SC Wrestling Weekly Stories and Photos - Sunday - January 22, 2006

Who is Peaking?

With the South Carolina Wrestling State Duals just a few weeks away, and for the first time all
three championships (4A, 3A, 2A-1A) in the same gym at Orangeburg-Wilkinson, SCMAT will give
fans some inside thoughts on who is Peaking in time for our February version of March Matness.
This is turning out to be the most exciting season in several years with parity up and down the 
state, and exciting matches every weekend.  We are in for a thrill, with the teams coming out 
on top being the most deserving of all trophies and accolades we could heap their way.  
It will be a coaching mastery this year to win every Dual between February 1st-11th.
So, which teams are peaking just in time?


Peaking in 4A Hillcrest - Coach Tommy Bell and Robby Bell

4A is a wide open field at the moment with 7 teams in my opinion having a shot at the Dual Title
Lower State Contenders ---
Summerville
Fort Dorchester
Dutch Fork

Upper State Contenders ---
Hillcrest 
Lexington 
Fort Mill
Rock Hill

Hillcrest is peaking right now and has the inside track to win Upper State in my opinion.
But, as we all know, peaking early can lead to a tumble and many coaches prefer to take a hit
before State if you have to and then peak just in time when it counts.  I believe, however, 
that Hillcrest is still on the rise and will not tumble in the Upper State Duals.

Lower State is all Summerville, though in 2003 Dutch Fork pulled the upset and could easily
do it again.  Fort Dorchester is in the hunt too, but can they handle the pressure of this
time of year?  Summerville and Dutch Fork have been there and handled it and Fort D will
need to prove it's in the same class.

SCMAT's pre-season pick to win the 2006 State 4A Title was Summerville - and with 3 weeks to go, 
we pick them to repeat as 3x State Champions.  Though, our dark horses to pull the upsets in 
the race are Fort Dorchester and Hillcrest --- though you better not count out the tough squads
at Dutch Fork, Lexington, Fort Mill or Rock Hill.  This is a 7 team Dual race to the finish. 
Once State Individuals crank up, Byrnes will be right in the mix with one of the best teams 
achieving "team points" in an open Tournament.

Worthy news from the last week ---
Elliott Courter of Mauldin, a senior and 2003 state champion, will be 
out the rest of the season with an unfortunate season ending injury.  
We will miss seeing him finish his career at Furman.

Summerville will "dual" at Fort Dorchester this week to decide their region championship.

Northwestern will "dual" against Fort Mill this week to decide their region championship.



Peaking in 3A North Myrtle Beach - Coach Charlie Clay

North Myrtle Beach edged Eastside at the Southern Slam.  I can honestly say I'm both shocked and
yet not surprised at all.  Coach Charlie Clay of NMB has built a solid team for several years and 
his wrestlers are peaking.  Eastside will still be the favorite because they own this time of year.
Eastside will need to contend with a familiar foe in Lugoff-Elgin, who has risen to meet some lofty 
goals this year.  Lugoff-Elgin may be the surprise "peak" team and give Eastside more fits than 
North Myrtle Beach in a Dual.

SCMAT's pre-season pick to win the 2006 3A State Title was Eastside - and with 3 weeks to go, 
we pick them to repeat as 3x State Champions.  Though, our dark horses to pull the upsets in 
the race are North Myrtle Beach and Lugoff-Elgin.

Worthy news from the last week ---
Bryce Martin of Eastside, a sophomore and 2005 state champion, fractured a bone in his hand...
minor set back, and he will be out for about 2 weeks.



Peaking in 2A-1A Chesterfield - Coach Lance Abernathy

Chesterfield is the real deal again and no one has stepped up to contend with them.
Even with a young team, Coach Abernathy has been able to guide the team to a number
of high finishes in every tournament, including the tourneys with strong 4A and 3A teams.

SCMAT's pre-season pick to win the 2006 State 2A-1A Title was Chesterfield - and with 3 weeks to go, 
we pick them to repeat as 3x State Champions.  Dark Horses to pull an upset this year may exist in 
Bishop England and Crescent, but it would be a true surprise for any team to dethrone Chesterfield
this year.  If 1A has a State Dual tournament of their own, SCMAT gives the nod to the highest 
ranked team, Bamberg-Ehrhardt.  Easy choice given the higher ranking, but with this being the first year
of a potential 1A State Dual, it is wide open for any team to show what balance can achieve across 
14 weight classes!  This will not be your State tournament with point totals meaning the most.
Duals are all about having a total Team.

Worthy news from the last week ---
1A may have their own State Duals tournament this year.  In fact, it may have already been 
decided that it's a done deal.  If this occurs, the front runners to win it all in 1A this 
year will be Bamberg-Ehrhardt, Indian Land and Buford.

1A teams I have listed with wrestling programs are - 
#9  ranked - Bamberg-Ehrhardt
#17 ranked - Indian Land
#18 ranked - Buford
#27 ranked - Landrum
#28 ranked - Southside Christian
#30 ranked - Baptist Hill
#31 ranked - Christ Church
#35 ranked - Academic Magnet
#36 ranked - Hunter-Kinard-Tyler
#37 ranked - Whitmire
#38 ranked - C. E. Murray
#39 ranked - Cross
#40 ranked - Governor's School


Peaking in SCISA Hammond - Coach Luke Talbot

In the SCISA's 2nd year of their own state tournament, defending champions Hammond look
to be the solid favorite to walk away with the title again.  Hammond has surprised many
larger teams at every tournament this year.  "Peaking" all year long, Hammond is solid 
and no one will beat them in SCISA.