Carolina Academy softball shows solid potential
David Shelton • March 19, 2025
By David Shelton
Senior Writer
Lake City – Just two weeks into the 2025 high school softball season, the Carolina Academy softball team, led by coaching legend Scotty Phillips, has faced some adversity.
Phillips reports the loss of returning shortstop Kelsey Smith to a lingering knee injury. Smith will sit out her junior season in hopes of healing and returning in 2026.
“That hurts because she’s a good player and she’s experienced,” Phillips said. “But what can you do? We have to move on and someone else has to step up. We’ll be okay.”
It’s not like Phillips has never had to replace personnel. He has inserted eighth-grader Paisley McCutcheon at shortstop and feels strongly that she can handle the work. McCutcheon was slated to play second base this season.
The Bobcats opened the season with a 2-2 record and showed positive signs. However, Phillips says the team needs work.
“I feel good about what we can be but we need a few weeks to iron some things out,” the coach said. “I see a lot of potential with this team but they have to focus and continue to work.”
The strength of the 2025 team is inside the pitching circle. Junior Raylee Frye is a third-year performer who is as good as any hurler in SCISA when she brings her “A” game. Freshman Ella Ham will log innings at pitcher as well while also playing centerfield and first base. Lauren Sims also will pitch and share third base duties with Frye.
“We have three good pitchers, dependable,” Phillips said. “I feel good giving the ball to any of them.”
Handling the catching duties is returning starter Carlie Ann Smith, a junior who has been impressive behind the dish early on.
Sophomore
Jaylyn Davis will play most of the innings at first base while eighth-grader
Natalie Braveboy will move from left to second base to replace McCutcheon.
Three eighth-graders,
Paisley Coker, Kayley Lyerly and
Emma Amos are working in rightfield, with Ham also getting reps.
“Young and new in the outfield so we have a lot of work to do.” Phillips said.
Rounding out the varsity roster this season are Katherine Holiday, Lexi McCutcheon, Sarah Emma Garris, Savannah McCUtcheon, Jennifer Vargas and Hannah Grace Matthews.
Softball winless in first four region games; baseball starts 2-4
Miller, Billups lead baseball team; trio of Ransom, Robinson, Montgomery paces softball
By Billy G. Baker Publisher Moncks Corner —The High School Sports Report is proud to release our 37 th consecutive all-state basketball teams, from both the SCHSL and SCISA, for the recently completed 2024-25 season. Despite there being no signings of boy’s or girls’ basketball players to either South Carolina or Clemson from the 2025 class, it was a solid year for in-state talent none-the-less. The staff of the HSSR attended every SCHSL play-off game held the Florence Center this past season, and the majority of the post-season games held in Sumter, involving SCISA competition. Over the past three seasons, the HSSR has literally witnessed 70 per cent of these players chosen for our 2024-25 all-state teams play in person, logging thousands of miles to see these players in action first-hand. Abijah Franklin, the recent MVP of the Carolina’s Classic all-star game versus North Carolina, after he scored a team high 24 points in the game, has been named the HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 Mr. Basketball . The Furman signee led the state in scoring this season at 33 points, 8 rebounds, three assists and two steals a game. Franklin is a two-time all-state pick. After leading Andrew Jackson to their second straight AA basketball title this season, Elon signee Tamia Watkins, has been named the HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 Miss Basketball . Watkins, closed out an outstanding six-year career by averaging 30.1 points and 4 rebounds a game her senior season. She recently led the South Carolina Select team with 14 points against North Carolina in that annual all-star game between the two states. From the SCISA ranks Heathwood Hall senior point guard Lauren Jacobs was almost a unanimous choice for the HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 Miss Basketball honors. The Ole Miss signee averaged 25.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.7 steals a game this past season closing out an outstanding career with the Highlanders. The HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 Mr. SCISA Basketball is Porter-Gaud senior John Michael Jenkins . Jenkins was among the fastest moving players in recent memory on the court and he averaged nearly 20 points a game, with seven assists, and four steals a game this season. Jenkins scored 21 points in the Cyclones state title win over Agusta Christian recently. He is currently entertaining college offers after transferring to P-G from Oceanside Collegiate two years ago. HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 Mr. Basketball - Abijah Franklin-Wren HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - Statewide Boys Player of Year-Josh Leonard-Wilson HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - Div. I AAAAA Boys Player of Year-Korie Corbett-Ridge View HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - Div. II AAAAA Boy’s Player of Year---Caden Coleman-Greenville HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - AAAA Boys Player of Year-Jordan Watford-Lancaster HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - AAA Boys Player of Year—Brian Sumpter-Keenan HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - AA Boys Player of Year—Jamie Brooks-Atlantic Collegiate HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - Class A Boys Player of Year—Joshua Goodman-Denmark-Olar HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - Div. I AAAAA Boys Coach of Year—Josh Staley-Ridge View HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - Div. II AAAAA Boys Coach of Year—Mike Anderson-Greenville HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - AAAA Boys Coach of Year—Jerron Cauthen-Lancaster HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - AAA Boys Coach of Year-Zach Norris-Keenan HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - AA Boys Coach of Year—Tanner Massey-Atlantic Collegiate HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 – Class A Boys Coach of Year-Hercules Davis -Denmark-Olar HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 Div. I AAAAA All-State Boys Basketball TJ Lewis-Blythewood Evan Enos-Byrnes Melvin Teal-Summerville Gavin Ward-James Island Yasir Cromer-River Bluff Colt Fowler-Byrnes Rex Walter-Boiling Springs Keenan Whiteside-Dorman Kaleb Evans-Lexington Ethan Crews-Easley Dontez Walker-JL Mann HSSR 2024-25 Div. II AAAAA All-State Boys Basketball Damien Kinloch-Berkeley John Cleveland-Berkeley Roman Cooley-Greenville Franklin Whitley-Greenville Shane Potts-Goose Creek Ja’Quell Brown-Goose Creek Sebi Boyogueno-Riverside Logan Parker-Fort Mill Nas Berry-Fort Mill CJ Terrell-Greenwood Thomas Rouse-Eastside Rickey Littlejohn-Gaffney James Watson-Myrtle Beach HSSR 2024-25 All-State AAAA Boys Basketball Lamont Britt-Gray Collegiate Levi Ball-Gray Collegiate Columbus Parker-Lancaster Malik Tinsley-Lancaster Jacarey Ballard-Lancaster Amare Anderson-Greer Malik Tinsley-Lancaster Da’Ron Dunbar-North Augusta Quh’mareon Webb-North Augusta Brock Cherry-Wren Kmajay Jenkins-Westside Tristian Thompson-Wilson Shannon Davis-Crestwood Johnathan Perry-Christ Church HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 All-State AAA Boys Basketball Eric Gray-Union County Antoine Caughman-Keenan Khalid Sherman-Loris Zay Robertson-Dillon Jordan McGahee-Orangeburg-Wilkinson Justin Vining-Fox Creek Quan Burton-Powdersville Jaleel McGee-Powdersville Von Burton-Powdersville Johnathan Perry-Christ Church Adam Bown-Christ Church AJ Edwards-Brookland-Cayce Grayson Patterson-Woodruff Blayne Edwards-Lake City Brelin Davis-BHP HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 All-State AA Boys Basketball Jaylen Bellamy-Atlantic Collegiate CJ Hemingway-Atlantic Collegiate Bryce Peterson-Andrew Jackson Zeke Clyburn-Andrew Jackson J’Sean Sanders-High Point Academy Chonci Miller-High Point Academy Jaden McNeil-High Point Academy Eli Brown-Chesnee Tushawn Richardson-Clinton Manny Davis-Eau Claire Darius Brooks-Hampton County Deyon Ford-Mullins Dakarai Worley-Mullins Charles White-Marion Jeffrey Ceasar-Manning Caden Edmond-Central Amarion Wilson-Bridges Prep HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 All-State Class A Boys Basketball Gavin Hood-Great Falls Tykeem Ross-Denmark-Olar Terrence Hinton-Denmark-Olar Terence McFadden-Bethune Bowman Bryson Robinson-Bethune-Bowman Jayden Baylor-Abbeville Darius Riley-Abbeville Cayden Ramsey-Cross Stetson Stacks-North Tylin Jenkins-Hannah-Pamplico Kenard Heyward-Carvers Bay Tyrek Wright-McBee Darius Houston-McCormick Jayden Crawford-Green Sea-Floyds Nasir Brooks-Hemingway HSSR 2024-25 Boys All-Rookie Basketball Nathaniel Freeman-Bridges Prep Huck Flynn-Riverside Judah Lee-Green Sea-Floyds Riggs Savage-Powdersville Zay Harris-North Augusta Anton Daniels-Atlantic Collegiate Brice Wiersma-TL Hanna James Gamble-East Clarendon Beau Hite-Emerald HSSR- SCHSL 2024-25 -Miss Basketball— Tamia Watkins-Andrew Jackson HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 -Div. I AAAAA Girls Player Of Year- Chase Thomas-Blythewood HSSR SCHSL 2024-25 – Div. II AAAAA Girls Player Of Year—Amani McCray-Berkeley HSSR SCHSL 2024-25 – AAAA Girls Player Of Year-Celena Grant-North Augusta HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 -- AAA Girls Player Of Year—Kami Roach-Walhalla HSSR SCHSL 2024-25 - AA Girls Player of Year— Ni’Yonna Asbelle-Andrew Jackson HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 - Class A Girls Player of Year—Dream Watson-Military Magnet HSSR SCHSL 2024-25 Div. I -Statewide Girls Coach Of Year-- HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 -Div. I AAAAA Girls Coach Of Year—Emily McElveen-Schaffer-Blythewood HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 Div. II AAAAA Girls Coach of Year-Crystal Peace-Berkeley High HSSR SCHSL 2024-25 - AAAA Girls Coach Of Year-Al Young-North Augusta HSSR SCHSL 2024-25 - AAA Girls Coach Of Year-Bryon Wimphrie-Walhalla HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 -AA Girls Coach of Year—Steven Fair-Andrew Jackson HSSR SCHSL 2024-25 – Class A Girls Coach Of Year-Nathaniel Taylor-Military Magnet HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 Div. I Girl’s All-State Basketball Jade Hailstock-JL Mann Skyla Tuthill-Ashley Ridge Jahzara Leamon-Mauldin India Williams-Blythewood Hayley Hightower-Blythewood Molly Daugherty-Summerville Cailah Tucker-Summerville Emma Daugherty-Summerville Morgan White-Dorman Aubrey Stevenson-Rock Hill Chole Hudson-Rock Hill Ashlyn Evans-Byrnes Clara Mustapher-Stratford Breah Franks-JL Mann Anasia Harvey-Ridge View HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 Div. II Girl’s All-State Basketball Alaina Carter-Berkeley Madison Thomas-Berkeley Tamera Wynn-TL Hanna Faith Farmer-North Myrtle Beach Danielle Oliver-Greenwood TyKirea Johnson-Greenwood Cameron Oliver-Greenwood Elly Trickett-Riverside Shiriah Harris-Gaffney Tianah “TT” Hopper-Gaffney Ava Owens-Greenville Madeline Dates-Goose Creek Michaela Fairwell-Dutch Fork Shaelyn Hayes-White Knoll Aneya Britt-Westwood HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 All-State AAAA Girls Basketball Ashley Walker-North Augusta Kenedi Wright-North Augusta Khalia Hartwell-Westside Asia Clinksales-Westside Kaleigh Lucas-South Pointe Janiya Cunningham-South Pointe Hannah Rosato-Bishop England Braylin Mungo-Camden Lila Mann-Daniel Shala Williams-Daniel Jhnai Sumpter-Lower Richland Chi’Nya Isaac-Lower Richland Malasia Jamison-Aiken Logan Murray-Wilson Kadence Walker-Lee-Gray Collegiate HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 All-State AAA Girls Basketball Miley White-Walhalla Gianna Ortiz-Walhalla Miley White-Walhalla Treasure Davis-Dillon Khw’Nylaha McKinnon-Dillon Taylor Lee-Sutton-Keenan Janiya Richburg-Loris Marisa Moody-Loris Ella Mae Schepp-Oceanside Collegiate Sadie Burnette-Woodruff Krislyn Wilder-Chapman Reagan Mobley-West Oak Devyn Blackwell-Southside Christian Janiya Cunningham-South Pointe HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 All-State AA Girls Basketball Janiyah Squire-Ninety-Six Essence Rodgers-Blacksburg Jazzlyn McMillan-Fairfield Central Emily McCall-Andrew Jackson Jaeda Davis-Marion Maliyah Williams-Marion Kylie Fortner-Landrum Destinee Tiller-Eau Claire Milaysha Chisolm-Eau Claire Aimarika Moorer-Lake Marion Hannah Riles-Lake City Naydia Shaw-Kingstree HSSR-SCHSL 2024-25 All-State Class A Girls Basketball Autumn Thomas-Calhoun Falls DeNiriyah Williams-Military Magnet Sabri Mitchell-Military Magnet Serenity Williams-Lee Central Hannah Reames-Lee Central My’Keriyah Holmes-Lee Central Kalen Mayes-Denmark-Olar Aveion Walker-Denmark-Olar Tiffany Helmer-St. Joseph’s Catholic Kailen Parks-North Lauren Middleton-Cross Aysiah Bonaparte-Hunter-Kinard-Tylar Tilayzia Youmans-Hunter- Kinard-Tyler D’Essence Graham-Carver’s Bay Jasmyn Jenkins-Carver’s Bay Raven Brown-Bamberg-Ehrhardt HSSR-2024-25 All-Rookie Girls Basketball Tiana Marshall - Westside (8 th ) Imani Levey - Berkeley Miracle Cheeks - Greenville Jaiden McKnight - Kingstree Maddie Pojani - First Baptist CoCo Charley - North Evie Adams - St. Joseph’s Catholic Campbell Delaney - Orangeburg Prep Lauren Willis - Military Magnet HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 SCISA Boys Basketball HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 Mr. SCISA Basketball - John Michael Jenkins - Porter-Gaud HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 AAAA Boys Player Of Year - Bryce Reyierson - Augusta Christian HSSR-SCISA 2024-25- AAA Boys Player Of Year - Ty Harping - Hilton Head Prep HSSR-SCISA 2024-25-AA Boys Player Of Year - Bryce Ward - Cathedral Academy HSSR-SCISA 2024-25- Class A Boys Player of Year - Kavontay Rose - Ragin Prep HSSR-SCISA 2024-25- AAAA Boys Coach of Year - John Pearson - Porter-Gaud HSSR-SCISA 2024-25- AAA Boys Coach Of Year - Richard Barron - Hilton Head Prep HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 -AA Boys Coach of the Year - Blake Ferguson - Cathedral Academy HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 -Class A Boys Coach of the Year - Anthony Jackson- Ragin Prep HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 All-State AAAA Boys Griffin Ferrano-Porter-Gaud Banks Butler-Porter Gaud Kateaux Miller-Porter Gaud Kais Parris-Pinewood Prep Tre Green-Pinewood Prep Tripp Eidson -Pinewood Prep Jonathan Slawson-Pinewood Prep Braysen Stockman-Ben Lippen Ty Shine-Augusta Christian Aamere Tolbert-Augusta Christian Hugh Humphries-Wilson Hall KJ Allen-Trinity Collegiate JY’Ell Preston-Trinity Collegiate Tristen McCleary-Heath Jaiden Haltiwanger-Hammond Kamari Hunter-Heathwood Hall Tristen McCleary-Heathwood Hall Jackson Ross-Hammond Luis Echevanna-Cardinal Newman Scoop Dennis-Laurence Manning HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 All-State AAA Boys Billy Barron-Hilton Head Prep Brenden Moore-Hilton Head Prep T Riley-Orangeburg Prep Avery Ravenell-Orangeburg Prep Colby Richardson-Pee Dee Academy Bennett Causey-Pee Dee Academy Payne Wood-Spartanburg Day Ron Rank-Spartanburg Day Ty Kennedy-Greenwood Christian Crews Felder-Calhoun Academy Taylor Greene-Florence Christian Thomas Hester-St. Johns Christian Mateo Costello-Colleton Prep Thompson Stone-Dillon Christian Jackson Outlar-Dillon Christian Tucker Shealey-First Presbryterian Rowen Croft-Patrick Henry Mikell Tucker Mathis-Patrick Henry HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 All-State AA Boys Kadan Whitledge-Cathedral Academy Ajani Gresham-Cathedral Academy Dominic Felis-Cathedral Academy Gage Dicks-Andrew Jackson Academy Hayden McClung-Andrew Jackson Academy Hall Sease-Andrew Jackson Academy Vashahd Schofield-Andrew Jackson Academy Tony O’Banner-Thomas Heyward Academy Kelan Fripp-Thomas Heyward Israel Wright-Bethesda Academy Abe Shuler-Dorchester Academy Landon Turner-Carolina Academy Walker McCutchen-Carolina Academy Trace June-Lee Academy John Quattlebaum-Dorchester Academy Daniel Shetley-Oakbrook Prep Yannick Huelsmeyer-Faith Christian HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 All-State Class A Boys Jody Gillam-Holly Hill Academy Ashton Soles-Holly Hill Academy Omarai Myers-Ragin Prep Zymir Robinson-Hill-Ragin Prep Kayshaun Rutherford-Ragin Prep Trez Mincey-Curtis Baptist Treivan Wright-Curtis Baptist Charlie Bonds-Richard Winn Bennett Nicholson-Richard Winn Colson Loadholt-Jefferson Davis Nasir Void-Jefferson Davis Reece Still-Jefferson Davis Academy Caleb Wilbanks-Newberry Academy HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 Girls Basketball Awards: HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 Miss SCISA Basketball - Lauren Jacobs-Heathwood Hall HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 AAAA Girls Player Of Year - Makayla Leggette-Trinity Collegiate HSSR-SCISA 2024-25- AAA Girls Player Of Year - Rebecca Hammond-Pee Dee Academy HSSR-SCISA 2024-25- AA Girls Player Of Year - Ryan Mayers-Cross Schools HSSR- SCISA 2024-25- Class A Girls Player of Year - Jaliyah Terry-Curtis Baptist HSSR- SCISA 2024-25- AAAA Girls Coach of Year - Bree Goodson-Trinity Collegiate HSSR-SCISA 2024-25- AAA Girls Coach Of Year - Meagan Thomas-Pee Dee Academy HSSR- SCISA 2024-25 -AA Girls Coach of the Yea- Doc Archibald-Cross Schools HSSR-SCISA 2022-23-Class A Girls Coach of the Yea- Tim Johnson-Curtis Baptist HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 AAAA Girl’s All-State Salease Kind-Trinity-Collegiate Natalie Pitts-Trinity Collegiate Cokey Suddeth-Palmetto Christian Maliyah Birch-Northwood Academy Rylan Dundon-Northwood Academy Ava Rush-First Baptist Gabby Moore-First Baptist Paige Pouyat-First Baptist SaBreya Monsanto-Heathwood Hall Camillea Gore-Heathwood Hall Avery Schwarz-Augusta Christian Lyza Pricklemyer-Laurence Manning Logan Mims-Wilson Hall Lauren Majorkiewicz-John Paul II Makenna Ellis-Augusta Christian Evie Godfrey-Northside Christian Chaelyn Tifre-Northside Christian Elaina Whalen-Ben Lippen Perry Chambers-Porter-Gaud HSSR 2024--25 All-State SCISA AAA Girls Courtney Campbell-Hilton Head Prep Erin Cleary-Hilton Head Prep Claire Owens-Pee Dee Academy Claire Eskridge-Pee Dee Academy Jane Walker Yonce-Orangeburg Prep Hannah Lambrecht-Orangeburg Prep Annabelle Hunter-Orangeburg Prep Anne Hatcher White-Colleton Prep Ava Murray-Colleton Prep Kylie Finley-St. Johns Christian Audrey Fredere-Greenwood Christian Emma Hudgens-Greenwood Christian Emerson Poston-Florence Christian Lillian Lucas-Patrick Henry Laney Futch-Patrick Henry Kaytlin McJimpsey-Spartanburg Day Mandy Wells-Clarendon Hall Ashlee Berry-Clarendon Hall Layla Walker-Calhoun Academy HSSR 2024--25 All-State SCISA AA Girls Lexann Maldonado-Cross Schools Sydney Hollings-Cross Schools McKinnley Beard-Andrew Jackson Academy Bella Carrigg-Andrew Jackson Academy Braylee Burke-Laurens Academy Madisyn Graham-Laurens Academy Rylee Weathers-Dorchester Academy Emery McClure-Dorchester Academy Emma Amos-Carolina Academy Mazie Tomlinson-Lee Academy Karagan Melton-Lee Academy Caro Chmura-Charleston Collegiate Madison Williams-Cathedral Raven Williams-Cathedral HSSR-SCISA 2024-25 All-State Class A Girls Macy Butler-Curtis Baptist Lily Kilroy-Curtis Baptist Charlotte Lewis-Richard Winn Abby Lewis-Richard Winn Milly Kate Prescott-Holly Hill Academy Taylor Hill-Wardlaw Academy Maddie Deloach-Wardlaw Academy Milly Kate Prescott-Holly Hill Academy Rileigh York-Jefferson Davis Academy Riley Williams-Jefferson Davis Academy Payton Hutto-Jefferson Davis Academy McKenzie Glanton-Mead Hall Carolina Wiedenman-Mead Hall Kenzie Morse-WW King
Matthews, Wilder join Humphries on All-Region team
Kevin Miller no longer boys basketball head coach
Tigers return 4 All-Region players in Williams, Arant, Shaw, Uhlar
Dakarai Worley selected to SCBCA AA All-State team
Burris, Silver Foxes had success on the field while watching his wife lose battle with cancer
Blazers reach quarterfinals of AA girls basketball playoffs for 3rd straight year
Anna Kate Huggins, Emerson Poston, Demi Greene All-Region picks
