By John Smithson The year 2020 has been the year most want to forget. High school sports had already been dealt a bad hand when spring sports were cancelled early last March due to the many unknowns surrounding COVID-19. As schools cancelled classes for the year, disappointed athletes in all sports waited to see what might happen in the fall. During the summer North Myrtle Beach High School fall sports teams waited and watched to see what the South Carolina High School League would do. Preparations were started then stopped until finally all teams found out their shortened schedules for …

By John Smithson With baseball at North Myrtle Beach High School ending early due to the coronavirus, coach Brian Alderson is much like most people – unsure of what the future holds. “Obviously nothing like this has ever happened before in our lifetime and it has been very difficult on our student athletes, our coaches and all our families. But if you put it in perspective, this virus has put a strain on the whole world, not just us or Horry County. It’s much bigger than that.” Alderson talked about the many problems brought on by the virus. “It is …

All three athletic fields at North Myrtle Beach High School and all other county high schools will be lit up from 8:20 to 8:40 p.m. on Friday, May 1, in honor of all senior athletes in all spring sports.  Anyone is invited to drive by the school to see the lights. However, due to the school’s closure, no one will be permitted to enter the stadium area. Each spring sport athlete has their number or initials on the field, and each sport is identified above the number or initials. Baseball and softball players’ numbers are on their field.  Athletic director …

By John Smithson Last month, just as the various spring sports were getting underway at North Myrtle Beach High School, the seasons just as quickly ended. South Carolina schools closed in mid-March and besides parents and kids going to virtual classrooms for learning, thousands of student athletes statewide learned their sport and games and matches were placed on hold. Baseball, soccer, track, softball, tennis, lacrosse and golf might have a video game equivalent but for high school coaches and players, the end of their sport schedule meant no practice, no games and not even the thrill of winning or the …

By John Smithson As the North Myrtle Beach varsity lacrosse team began their season, I had the chance to talk with coach Dan Rosa. At that time many weeks ago, I witnessed an energetic group of boys and girls, players going through drills and practice guided by assistant coaches. Two students were there that day to volunteer their time as managers for the team. Rosa was pleased with his program and its growth in such a short time. He was even setting a goal for his boys team to end their season with a winning record. On Sunday, I again …

By John Smithson Obviously, we were having a great start to the season going 6-0 and being  first in the Region. All that is attributed to the hard work and sacrifice these young men gave to the program. Since we took over the program last June, these young men have been together roughly twice a week every week we were allowed leading up to this season. Whether that be in the weight room or on the field. They fully committed to the goals they set out and it was really difficult to see them cut short of those goals. There …

By John Smithson Lacrosse – The North Myrtle Beach High School lacrosse team ran their record to 4-3 after last week’s action. The Chiefs opened the week with an 18-1 loss to powerhouse Waccamaw last Monday at North Myrtle Beach. The Chiefs came back on Thursday to get their first win over Socastee by a 5-4 score. The North Myrtle Beach varsity lacrosse team on offense in the first half of last Monday’s game with Waccamaw. The Chiefs Holden Rue (2) scored their only goal as Sam Barker (12) looked on in an 18-1 loss to an excellent lacrosse team. …

Aryana Henry completes one of her attempts in the pole vault competition for the Lady Chiefs track and field team at Saturday’s Allen Connie Relays at North Myrtle Beach. The North Myrtle Beach High School boys and girls track teams competed against five other local high schools last Saturday in the Allen Connie Relays and both teams finished second to strong Carolina Forest teams. In the boys track and field events Carolina Forest finished with 138 points for first place. North Myrtle Beach was second with 96 points. St. James took third place with 74 points while Myrtle Beach had …

Girls varsity softball coach Bobby Henderson stands next to his girls team for this year.  The Lady Chiefs begin regular season play this week. Front row, left to right, are Isabella Barrow, Marissa Iannone, Emily Richardson,  Andie Crimminger, Katerra Yeager and Aaliyah Earl. Back row, left to right, are Savana Robledo, Briana Jenkins, Lauren Hilburn, Chasity Greyson, Presley Minnick, Macy Prince and Taylor McDowell. Bobby Henderson sat at his desk in his math classroom at North Myrtle Beach High School last Friday and talked about how he got to be the girls varsity softball coach and what he hopes to …

Head boys lacrosse coach Dan Rosa stands in front of his varsity boys and girls teams and JV players as well as his two boys assistants and girls coach. Rosa has over 55 players committed to the lacrosse program, which is in its fourth year with three under Rosa. Dan Rosa is a retired firefighter from New Jersey who has made lacrosse a major part of his life and now wants to make the lacrosse program an integral part of the North Myrtle Beach High School sports. Rosa is in his third year at the school as the boys lacrosse …