Mobile Home Sales in Nichols, SC

Scott Nichols has been named the new head coach for the Ashley Ridge tennis program.

Nichols, who is also Director of Tennis for Legend Oaks Golf and Tennis Club, takes over a Swamp Foxes’ program that claimed multiple region championships under Sean McCawley. Ashley Ridge Athletic Director Randall Tucker anticipates it will continue to thrive under Nichols’ guidance.

“He has a ton of experience both in South Carolina and out of state,” Tucker said. “He won a couple of state championships at Hilton Head High and had strong teams when he coached in Texas.”

Nichols led four boys’ tennis teams to state championships during his time at Cathedral High School in El Paso, Texas. He led two girls’ teams to state titles when he was at Hilton Head from 2007-11.

More recently he served as the Director of Tennis at the prestigious Marbella Country Club in San Juan Capistrano, California.

“It’s fun to be back in the Lowcountry and to be involved with the high school players again,” Nichols said. “I’m looking forward to being a part of that team atmosphere and trying to compete against teams like Wando. My wife and I had been wanting to come back here to be closer to family and when Andy (Steingold) retired from Legend Oaks there was a position for me so it all worked out.”

His children live in North Carolina and he has a sister who lives in West Ashley. Working in Summerville also offers him a change in pace from Orange County and allows him to dedicate more time to his other interests.

“I’ve been doing real estate since I was seven, both coasts, so I stay very busy,” he said. “I’m also a drummer.”

Yet he manages to find time for charitable endeavors, particularly those designed to help the wheelchair bound and people suffering from cancer, autism or homelessness.

Nichols has experienced success at the national level as both a player and Junior Team Tennis coach/instructor. His current teaching certifications include USPTA Elite Professional, USPTA National Tester, Professional Tennis Registry Pro 1 and Professional Wheelchair Instructor. In his 30s and 40s he was a top-ranked Men’s Double player and ranked in the Top 10 for Singles. That success carried into his 50s and last year he was ranked fourth for 55s.

In 2005, he was named United States Professional Tennis Association Southern Division 35 and Over Player of the Year and received the United States Professional Tennis Registry player of the year honor. As a member of the U.S. Trabert Cup Team in 2004 he represented his country during a tournament in Turkey.

Nichols attended Guilford College, where he played four years of varsity tennis. At age 18, he won the Eastern Section Junior Grass Court Singles Championship. Twenty-five years later, he won the USTA National Men’s 40’s Grass Court Singles Tennis Championship.

“I’ve had a nice career and checked all the boxes, but here I am wanting to do high school tennis again,” he said. “There is something about getting a group of people together and working toward having them play at the best of their ability.”

The Ashley Ridge Girls lost some talent to graduation and, pending any transfers in, aren’t expected to have any nationally ranked players this fall. However, a few varsity letterman are expected to return.

“My goal for the season is for us to exceed expectations,” Nichols said. “We will just have to really work together and try to build. I feel with my experience, I can help with things such as strategy and conditioning. If they buy into what I want to teach them it will at least give us a chance to be competitive with some of the more seasoned teams.”

He is also an author. His book “On the Other Hand” was inspired by lessons he learned through the years about the role one’s nondominant hand can play.

“Everybody on the roster will get a copy,” he said. “Of course practice and workouts are important, but at the novice through intermediate levels I want to make sure I’m teaching using the nondominant hand and how it affects all the strokes.”

New Bloomfield girls basketball trailed by eight points at halftime, then took the lead twice in the fourth quarter before Russellville eventually won the game.

In a down-to-the-wire contest, No. 7 seed New Bloomfield fell by a score of 49-44 against Show-Me Conference rival, No. 6 seed Russellville in the consolation bracket semifinals of the 56th Annual South Callaway Tournament Wednesday night at South Callaway Middle School in Mokane. As a result, the Lady Wildcats drop to 2-11, while the Lady Indians improve to 5-8.

Down 32-27 after three quarters, New Bloomfield scored on its first three offensive possessions to start the fourth quarter. On the final drive of those three, Avery Nichols hit a top-of-the-arc 3 that gave the Lady Wildcats their first lead in the second half, 35-34.

Then, five possessions later, Russellville regained the lead when Jenna Schulte made a layup with a clear path to the hoop, giving the Lady Indians a 36-35 advantage. However, New Bloomfield responded when Ashlyn Peters worked around Russellville's defense and made a layup that gave the Lady Wildcats a 37-36 lead.

Following that play, the Lady Indians' Ella Volkart -- who scored a game-high 18 points -- gave them a 38-37 lead after converting a layup off a throw-in. After Volkart's layup, Russellville led for the remainder of the contest.

New Bloomfield did make it a four-point game twice in the final 1:30 of the contest. Scoring the last of her team-high 16 points, Nichols made a 3 off a throw-in, which made it 44-40 Russellville.

Two drives later, the Lady Wildcats' Brooklynn Smith was fouled, losing one of her contacts during the play. Smith weathered through it while clearly in pain, draining both attempts from the free throw line.

Russellville led 48-42 after Smith's free throw. From there, the Lady Indians played lockdown defense, preventing New Bloomfield from an improbable victory.

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Before the back-and-forth fourth quarter, Russellville controlled the first quarter, while New Bloomfield did so in the second and third quarters.

In the first quarter, the Lady Indians outscored the Lady Wildcats 17-8, which was the contest's largest margin of any quarter.

"We finished it strong," New Bloomfield coach Brett Craighead said. "I remember we talked a couple of weeks ago about four-quarters consistency. I thought tonight we did. We played well. We just missed some shots early, but then we started getting some shots. But I felt like our effort for the entire game was actually I couldn't be mad. We might have lost from the scoreboard. But we won by the way we play."

New Bloomfield outscored Russellville by the smallest margin, 9-8, in the second quarter. In that, Nichols made two 3-pointers. Nichols 3s were two of the Lady Wildcats' three shots from the field in the second.

"We've done that," Craighead said. "We started to make some adjustments and to kind of learn what we're good at or not good at, concentrating on those things that we do well. Also, I think we're trusting our teammates, and we're really spreading the ball around and playing good team ball."

The second quarter marked the point where New Bloomfield figured out how to defend Russellville, as they held the Lady Indians to single-digit scoring quarters in the second and third. And in the quarter they didn't -- the fourth -- both teams scored 17 points.

While they started defending better in the second, New Bloomfield got its offense going after halftime. In the second half, the Lady Wildcats had their only two double-figure scoring quarters.

Brinley Dysart provided most of New Bloomfield's offense in the third quarter, scoring six points from two 3s. Her second made attempt from deep scored the final points of the third and made it a five-point game heading into the fourth quarter, 32-27 Russellville.

"She's done that a couple of times off transition," Craighead said. "She hit that 3, and that's huge for us. We've got more than one girl that can do that. And so teams have to guard us more than one person which is a good thing. ...I'm just proud of the way we fought. Got right back in the game, (and) had a chance to win. They hit some free throws down the stretch and we made them earn it."

Unfortunately for New Bloomfield, they couldn't get the come-from-behind victory in the fourth quarter. The Lady Wildcats had their best offensive quarter but also needed their greatest defensive one, and that didn't happen, which was a key reason New Bloomfield lost.

Result aside; the game gave the Lady Wildcats a chance to play the Lady Indians before they meet in a conference game Monday at Russellville.

"They're very good," Craighead said. "...I think last year, I think (we) struggled with them a little bit, but we'll get a chance at them Monday."

Up next, No. 7 seed New Bloomfield (2-11) will take on the host, No. 8 seed South Callaway (0-10), in the seventh-place game at 6 p.m. Friday at South Callaway Middle School in Mokane.

"They're gonna be tough because they're gonna want to come out and win," Craighead said. "They played pretty well for a while (against North Callaway), so we're gonna have to be ready."

Dothan girls and boys tennis teams defeated Carroll 9-0 on Monday at the Wiregrass Park Tennis Courts.

Dothan girls 9, Carroll 0

Singles

No. 1 Ellie Smith (DHS) def. Abby McDonald (CHS) 10-4

No. 2 Mary S. Nichols (DHS) def. Emily Powell (CHS) 10-1

No. 3 Abigail Kennedy (DHS) def. Tenley White (CHS) 10-2

No. 4 Adeline Nichols (DHS) def. Emma Dunn (CHS) 10-0

No. 5 Shrea Patel (DHS) def. Triniti Taylor (CHS) 10-1

No. 6 Sadie Pfister (DHS) def. Killian Kimmelshue (CHS) 10-0

Doubles

No. 1 Smith/M. Nichols (DHS) def. McDonald/White (CHS) 10-4

No. 2 A. Nichols/Pfister (DHS) def. Powell/Kimmelshue (CHS) 10-0

No. 3 Kenndey/Heer Shah (DHS) def. Dunn/Taylor (CHS) 10-2

Dothan boys 9, Carroll 0

Singles

No. 1 James Howell (DHS) def. Peter Bates (CHS) 10-1

No. 2 J. Sherer (DHS) def. Clark Peterson (CHS) 10-0

No. 3 Fred Smith (DHS) def. John F. Bull (CHS) 10-1

No. 4 Rider Wylly (DHS) def. Isaiah Driskell (CHS) 10-1

No. 5 Om Raj (DHS) won by forfeit

No. 6 Colin Groover (DHS) won by forfeit

Doubles

No. 1 Howell/Ethan Peel (DHS) def. Bates/Peterson (CHS) 10-1

No. 2 Smith/Wylly (DHS) won by forfeit

No. 3 Sherer/Groover (DHS) def. Bull/Driskell (CHS) 10-1

Providdence Christian girls and boys tennis teams defeated Seminole County (Ga).) at the Westgate Tennis Complex. The girls won 9-0 and the boys 6-3.

Providence Christian girls 9, Seminole County (Ga.) 0

Singles

No. 1 Ella Brown (PCS) def. Maggie Palmer (SC) 10-3

No. 2 Alex Hughes (PCS) def. Ashlyn Thompson (SC) 10-3

No. 3 Owen Thompson (PCS) def. Kendall Denham (SC) 10-3

No. 4 Caroline McDuffie (PCS) def. Sara Jo Fain (SC) 10-4

No. 5 Annie Hart (PCS) def. Arabella Touchta (SC) 10-1

No. 6 Alice Pittman (PCS) def. Evelyn Chapman (SC) 10-0

Exh: Logan Barron (PCS) def. Sarah Grace Alexander (SC) 10-0

Exh: Ella Hall (PCS) def. Alajah Moore (SC) 10-0

Doubles

No. 1 Brown/Hughes (PCS) def. Palmer/Thompson (SC) 10-4

No. 2 Thompson/McDuffie (PCS) def. Fain/Denham (SC) 10-5

No. 3 Hart/Pittman (PCS) def. Carrison/Klaire (SC) 10-2

Providence Christian boys 6, Seminole County (Ga.) 3

Singles

No. 1 Landon Kirkland (SC) def. Jackson Hughes (PCS) 10-6

No. 2 Wyatt Mixson (PCS) def. Bryson Grantham (SC) 10-7

No. 3 Jeb Burke (SC) def. Mason McCallister (PCS) 10-4

No. 4 Whit Rikard (PCS) def. Rand Mims (SC) 10-1

No. 5 Hampton Baxley (PCS) def. William Fain (SC) 10-2

No. 6 Creel Capps (PCS) def. Andrew Gravelc (SC) 10-2

Exh: Austin Hayes (PCS) def. Ethan Garnele (SC) 10-5

Exh: Carter Stock (PCS) def. Dylan James (SC) 10-7

Exh: Asa Farris (PCS) def. Rhett (SC) 10-3

Doubles

No. 1 Kirkland/Grantham (SC) def. Hughes/Mixson (PCS) 10-7

No. 2 McCallister/Baxley (PCS) def. Fain/Burke (SC) 11-9

No. 3 Rikard/Capps (PCS) def. Mims/Gravlec (SC) 10-4

The South Carolina football program has put together one of their top recruiting classes in recent years for the 2023 recruiting cycle. While the recruiting rankings are ever-changing, according to industry leaders on3 and 247Sports, Shane Beamer and company have found themselves firmly inside the top-20 since the Early Signing Period ended.

One of the players in this class is OT Oluwatosin Babalade, who signed with South Carolina during the Early Signing Period.

Position: OTRecruiting Ranking: Consensus 4 StarsMeasurables: 6’6”; 310 pounds; 82-inch wingspan; 4.85 second short shuttleFormer Player Comp: Corey Robinson

“Big Tree” Babalade is a massive human being. Measuring 6’6” and over 300 pounds, he somehow seems even larger than his listed size. Babalade is from the DMV area (D.C., Maryland, and Northeast Virginia) like several other 2023 signees for South Carolina and is slated to graduate from the same high school as former Gamecock running back MarShawn Lloyd. Big Tree had been committed to South Carolina for several months when he decommitted just a week before the Early Signing Day. However, thanks in part to Head Coach Shane Beamer climbing into a literal tree for a recruiting call with Babalade, the big man from Maryland rejoined the 2023 recruiting class and signed during the Early Signing Period.

Babalade’s film shows how powerful he can be at the tackle position. He plays with a brute force that is best seen in pass protection where he routinely stones pass rushers with solid hands and ridiculous strength for a high school student. New Offensive Line Coach Lonnie Teasley—who served as interim OL Coach for parts of the last two seasons—will need to work with ‘Tosin on his technique (Babalade seems to generally play with a high pad level and doesn’t often move his feet into traditional pass protection position) and his run blocking, but the Gamecock’s newest big man has the tools to become a well-rounded tackle.

Big Tree’s overall size and athleticism bring to mind former Gamecock LT Corey Robinson. Robinson almost ended up on the defensive line at Carolina because of his fluidity as a big man, and while Babalade has very little potential to be moved to defense, Big Tree possesses the same ability to move and the same strong feet that made Robinson an NFL draft pick just under a decade ago. Similarly to Robinson, Babalade seems to be a “nice guy” off the field, but he certainly plays with a mean streak on it; in several highlights, big number 51 can be seen aggressively finishing blocks or tossing weaker defenders to the ground while looking for more victims.

‘Tosin’s likely future is at tackle, and he profiles more specifically as a left tackle. However, because of his strength and ability to move in space, he could offer some versatility and play right tackle or guard if the situation arose. With a very high-level tackle recruits committed to South Carolina for the 2024 class in Kam Pringle and the potential of another in Josiah Thompson, the move inside will remain a possibility as long as Babalade is not actively playing at tackle. In fact, in recent years, the Gamecocks have cross-trained many linemen—Jakai Moore, Jaylen Nichols, and Tyshawn Wannamaker have all played at both guard and tackle—and it would be of little surprise for Babalade to also be trained at both positions.

In all, Oluwatosin Babalade has a ceiling as high as the biggest tree, and Gamecocks everywhere will be hoping he climbs all the way to the top.

Former South Carolina football player Devonte Holloman has been named the new head football coach at Pinewood Prep.

Holloman replaces J.W. Myers, who was the head coach for three seasons. Myers will remain the school’s athletic director.

Holloman spent last season as an off-the-field assistant for Shane Beamer at USC. Prior to that, Holloman was the head coach at his alma mater, South Pointe High in Rock Hill, for three seasons. He led South Pointe to the Class AAAA state title in 2021.

Holloman spent four seasons at Beaufort High, three as defensive coordinator. He was the head coach at Beaufort for one year before moving to South Pointe. Holloman has a 35-11 record in his four seasons as a head coach.

“I’m excited to join the Pinewood Panthers’ family, and I look forward to continuing to build on the football program’s foundation and growth while adding championship pedigree and aspirations. We have all the tools, support and talented players. Now it’s time to put the work in,” Holloman said in a release from the school.

Denson leaves Northwood for NFL

Former Charleston Southern head football coach Autry Denson spent less than two months as the athletic director at Northwood Academy. Denson will be leaving his post to accept a job as running backs coach with the Arizona Cardinals.

Denson spent four seasons at Charleston Southern before he was not retained after the 2022 season. He took over as athletic director at Northwood Academy in January.

“God has blessed me and my family with an unbelievable opportunity,” Denson said. “With the way this came about, it can only be God. I am so appreciative and grateful for the time I had at Northwood. They are family and this is home. We look forward to what God has in store for us.”

Denson will be attending the NFL combine this weekend and will be at work next week in Arizona.

With the departure of Denson, head football coach Armando Allen will step down and assume duties as athletic director. Replacing Allen as the football coach will be former First Baptist head coach Johnny Waters.

Waters resigned down at First Baptist after the 2022 season. While at First Baptist, Waters guided the Hurricanes to a pair of state championships in 2017 and 2018.

Wrestlers earn state titles

It was a banner weekend for area high school wrestlers as nine Charleston-area grapplers captured state individual championships at the S.C. High School League state wrestling tournament, held in Anderson on Feb. 24-25.

In addition to the nine state championships, 11 other wrestlers finished as state runner-up in their respective divisions. All total, 34 athletes finished among the top four, including 16 wrestlers in Class AAAAA.

In AAAAA, state champions included Richard Springs of Fort Dorchester (106), JJ Peace of Cane Bay (120), Ben Guilliam of Summerville (138), Keith Grace of Ashley Ridge (152), Noah Nichols of Stratford (160), and Mason Ayers of Summerville (182).

State runner-up placements in AAAAA included Caleb Herring of Summerville (126), Christian Garland of Ashley Ridge (220) and Landon Stradcutter of Stratford (285).

Earning silver medals in the Class AAAA state tournament were Gianni Bottone of Lucy Beckham (120), Thomas Johnson of James Island (132) and Pedro Lacerda of James Island (145).

Austin Guerrero of Hanahan finished second in the Class AAA 182-pound weight class.

In the Class AA/A tournament, state champions included Alex Rush of Timberland (113), Sam Cherichello of Bishop England (132), and Amonte McCray of Cross (285).

Heicol Jiminez of Military Magnet was state runner-up at 132. Timberland’s Ethan Dawson was second in the 138-pound division, while Santory Jones of Cross was second at 170 pounds. Bishop England’s Cole Preiditsch finished second at 220.