Vote for The State’s high school spring sports Athletes of the Week (4.17.23)
It’s time to vote for The State’s high school spring sports Athletes of the Week from Midlands-area high schools and games played April 10-15. Voting ends Friday at noon. The winner will be announced on Lou Bezjak’s Twitter page.
If you would like a player to be considered, email lbezjak@thestate.com by noon Mondays.
The nominees are listed below. Please note that these polls are not scientific and are meant to be just for fun.
Girls sports nominees. Cast your vote below bios
Anna Katherine Adams, Hammond soccer: Junior midfielder had three goals and three assists in Skyhawks’ three matches at NIKE Palmetto Cup.
Grace Beacham, Hammond softball: Beacham picked up two wins, including a five-inning no-hitter with nine strikeouts. She also was 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBI in Skyhawks’ two wins.
Sam Craig, Lexington softball: Sophomore hit .421 with two doubles, eight runs scored and five RBI for the Wildcats at the Palmetto Invitational.
Carley Melton, Gilbert softball: Freshman hit .667 with an RBI in two games against Dillon.
Reece Pickett, Lugoff-Elgin softball: Pickett picked up a pair of wins, including a five-inning no-hitter, and was 4-for-7 with a homer and two RBI for the Demons at the Palmetto Invitational. Pickett was an all-tournament selection.
Ansley Jansen, River Bluff softball: Senior was 4-for-4 with a homer and 5 RBI in a win Tuesday against Aiken.
Gracie Moulton/Sarah Waller, Lexington soccer: Two goalkeepers combined for four shutouts this week. Moulton and Waller each play a half per match.
Katie Westbrook, River Bluff lacrosse: Westbrook had 16 goals and three assists in Gators’ two matches last week. The junior had a school-record 10 goals in Thursday’s match against Evans (Ga.).
Boys sports nominees. Cast your vote below bios
Cam Atkins, Airport baseball: Atkins was 8-for-14 with four doubles and four RBI for the Eagles in the Forest Acres Classic.
Jay Bowling, Lugoff-Elgin baseball: Pitched 6 ⅔ scoreless innings, allowing no walks and striking out six in win over Franklin County. Bowling also was 1-for-4 with an RBI
JJ Burns, River Bluff soccer: Junior had three goals and an assist and was named MVP of the NIKE Palmetto Cup.
Jackson Burton, Lexington baseball: Junior allowed one hit, no earned runs and struck out seven in 6 ⅓ innings during a win over Berkeley at SC Diamond Invitational. Burton also was an all-tournament selection as Wildcats won the event for the first time since 2012.
B.J. Etheridge, Brookland-Cayce baseball: Senior struck out 10 and allowed a run and four hits in 6 ⅓ innings against Ashley Ridge at H.I.T. tournament. Etheridge also went 4-for-11 with three RBI, including a go-ahead triple against Fort Dorchester, in the three-game tournament.
Weston Grant, River Bluff baseball: Francis Marion signee pitched 4 ⅔ innings, struck out six and allowed a run to help Gators defeat Dutch Fork in Forest Acres Championship game. Grant also went 6-for-11 with two homers and six RBI in the tournament.
Isaiah McPherson, Dreher baseball: McPherson was 6-for-11 with three RBI at the Forest Acres Classic last week.
Blaine Redmond, Gray Collegiate baseball: Junior pitcher/outfielder pitched seven innings, allowing a run on three hits striking out 11 in helping War Eagles to 4-0 record at Mingo Bay Classic. He also was 5-for-11 with three RBI, three stolen bases and scored six runs.
Kevin Samonsky, Dutch Fork baseball: College of Charleston signee went 6-for-16 with two homers, four RBI, scored six runs and was all-tournament selection at Forest Acres Classic.
Matt Sheaffer, Saluda baseball: Senior first baseman hit .545 with eight RBI last week.
Andrew Studebaker, Swansea baseball: Senior pitched a complete game, allowing a run and struck out six in a 2-1 win over Providence Athletic Club.
Camden Watts, Blythewood baseball: Anderson signee was 5-for-13 with a homer, six RBI and also picked up a save at the SC Diamond Invitational.
