High School
S.C. High School Sports
SC / Midlands athletics
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.
Most Recently Answered Questions
Questions 36 - 55 of 165 (Page 3 of 9)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.Submitted by Barn from O'Fallon IL 62269
Q: How may I access the weekly high school football scores at thestate.com ? I live in Ill and still try to stay current with each week's scores. Also, is there a record for the priour week's scores?
Answered 09/19/07 14:09:43 by
A: You can find all the scores you need online at our high school sports website, www.midlandspreps.com.Submitted by J. Leaphart from Lexington, SC
Q: Not a question, but a comment: White Knoll lost to Lugoff-Elgin in their season opener in 2006 so this was not the first time they've played each other. Also, from your article on the Lexington/RNE game: the punter for Lexington was Zach Mendenhall; Lexington turned the ball over with a fumble following the interception, not on downs as you wrote. Mendenhall punted extremely well and deserves credit. The fumble was an important key event in the first half and is a detail that should have been correct.
Answered 09/05/07 20:25:52 by
A: Thank you stat boy!Submitted by Anonymous from Cola, SC
Q: How do I get in touch with you for swimming information and preseason previews?
Answered 08/25/07 05:23:41 by
A: Email ainelson@thestate.com or call 771-8419.Submitted by Anonymous from Columbia, SC
Q: I have tried to obtain a 2007 Irmo football schedule, but have been unsuccessful. Can you help?
Answered 08/23/07 14:52:33 by
A: It's in the Neighbors section Zone 1, which is distributed in the Irmo/Chapin/St. Andrews area. Of course, you could also just visit our new site www.midlandspreps.com, where you'll find Irmo's team page which includes the schedule, roster and other news.Submitted by Anonymous from Columbia,SC
Q: Is it true that Zak Norris is back at Keenan High School?
Answered 08/14/07 15:36:14 by
A: Keenan's listing in the 2007-08 S.C. High School League directory lists Zachary Norris as assistant athletic director, boys and girls cross country coach and boys basketball coach. Though the school and district have not confirmed on the record, the school provided the information for the directory listing to the league in June. So it's safe to say that's true.Submitted by Leanne Johnson from Irmo, SC
Q: There's an Irmo native that has made 2 starts in the NASCAR Busch series. Why hasn't The State given him any coverage??
Answered 08/02/07 20:06:32 by
A: Who?Submitted by tyrell from columbia
Q: im going to irmo high next year im 6'3 265 n im only only 14 u think i can make varsity??
Answered 08/02/07 20:06:09 by
A: Well, maybe but the important thing isn't your height or weight, but whether you have skills and who you are competing with at your position. And you've got to pay your dues first, which is to say, you better let them see you working out there now. Good luck, young'n.Submitted by Bryan A. from Columbia, SC
Q: How are The State's All-Area selections made for high school players and coaches (both SCHSL & SCISA, if different)?
Answered 07/19/07 19:07:16 by
A: It's the same. The area coaches get ballots from us. They vote. We count the votes. The kids with the most votes make the team. And that's how it's done.Submitted by dave from columbia,sc
Q: Who do i contact for high school sports?
Answered 07/10/07 00:07:07 by
A: That depends what it is you need. What do you need?Submitted by Out of state from Brighton, MI
Q: As a person out of state looking to move to SC, what are the differecens between AAAA and AAA conferences, and are there lists available to see the schools A - association
Answered 07/10/07 00:02:54 by
A: Whether a schools is Class 4A and Class 3A is determined by enrollment figures, with 4A schools being larger. Classification is not based on competitiveness of a school's sports programs, and in some sports the competition may actually be tougher among 3A teams, though in some areas larger programs are likely to have more money and all the things that go along with that. See the South Carolina High School League website www.schsl.org for the 2006-08 realignment list of high school classifications.Submitted by Avery from Raleigh, NC
Q: Do you have any information on the South Carolina Ravens, AAU Basketball program coached by Deion Bethea? Do they have a website?
Answered 06/21/07 18:09:00 by
A: The Ravens are underway for the summer, and are scheduled to play in the Nike Peach Jam in North Augusta July 12-15. You can find them online at ravensbball.com, however most of the content hasn't been updated since 2005.Submitted by Steve from Columbia, SC
Q: Dear Akilah, I know it does not fall within your area, but can someone tell me why the State does not cover lacrosse other than self-reported game scores and the Duke scandal? With 20 boys teams in the state, how can rodeo and rugby get feature articles and not lacrosse?
Answered 05/21/07 13:38:43 by
A: We did a similar feature on lacrosse trying to get sanctioned by the high school league last year. We won't do regular coverage of lacrosse unless and until the sport becomes sanctioned (with a SCHSL championship) and there are more in the area participating.Submitted by Mike from Chester, SC
Q: Have you any news about Lower Richland hiring Zeke Washington from Chester High School? Chester paper reported it last night and it has been rumored. We know he is leaving Chester but nothing official announed yet.
Answered 05/15/07 15:48:21 by
A: As far as I know, Lower Richland is one of a few options for coach Washington, but he hasn't settled terms or made a decision. To the best of my knowledge.Submitted by cdub from No location specified
Q: do you think Irmo will regain the prominence they used to have in spring sports?
Answered 05/15/07 15:45:37 by
A: Aside from boys soccer having a down year, the Yellow Jackets seem to be pretty much where they have always been. They have mostly the same coaches, but the kids on the field change in the same cycle that the school population changes, which means there are going to be some off years, inevitably. And more likely than not, eventually the stars will realign and Irmo will come out on top again.Submitted by DW from Greenville, SC
Q: If you were hiring a football coach or Athletic Director would you consider where those people live? It seems strange to me that coaches/teachers want to work in one place, but live in another. Seems like you would want to be a part of the community you are working with - do you find this odd?
Answered 05/15/07 15:40:17 by
A: It's probably easier to establish good relationships with parents and kids if you live in the same community, shop in the same stores and drive the same streets. It's also harder to find solitude when you need it, and everybody doesn't always love the coach. So considering that football coaches are also people that maybe don't want to talk about the team when they are pumping gas or grocery shopping or getting ice cream with their kids, and considering the fact that fans and football parents aren't always very nice to coaches and athletic directors, it also makes plenty of sense to want to be somewhere that you can just be Mr. So-and-so, not Coach So-and-so. Everybody likes privacy sometimes.Submitted by Claude Gilchrist from Plum Brtanch, S C
Q: Did you guys (State newspaper) do a 1-A all state team?
Answered 05/15/07 15:35:42 by
A: We don't select All-State, we select All-Area teams and since there are no 1A teams in the Midlands, we do not select a 1A All-Area team for any sport.Submitted by JP from Columbia, SC
Q: Akilah, why wasn't Shelton Brown selected to participate in the North-South All Star game? He wasn't even selected on the All-State team. He was one of SC's Pre-Season TOP 5 players and he averaged roughly around 20 points per game. Do you have any input on the situation?
Answered 03/30/07 17:35:48 by
A: I can't speak to that. The North-South all-stars are chosen by coaches and I am unsure of the criterion they use to determine who makes the team. We at The State have nothing to do with the selection of All-Region, All-State or All-Star teams. We just do All-Area basketball in our Neighbors section.Submitted by Maureen from Mons Belgium
Q: Hello, my name is Maureen Parris and there was an article on my son Antoine Parris who plays soccer for Spring Valley. I am currently stationed in Belgium and would like a copy of the article. Is it possible you could send me a copy? I really appreciate you help.
Answered 03/30/07 17:33:37 by
A: Hi! I talked to your husband today and he is sending you a copy. Thanks for your service; enjoy Belgium!
