Bishops' DiBattisto resigns for 2nd time

Jeff DiBattisto's on-again, off-again status as coach of the Bishop England boys basketball team is off again. And this time, it's off for good as the popular coach announced his resignation as coach and teacher for the second time in four months.

The school announced that assistant Brian Grevey will replace DiBattisto in time for the 2010-11 season.

DiBattisto has been torn between team and family for some time, and in the end family finally won out.

In February, DiBattisto announced he was stepping down as boys basketball coach and relinquishing his teaching duties because of a family situation that was too good to pass up.

DiBattisto is a newlywed, and his wife, Caroline, is a developmental pediatrician who landed a job at the Medical University of Georgia in Augusta. But less than a month later, he asked Bishops athletic director Paul Runey if he could have his old job back, and Runey's answer was a resounding yes.

DiBattisto had planned to spend the week in Charleston and return to Augusta for the weekends, except during basketball season. But DiBattisto decided family is too important and resigned as coach and teacher.

DiBattisto's five-year record was 82-47, including 36-16 in region play. His teams went 4-4 in the playoffs.

DiBattisto also coached golf, winning one state title.

Grevey has been an assistant at Bishop England for five years, and has an impressive background in basketball. He and his brother, Kevin, played basketball at the University of South Carolina.

"He lives up to the Bishop England mission statement," Runey said of Grevey. "He's a good guy, treats the kids well and knows basketball. And, he's been loyal to Bishop England."

Stall positions

Stall has named Mitch White as its boys basketball coach. White also serves as the school's football coach. He has experienced success at the high school and college levels.

"Coach White's basketball knowledge and teaching skills are second to none. I believe that the leadership Mitch has established on the football field will carry over to the basketball court," Stall athletic director Cathy Lawter said.

With White's move to the men's basketball position, Jeff Emory will fill the girls varsity position. Emory comes to Stall High School with 13 years of certified teaching and coaching experience in North Carolina and Virginia. Emory was one of only five coaches in the United States selected to coach in the Tourney Sport USA National Basketball Championships in Hawaii during the summer 2006. He is the assistant coach of the Charleston Splash women's pro basketball team.

Koumas honored

Lugoff-Elgin standout Forrest Koumas of Lugoff- Elgin has been named the Gatorade South Carolina Baseball Player of the Year.

The 6-foot, 190-pound senior right-handed pitcher and first baseman led the Demons (20-4) to the Class AAA state title last month, posting a 9-1 record with a 1.66 ERA and 124 strikeouts in 76 innings while batting .474 and hitting a state-leading 18 home runs to go with 57 RBIs and 16 stolen bases.

Koumas, who signed with South Carolina, had 62 percent of his hits go for extra bases this past season. He is the nation's No. 168 prospect in the Class of 2010 by Perfect Game USA.

The award recognizes athletic and academic excellence.

Koumas has maintained a B average in the classroom. He is active in his church community and has volunteered locally as a youth baseball coach.

"Forrest Koumas is without a doubt the most talented player I have ever coached in 17 years," said Lugoff-Elgin coach Randy Stokes. "He's a tremendous competitor and a perfectionist. He works so hard to make himself the best player."

Reach Philip M. Bowman at pbowman@postandcourier.com or at 837-5592.