Dutch Fork’s Coates named Gatorade girls basketball player of year
Summerville freshman pitcher Sawyer Bridges had a big role in coach Burt Bazzle’s 500th career victory on Monday.
Bridges allowed only one hit in the 2-0 victory over Goose Creek. The right-hander faced 21 batters, struck out four and did not walk a batter.
Bridges is one of the top freshman athletes in the state. He was also the Green Wave’s starting quarterback and passed for more than 1,000 yards.
National indoors
Several athletes from around the state competed in the New Balance Nationals Indoor meet over the weekend in New York City.
Porter-Gaud’s Brent Demarest competed in the 2-mile run. He placed fifth in his heat and 22nd overall. He tied his own school record in the 2-mile (9:22.71) and his 3,000-meter split established a new school record of 8:50. His time was ninth best among all underclassmen, and further cemented his status among the nation’s elite distance runners.
Beaufort’s Kaila Smith finished fourth in girls 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.80. Smith flew home Friday night and competed in Saturday’s Diamond Hornets Invitational.
Summerville’s Davon Anderson competed in the 60-meter dash and hurdles. He reached the semifinals.
Player of the year
Alaina Coates of Dutch Fork High School has been named the Gatorade South Carolina girls basketball player of the year.
The 6-5 senior center led the Silver Foxes to a 29-0 record and a second consecutive Class AAAA state championship this past season.
Coates averaged 21.4 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game to earn the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association’s Class AAAA player of the year honor. She was also selected to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game.
“She was the most dominant player we faced this year,” Aiken coach Aubrey Pompey said. “We had the pleasure of facing her three times. Each time, she was the difference in each of our contests.”
Coates collected 10 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and three steals in the 46-43 state championship win over Dorman.
Coates, a finalist for the Gatorade national player award, has signed to play basketball at South Carolina.
Baseball statistics
The Post and Courier will publish baseball statistics every other Friday beginning with the March 22 edition.
Coaches are asked to provide leaders in all offensive and pitching categories.
Statistics should be submitted by noon on March 21. Email stats to pbowman@postandcourier.com.
Attention coaches
Spring sports coaches are asked to call in or email their results as soon as possible to ensure the scores are reported in the next day’s edition of The Post and Courier.
Scores can be called in at (843) 937-5586 or (800) 209-2609. The email address is sportsdesk@postandcourier.com.
SCISA athletic directors or coaches are asked to email spring sports schedules to pbowman@postandcourier.com.
Follow Philip M. Bowman on Twitter@postandcourier.com
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