Championship Notebook: Former Gamecock Zam Fredrick sets coaching milestone
Zam Fredrick could feel it.
As seconds wound down in Class A boys championship game, the Calhoun County coach held up five fingers on one hand and four on his other signifying the school’s ninth championship. Calhoun defeated Hemingway 65-55 on Saturday at the Colonial Life Arena.
The win gave Fredrick a state-record ninth title as a coach, surpassing Great Falls coach John Smith.
Smith was sitting in the stands during the game and waved to Fredrick as the team began their postgame celebration.
“I always respected what John has done,” Fredrick said. “And I’m home and trying to do as much I can for those guys. It is very special for Calhoun.”
Frederick, who grew up in Calhoun County turned the Saints into a powerhouse after a standout playing career at South Carolina. He led the NCAA in scoring during his senior year in 1980-81 at 28.9 points a game.
After his playing career in Europe finished, he got into coaching at Calhoun County in the early 1989. He has won more than 600 games in his career and is 9-2 all-time in championship appearances.
“That’s what makes this so special,” Fredrick said. “I’m a Calhoun County product, been there my whole life. Nine state titles in one spot at home. It don’t get any better than that.”
Double duty
Midland Valley coach Mark Snelgrove did double duty Saturday.
Snelgrove not only coached his team in the Class 3A title game but also sang the national anthem before the game.
Uniform snafu
Timberland brought its white jerseys and shorts for its matchup against Abbeville in the Class 2A championship game.
The only problem?
The Wolves were the road team and needed its dark jerseys.
So, Timberland went to Todd & Moore, a local athletic store and bought black mesh jerseys for the game. The players wore the black jerseys over their normal white jerseys.
Gee’s career comes to close
Timmonsville’s Justice Gee didn’t win a state title Saturday but she definitely left her mark at the school.
The guard started every year since the seventh grade and was part of 138 victories during those six seasons. Gee finished with 2,260 points in her career, second most in school history behind Sade’ Eli.
Hithe hits 1,000-point mark
With her 26-point performance Friday night, Spring Valley’s Christian Hithe went over the 1,000-point mark in two seasons at the school.
Hithe, who transferred from Sumter after his sophomore year, scored 1,014 points in her two seasons at Spring Valley. For her career, the Central Florida signee finished with 1,291 points.
Supporting the alma mater
Former South Carolina standout Marcus Lattimore was in attendance Friday to watch his alma mater Byrnes play in the Class 4A boys championship.
Byrnes defeated Irmo 57-50 for its first title since 1990.
USC football assistant coach Bobby Bentley also sent out congratulations to his former school on Twitter for winning the title.
“Congrats to my man Layne Fowler Witnessed him stick with his plan & build a program into #StateChampions #leadership #Rebel4life,” Bentley tweeted.
This story was originally published March 5, 2016 at 8:41 PM with the headline "Championship Notebook: Former Gamecock Zam Fredrick sets coaching milestone."