Preseason polls include local teams

HIGH SCHOOLS

The Burke boys basketball team begins the 2008-09 season the same way it ended last season.

The Bulldogs are ranked No. 2 in the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association preseason poll after finishing as state runners-up last winter with a 25-2 record. Southside, which beat the Bulldogs in the title game, heads up the Class AA poll.

The Goose Creek Gators have become a force under coach Brad Dobbels and this season will be no exception. The Gators check in at No. 5 in the Class AAAA poll, and are led by Phillip Jenkins, one of the top five senior players in the state, according to the coaches' rankings. Fort Dorchester checks in at No. 7. Sumter heads up the Class AAAA poll.

In boys Class AAA, Georgetown, led by Kinard-Gadsden Gilliard, checks in at No. 5. Gilliard is one of the top five players in Class AAA. North Charleston is ranked No. 10. Myrtle Beach holds down the top spot.

Baptist Hill, which reached the Class A title game two years ago, is No. 4 in the small schools poll. Calhoun County is No. 1.

In the girls polls, Goose Creek is No. 7 in Class AAAA. Dorman holds down the top spot.

North Charleston is No. 6 in Class AAA. Lower Richland holds down the top spot.

Burke is No. 4 in the Class AA poll, while Timberland is sixth and Bishop England 10th. Woodland's LaShana Glen is one of the top five Class AA players in the state. Eau Claire is the top team in Class AA.

Academic Magnet is No. 8 in Class A. Hunter-Kinard-Tyler is No. 1.

Washington is finalist

Timberland offensive lineman Quinton Washington is one of seven finalist for South Carolina's Mr. Football award.

The other finalists include Stephon Gilmore, South Pointe; Mallicial Goodman, West Florence; Roderick McDowell, Sumter; Jarrett Neely, Northwestern; David Sims, Calhoun County and Jamere Valentine, Myrtle Beach.

The award will be presented Dec. 12 in Myrtle Beach.

Trout signs

Former Stratford softball player Laura Trout has signed to play for Georgia.

Trout, who attends Spartanburg Methodist, was a second team Junior College all-American shortstop last season while leading her team to a fifth-place finish in the Junior College National Tournament. She batted .480 and had an .890 slugging percentage.

Coy signs

Northwood Academy basketball star Carra Coy recently signed with Liberty University.

She averaged 16 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots as a junior.

Reach Philip M. Bowman at pbowman@postandcourier.com or at 937-5592.