With the 2006 SC 4A State Wrestling Duals Tournament starting this week on Wednesday (2-1-06), we have a lot to anticipate since this year’s field of teams creates some exciting matchups. SCMAT is here to give you a breakdown of the Brackets, or bracketology as they call it, and provide our view of the eventual predicted winner. So, without further adieu, here we go with this year’s 4A Dual State Title predictions!
Let’s start with some recognition of the Coaches that have brought their teams this far!
Coaches for the 31 teams in the 2006 SC 4A State Wrestling Duals Tournament
Battery Creek Chad Cox
Beaufort Bill Damude
Byrnes Eric Hansen
Conway Matthew Love
Dorman Dave Maholtz
Dutch Fork Ken Wilson
Easley Wayne Filter
Fort Dorchester BD LaPrad
Fort Mill Chris Brock
Goose Creek Len Covington
Greenwood Greg Brewer
Hartsville Jon Berghorn
Hillcrest Tommy Bell
Irmo Bob Taylor
Laurens Rob Sheffield
Lexington Derek Strobel
Marlboro County Torey Ellison
Mauldin Mike Fry
Northwestern Mike Biddix
Orangeburg-Wilkinson Rasheem Nelons
Ridge View Brandon Cavins
Rock Hill Hank Hammonds (interim)
Spring Valley Kurt Wilson
Stratford Willie Nearhood
Summerville Kenny Walker
Sumter David Wright
Wando Dennie McDaniel
West Ashley Dale Metzger
Westside Todd McCormick
White Knoll Bill Pierce
York John Barrett
Let’s try your Trivia knowledge for this year’s coaches (answers at the bottom) -
1) Which coach, of the current 31 coaches in the 4A Dual State playoffs, has a former collegiate National Champion as an assistant head coach?
2) How many of the current 31 coaches in the 4A Dual State playoffs have won a 4A State title (current dual format, and prior team point format)?
3) Which coach, of the current 31 coaches in the 4A Dual State playoffs, has won four 2A-1A state titles and was a Wrestling USA High School All American?
4) Which coach, of the current 31 coaches in the 4A Dual State playoffs, wrestled in the 1975 and 1976 NCAA Wrestling Tournaments for Syracuse University?
5) Which coach, of the current 31 coaches in the 4A Dual State playoffs, wrestled in the 1990 and 1991 NCAA Wrestling Tournaments for Lock Haven University?
6) Which coach, of the current 31 coaches in the 4A Dual State playoffs, wrestled in the 1996 and 1997 NCAA Wrestling Tournaments for Appalachian State University?
7) Which coach, of the current 31 coaches in the 4A Dual State playoffs, has the most former wrestlers/assistant coaches that are also head coaching in this year’s 4A tourney?
8) How many of the current 31 coaches in the 4A Dual State playoffs have a brother that was a four time SC Wrestling State Champion?
9) Which coach, of the current 31 coaches in the 4A Dual State playoffs, has also been the Tournament Director for the largest wrestling tournament in the state with over 1,000 wrestlers competing?
10) Which coaches, of the current 31 coaches in the 4A Dual State playoffs, was once an assistant head coach on a 4A state championship team?
Now for some bracketology!!
Round 1 (2-1-06) Bracket Breakdowns
Upper State
Mauldin (#4) at Westside (#1) – This may be the best first round match-up ever! In an earlier season match, Westside defeated Mauldin 40-39! Westside has risen to it’s highest ranking ever with a balanced lineup and a coaching staff that has made the commitment to get this team to the next level. With an earlier season upset of Mauldin, Westside quickly established itself as a hopeful contender in the Upper State. Mauldin has had struggles at times, losing a recent match with Dorman and losing former state champion Elliott Courter for the season. Mauldin’s Coach Mike Frye recently announced that he would retire after next season, so his squad may begin peaking to give their long-term coach a few tournament victories before he steps down. In Westside’s home gym, the nod goes to the team with the 15th man.
SCMAT Prediction – Westside
Orangeburg-Wilkinson (#3) at Northwestern (#2) – Northwestern defeated Rock Hill earlier this season for the first time since the mid-‘70’s, highlighting a very strong respectful season thus far. Even though Rock Hill had half their lineup out at the time with suspensions, Northwestern can savor the January victory against it’s region-rival and continue with an easy first round win over an Orangeburg team that forfeits a number of weights.
SCMAT Prediction – Northwestern
Easley (#4) at Hillcrest (#1) – The Coaching wizardry of the Bells has shown that this team can contend, and in fact has climbed to the highest ranking (#2) ever for the school. Head Coach Tommy Bell and Assistant Head Coach Robby Bell accumulated 6 individual state titles between them when they wrestled at Hillcrest, and now they have their alma mater in contention for the state team title. This Hillcrest team is very balanced, with no super stars, yet a lineup that saw its lowest ranked wrestlers tally over 50 team points at the Bearcat. Hillcrest has the passion to pull the upset in any weight class, but won’t need that in the first round. Easley normally has some strong wrestlers to watch with good records during the season, but they will not derail the Rams.
SCMAT Prediction – Hillcrest
Rock Hill (#3) at White Knoll (#2) – This is one of the best first round matchups! A struggling Rock Hill team that has reeled from a mid-season hazing incident, suspensions of wrestlers/coaches and several wrestlers that likely will not finish the season in the lineup (Neely and Epps) versus a White Knoll team under Coach Bill Pierce that is seeking some respect amongst the elite. Interim Rock Hill Coach Hank Hammond, will have his hands full traveling to Columbia for this first round match. Coach Pierce, who was the Assistant Head Coach on Dutch Fork’s Championship season in 2003, is in his first season and crafted an impressive 18-1 dual record, though mostly against a lighter schedule. White Knoll’s toughest dual match was in a loss to their region-rival Lexington, though a late season win against Sumter, at Sumter, propelled them higher in the rankings as a potential contender. Rock Hill has history on it’s side, and sometimes you can not forget that Rock Hill won the title back in 2000 during former Coach Jim Barnes’ final season, after he accumulated 416 wins in his career. This is not the same Rock Hill team as yester year, but they will get the job done in round one in a close match.
SCMAT Prediction – Rock Hill
Fort Mill (#1) receives a Bye – Fort Mill will have the caliber of athletes to get back to the Upper State Finals under Coach Chris Brock. Senior leaders and top stars Larry Keeter and Mitchell Alston (already committed to joining Newberry College’s wrestling program in the Fall) bring to the playoffs a team that has known how to peak in recent years at the right time. Coach Brock came through the Rock Hill system as an athlete and assistant coach during the peak years of many Rock Hill state titles, and he knows what it will take to have his team ready. This year has not been as easy as some recent years, due to lineup shuffles, the loss of several wrestlers and a balanced upper state contingency at every tournament. The best match up in the upper state may be in round three when Fort Mill could earn a trip to visit Lexington (should Lexington get past Byrnes). Though Hillcrest may be a slight favorite to win the Upper State, Fort Mill is a team that should begin to put it all together and possibly make it to their first trip to the State Finals.
SCMAT Prediction – Fort Mill advances with a Bye
Dorman (#3) at Laurens (#2) – Dorman surprised many across the state with an impressive win over Mauldin recently and sent a signal out to the 4A field that they are capable of winning in this first round of the playoffs. Dorman’s Coach Dave Maholtz was the Assistant Head Coach at Dutch Fork during several years as the state runner-ups, before he moved to Dorman back in the 2002-2003 season to build his own program. Laurens has some strong athletes and will give Dorman fits in a number of weight classes, but look for Dorman to win this one in a close match.
SCMAT Prediction – Dorman
York (#4) at Lexington (#1) – Lexington is again looking to distinguish itself as a serious contender for the Upper State Title. Lexington has tasted disappointment in past state tourneys and Coach Derek Strobel is determined to change the team’s course this season and get them to the state finals. Lexington has the team to accomplish this, but they need to put it all together in the next week and a half under some senior grit from top rated and undefeated William Watson. Lexington has not peaked yet, but they may begin to display the red flag work ethic this week. Lexington could also be a team to break away from the upper state pack and make it to their first trip ever to the State Finals.
SCMAT Prediction – Lexington
Greenwood (#3) at Byrnes (#2) – Byrnes has the state’s best wrestler this year, undefeated and Bucknell bound Brantley Hooks, a dominating wrestler who won the Pre-season NHSCA National Championship. In addition to Hooks, Byrnes has a number of talented wrestlers that make for an exceptional Tournament team, but not as dominating a dual team. Byrnes will likely not go deep into the Dual playoffs, but may finish in the top 5 at the state tournament on February 25. Byrnes’ Coach Eric Hansen is in his first season as head coach, after serving as assistant coach to Coach Russ Howard (now Greenville’s head coach). Greenwood’s John Hamrick (189 lbs.) is ranked #3 in the state at his weight and should secure one of several victories during the match. Byrnes is too strong overall for Greenwood and should win this match easily.
SCMAT Prediction – Byrnes
Lower State
Marlboro County (#4) at Dutch Fork (#1) – Dutch Fork’s Coach Ken Wilson, in his 3rd season after transferring from the state runner-up Spring Valley team of 2003, looks to put Dutch Fork back into the state finals for the first time since Dutch Fork’s 2003 state championship season. Dutch Fork is one of only three schools in state that lost to Summerville by single digits (Hillcrest and Lexington were the other two). Dutch Fork has proven to be one of the surprise teams of the season, while only returning two state qualifiers from last season (Seniors Ray Steele and Corneilius Selke). The younger wrestlers on this Dutch Fork team have proven that when Summerville graduates it’s 6 talented seniors, this may be the team to beat next year. This year, they will get past Marlboro County and should win at least one more playoff match before running into Fort Dorchester in the third round.
SCMAT Prediction – Dutch Fork
Battery Creek (#3) at Wando (#2) – Battery Creek has become another surprising team this year, with almost a total rebuilding effort required after graduating last year’s talented senior class. With Battery Creek’s youthfulness and aggressive style of wrestling, they should out match Wando and win this dual. Coach Chad Cox of Battery Creek is in his first season as head coach, though Coach Nathan Day (former coach of several 3A State titles while at BC) should be adding his coaching influence from the bench.
SCMAT Prediction – Battery Creek
Spring Valley (#4) at Sumter (#1) – Sumter has always had several outstanding wrestlers, and this year’s squad is no different, but Sumter has risen above some recent seasons and knocked on the door of a top 10 finish. A recent loss to White Knoll was a minor set back to their outstanding season. Spring Valley boasts one of the state’s best wrestlers in Tyler Thompson, though he won’t be enough to win this match for his team. Sumter should win the dual with a balanced, athletic team that is seeking some post season success.
SCMAT Prediction – Sumter
Stratford (#3) at Fort Dorchester (#2) – Fort Dorchester Coach B.D. LaPrad has become the all time wins leader in SC and one of the top 20 national coaches of all time, passing 500 career victories this season. Nationally ranked Sophomore Heavyweight phenom, Robert Quinn, leads this young Fort D team. Fort Dorchester split from Summerville a decade ago so the roots of wrestling run deep in this pocket of the state. Fort Dorchester lost to their region-rival Summerville in a disappointing 39-20 home defeat a week ago, but looks to rebound for a Lower State semi-final re-match with Dutch Fork, Coach LaPrad’s former program. Fort Dorchester easily defeated Dutch Fork at the Battery Creek Duals, but the second time around at Dutch Fork in the third round of the playoffs (should both teams make it that far) will not be as easy. Stratford is down a little after losing strong senior classes the last two years, and actually just took a defeat to Fort Dorchester a week ago, 55-13, in the final dual match of the season for both teams.
SCMAT Prediction – Fort Dorchester
Beaufort (#4) at Goose Creek (#1) – Goose Creek has put together a terrific season so far, though they may still be untested against top 10 programs. Look for the three outstanding Goose Creek seniors (TJ Thatcher, Elijah McNeil and Rod Reese) who are all ranked #2 in the state at their weight class to lead this team through the first two rounds, until a knock down with Summerville next Wednesday. Beaufort has wrestle exceptionally well this year, in a tough conference that left a solid Hilton Head program out of the playoffs as the fifth place team, and this should be a closer match than the #1 vs. #4 seedings indicate.
SCMAT Prediction – Goose Creek
Hartsville (#3) at Irmo (#2) – Irmo has struggled this year with injuries and the loss of some senior leadership off last year’s team, and has yet to show it’s full potential. The Irmo team has talent and should not be overly challenged with beating Hartsville, but this match could be where a Cinderella team slips through if Hartsville can handle the long drive and rowdy Irmo crowd. Irmo’s Coach Bob Taylor has the history from coaching Chapin to a number of 2A-1A state championships and he should guide the Yellow Jackets through to round two.
SCMAT Prediction – Irmo
West Ashley (#4) at Summerville (#1) – Summerville has won the State Dual title 4 out of the last 5 years (losing only once in that five year period to an in state opponent, Dutch Fork, back in the 2003 Dual semi-finals). Summerville’s Coach Kenny Walker comes from a strong wrestling background out of Pennsylvania, and he is on target, peaking his team, to win a third straight state dual title. A cast of top rated wrestlers in Christian Johnson, Lance Wactor, Reggie Henry, Greg Matricciano and NHSCA Jr National runner-up Bryant Blanton leads Summerville. In the last 6 years, Coach Walker has wracked up over 120+ in-state victories with only 1 loss. Phenomenal!
SCMAT Prediction – Summerville
Ridgeview (#3) at Conway (#2) – Ridgeview has wrestled very well this year under first year Coach Brandon Cavins. Cavins returned to his alma mater after assisting the Goose Creek program for a number of years and has his team positioned to win a round one match up in Conway. The 2+ hour trip up to the coast will be one of the longest journeys for any round one team to make, but Ridgeview should win in a close match based on their strength of schedule and solid performance this year.
SCMAT Prediction – Ridgeview
Round 2 (2-6-06) - SCMAT Predictions
Upper State
Northwestern at Westside
SCMAT Prediction – Westside
Rock Hill at Hillcrest
SCMAT Prediction – Hillcrest
Dorman at Fort Mill
SCMAT Prediction – Fort Mill
Byrnes at Lexington
SCMAT Prediction – Lexington
Lower State
Battery Creek at Dutch Fork
SCMAT Prediction – Dutch Fork
Fort Dorchester at Sumter
SCMAT Prediction – Fort Dorchester
Irmo at Goose Creek
SCMAT Prediction – Goose Creek
Ridgeview at Summerville
SCMAT Prediction – Summerville
Round 3 (2-8-06) - SCMAT Predictions
Upper State Semi-Finals
Westside at Hillcrest
SCMAT Prediction – Hillcrest
Fort Mill at Lexington
SCMAT Prediction – Lexington
Lower State Semi-Finals
Fort Dorchester at Dutch Fork
SCMAT Prediction – Fort Dorchester
Goose Creek at Summerville
SCMAT Prediction – Summerville
Round 4 (Friday, 2-10-06 at 7:00 p.m.) - SCMAT Predictions (Semi-Finals)
at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School starting
Upper State Finals – Hillcrest vs. Lexington
SCMAT Prediction – Hillcrest
Lower State Finals – Summerville vs. Fort Dorchester
SCMAT Prediction – Summerville
Round 5 (Saturday, 2-11-06 at 2:00 p.m.) - SCMAT Predictions (State Finals)
at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School starting
State Finals – Summerville vs. Hillcrest
SCMAT Prediction – Summerville
=== Trivia answers ===
1) Which coach, of the current 31 coaches in the 4A Dual State playoffs, has a former collegiate National Champion as an assistant head coach?
ANSWER - Rock Hill’s interim Coach
Hank Hammond has assistant head coach Bernard Durham, who won the NAIA National
Title in 1993 at 158 lbs.
while wrestling in college at Carson-Newman. Coach Bernard Durham wrestled at
Rock Hill in high school.
2) How many of the current 31 coaches in the 4A Dual State playoffs have won a 4A State title (current dual format, and prior team point format)?
ANSWER – Summerville’s Coach Kenny Walker (5 – all at Summerville), Fort Dorchester’s BD LaPrad (2 – one each at Irmo and Dutch Fork)
3) Which coach, of the current 31 coaches in the 4A Dual State playoffs, has won four 2A-1A state titles and was a Wrestling USA High School All American?
ANSWER – Irmo’s Coach Bob Taylor (state titles at Chapin 1993-96-97-98) was a 1984 Wrestling USA High School Honorable Mention All American while at Huntington, WV.
4) Which coach, of the current 31 coaches in the 4A Dual State playoffs, wrestled in the 1975 and 1976 NCAA Wrestling Tournaments for Syracuse University?
ANSWER – Dutch Fork’s Coach Ken Wilson
5) Which coach, of the current 31 coaches in the 4A Dual State playoffs, wrestled in the 1990 and 1991 NCAA Wrestling Tournaments for Lock Haven University?
ANSWER – Summerville’s Coach Kenny Walker
6) Which coach, of the current 31 coaches in the 4A Dual State playoffs, wrestled in the 1996 and 1997 NCAA Wrestling Tournaments for Appalachian State University?
ANSWER – Lexington’s Coach Derek Strobel
7) Which coach, of the current 31 coaches in the 4A Dual State playoffs, has the most former wrestlers/assistant coaches that are also head coaching in this year’s 4A tourney?
ANSWER – Fort Dorchester’s BD LaPrad has 3 - Lexington Coach Derek Strobel, White Knoll Coach Bill Pierce, Dorman Coach Dave Maholtz. And, if you add several other head wrestling coaches that wrestled under Coach LaPrad – like Brookland Cayce’s Coach Rob D’Amato and Newberry College’s Coach Jason Valek – there is a feeder system for creating head coaches that has been very impressive!
8) How many of the current 31 coaches in the 4A Dual State playoffs have a brother that was a four time SC Wrestling State Champion?
ANSWER – just one, Hillcrest’s Coach Tommy Bell (brother Robby Bell won 4 state titles at Hillcrest and Robby is the current assistant head coach at Hillcrest)
9) Which coach, of the current 31 coaches in the 4A Dual State playoffs, has also been the Tournament Director for the largest wrestling tournament in the state of SC with over 1,000 wrestlers competing?
ANSWER – Rock Hill’s interim Coach Hank Hammond (The Carolina Open)
10) Which coaches, of the current 31 coaches in the 4A Dual State playoffs, were once assistant head coaches on a 4A state championship team?
ANSWER – Fort Mill’s Coach Chris Brock (w/ Rock Hill) and White Knoll’s Coach Bill Pierce (w/ Dutch Fork)
And finally, brackets for the 2005 and 2004 SC 4A State Wrestling Duals Tournament can be located here ---
2005 SC 4A State Wrestling Duals Tournament results - http://www.schsl.org/2004%20brackets/wr%20aaaa.htm
2004 SC 4A State Wrestling Duals Tournament results - http://www.schsl.org/2003%20Brackets/wr%20aaaa.htm
A History of the SC 4A State Wrestling Tournament State Title determined by Duals Championship - 2006 - TBD 2-11-06 2005 - Summerville 43, Rock Hill 16 (Coach Kenny Walker, Coach Tim Wash) 2004 - Summerville 41, Rock Hill 21 (Coach Kenny Walker, Coach Tim Wash) 2003 - Dutch Fork 37, Spring Valley 34 (Coach BD LaPrad, Coach Ken Wilson) 2002 - Summerville 32, Dutch Fork 31 (Coach Kenny Walker, Coach BD LaPrad) 2001 - Summerville 33, Dutch Fork 18 (Coach Kenny Walker, Coach BD LaPrad) 2000 - Rock Hill 40, Irmo 19 (Coach Jim Barnes, Coach Dave Maas) 1999 - Rock Hill 35, Dutch Fork 25 (Coach Jim Barnes, Coach BD LaPrad) 1998 - Summerville 38, Rock Hill 29 (Coach Kenny Walker, Coach Jim Barnes) 1997 - Rock Hill 54, Dutch Fork 13 (Coach Jim Barnes, Coach BD LaPrad) 1996 - Rock Hill 38, Irmo 21 (Coach Jim Barnes, Coach Dave Maas) 1995 - Rock Hill 31, Summerville 21 (Coach Jim Barnes, Coach Mike Frye) 1994 - Rock Hill 36, Summerville 24 (Coach Jim Barnes, Coach Mike Frye) 1993 - Summerville 31, Rock Hill 22 (Coach Steve LaPrad, Coach Jim Barnes) State Title determined by Team Points Championship - 1992 Summerville Steve LaPrad 123½ - 97 Rock Hill Jim Barnes 1991 Rock Hill Jim Barnes 124 - 114 Summerville Steve LaPrad 1990 Rock Hill Jim Barnes 176½- 80½ Summerville Steve LaPrad 1989 Rock Hill Jim Barnes 169 - 167 Summerville Steve LaPrad 1988 Summerville Steve LaPrad 204 - 169½ Rock Hill Jim Barnes 1987 Summerville Steve LaPrad 181½ - 133½ Rock Hill Jim Barnes 1986 Rock Hill Jim Barnes 157½ - 104 Summerville Steve LaPrad 1985 Rock Hill Jim Barnes 178 - 174½ Summerville Steve LaPrad 1984 Rock Hill Jim Barnes 161½ - 96 Irmo B. D. LaPrad 1983 Rock Hill Jim Barnes 151 - 126½ James Island Mark Agner 1982 Rock Hill Jim Barnes 164 - 130½ Summerville Steve LaPrad 1981 Summerville Steve LaPrad 170 - 132 Rock Hill Jim Barnes 1980 Rock Hill Tom Ellenberger 148 - 119½ Irmo B. D. LaPrad 1979 Irmo B. D. LaPrad 96 - 95 Rock Hill Tom Ellenberger 1978 Airport Jim Barnes 110½ - 69 Rock Hill Tom Ellenberger (All Classifications 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A together) 1977 Airport Jim Barnes 122 - 80 Bonds-Wilson James E. Cox 1976 Airport Jim Barnes 75 ½ - 68 Fort Johnson Chester Willis 1975 Lower Richland Rudolph Cooper 73 - 57 Airport Jim Barnes 1974 Lower Richland Rudolph Cooper 55 - 41 ½ Summerville Jim Flowers 1973 Lower Richland Rudolph Cooper 65 ½ - 35 Union Jim Barnes 1972 Lower Richland William Tourek 48 - 41 ½ Bishop England Jack Cantey 1971 Fort Johnson M. Leroy Jackson 56 - 53 Brookland Cayce John Checkovich 1970 St. Andrews Rusty Hamilton 113 - 61 James Island Edward Hertwig 1969 St. Andrews Rusty Hamilton 130 - 93 James Island Edward Hertwig
Best wishes to all 31 teams that are competing in this year’s 4A State Wrestling Duals Tournament!
Article by Mark Buford
Wrestling USA Magazine’s SC State Editor