Monday, March 30, 2020

New York Yankee pitcher Jordan Montgomery smiles during a spring training workout. Montgomery, the former Sumter High, Sumter P-15's and University of South Carolina standout, had plenty to smile about this spring as he earned a spot in the rotation after recovering from Tommy John surgery. The start of the Major League Baseball season has been delayed because of the coronavirus.

Yankees' Montgomery feeling good while waiting for season to start

Former Sumter pitcher Tradd James has the opportunity to return to College of Charleston next year if he so chooses after his senior season was cancelled this spring due to the coronavirus.

Charleston's James considering returning for "senior" season after cancellation

Sumter tight end Vincent Davis, center left, is surrounded by family as he signs to play football at Brevard College.

Sumter TE Davis signs to play at Brevard College

Lakewood pitcher Cody Windham delivers a pitch during the Gators' 3-2 loss to Sumter on Thursday. Windham will be Lakewood's ace as the Gators work to get back to the postseason this year.

Sumter tops Lakewood 3-2 in rivalry game; Gators look to make it back to playoffs

Sumter's Kassandra Martin (17) handles the ball during a 3-2, 2-overtime loss to Airport on Wednesday. Martin scored a late goal to give the Lady Gamecocks the lead, before Airport scored to force overtime and go on to win in the second overtime period.

Sumter girls soccer falls to Airport in 2 OTs for bump in great start to season

The Item's Wednesday Watch 3.11.20

Wednesday, March 11

1. Gamecock women win SEC tourneyLast week’s ranking: #3 The top-ranked South Carolina women’s basketball team defeated No. 9 Mississippi State 76-62 on Sunday to win the SEC …

Young Gamecocks hope to build on season-opening win over Crestwood

Wednesday, March 11

There's a reason preseason games don't count. After getting outscored 37-1 in three preseason games last weekend, Sumter High School's varsity baseball team routed crosstown rival Crestwood 10-1 on Monday in both teams' season openers. "We …

Sumter's Arnold to play baseball with Florence-Darlington

Tuesday, March 10

When Brandon Arnold was a freshman in the Sumter High School baseball program, he was a middle infielder who stood 5-feet-7-inches tall. However, he had an amazing physical transformation heading into his sophomore season. Most people call it a …

Sumter's Coker signs to play with Columbia International

Friday, March 6

Playing the game of baseball has always been something that Wylie Coker has wanted to do beyond high school, and he's going to get the opportunity to do that. However, it wasn't just all about the baseball fit for him. He had some other things he …

Gamecocks' Hoshour to continue baseball career at Florence-Darlington

Friday, March 6

Sumter High School outfielder Jackson Hoshour will be playing college baseball with Florence-Darlington Technical College next season, having signed with the junior college last week. He is already looking beyond the two years he will be with the …

More Sumter High School News

Sumter's Coleman signs with Middle Tennessee State

Sumter High School linebacker Donte' Coleman signed to play college football with Middle Tennessee State University last week. And Gamecock head coach Mark Barnes has a guarantee for the Blue Raiders coaching staff. "He's going to play for …

The Item's Wednesday Watch 3.4.20

The Item’s Wednesday Watch is a weekly look at the buzz around tri-county sports. The Item sports staff will pick its most noteworthy stories, stats and quotes for the week. 1. Clarendon …

REL alum Shannon shines with Francis Marion softball

Carson Shannon has had an impressive start to her college softball career. The Robert E. Lee Academy graduate started the first 21 games for Francis Marion University and hit .333 with 20 runs batted in, which ranked second on the team. During …

Sumter soccer beats Lakewood to win Gator Classic

The Sumter High School varsity boys soccer team defeated Lakewood 2-0 on Saturday at J. Frank Baker Stadium to win the 24th Annual Gator Classic. The Gamecocks went 3-0 in the tournament, beating Camden 3-0 and Wilson Hall 8-0. Jordy …

Ella Alan scores 4 goals, Lady Gamecocks rout Crestwood 19-0

Sumter High School’s varsity girls soccer team began their season in dominating fashion, beating Sumter County rival Crestwood 19-0 on Monday night. The Lady Gamecocks are now 1-0 on the season.

Roberts scores four goals, Gamecocks down Wilson Hall 8-0

Sumter High School’s varsity boys soccer team opened their season with a convincing 8-0 victory over Wilson Hall in round one of the Gator Classic on Friday.

Sumter's Jackson, McDonald look to make splash at state

The Sumter High School wrestling program has worked hard to rebuild over the last few seasons, and that work has paid off this season as two sophomores will be competing in the 5A individual state championships on Friday and Saturday at Anderson …

Sumter's Justus Boone commits to Florida

Sumter High School defensive end Justus Boone announced a commitment to the Florida Gators on Wednesday on Twitter.

Door opens wider for Montgomery with Severino's Tommy John surgery

DUNEDIN, Fla. - Luis Severino will miss the season with an elbow injury that requires Tommy John surgery, and the New York Yankees' rotation no longer looks all that imposing. New York announced Tuesday that the 26-year-old right-hander has a …

South Carolina offers junior college LB Strong

The University of South Carolina was the first Southeastern Conference program to offer linebacker Navonteque Strong (6-foot-1-inch, 230 pounds) of Forest, Miss., and Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College. Strong will be going into his second …

The Item's Wednesday Watch 2.26

1. Scott's Branch teams to each play in state semisLast week’s ranking: Unranked The Scott’s Branch girls basketball team played its way into the 1A Lower State championship game for …

Sumter's Jackson, McDonald earn spots in 5A individual wrestling state tourney

LAURENS - Sumter High School wrestlers Davin Jackson and Jacob McDonald qualified for the 5A individual state tournament with their performances in the Upper State championships on Friday and Saturday at the Laurens High School gymnasium. Jackson …

Gamecocks fall to Goose Creek 51-46

GOOSE CREEK -- Trailing by two points with less than 10 seconds to go and with Goose Creek High School at the free throw line with a chance to ice the game, Sumter got what it needed in the second-round game of the 5A state playoffs.

Lady Gamecocks drop nail biter with Byrnes, 55-54

DUNCAN - Byrnes High School's varsity girls basketball team led for a total of three seconds in the second half of Friday's second-round 5A state playoffs game against Sumter at the BHS gymnasium. It also happened to be the most frantic and …

Former Sumter pitcher Barnes gets non-roster invite to Twins' camp

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Charlie Barnes is one of 10 pitchers who are non-roster invitees to the Minnesota Twins Major League spring training camp. The Sumter High School graduate is the second youngest among those players, some of whom have …

Lady Eagles' Parker repeats as 1A Player of Year; 11 others All-State selections

Cambria Parker of Scott's Branch High School has been selected as the 1A Girls Basketball Player of the Year for a second straight season by the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association. Parker is one of 12 local players - four boys and …

Durant's game-winner sends Gamecocks to second round

Sumter High School’s varsity boys basketball team advanced to the second round of the 5A state playoffs with a 52-50 victory over Ashley Ridge on Wednesday night.

The Item's Wednesday Watch 2.19.20

The Item’s Wednesday Watch is a weekly look at the buzz around tri-county sports. The Item sports staff will pick its most noteworthy stories, stats and quotes for the week. 1. SCHSL …

Gamecocks carry stifling defense into playoff opening-rematch with Ashley Ridge

The Sumter High School varsity boys basketball team was a bit of an unknown commodity entering into this season. The Gamecocks had a new head coach and a young team. They used the first few weeks of the season to find their identity and they found …

Sumter tops J.L. Mann 50-40 to advance in 5A playoffs

It looked like easy pickings for the Sumter High School girls basketball team less than 3 ½ minutes into its 5A state playoff opener against J.L. Mann on Tuesday at the SHS gymnasium. It …

Busy week of playoff hoops ahead for local schools

If the Sumter High School varsity girls basketball team is to make a return trip to the 5A upper state championship game this season, it will be taking pretty much the same route it did a year ago. The Lady Gamecocks, who lost to Irmo 50-47 on …

Sumter loses to Irmo; will be 2-seed in playoffs

The Sumter High School varsity girls basketball team will be the No. 2 seed from Region IV-5A in the state playoffs after a 50-47 loss to Irmo on Friday at the IHS gymnasium. The Lady Gamecocks, who are ranked sixth in the latest South Carolina …

Boone leads swarm of Gamecocks to Mesabi Range

Sumter High School linebacker Kirkland Boone was one of several Gamecock football players that had to wait a little bit longer than they hoped to get an offer to continue their careers at the college level. The undersized linebacker, as well as …

Sumter OL Porcher looks to take game to new heights with top JC

Sumter High School offensive lineman Sterling Porcher only stepped into the starting lineup his senior year, but the massive offensive tackle made an instant impact for the Gamecocks. That year of experience as a starter and raw talent was enough …

The Item's Wednesday Watch 2.12.20

The Item’s Wednesday Watch is a weekly look at the buzz around tri-county sports. The Item sports staff will pick its most noteworthy stories, stats and quotes for the week. 1. USC women …

Big second halves lift Sumter teams to easy wins over Spring Valley

The Lady Gamecocks turned a 6-point halftime lead into a 66-38 victory, while the SHS boys led 22-19 at halftime before winning 57-39.

Sumter boys rally from 15-point deficit to stun Blythewood, girls cruise to 64-34 win

It was appropriate that the WACH FOX 57 cameras were rolling at the Sumter High School gymnasium on Friday because the finish of the varsity boys contest between Sumter and Blythewood had to be seen to be believed.

Sumter kicker/punter Roberts looking to make splash with Bulldogs

Dyson Roberts was one thing for the Sumter High School football team during his senior season: consistent. The Gamecock placekicker was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals and made 43 of his 46 extra point attempts. Now he'll look to take that …

Wednesday to be busy signing day for local athletes

There will be plenty of local high school football players putting ink to paper on Wednesday in Phase 2 of National Signing Day. Sumter High School will have at least six players signing. Crestwood is set to have six, Lakewood four, Lee Central …

Gamecocks pick up big region win over Lugoff-Elgin 57-38

Sumter High School’s varsity boys basketball team improved to 12-10 overall and 2-3 in region play with a 57-38 victory over Lugoff-Elgin on Friday night.