Hawks' Cox overcomes tumor for scholarship

It was one of the better stories of the recent NCAA early signing period.

It wasn't about statistics or being a superstar when Hanahan first baseman Chanler Cox signed to play for Anderson University. It was about survival.

Cox was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma near the start of the 2007-08 school year. Ewing's sarcoma is a malignant round-cell tumor. It is a rare disease in which cancer cells are found in the bone or in soft tissue. The most common areas in which it occurs are the pelvis, the femur, the humerus, and the ribs. Doctors found it on Cox's heel.

He recently finished a year's worth of chemotherapy and direct radiation, Hanahan coach Brian Mitchell said. The direct radiation cost Cox his basketball season and made is senior baseball season short-lived. The Hawks tried to use him as a designated hitter and would pinch-run for him when he got on base.

"But (his heel) blistered up so bad, so that ended his baseball season," Mitchell said. He played in only the first three games and probably didn't have five at-bats."

But Cox wouldn't quit. He played summer and fall traveling baseball for the Mount Diamond Warriors 18-U team, which is coached by Matt Ishee and former Hanahan great Bryce Florie. He played designated hitter and regained the pop in his bat. Anderson was impressed enough to offer him a scholarship. He's playing basketball for the Hawks and continues to progress.

"He's not 100 percent, but he's on the road to recovery," Mitchell said. "He's a big kid. I thought the treatments might cause him to thin out. He's 6-foot-5 and not thin at all. He's a nice target at first base. He's a great kid who deserves the best."

Aldrich signs

South Carolina's loss was Wake Forest's gain.

Wando outfielder Daniel Aldrich recently signed with Wake Forest after he and USC went their separate ways.

Aldrich committed to USC after his freshman season, but the two sides mutually agreed it wasn't a good fit.

Aldrich slumped his junior season, hitting only .288 with three homers and 20 RBIs. He did play well in the summer, helping the Diamond Devils 18-U team win two national wood bat tournaments.

Aldrich showed great potential as a sophomore. He hit .430 for the Warriors with eight homers and 34 RBIs.

Region 8-AAAA stars

The football coaches in Region 8-AAAA announced their all-conference team.

League champ Summerville landed seven players on the team: Donny McElveen, Tyler Veronee, Jacob Webb, Michael Varner, Demetrius Sherman, Ronnie Kirven and Dylan Zimmerman.

Beaufort's picks include Brad Gonzales, Michael Ginn, Sam Venning, Jimmy Legree, Tray Nichols and Patrick Dennis.

Fort Dorchester's selections include Galen Bennett, Antonio Guy, Adrian Stewart, Geno Porter and Trel Hamilton.

Colleton County's picks include Brett Hughes, Andre Collum, Jamal Parker and Kevin Adams.

Rounding out the team are West Ashley's Cedrick Chisolm, K.J. Cohen and Donovan Pinckney.

Summerville's John McKissick is coach of the year.

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