By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer
The fall sports season in South Carolina is ending, and with its conclusion, winter sports athletes are now gearing up for their seasons across the Palmetto State. While some athletes who play multiple sports will transition directly from one season to another, others will be putting on their uniforms for the first time this school year. With a bevy of talented players across its basketball and wrestling programs, winter sports at Woodruff High School promise to be hot with excitement as 2022 draws to a close and a near year looms. Here is the first look at all three varsity winter sports teams for this season’s Wolverines.
Sharp Shooters
The Lady Wolverine varsity basketball team was a record-breaking group last season, and with much of its firepower returning, those fresh records could potentially fall yet again. Entering this season as an arguable favorite to win the Region 4-3A title, Coach Jon Jansen’s team is primed to take its next step toward the elite programs of class 3A. Woodruff set school records for made three-point shots last season, and then-freshman Sadie Burnette set the school mark for any basketball player, girls, or boys, with 65 makes from long distance. Freshman point guard Jensyn Turner also returns and is already playing her third varsity season despite being in her first year as a high school student. Starting center Kylie Hitchcock is back for her senior season, and junior power forward Tyanna Herbert is ready to take her next step as an impact player. Expectations are high as fellow region head coaches voted the Lady Wolverines as the favorite to win the region championship during their preseason meeting. This team is young, talented, and ready to light the nets on fire once again.
Head Coach- Jon Jansen
Last season’s record- 12-13 (6-4 in Region III-3A)
Last season’s region finish- 2nd
Returning starters- 3
Key Returning players- Jensyn Turner (Freshman), Sadie Burnette (Sophomore), Alli Burnette (senior) Kylie Hitchcock (Senior), Tyanna Herbert (Junior), Iyanna Norman (Senior), Leah Hughes (Junior)
Top newcomers- Taylor Lambert (Sophomore), Jordan Robinson (Freshman), Jasmine McKnight (Freshman)
Coach Jansen says:
“We have a strong senior class with big game experience. Our backcourt may be young but they have 30-plus games of experience. Kylie Hitchcock will anchor the post and our expectations are she will have an outstanding senior year along with Alli Burnette and Iyanna Norman.”
Taking the Next Step
The varsity boys’ basketball program is, in many respects, much like the girls’ team. The Woodruff boys return 80 percent of their starting lineup from last season, with all four of those players still underclassmen. Led by Nick McConnell and Happy Lea, who plays basketball year-round, and a talented cast of athletes like Kory Moates and Hunter West, the Wolverines, will be ready to break the hearts of any team who cannot look past last season’s win and loss record. At times the Wolverines started three sophomores and a freshman a year ago, and those players are now a year older and better. Look for Woodruff boys’ basketball to make some major noise in the 3A ranks.
Head coach- Bryan McConnell
Last season’s record- 6-19 (2-8 Region III-3A)
Last season’s region finish- 6th
Returning starters- 4
Key Returning players- Nick McConnell (Junior), Happy Lea (Junior), Kory Scott (Junior), Hunter West (sophomore) DeAndre Bradley (Senior), Lake Smith (Sophomore), Micah Horton (Junior)
Top newcomers- Jeremiah Woods (Junior)
Coach McConnell says:
“We are very excited about this year, not just as a varsity team but for the entire program. We feel from our middle school to junior varsity, to varsity, this may be our strongest season yet and the most depth we have had in our program in many years. That is credited to our whole coaching staff and our outstanding young men. This year on varsity, we will be returning some key young guys that gained valuable experience last year, and we hope that propels us to continue to accomplish what we set out to do.”
Wrestling with Success
The Woodruff wrestling program is building off a successful season from a year ago in which several Wolverine wrestlers earned their place as state qualifiers, and now-junior June Welch became the first female wrestler in South Carolina history to win her weight class state championship against an all-male field. Welch returns look to defend her title, Genaro de la Garza is primed to end his career with an individual state championship, and many other talented and up-and-coming grapplers will take the mat once again, looking to help return Wolverine wrestling to the prominence it once enjoyed.
Head Coach- John Harper
Last season’s Record- 14-26 (2-2 Region III-3A)
Last season’s region finish- 3rd
Returning starters- 9
Key returning wrestlers- June Welch (106), Genaro de la Garza (113)
Top newcomers- None listed
Coach Harper says:
“Our hope is that this season builds on the individual success of last season and that our young contributors can work to improve daily to better help the team when the championships roll around in late January and early February.”
Author: Tracy Sanders
