Shell brothers to boost Gators

The Goose Creek Gators have been known to run the football during coach Chuck Reedy's tenure. The Gators have been blessed with some high-profile running backs and equally blessed with some offensive linemen who have worked in anonymity.

This year marks Reedy's eighth year at the school and the Gators should use the same modus operandi to contend for the Region 7-AAAA championship. Look for the Gators to at least match their average of rushing for 300 yards per game, which they have accomplished the last six years. But the offensive linemen won't be so anonymous this fall with the addition of the Shell brothers, who have transferred from West Ashley.

Junior tackle Brandon Shell is 6-7 and weighs 305 pounds. About the only thing bigger than his size is his potential. Senior guard Deandre Shell is 6-1 and weighs 295 pounds.

They are the nephews of former NFL great Art Shell, and have the potential to play at the college level.

Brandon Shell could be truly special if he works hard and continues to improve. He has the potential to be one of the best offensive linemen this state has produced in the last 25 years and the best since St. Louis Rams guard Alex Barron concluded his prep career at Orangeburg-Wilkinson in 2000.

The Shell brothers join their step brother, Virgil Smalls, who rushed for 10 touchdowns and more than 500 yards last fall at fullback.

The Shell brothers are two of four players who transferred to Goose Creek for the 2009-10 academic year. The other players are juniors James Robinson and Jiovante Gillis.

Robinson is a 6-4 tight end/wide receiver who transferred from James Island, while Gillis is a defensive back from Vidalia, Ga.

Ballers are champs

The 15-U Lowcountry Ballers, a group of local girls who play AAU basketball, recently won the national championship with a 67-58 victory over the Southern Ohio Magic.

The tournament was held in Orlando, Fla., and the Ballers beat teams from New Hampshire, Tennessee, Maryland and South Carolina en route to the championship game.

Members of the team include: N'Dea Bryant, Jeannie Buckner, Shanolia Council, Alaina Haney, Erin Hawkins, Jocelyn Mack, Elysia Pajaro, Whitney Palmer, Shakiema Ravenell, ChaRon Singleton, Laticia Singleton, Terria Vaughan, Aasima Walker, Aleighsa Welch and Jazzmin' Williamson.

Devils fare well

The Diamond Devils 18-U baseball team, which includes numerous players from the Lowcountry, finished second over the weekend in the Continental Amateur Baseball Association's Wood Bat World Series, which was held at various locations in the Charleston area.

The Diamond Devils won two games Saturday at the College of Charleston's Patriots Point baseball complex to advance. But the team's dream of another national title ended when the Midland Indians, who are based in Cincinnati, posted a 6-5 victory to win the championship.

Stratford's Ryan Gunther and Bishop England's Ryan Connolly were named to the all-tournament team. Gunther is headed to Elon and Connolly will pitch for Coastal Carolina.

Connor Bright, a rising junior at Wando, won the hustle award.

Reach Philip M. Bowman at pbowman@postandcourier.com or at 937-5592. Read his blog at postandcourier.com/prepblog.