Ellington, Sanders net state honors

The South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association has announced the state players of the year and all-state teams, and the Lowcountry is well represented.

Berkeley's Bruce Ellington is the Class AAAA boys player of the year and Burke's Sidney Sanders is the Class AA boys player of the year.

Three other players made the Class AAAA boys team: DeVontae Wright of Goose Creek, R.J. Slawson of Fort Dorchester and Matt Kennedy of West Ashley.

Denzel Myers of North Charleston was the only boy to make the Class AAA team.

Sanders was player of the year in Class AA although he was not selected to play in the North-South Game. Burke's other all-state selection, Del'Javon Simmons, was named to the North-South team.

Two local players made the boys' Class A all-state team: De'Antre Johnson of Military Magnet and Edmond Robinson of St. John's.

The other players of the year were Damien Leonard of J.L. Mann (Class AAA) and Torey Craig of Great Falls (Class A).

Aleighsa Welch, who led the Goose Creek Gators to the Class AAAA state championship, was selected to the girls' Class AAAA team. Emily Willoughby of Wando and Chentieh Ladson of West Ashley were the other local Class AAAA picks.

Charon Singleton of North Charleston and Laticia Singleton of Stall were named to the girls' Class AAA team.

Bishop England's Mallory Molony repeated as a Class AA all-state pick. Burke's Alexis Jones also made the team.

Keona LaVine of Cross was the only Class A pick.

Players of the year were Xylina McDaniel of Spring Valley (Class AAAA), Kayla Jenrette of Travelers Rest (Class AAA), Latvia Coleman of Central Pageland (Class AA) and Hayden Latham of Christ Church (Class A).

Hatley milestone

James Island baseball coach Tom Hatley goes after career victory No. 400 today when the Trojans host Colleton County.

Hatley is in his 21st year at James Island where he has won seven region titles. He led the Trojans to state championships in 1994 and '96. The Trojans also played in the state championship game in '99.

Hatley was an assistant under Chal Port at The Citadel for six years before landing the James Island job.

Region 6-AA stars

The Region 6-AA girls all-star basketball team has been announced and three players share the player of the year honors: Mallory Molony of league champ Bishop England, Alexis Jones of Burke and Shakieman Ravenell of Woodland.

Joining Molony on the squad are teammates Elizabeth Works, Amber Corbett and Katelyn Grisillo

Ravenell, Cherrye Rivers and Bobbie Blake are Woodland's selections.

Jones and Shawonna McNeil are Burke's selections. Rounding out the team are Angelique Green and Shatejzia Robinson of Cane Bay, Deondra Smalls of Garrett Tech and Ericka Millen of Ashley Ridge.

Paul Runey of Bishop England was coach of the year.

Hunt commits

Wando outfielder Evan Hunt has committed to play for Spartanburg Methodist.

He is batting .400 after No. 1 Wando's 12-4 victory over Summerville on Monday night, a game in which he went 2-for-4 and drove in three runs.

He has two homers and eight RBIs in five games.

Hunt batted .297 and drove in 23 runs last season when the Warriors reached the Class AAAA State Championship Season. He hit five doubles and blasted two homers.

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