Student volunteers who loaded the truck (l-r): Bowen Crager, Jes Sharpe, Josh Tyndall, Dylan Wood, Bennett Nicholson, Aaron Geddens, Hoffman Sharpe, Justin Autry, Monty Sharpe, Alexis Coley. Front center: Tucker Beam and Lilly Grace Beam | Jerrica Beam
WINNSBORO – When members of the Richard Winn Academy PTO and Booster Club heard about the hurricane-related devastation in the mountains of North Carolina, they sprang into action.
Helping to organize the efforts are PTO President Grace
Cameron and members Jerrica Beam and Anne Bass. Beam and Bass are also Richard
Winn alumni.
Anne Bass and Jerrica Beam
“Hurricane Helene was a real catastrophe for so many in western North Carolina,” Beam says, “and once we realized how horrific the destruction is, we decided we had to do something.”
Members of the PTO and the school’s booster club met to
organize a donation drive, sending out the request for help through e-mail and
social media.
“We knew the magnitude of what the Richard Winn Academy
family is capable of doing when it comes to helping one’s neighbor,” Beam says.
“With a North Carolina contact who was closely involved with the effort to
bring relief to several communities in North Carolina, we found a perfect fit
for the initiative.”
Within two days, the school and hallways were flooded with
donated goods that had been requested by those on the ground in the disaster
zone: baby diapers, wipes, and formula; dry dog food; and basic hygiene
products.
In an interview Friday, Beam said the individual in North
Carolina provided a list of needs, and people with trucks and trailers to
transport the donations to devastated areas. The first shipment left on
Saturday to be delivered to churches and individuals in hard hit areas.
A second wave of donation deliveries was scheduled for
Tuesday, Oct. 8.
“Phone calls are still coming in from both the school
community and the broader community from those wanting to help,” Beam says.
She says donations are still being accepted – and many are
praying continuously for healing in the North Carolina mountains and
surrounding states feeling the heartbreaking loss and impact of the storm.
“I hope it gives them hope for tomorrow, for the next day,
peace that things will be OK, knowing that they have a community – our
community and many others – supporting and praying for them,” Beam said of the
delivery of supplies from caring people in South Carolina.
“I hope that they can all be reached by somebody who loves
and cares for them and is just there for them,” she said. “And we hope these
donations will help.”
For more information about donating, call Jerrica Beam at
803-374-2192 or drop supplies at Richard Winn Academy (1796 Old Chester Road)
during school hours.
WINNSBORO – There was little rest for Richard Winn’s basketball players, coaches, and fans in the regular season homestretch. The Eagle teams, competing in four region contests since Feb. 2, have only one big contest remaining on Wed., Feb. 9, before region tourney contests begin.
The Lady Eagles succumbed to three of their last four opponents, but picked up a big region home win against the visiting Cambridge Cougars on Senior Night, Feb. 4. On the other hand, RW’s varsity boys captured three wins and suffered just one loss to be neck and neck with King for the regular season region title. That title will be determined on Richard Winn’s home court on Wednesday, following the press deadline.
Abby Lewis (1) works a fast break against Cambridge. | Photos: Martha Ladd
Laurens
Richard Winn hosted the Laurens Academy Lady Crusaders on
Feb. 2. While the Lady Eagles matched the visitors point for pint in the second
half, the Laurens opponents were able to hang onto their 12 point first half
lead to capture the road region victory, 40-28.
Mikaela Miller led the Lady Eagles scoring with 13 points.
Teammates also posting points included Abby Lewis – 5, Delaney Young – 5,
Brinson Baker – 2, Meagan Brigman – 2, and Emma Steed – 1.
Wardlaw
RWA got back on the court the next night after making the
road trip to Johnston on Feb. 3 to rematch against a strong squad of Lady
Patriots. The Lady Eagles kept the game close in the first half, trailing the
Wardlaw team by only 3 points at the half, 16-19. Wardlaw increased their lead
by 7 in the third quarter. That lead proved to be the difference as both teams
matched up evenly with 18 points in the final quarter, leaving the visiting
Winnsboro team with a 7 point deficit and another region loss, 40-47.
Young, one of the team’s four sophomores, topped the Lady
Eagles’ scoring stats with 15 points. Miller followed with 12 points, all
scored from the free throw line while shooting 75% at the charity stripe. Lewis
– 6, Baker – 3, Steed – 2, and Brigman – 2.
Cambridge
The Richard Winn teams returned to the home nest on Feb. 4
to rematch against the Cambridge Cougars. After a deadlocked 4-4 first quarter,
the Lady Eagles outscored their opponents by 3 in the second quarter to take a
12-9 lead into the locker room at halftime.
When play resumed, the Lady Cougars successfully employed a
full court press throughout the third quarter and forced the Lady Eagles to make
numerous turnovers. With Miller benched with foul trouble for the entire third
quarter and part of the fourth, Richard Winn was still able to stay in the mix
and keep Cambridge at bay by two. The Lady Eagles went into the final period
with a narrow lead, 20-18.
Both teams battled hard to the nail-biting end, and just
when it seemed as if the game could swing in either team’s favor, Lewis swished
a 3-point basket and made a free throw late in the game. Midway through the
last quarter, Miller got back into the game and hit 4-for-4 clutch free throws
in the last minute to help seal the 32-29 victory and avenge the earlier loss
to Cambridge.
Newberry
On Feb. 7 Richard Winn traveled to Newberry for their second
regular season matchup against the NA Eagles. The Newberry Academy girls’ squad
again proved themselves the superior Eagles with a decisive 57-32 victory.
Coach Emily McElveen’s Richard Winn girls played a strong 16 point third
quarter, but the 19 point halftime deficit (8-27) was too great to overcome.
This time it was RWA 8th grader Abby Lewis who carried the
Lady Eagles offensively. Lewis was scoreless in the first half but came on
strong to nail four 3-pointers in the third period and end the game with 16
total points. Young – 7, Miller – 6,
Brigman – 3.
The Lady Eagles go into the final regular season region contest against King hoping to improve on their 2-8 region record and 6-9 overall record.
Richard Winn Boys v. Laurens
Miller Stuck (11) lays one up against Cambridge. | Martha Ladd
Coach Nick Chaisson’s boys’ team countered the girls’ record
over these last four games and earned three victories while going down in
defeat to Laurens by one point, 34-35.
The Eagles had previously beaten the Crusaders in Laurens,
but the visitors arrived at the Eagles Nest more determined and with a better
game plan. Lawson Wade, averaging just over 15 points per game, was held in
check to 5 total points. Teammate Landon Caulder stepped up his game to lead
the Eagles in rebounds and steals and tied Miller Stuck as the Eagle’s leading
scorers with 9 each. Jacob Chaisson – 8, Drew Spires – 3, and Rob Wilson lead
the assist category with 4.The team had 5 players to record blocked shots –
Wade, Wilson, Caulder, Stuck, and Ethan Steward.
Wardlaw
The Eagles bounced back big the next day as they faced the
Wardlaw Patriots in Johnston. Still feeling the bitter sting of the night
before’s narrow loss, the Eagles jumped out ahead to lead 21-6 in the first
quarter and then added 31 more points in the second to lead 52-11 at the half.
Ten Eagle players posted points in the scorebook as the team cruised to a
lopsided 70-29 victory.
Wade lit up the scoreboard with 22 points and collected 5
rebounds and had 2 blocks. Spires followed Wade with 9 points. Stuck and Wilson
tied with 4 assists and joined Kitt Nicholson and Ethan Steward to record 6
points each. Caulder and Travis Bonds tallied 5 apiece, and Chaisson and
Charlie Bonds added 3 and 2 points respectively.
Cambridge
The Eagles got back-to-back night victories; the next one
was played at home against Cambridge, 57-33. Prior to the varsity boys’ game,
lone Lady Eagle senior Mikaela Miller and solo Eagle senior Edward Clement were
recognized during a Senior Night ceremony. The two players were escorted onto
the court by their parents.
Eagle fans were treated to two particular crowd-igniting
events during the Senior Night contest. The first occurred when Wade slam
dunked in the first half, and then, with seconds left on the clock in the final
period, Clement nailed a 3-pointer from the far right corner. Both baskets
brought the crowd to their feet cheering.
Stuck had the hot hand for the Eagles with 19 points and led
the steals (3) and blocks (1) stats. Wade recorded 15 points and team high 12 rebounds.
Spires had 5 assists and 6 points. Caulder – 10, Clement – 5, and Chaisson – 2.
Newberry
The road trip to Newberry on Monday brought more good
results for Chaisson’s Eagle team with a 41-21 victory. This time Caulder led
the scoring with 13 points and rebounds with 6. Wade followed with 12 points
and 5 blocks. Spires added 9 points and led with 4 assists. Stuck – 4, Steward
– 2, and Chaisson -1. Wilson had 4 steals.
The three game win streak boosts the Eagles’ region record
to 10-2 and overall to 16-5. Wednesday night’s results against King will
determine who will be seeded #1 going into the region tournament this weekend.
The Eagles only two region losses to King and Laurens were by narrow 1 point
margins.
Brinson Baker hits a layup from the baseline. | Photos: Martha Ladd
Lawson Wade goes in for a layup over an Anderson Christian defender.
WINNSBORO – Both Richard Winn varsity teams started the new year off with a bang with rather lopsided victories in a region match up against Anderson Christian. The Eagles hosted the Lions on Friday, January 7, in their first competition following Christmas break.
Behind the hot shooting of senior Mikaela Miller who led her
team in the scoring column with 18 points, there were four other teammates who
put up double digits for the Eagles as they cruised to the 65-19 victory.
First year head coach Emily McElveen guided her varsity
girls to their fifth win of the season against only one loss (5-1) so far and
their first region win (1-0).
“This has been a very tough season with having only 6 or 7
players each game,” McElveen said, “but I am proud of how hard my girls have
worked thus far and the dedication that they have shown day in and day out at
practice. I am excited to see how they continue to work together to be
successful when the odds are against them.”
What the Lady Eagles lack in numbers (players), they make up
for with their teamwork, aggressive style of play, and hustle on the court.
Richard Winn held the visitors scoreless in the second
quarter to command the half time lead going into the locker room, 32-7. The
Lady Eagles led 29-7 with under 3 minutes left in the first half when Miller
knocked down two back-to-back three’s just before the half ended. She scored 14
of her 18 total in first half action.
Anderson Christian’s Mary Green opened up the third quarter
with a 3-pointer, but the Lady Lions would only score one more 2-point basket
in the quarter. RWA got balanced scoring in the third quarter from five
players. Delaney Young nailed a 3-pointer just before the buzzer sounded to put
the Lady Eagles up 47-12 going into the final 8-minute period.
Richard Winn went on to tally 18 more points in the final
quarter to put the game far out of reach for the opponents.
Eighth grader Abby Lewis scored 14 points behind Miller’s
game high of 18. Emma Steed tallied 12 points and 10 rebounds while teammate
Brinson Baker pulled down 13 rebounds and added 11 points. Young rounded out
the scoring with 10 points and snagged 6 rebounds. Miller also grabbed 10
rebounds and led the team with 5 assists.
ACS – 7-0-5-7 – 19
RWA -13-19-15-18 – 65
RWA: Miller 18, Lewis 14, Steed
12, Baker 11, Young 10
Richard Winn Boys
Richard Winn’s varsity boys controlled the opening tip off against the Anderson Christian Lions and went on to put up 8 unanswered points in the first two minutes of play to swing the early tempo in favor of the home squad.
Coach Nick Chaisson’s Eagles capitalized on their team’s
height advantage, speed, and shooting skills, particularly of junior Lawson
Wade, who single handedly posted 12 points in the first quarter and 11 more in
the second period to help put his team up 44-16 at the half. Sophomore Drew
Spires also added a double digit total of 10 points to the Eagles’ first half
lead. Much of the second half was played with a running clock.
Throughout the game, the Eagles continued to dominate both
the offensive and defensive game and racked up 67 points total to their
opponents’ 27,
The RWA varsity boys improved their overall record to 8-3
and 2-0 in region action. Wade scored the game high 28 points and was followed
by Spires with 16. Landon Caulder posted 9 points, Rob Wilson had 6, Jacob
Chaisson and Wade also led the team in the rebound (8) category and tied Wilson
with 5 assists apiece. Spires had the most steals (5) and was followed by
Wilson and Caulder with 3 each.
Due to
Covid, the games scheduled for this week have been postponed, and it is
uncertain at this time when these games will be made up and the season will
resume.
WINNSBORO – After a quick preseason scrimmage against York
Prep last week, Richard Winn volleyball opened their season at home on Tuesday
against Great Falls High School. The Great Falls volleyball program is in its
first year.
Lila Smith attacks from right side. | Millie Lambert
The Eagles effortlessly took the first set against a new Great Falls team. Senior Mikaela Miller served eleven points to clinch the 25-6 win.
Great Falls found some footing in game two. Tied at 8 after
four rotations, Eagle junior Maggie Hughes served 11 points in a row to give
Richard Winn a 20-8 lead. The Eagles closed out game 2 with a 25-12 final.
With momentum on their side, Richard Winn dominated the
third set 25-3 for a 3-0 win over the Red Devils.
Sophomore Lila Smith got the Eagles off to an early 5-1
lead. Brinson Baker served 8 points and Meagan Brigman closed out the game at
the service line with the final 10 points.
Miller had 6 aces on the night. Smith, Baker and Hughes had
4 aces each. Brigman tallied 3.
Richard Winn got its first taste of 2021 action last
Thursday in Rock Hill against York Prep.
The Eagles fell 25-27 in the first set, but recovered for a
25-16 win in the second and took set three 25-17. York Prep won a decisive
fourth set 25-14 to send the match to a fifth, where the Eagles came up short
14-16.
Richard Winn replaces the 7 seniors who graduated from the
2020 team. With only three returning players, the Eagles look to develop as the
season progresses.
They’re set to face off with one of their toughest opponents
on Thursday – defending Region and State champion Newberry Academy.
WINNSBORO – Kristen Chaisson has been named Head of School by the Richard Winn Academy Board of Directors effective July 1. She has been serving as Interim Head of School since April.
Chaisson
Chaisson has been with RWA for four years, serving as a lower and upper school educator and Curriculum Director.
“We have witnessed her dedication, energy and enthusiasm to support and lead our students to success,” the school’s Board of Directors said in a press release.
Prior to joining RWA, Chaisson served four years at Sandlapper Elementary where she worked as an instructional assistant, interventionist, related arts educator and military-child support coordinator.
“Kristin’s passion for teaching and learning derives from her commitment to ensure all students have an effective learning environment to ignite a student’s love of learning,” the Board added.
Chaisson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in General Studies with Elementary Education Emphasis from Western Kentucky University, a Master’s of Science in Psychology from University of Phoenix and a Master’s in Education in Teaching and Learning from Liberty University.
Cam Bass (18), Tyler Tanner (6), Luke Martin and assistant Coach Brent Silvia celebrate Monday’s walk-off win at the plate. | Photos: Martha Ladd
WINNSBORO/EHRHARDT – Monday night’s matchup against Andrew Jackson Academy was one for the storybooks. Trailing the Confederates for almost the entire game, it looked to be a bleak ending for the Eagles in game one of the three-game SCISA 1A Semifinal series. In true hero fashion, sophomore Zack Taylor drove in the winning run with a walk-off double to give the Eagles the 4-3 win.
It was a pitcher’s duel kind of night. After three scoreless innings, the Confederates took control of the game in the fourth on some key Eagle fielding errors, scoring two on passed ball. With a 2-0 lead, the Confederates looked to be in the driver’s seat.
Luke Martin led off the bottom of the fourth with a single to right and scored off of Confederate fielding errors. The Eagles added two more base runners, but couldn’t plate any runs before ending the inning.
The 2-1 score remained until the Eagles took the field for the top of the seventh. Richard Winn quickly got the first two Andrew Jackson batters out. Then, a Confederate runner reached first on a dropped third strike. A fielding error on the next at bat scored a run to put Andrew Jackson ahead 3-1 heading into the bottom of the frame.
With one out looming, Hudson Wade singled on a ground ball to short that ignited the Eagles’ rally. Then, a strikeout left the Eagles with no outs to spare.
Taylor’s seventh inning double was his 13th of the season.
Martin reached first on an error by the shortstop, advancing Wade to second. Dru Caldwell reached base on an error from a fly to center that scored Wade and put Martin in scoring position. Brandon Miller followed with a line-drive single to center to plate Martin and tie the game at 3. Then Taylor blasted his sole hit of the night, a game-winning, walk-off double to left.
Taylor picked up the win on the mound for the Eagles, facing 29 batters in seven innings of work. He struck out eleven, allowing only one hit and three runs.
The Eagles took the 1-0 series advantage into Tuesday night’s rematch in Ehrhardt. The Eagles looked to be championship-ready. They took a decisive 5-1 win, punching their ticket to the title game and eliminating the Confederates from playoff contention.
Game two started off in similar fashion with three scoreless innings, but this time the Eagles took the lead and never relinquished it.
Austin Lancaster led off the fourth with a line drive double to right. Will Carvalho, courtesy runner for Lancaster, advanced to third when the Confederates made a fielding error from Jimmy McKeown’s ground to third. The Eagles loaded the bases with no outs when Hudson Wade was hit by a pitch. The next two Eagle batters followed with outs. Richard Winn looked to end the inning scoreless again until a shortstop error from Dru Caldwell’s grounder plated the Eagles’ first run of the night.
The Eagles struck again in the top of the sixth. McKeown led off with a walk. Wade put McKeown on second with a fielder’s choice, and John Russell followed with a single, putting runners on first and third. Martin plated McKeown on a line-drive double to right and landed Russell in scoring position at third. Brandon Miller gave the Eagles a 4-0 advantage with a two-out single to left, scoring Russell and Martin.
Andrew Jackson got on the board in the bottom of the sixth with a solo homerun to left, but a solid Richard Winn defense would not allow any more Confederate runs.
The Eagles added an insurance run in the top of the seventh when Cam Bass doubled to left, stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly to center from McKeown.
Wade picked up his fifth win on the mound for the Eagles with the 5-1 victory. He pitched a complete game, allowing only three hits and one run against 25 batters.
Martin and Lancaster each went 2-4 at the plate with a double.
Richard Winn’s sweep of the Confederates places them in the SCISA 1A State Championship series against Dorchester beginning Monday. Game one of the three-game series will be played at Dorchester, and the Eagles will host game two at Billy Ladd field on Tuesday. The third game, if needed, will be played on Thursday at a neutral site to be determined.
The Eagles look to repeat history as the baseball program claimed the SCISA 2A State Title in 2007 with a 2-0 sweep of Dorchester.
Family members of Jenni Sharpe: Shannon Caldwell (kneeling) with son Tripp, Heath Caldwell, standing left, Johnny Caldwell, Cheryl Caldwell, holding Molly Claire Caldwell, and Ryan Sharpe with son John Ryan. | Photos: Martha Ladd
WINNSBORO – Community members from all over Fairfield County turned out to support the third annual Jenni Sharpe Memorial 5K on March 23.
Zy’hon Young, Geiger student
The event, which funds scholarships for Fairfield County seniors, was initiated after Winnsboro native Jenni Caldwell Sharpe passed away from cancer in 2016.
Jenni, a graduate of Richard Winn Academy, and her husband Ryan Sharpe, an alumnus of Fairfield Central and current teacher and coach, looked for opportunities to give back to the community that supported them during Jenni’s diagnosis and treatment.
Ryan saw the memorial as a means to meet that goal in two ways: the event would bring community members together and give back by supporting local students.
In its first two years, the fundraiser provided $12,000 of scholarships to graduating seniors at Fairfield Central and Richard Winn. Donations are still accepted. To give online, visit PayPal.me/JSharpe5K.
WINNSBORO – Senior Grier Hensley, left, was crowned Miss RWA in Richard Winn Academy’s pageant last Thursday. Hensley was also awarded Best All Around. Also crowned were Lacey Peake, center, Jr. Miss RWA and Jr. Miss Congeniality, and Haley Autry, right, Little Miss RWA
If you are like us, you flipped the calendar to August and felt a slight shift in the air. The days are slowly getting shorter and soon, maybe…hopefully, the weather will get a little cooler.
For us, the spectators, seasons are just getting started. But for athletes and coaches, preparation started months ago. While others’ summer days were filled with sleeping in and relaxing by the pool, these coaches and athletes spent their days designing schemes, running sprints, lifting weights, swimming laps. Getting stronger. Getting faster. Getting better. Because that’s what makes the difference come October and November. That’s what gives one team an edge.
We don’t see the countless hours of blood, sweat and tears poured into these teams in the offseason. But we cheer for a return on those investments for athletes and coaches.
Westwood athletics saw some returns last year. Volleyball and football made it to round three of the playoffs. Cross Country runners made a showing at State. Many of the athletes from these teams return this year, looking to avenge their season-ending losses.
Eagle football was bumped in the first round last year, but looks to push farther this year. To do so, they’ll have to get past newly realigned region foe Wardlaw. Cross Country enters its second season in school history with a new coach – Kristen Chaisson. Volleyball will have to overcome last season’s leadership struggles to find success on the court, especially against a tough Laurens team.
The Griffin tennis program returns strong players and a settled coaching staff. The sky could be the limit for Syreeta Thompson’s squad. Football had a bumpy start last season, but had a strong run until Emerald dashed their playoff hopes in the third round. The region realignment places Keenan into the region, but they expect the toughest opponents continue to be Chester, Camden and Indian Land.
Blythewood’s region shifted with the loss of White Knoll and addition of Lugoff-Elgin. Bengal volleyball, tennis and golf look to build on the foundations established last year. Will Epps returns for a second year as head of boys’ cross country and Aleshia Hawkins takes over the girls’ squad. Perhaps the biggest change comes with the new face of the football program, Jason Seidel. Seidel, looking to change the culture of the program after its dismal 2017 season, is ‘all in.’
Soon the stadiums, courts and gyms will be filled with our cheers (or silent golf claps). Exciting, isn’t it. A blank slate – a new season on the horizon. Where will we end up in October and November? Only time will tell.
Honor Roll
We thank the many talented people who helped make the 2018 Fall Sports Preview happen. First, our sports writers.
They report weekly from the trenches, day and night, near and far – Ross Burton, Worthy Evans, Martha Ladd and Blake Wooten.
And our photographers who contribute vivid images of our athletes in action: Ross Burton, Leroy Howard, DeAnna Robinson, Joe Seibles, Martha Ladd and Kristy Kimball Massey, Carolina Sports Photography and especially our designers Ashley Ghere and Callie Ladd Sims.
We also thank the following for their time and contributions: Paul Brigman, Ross Burton, Kristen Chaisson, Dustin Curtis, Demetrius Davis, Kelly Edrington, Will Epps, Robin Gaithers, Mary Hall, Aleshia Hawkins, Mary Hunter, Ciji Kuhlmann, Brice Mann, Jason Minkel, Rachel Peake, Jason Powell, Terrell Roach, Jason Seidel, Syreeta Thompson
Pick up a copy of the Fall Sports Preview (28 pages) today!
WINNSBORO – Richard Winn Academy proudly announces the launching of an athletic Hall of Fame. The first annual Hall of Fame induction will take place during halftime of the home football game this Friday, Sept. 12, at Ruff Field. The kickoff for the football game featuring the RWA Eagles versus Charleston Collegiate will be at 7:30 p.m.
The inaugural Hall of Fame inductees include Carol Caughman Turner, Beth Reid, Mike Robinson and Jena Barnett Johnson.
Carol Caughman Turner was a member of the inaugural girls’ basketball team, playing from 1968-1971. Serving as team captain, she also was selected as Most Valuable Player. After graduation, she was one of the first Lady Eagles to go on to play basketball at the collegiate level, playing for Baptist College.
Beth Reid began her high school basketball career as a seventh grader in the 1970-1971 season and was member of the inaugural softball team in 1973. She achieved numerous individual and team awards. Beth also continued her basketball career playing at the College of Charleston. After college, she returned to her Alma Mater to serve as teacher, coach and later as Head of School. In 1985 coach Reid led her basketball team to RWA’s first girls’ basketball state championship.
Mike Robinson came to Richard Winn in 1978 as a teacher and coach. Over the years he served as head basketball coach for both girls and boys as well as golf and assistant football coach. Coach Robinson was a part of five state championships and three state runners-up teams while at RWA.
Jena Barnett Johnson was a member of the varsity basketball program from 1980-1985 and a member of the softball team from 1980-1984. In basketball she was selected as All Conference for four years and Player of the Year for three years. During her high school career she scored 2,300 points and was named as an Honorable Mention All American. Jena went on to play basketball at Clemson University.
