Loris athletes receive awards at winter banquet

The winter sports include the varsity and junior varsity teams of cheerleading, girls and boys basketball and wrestling. Barry Brooks, athletic director for LHS, hosted the banquet awards dinner at the school cafeteria on Tuesday, Feb. 26, beginning at 6 p.m.

Dinner was catered by the IGA in Loris with chicken, green beans, macaroni and cheese, a roll and banana pudding. Junetta Doctor, Barbara Philius and Susie Bennett, support staff, helped serve the dinner. Brooks welcomed the athletes, parents and press for attending the banquet which recognizes and honors students who have improved, coach pick and team choice awards. Brooks opened by thanking the office staff, principal Richard Crumley, assistant principals Maudie Davis and Josh Cutright, Annaleza Jones and Johanna Schlutzer, the athletic trainers. He said, “The students have paid a tremendous price to be on a team, and our coaches have worked very hard and paid the price and you, the parents, have paid a price by teaching the children to do the right thing and try to participate in the athletic program.” He provided a blessing for the dinner before everyone lined up to eat.

After thanking many of the support staff at the school for their help with decorations and setting up the cafeteria for the event, Brooks said, “I appreciate Dr. Mark Peistring, MD; we are probably the only school in the county that has a doctor that will come out here and give free physicals to our athletes, that’s a blessing.” He said it saves parents money and suggested that everyone thank him for his donation to the school athletic program. He thanked Krystal Causey who helps him with the funding for the program. She helps me with the money to provide athletic equipment and uniforms that the kids need to be successful, “I greatly appreciate her.”

He introduced Holly Holland, the cheerleading coach. She asked the 2018-19 varsity cheerleaders to come to the front where Brooks gave them their letters of certificate. She said that the season was good. They attended a week long UCA camp at the college in Charleston in July, and they won camp championship for a routine. Ally Long was recognized on the first night for sportsmanship and willingness to help other squads. Ally Long, Kali Griffin, Alex Norman and Tykwonia Wallingford were selected as All Americans. Long and Griffin were invited to try out for jobs as UCA counselors, which is an enormous recognition for them. The cheerleaders held a cheering camp for five year olds who performed at a varsity football game. They also held a four-day camp for the B-team cheerleaders at the middle school teaching motion, stunts, cheers and dance. The awards presented were Most Improved-Malazia Soles, Team First Award-Kali Griffin and Coaches Choice-Ellie Gore.

The JV cheerleading squad awards are Most Improved-Tyaniyh Bennett, Team First-Madison Hardwick and Coach Award-Summer King.

The varsity wrestling team awards were presented by Coach B. Vereen. Each team member received his letters from Brooks with a handshake. Vereen said this is the first season he has been head coach and it is a great opportunity. Bookkeeper Mrs. Vereen received a letter of appreciation for attending every match. He said, “She would wake up at 3 in the morning to make sandwiches, leave the house at 4 a.m. to pick up wrestlers and made sure we had snacks and drinks and all the equipment we need. We appreciate her hard work and volunteering to help the team.” The awards presented were Most Improved-Chandler Graham, Team First-Ridge Kidder and Coach Award-Nathan Todd. Another award to be given was voted by other coaches within the region. This year’s All Region Wrestlers 106 Lorenzo Wallace, at 220 Jyheem Myers, and the one who took third in the county tournament, Daniel Tyler. The team captains voted the award for Rookie of the Year-Markelle Moore who set the tone for all of the big wins. Another new award was the Most Dedicated-Ja’Reizz “Juice” Grate, Coach Vereen said that he pulled Grate aside and told him that he didn’t believe this was the sport for him, but his dedication and determination is recognized at tonight’s awards. The last two awards are the Senior Awards given to Jaheem Myers and Lorenzo Wallace. Myers’ mother, Lawanda, said he has not decided what college he will attend after graduation. She said, “He might choose to join the military.”

The junior varsity girl’s basketball team Coach Stackhouse and Gause presented the awards and recognition to the team award winners. Stackhouse received much applause from the team as she took the front and center. She thanked the 2018-19 JV basketball team for working with the young ladies. She has worked with some of them through travel ball with the AAU. Stackhouse said, “Most of our games have a 91 overall season six and O regional games and six of our ladies traveling. We’ve had a great time, but when they hit the floor, they hit the floor hard.” She said when the game started each girl gave 150 percent effort to the game. Each girl was given a T-shirt as a token of appreciation for their hard work. Coach Gause asked four students to step forward, Jada Hemingway, Tra’Mya Felton, Ra’Naija Livingston and Monica Martin to take a step forward. She announced these girls are on the B-Team at Loris Middle School and have stepped in to help the team this season to assist due to injuries of the JV players. The awards given were Most Improved Award and was received by Charity Campbell, Coach Award-Tesha Simon. Campbell was the girl who knew the verse of the day and would recite it before a game. Gause said, “Let’s give these region champs a big hand.”

The varsity basketball girl’s team Coach Gause and Coach Windley introduced the region champs, Gause said, “Many of the ladies started out in sixth and seventh grade at the middle school and I thank them for being a part of our program.” He thanked the coaches for their dedication and hard work. He said, “We have some accomplishments and one is that we finally beat North Myrtle Beach for a change.” Coming in fifth in state and third in region is Ty’Anna Green. Congratulations on the accomplishments. All Region Players this year were N-Andre Gause and Ty’Anna Green.

Gause said, “I want to say a couple of things about this team and where we came from. When I took over three years ago we had some disciplinary issues and behavioral problems. We did everything we could to keep them on the team.” He continued, “The second year we had less problems with the issues where we set a standard holding them accountable, and this year I can honestly say that I have not received any calls or emails from teachers about behavior or discipline.” They are keeping their grades up and improving in every way. The awards, Most Improved, is Corteria Chestnut, Coach Award was presented to Ty’Anna Green, Team First-Dinah Gause and Defensive Player of the Year is Ari-yana Hayes. Gause presented a picture in uniform and a basketball to several of the team members who he felt were outstanding players.

JV boy’s basketball Coach Long presented awards to his team. He said, “I thank Coach Grady and staff for their support this year.” He said he let the team members select the players who receive the awards, Most Improved-Jaquan Jackson, Coach Award-JaQuon Dewitt and Team First-Jaleel Chestnut.

Coach Grady and Coach Parker presented the awards to the varsity boy’s basketball team. The teammates chose the award winners this year. The awards presented were two players receiving the Most Improved-Darl “Pacman” Johnson and Ray Livingston, Coach Award-William Hemingway and Team First-Jahrique Isaiah. The All Region Award was presented to Jahrique Isaiah (three times region) and William Hemingway (first time region).

Brooks said, “I want to thank Coach Grady, I think this year all our prayers were answered, he did a great job.” He continued stating that the girls basketball team lost many of their players at graduation last year, but they have come back strong. He said, “Our wrestling team is on the up-rise, they did a good job.”

The last award for the night was in the absence of Coach James Parker. Brooks said, “We have a coach that is extraordinary, I cannot be more proud of having him on the coaching staff, we appreciate his experience, knowledge and things he has been through.” He said that Parker has coached for 25 plus years. He said, “He is dedicated to your children and all the athletes here at Loris High School.” He continued, “There couldn’t be a better example of a man for your boys to grow up to be true men.” A plaque is awaiting Parker. Brooks read the inscription, “Coach James Parker we thank you for 25 plus years of dedication and service to Loris High School Athletics.” He said, “When you see Coach Parker, shake his hand because he has helped your children, there is no doubt about it.” He continued, “I want to thank everybody for coming, thank you for your attention tonight, that’s great for me.” He said, “We do all this for these kids, the boys and girls of Loris High School athletics, and I am just so proud of them. I hope you have a good evening, be careful going home and I appreciate it. Thank you so much.”