the annual Sandlapper Classic at West Ashley this past weekend.
Tolliver, a sophomore, finished first in the 100-meter dash to highlight the performances turned in by Gazette-area track and field athletes in the annual Sandlapper Classic at West Ashley this past weekend.
The Region I strength meet was held at Stratford High School Feb. 25 and the top three finishers in each varsity weight class qualified for the state competition March 27 at Crestwood High School in Sumter.
Also, the weight class champion at each junior varsity level qualified for JV state.
Also, the weight class champion at each junior varsity level qualified for JV state.
With the dawning of a new softball season, the Hanahan softball team is eyeing a return to the top.
Two seasons removed from a state championship, the Hawkettes return a solid nucleus from last season’s 21-8 squad, including pitcher Brittany Peters and offensive leaders Lauren Eastwood and Katie Seabrook.
Two seasons removed from a state championship, the Hawkettes return a solid nucleus from last season’s 21-8 squad, including pitcher Brittany Peters and offensive leaders Lauren Eastwood and Katie Seabrook.
Unearned runs were largely to blame for Goose Creek’s 8-2 loss to Summerville in its season-opening baseball game Monday.
The Gators committed five errors in the field that led to five unearned runs, including three in the first inning as Summerville took a 4-0 lead. Hoot Gibson’s solo blast to right field was the Green Wave’s lone earn run in the quick outburst.
The Gators committed five errors in the field that led to five unearned runs, including three in the first inning as Summerville took a 4-0 lead. Hoot Gibson’s solo blast to right field was the Green Wave’s lone earn run in the quick outburst.
The Goose Creek United Under-11 Cyclones fell to the Mt. Pleasant Revolution 3-1 Saturday.
The Revolution struck first but the Cyclones answered with a score off a corner kick by forward Omar Miramontes. The Revolution followed with two additional goals, capitalizing on Cyclone errors.
The Revolution struck first but the Cyclones answered with a score off a corner kick by forward Omar Miramontes. The Revolution followed with two additional goals, capitalizing on Cyclone errors.
Men’s Basketball
March 2
March 2
Cane Bay dropped its first regular season game Monday, falling 5-1 to West Ashley.
The Cobras, who were coming off an 8-6 win over Goose Creek in the last game of the Gators’ preseason tournament, scored their lone run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
The Cobras, who were coming off an 8-6 win over Goose Creek in the last game of the Gators’ preseason tournament, scored their lone run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Aleighsa Welch scored a season-high 36 points and pulled down 15 rebounds to lead Goose Creek's girls to their first-ever state championship with a 64-63 win over defending champion Spring Valley Friday night at Colonial Life Arena.
Welch's make of a technical free throw with 5.7 seconds left proved to be the winning margin for the Lady Gators, who trailed by as many as 21 points in the first half before coming back. Welch missed the first technical free throw after Spring Valley called a timeout when it didn't have one but settled down and got the roll on the next one.
Welch's make of a technical free throw with 5.7 seconds left proved to be the winning margin for the Lady Gators, who trailed by as many as 21 points in the first half before coming back. Welch missed the first technical free throw after Spring Valley called a timeout when it didn't have one but settled down and got the roll on the next one.
It was a night of unbridled joy and unforgettable pain at McAlister Fieldhouse Friday.
The Goose Creek basketball teams’ dreams of winning the Class AAAA championships together are no more.
The Goose Creek basketball teams’ dreams of winning the Class AAAA championships together are no more.
Goose Creek girls basketball coach Tim Baldwin talks to the Lady Gators during a timeout in the second half of the Lower State championship game Friday at McAlister Fieldhouse. GCHS defeated Dutch Fork 63-47 to advance to this Friday's Class AAAA championship game in Columbia versus defending champ Spring Valley. For complete details, see Sports.
The Charleston Southern basketball team ended the season with a 64-61 loss to Radford in the opening round of the Big South tournament Tuesday at the Dedmon Center in Radford, Va.
The Buccaneers, who end the season 13-17, trailed by 16 points at the half but were able to force overtime. They didn’t score the first four minutes of OT and fell behind 61-55 before trying to rally.
The Buccaneers, who end the season 13-17, trailed by 16 points at the half but were able to force overtime. They didn’t score the first four minutes of OT and fell behind 61-55 before trying to rally.
Of the dozen Gazette-area high school wrestlers involved in the individual state championships this past weekend at Rock Hill High School, five finished either second or third in their respective weight classes.
In each weight class, four each from the Upper State and Lower State vied for the titles.
In each weight class, four each from the Upper State and Lower State vied for the titles.
Stratford baseball coach John Chalus and the Knights enter another spring on the diamond with a solid cast.
They bring back one of their top pitchers, senior southpaw Chris Hanna, and a number of other key players from last season’s 18-6 team. But they only have three seniors, Chalus said.
They bring back one of their top pitchers, senior southpaw Chris Hanna, and a number of other key players from last season’s 18-6 team. But they only have three seniors, Chalus said.
Goose Creek girls basketball coach Tim Baldwin is certain of two things heading into the state championship game Friday.
One, that most expect defending champion Spring Valley to win.
One, that most expect defending champion Spring Valley to win.
The brainchild of Goose Creek High School strength coach Joey Bowers will likely materialize into a marquee event for the Lowcountry.
The inaugural Roper St. Francis Sports Medicine Lowcountry Power Clean Championships will be held at GCHS Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m.
The inaugural Roper St. Francis Sports Medicine Lowcountry Power Clean Championships will be held at GCHS Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m.
Hanahan’s baseball team ended last season in the Lower State finals and has plenty of experience to contend for even more this season.
“It’s probably the best situation we’ve been in as far as depth is concerned,” Hanahan coach Brian Mitchell said. “We’ve got the most talent we’ve ever had… Our team definitely doesn’t lack confidence. We’ve still got to work hard and come to play everyday though.”
“It’s probably the best situation we’ve been in as far as depth is concerned,” Hanahan coach Brian Mitchell said. “We’ve got the most talent we’ve ever had… Our team definitely doesn’t lack confidence. We’ve still got to work hard and come to play everyday though.”
The Goose Creek baseball team won’t open the season with high expectations but Gators coach Scott Durham expects his team to make strides each day.
The Gators return five players with significant experience from a squad that went 10-14 overall and 2-6 in Region 7-AAAA play.
The Gators return five players with significant experience from a squad that went 10-14 overall and 2-6 in Region 7-AAAA play.
There’s an ordinary cheerleading squad and then there’s the Goose Creek cheerleaders.
Both of the school’s basketball coaches agree some of the success on the court can be traced back to the stands, where the cheerleaders distribute positive energy throughout the building.
Both of the school’s basketball coaches agree some of the success on the court can be traced back to the stands, where the cheerleaders distribute positive energy throughout the building.
The Goose Creek United U11 Cyclones slipped to near the bottom of the rankings in their division following a pair of losses this weekend.
They lost to the James Island Red 2-1 Saturday and Summerville United 4-0 Sunday.
They lost to the James Island Red 2-1 Saturday and Summerville United 4-0 Sunday.
Men’s Basketball
Thursday, Feb. 25
Thursday, Feb. 25
Of the 12 Gazette-area wrestlers that started out the individual championships Friday at Rock Hill High School, seven enter Saturday with a chance to win a state title.
Four of the five Hanahan grapplers won their first matches Friday, highlighted by a major upset by 152-pounder Dennis Flores.
Four of the five Hanahan grapplers won their first matches Friday, highlighted by a major upset by 152-pounder Dennis Flores.
Goose Creek High School basketball fans that flocked to The Citadel for the Class AAAA Lower State basketball finals left only partly pleased at what they saw Friday night.
The Lady Gators provided the joy, beating Dutch Fork 63-47, while the boys team endured a season-ending loss, falling to Lexington 72-61.
The Lady Gators provided the joy, beating Dutch Fork 63-47, while the boys team endured a season-ending loss, falling to Lexington 72-61.
Local high schools will have 12 wrestlers competing in this weekend’s individual state championships in Rock Hill.
The top four finishers in each weight class at last weekend’s Lower State qualifiers advanced to the state finals.
The top four finishers in each weight class at last weekend’s Lower State qualifiers advanced to the state finals.
Both the Lowcountry Preseason Invitational for varsity teams and junior varsity Rotary Classic baseball tournaments are on the horizon.
The Lowcountry Preseason Invitational, sponsored American Legion Post 166, begins Feb. 26 with two games at Goose Creek and two at Berkeley.
The Lowcountry Preseason Invitational, sponsored American Legion Post 166, begins Feb. 26 with two games at Goose Creek and two at Berkeley.
Both Hanahan basketball teams ended the season in the opening round of the Class AA playoffs against two of the better programs in the state.
The Lady Hawks lost at defending champion Marion, while the boys tripped up at defending Lower State champion Mullins.
The Lady Hawks lost at defending champion Marion, while the boys tripped up at defending Lower State champion Mullins.
If you need drama in your life, then the Goose Creek boys basketball team is the squad for you.
For the second straight playoff game, the defending Class AAAA champions wiggled off a big hook to keep hopes of a repeat alive, squeaking past Irmo 73-69 in overtime Saturday. The win put the Gators (22-3) in the third round to meet Fort Dorchester Tuesday. For results of that game, please see our web site.
For the second straight playoff game, the defending Class AAAA champions wiggled off a big hook to keep hopes of a repeat alive, squeaking past Irmo 73-69 in overtime Saturday. The win put the Gators (22-3) in the third round to meet Fort Dorchester Tuesday. For results of that game, please see our web site.
Goose Creek – Aleighsa Welch pondered her team’s five-point deficit, then made a sweeping looking around the locker room at her teammates and was completely confident everything was going to turn out fine.
Her premonition was right on, and the Lady Gators are in the Lower State finals after knocking off Hartsville 46-43 in the third round of the Class AAAA playoffs Monday night.
Her premonition was right on, and the Lady Gators are in the Lower State finals after knocking off Hartsville 46-43 in the third round of the Class AAAA playoffs Monday night.
Building off the success of last season, the Goose Creek United Soccer Club was able to form an additional team in the U11/U12 bracket by dissolving last season’s Spirit team and combining them with some new faces to form the U11B Cyclones and the U12B Hurricanes.
After rain outs for the first two weeks of the season, the U11 Cyclones were anxious to play and finally got to see action on the field Saturday against the NASA Revolution.
After rain outs for the first two weeks of the season, the U11 Cyclones were anxious to play and finally got to see action on the field Saturday against the NASA Revolution.
Men’s Basketball
Saturday, Feb. 20
Saturday, Feb. 20
Cane Bay’s baseball team will be as experienced as any team in the area but is still on the young side as it heads into its second season.
“It’s a big benefit when you’ve got everybody back with a year’s worth of experience,” said Cobras coach Shane Todd, whose team went 6-14 a year ago with only freshmen and sophomores. “With what we have, we’ll have a chance to be competitive in each game. We’re going to need to get good pitching and timely hits.”
“It’s a big benefit when you’ve got everybody back with a year’s worth of experience,” said Cobras coach Shane Todd, whose team went 6-14 a year ago with only freshmen and sophomores. “With what we have, we’ll have a chance to be competitive in each game. We’re going to need to get good pitching and timely hits.”
Whatever bad habits or propensity for drama the Goose Creek boys basketball team might have developed in the first two rounds were nowhere to be found Tuesday night.
The Gators extended their win streak to 14 games with a remarkably easy 63-39 victory over Fort Dorchester in the third round of the Class AAAA playoffs. Goose Creek (23-3) raced out to an 18-3 lead less than seven minutes into the game and never had to check the rearview mirror, a stark contrast in performances from the big comebacks in the first and second rounds.
The Gators extended their win streak to 14 games with a remarkably easy 63-39 victory over Fort Dorchester in the third round of the Class AAAA playoffs. Goose Creek (23-3) raced out to an 18-3 lead less than seven minutes into the game and never had to check the rearview mirror, a stark contrast in performances from the big comebacks in the first and second rounds.
If you need drama in your life, then the Goose Creek boys basketball team is the squad for you.
For the second straight playoff game, the defending Class AAAA champions wiggled off a big hook to keep hopes of a repeat alive, squeaking past Irmo 73-69 in overtime Saturday. The win puts the Gators (22-3) in the third round to meet Fort Dorchester Tuesday.
For the second straight playoff game, the defending Class AAAA champions wiggled off a big hook to keep hopes of a repeat alive, squeaking past Irmo 73-69 in overtime Saturday. The win puts the Gators (22-3) in the third round to meet Fort Dorchester Tuesday.
Aleighsa Welch scored a team-high 18 points and N'Dea Bryant added 17 as the Goose Creek girls basketball team pulled out a 56-46 victory over visiting North Augusta Friday night at GCHS.
It was the 15th straight win for the Lady Gators (24-1) and moved them into the third round of the Class AAAA playoffs to face Hartsville Monday, also at GCHS.
It was the 15th straight win for the Lady Gators (24-1) and moved them into the third round of the Class AAAA playoffs to face Hartsville Monday, also at GCHS.
