Akilah Nelson covers high schools sports. The New Jersey native began sports writing at the Daily Tar Heel in Chapel Hill, N.C., and was a high school football correspondent for The (Durham, N.C.) Herald-Sun. After graduating from the University of North Carolina in 2003, she covered the WNBA and minor league baseball as an intern at The Star-Ledger, Newark, N.J. She was an education reporter at the Public Opinion in Chambersburg, Pa., for 18 months before joining The State's sports staff.
Submitted by Ticked Off on Old Ta from Irmo, SC
Q: What is going on at Dutch Fork HS? Their boys soccer program loses its coach over the same rule that the Rock Hill School District Three programs all get to pay a fine and play this season. Gilbert girls got the axe, too! What gives? This is the second time that Bill Kimrey has failed in his Athletic Director duties as the Dutch Fork girls had this happen to them recently as well. How does he keep his job?
Answered 02/14/08 19:12:53 by
A: Coach Quinlan resigned in hopes that his absence would help the team avoid probation. The "illegal practice" that constituted a violation was not a scheduled practice, but an informal workout session which is why the AD was not made aware of it until after the fact. It should also be made clear that allow both Dutch Fork and Rock Hill violated the same rule, the situations were totally different. The Rock Hill schools let club teams use their facilities, which also constitutes illegal practice but is not the same as having your players working out with your coaches. I happen to see the incidents at Dutch Fork as failings of the coaches rather than of the athletic director. When coaches take the liberty of scheduling extra preseason workouts, as did coach Sylvia back in 2006, it's their responsibility to check the dates.Submitted by Barnett Miller from O'Fallon IL
Q: Ma'am, I was looking on The State e-state trying to find the brackets for boys and girls post-season basketball pairings. I could not find one. Does the state list pairings anywhere on their website?
Answered 02/14/08 19:05:26 by
A: No, you'll find them at the High School League's website, www.schsl.org under the 2007-08 Brackets and Qualifiers section.Submitted by dag29044 from Eastover
Q: Why aren't the Lower Richland Boys rank? What do you think about this team this year with a new coach? I think the best high school basketball game play this was LR vs. CC. I haven't been to a high school game like this since LR vs. EC.
Answered 01/28/08 16:20:08 by
A: They are ranked sixth, in our paper and by the SC Basketball Coaches Association.Submitted by Jordan M. from Columbia, SC
Q: when does the all area football teams come out
Answered 01/28/08 16:17:48 by
A: They will be in Thursday's Neighbors sections.Submitted by Anonymous from Columbia SC
Q: We are ready for another all exclusive article on Chelsey Peterson, senior at Dutch Fork High School. I heard she has signed with Howard University. Her stats looks good.
Answered 01/28/08 16:17:17 by
A: Coming tomorrow...Submitted by Flora Student body from Columbia, SC
Q: Where is a Shrine bowl article on Kenneth Page from A.C. Flora High School? He is the highest recruited player from the Columbia area and no article??? He has been dominating practices up there and the Rivals and Scout people are writing about him everyday. All the rave is about him and Daquan Bowers. We want to hear about him.
Answered 12/14/07 13:27:54 by
A: As though Kenneth Page has been ignored all season? We did an article on him in the preseason and we had a scouting report on him early in the season. He was also included in the article on the offensive line that ran in Thursday's paper. Kenneth was already dominating up there on Monday when I was at practice, but anyone who read what was written about him in August was already expecting that. Beyond that, you can be certain there will be more to read about him as signing day gets closer.Submitted by CATMANFAN from LEXINGTON
Q: Akilah How do you guys find out about & do you post the all-region teams in the area? I know that 6 kids from Lexington made all- region. Do you get info from coaches or regions? Thanks
Answered 12/11/07 16:38:28 by
A: We are supposed to get the All-region teams from the region coordinators, at which point we would print them, but usually the coordinators do not send them in. That might be okay since it eliminates some of the confusion between all-area (which we oversee) and all-region (which we have nothing to do with).Submitted by L. Brown from Ridgeway, SC
Q: Where can I purchase tickets for the SC High School playoff games at Wm Brice Stadium?
Answered 11/28/07 20:04:08 by
A: The only way to purchase tickets in advance is to pick them up at any of the participating schools. Otherwise, you'll have to wait until gameday to buy tickets at Williams-Brice.Submitted by PO'd on Platt Sp from West Columbia, SC
Q: Any chance that White Knoll makes a change in football? That program's never been to the playoffs in AAAA and I don't believe has ever had a winning season. How come Mark Cagle gets to slide by every year? Lexington makes a quick switch and beats the T-Wolves again. Something needs to happen.
Answered 11/21/07 21:36:29 by
A: I don't see any changes forthcoming. Especially since the Timberwolves had their best start in the school's history this season. No the season did not have the end White Knoll was hoping for. But the early season had so much promise, I think that is a sign that the program is headed in the right direction. I don't think coach Cagle is going anywhere with the program still on its way up. Progress doesn't happen just because we want it to.Submitted by Anonymous from Columbia, SC
Q: What is the deal with these high schools and their removal of coaches? Why remove Mike Burgess and the former interim Keenan Basketball Coach and install the old one?
Answered 11/12/07 15:30:14 by
A: An interim coach is by definition a coach who is in place until another permanent coach is named/hired/available. Interim coaches can become head coaches, but that is not assumed, nor is it always best. At Keenan, the old coach became available again and that is why the interim coach was replaced. At A.C. Flora, there will be an interim coach until a new head coach is named/hired/available. Having an interim coach allows the school administration to go through the full hiring process, rather than rushing to make a permanent selection just before the start of the season.Submitted by Sports Mom from Camden, SC
Q: A lot has been written about Blythewood not being able to defend its football title because of the high school league's punishment. We have also read about schools who are punished for transfers, kids, too. That was in the back of mind when I saw that Bishop England had won their 8th straight volleyball title. So, my question is how can a private school compete in public school sports? Do they have to follow the same rules about transfers into their school? It's been said for years that BE "recruits" players. How are they regulated?
Answered 11/12/07 15:22:02 by
A: Any school in the state that is not a member of another league can be a member of the High School League, which is not strictly public school's as others like the Governors School are also included. All the schools are bound by the same regulations on transfers, including Bishop England. And because all private schools must advertise and seek out students to attend their schools (since they do not have one area that just feeds their school system like public schools do), they are technically just "marketing" rather than "recruiting." It's the same in school districts like Richland 2, where there is open enrollment between the high schools. Maybe that gives them an advantage, but in the case of Bishop England, having had such success in certain sports (volleyball and soccer for starters) is a draw in itself, whether they recruit or not. People seemed to be less interested in that though when the Bishops were in Class 3A and not dominant.Submitted by CATMANFAN from LEXINGTON
Q: WHERE ARE 4A DIV 2 BRACKETS??
Answered 11/05/07 17:44:53 by
A: They are in Sunday's paper on page C9 and online at www.midlandspreps.com under the "Playoff Brackets" link.Submitted by hawk91 from barnwell,SC
Q: Where can i find the setup for next yr regions in high school football.
Answered 10/25/07 14:25:25 by
A: That's the "Realignment" link at www.schsl.org.Submitted by Sue from Bridlington
Q: Do you know the answer to the following question please:- What sport was outlawed in East European village competitions in 2004, this sport was also practised in SOME US STATES. I would be so grateful if either you know the answer or could point me in the right direction as to where i could find the answer. Many Thanks Sue furness
Answered 09/25/07 16:04:57 by
A: I believe it's bare-knuckle boxing, but I'll try to find something more concrete for you.Submitted by Davey Jones from Woodruff, SC
Q: How flawed are the SC AP polls when a number 11 ranked team beats a number 4 ranked team and the results are that the 11th team moves up to 10th and the #4 only drops to 8th. Some of these sports writers are about silly. Wake up and look at Woodruff.
Answered 09/19/07 14:10:40 by
A: So, you don't really have a question? You're just venting? Ok.
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