High School Playbook

Boys Basketball

Josh Corry, Gaffney - Averaging 21 points and 3 steals per game; in 2009 finished with an average of 21 points and 3 rebounds per game to be selected 4A Player of the Year. Before the season, Corry was named the top player in SC's Elite 5.

VIDEO: Corry Leads Indians

Chandler Hash, Greer - This season, Hash averages 23 points, 6 assists, and 2.5 steals. In 2009, he drained 88 3-pointers for 6th place on the all-time list.

VIDEO: Chandler Hash and Chris Dean

Chris Dean, Greer - Currently averages 23 points 5 rebounds. Completes the dynamic duo of Hash-Dean with great drives to the basket and short jump shots.

DeAndre Hopkins, Daniel - Last season, Hopkisn averaged 19 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3.5 steals. Once he finishes football with the Shrine Bowl, Hopkins will provide the boost the undefeated Lions need to finish the season on a strong note.

VIDEO: Hopkins Boosts Daniel

Damien Leonard, Mann - One of the top 2011 recruits in the nation. ESPN gives him a grade of 95, and he is considering Wake Forest, South Carolina, Miami (FL), and Texas. Leonard faces a tough season because the Patriots lack a big presence in the inside to support him.

VIDEO: Leonard and the Pats

Girls Basketball>>>

I am pleased to announce our first All-Area Team for High School Playbook. The process for selection was an objective approach that did not take in a player's recruiting status but rather his overall performance throughout the season. There are a few surprises listed among this list of outstanding players, but many of these should be familiar faces by now, as we've seen plenty of highlights from each of these players.

All-Area Offense

Defense/Special Teams>>>

4A Division I State Championship, 12 pm Saturday

Dorman 28, Byrnes 17
Only once in this unbelievable upset did Dorman lose the lead. After that fourth quarter comeback by the Rebels, Dorman stormed back with two touchdowns in less than three minutes. Not even the stat sheet would believe Dorman beat the Rebels - Byrnes outgained Dorman by nearly 180 yards of offense and even held the ball for 7 more minutes than the Cavaliers. Dorman, however, forced 4 turnovers, off of which they scored 14 points. The stiff Cavalier defense gave up 227 total yards to Marcus Lattimore, who now has over 2600 total yards and 36 touchdowns on the season. A.J. Booker only rushed for 16 yards, but 4 of thos yards amounted into two of Dorman's touchdowns. Charone Peake was the game-changer, catching five passes for 88 yards and one TD. This is the first championship for Dorman since 2000.

MVP: Charone Peake

Fast Facts

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1. In 1994, Dorman lost to county rival Spartanburg in the state championship.
   
2. Byrnes is 9-2 in state championship appearances.
   
3. Marcus Lattimore has 560 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns in three state championship appearances.
   
4. Dorman won its first state championship in 2000.
   

No Ranking, One Ring

Lattimore's Swan Song

Charone Peake's MVP Performance

Dorman's Defense Shines

Rebels Record Five Sacks

3A State Championship, 6 pm Saturday

Clinton 35, Myrtle Beach 26
The Wishbone offense should've been named the MVP of the AAA State Championship. In the first half, Clinton controlled the ball for over 17 of 24 minutes and the second half was no different. Taviouzie Booker ran for 150 yards and 4 TDs, while sophomore De'Otis Goggins totaled over 200 yards. Could it be a bigger day for Upstate teams? Clinton, a three-loss team, defeated the defending state champs with a brilliant gameplan from head coach Andy Young.

more taviouzie booker

Taviouzie's Fourth Touchdown

Taviouzie Booker: Mr. Everything

Taviouzie Booker's Big Performance

Play of the Week: Clinton's Taviouzie Booker

1. Dorman (14-1) - Despite losing tons of talent from last season (a fantastic offensive line and Walt Canty), the Cavaliers impressed everyone again this season and upset Byrnes in a shocking state championship game. Charone Peake had another oustanding season, totaling over 1100 yards and 12 touchdowns in his junior season. QB Johnny Foster improved his passing game, throwing for over 1500 yards and 14 TDs. But once again, the Dorman defense was as stingy as ever. DE Andrew Bailey recorded 10 sacks, and LB Ryan Pruitt recorded over 100 tackles for a second consecutive season. Somehow the Dorman defense figured out how to shut down the Rebel offense, holding the talented unit to 17 points in each game.

VIDEO: Dorman Upsets Byrnes for State Title

2. Byrnes (13-2) - For the third season in a row, the Rebels appeared in the 4A Div I State Championship. In 2009, however, Dorman shocked the #3 team in the nation. Byrnes averaged 53.6 points per game this season, but could not find the endzone very easily against Dorman. Through 14 games, Dodd tossed for nearly 3900 yards and 51 TDs. The all-time state record is 53 by Dodd's predecessor Willy Korn. Lattimore, on the other hand, is a finalist for the U.S. Army Player of the Year. His season total stands at 1750 yards rushing and 675 receiving with 34 total TDs. Regardless, Byrnes still featured the most talented players in the country, but the Rebels just weren't the best team in the state of South Carolina.

VIDEO: Rebels in the Air

3. Gaffney (10-4) - Well, since only three teams remain heading into the state championships, one team had to be finished for the year. The Indians, despite being a little inconsistent the first half of the season, found a spark in rising star QB DeEdward Burris and finished second in Region III-4A. Burris not only threw for over 2000 yards, but also ran for more than 1000. Receivers Khris Brown and Quinshad David stepped up to support Clemson committment Joe Craig, and the Indians defense excelled in the playoffs despite being led by many underclassmen. Considering the impressive season and the amount of talent returning next season, Gaffney is well-deserving of the #3 spot in the Power 4 Rankings.

VIDEO: Indians Make Huge Defensive Plays

4. Clinton (12-3) - The Red Devils finished a Cinderella run through the Upper State playoffs after shocking Myrtle Beach 35-26. RB Taviouzie Booker led the way with over 150 yards rushing and 4 TDs. In his last two games alone, Booker recorded 250 yards rushing and 7 TDs. The Red Devils consistently frustrated opponents with a Wishbone offense that existed to run down the clock and score points. No one believed Clinton had a chance in the postseason, but the Red Devils were flawless on the road.

VIDEO: Clinton State Win

Marcus Lattimore broke out on the scene his sophomore season after scoring 6 TDs his freshman year. Over his high school career, Lattimore breezed through defenses for 6230 rushing yards and almost 100 TDs. Just as impressive is his 1727 receiving yards and 11 scores, which most high school receivers never accumulate over a career. Entering this season, football scouts ranked him as either the #1 or 2 runningback in the country. He currently holds offers from 11 Division I football teams, but narrowed his choices to five teams earlier this season. Since his sophomore season, Lattimore has scored at least 30 touchdowns per season, and his Rebels appeared in the state championship game each time. His biggest performances came in state title games against Sumter and Summerville, and this time he faces region foe Dorman.

Lattimore will play in two bowl games after the state title. On December 19th, he will lead the South Carolina Sandlappers in the Shrine Bowl before playing on national television in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on January 9th, 2010. The U.S. Army named him a finalist for the Player of the Year award a few weeks ago, and will announce the winner before the game.

2009 Stats: 1753 yards rushing, 29 touchdowns; 675 yards receiving, 5 touchdowns

2008 Stats: 2314 yards rushing, 30 touchdowns; 365 yards receiving, 2 touchdowns

2007 Stats: 1884 yards rushing, 26 touchdowns; 470 yards receiving, 4 touchdown

2006 Stats: 338 yards rushing, 6 TDs; 217 yards receiving

more lattimore

The Marcus Lattimore Show

Marcus Lattimore Breaks Loose

Nick Jones Throws a TD to Marcus Lattimore

Preview - Byrnes vs. St. Thomas

All-Purpose Lattimore

Lattimore Carries Byrnes To Title

Dorman 10, Gaffney 0, 4A Div I Lower State Championship
Both defenses played exceptionally well, but when rising star DeEdward Burris throws 3 interceptions, the other defense definitely has the advantage. That was the story in the Lower State Championship as a turnover-plagued Gaffney team could not muster enough strength to take on one of its biggest rivals.

Fast Facts

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1. In 2005, Gaffney defeated Dorman 35-21 after being shut out by the Cavaliers in the season opener.
   
2. Dorman and Gaffney have split the past 4 meetings (2-2).
   
3. Gaffney recorded 4 interceptions in the second half against Summerville last week.
   
4. These teams have played in a combined 33 state championships.
   

Byrnes 51, Spartanburg 16, 4A Div I Upper State Championship
The Vikings tied it up at 10 in the first half, but Byrnes knows how to run away with a victory, and after a 30-16 halftime lead the Rebels finished with a 51-16 rout of Spartanburg on their way to a third straight state title appearance.

VIDEO: Marcus Lattimore Breaks Loose

Clinton 35, Daniel 28, 3A Upper State Championship
Neither Kenny Cook nor Deandre Hopkins played much of a factor in the Upper State Championship. Instead, it was Clinton's running game and the efficiency of QB Grant Templeton in the only 5 passes he threw (4 completed). The Red Devils won on defense as well, intercepting a pass from Tavaris Robinson and forcing a fumble from star RB C.J. Davidson. Clinton won its 4th straight road game in the playoffs, defeating its 3rd #1 seed in the playoffs, and move on to face Myrtle Beach in the State Championship.

VIDEO: Daniel Defends Record

Central 34, Abbeville 7, 2A Upper State Championship
For the second year in a row, the 2A championship game will not feature an area team. Abbeville season's was very impressive, but the Wishbone offense of Central was too much for a hungry Panthers squad.

VIDEO: Abbeville Scores Easily

Game of the Week

Part 1

Part 2

Clinton 39, Belton-Honea Path 13, 3A Playoffs
On September 26, Clinton traveled to undefeated Belton-Honea Path and claimed victory 21-14. In Round 2 of the playoffs, the Red Devils made sure it wouldn't be close. WR Kenny Cook put on a great show for the fans, and Clinton's defense recorded enough interceptions to keep the Bears out of the endzone. Next week, Clinton faces region rival Union County.

Fast Facts

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1. Clinton defeated B-HP 21-14 in Week 5.
   
2. Belton-Honea Path won the AAA state championship in 2004.
   
3. The Red Devils have made it to the second round five years in a row.
   
4. B-HP averages 26 points per game, while Clinton averages 27.
   

Daniel 27, Chester 24, 3A Playoffs
The Lions reversed history with a 27-24 win of their own, thanks mainly to a strong performance by Deandre Hopkins, who played with 17 stitches in his right hand! Daniel faces Greenville next week for another exciting matchup.

VIDEO: Chester Upsets Daniel

Ware Shoals 40, Christ Church 14,  A Div. II Playoffs
Ware Shoals rolled over the powerful Cavaliers, and advance to face Williston-Elko in the Upper State championship game.

VIDEO: Robert Taylor's NFL Catch

Spartanburg 41, Rock Hill 28
Rock Hill entered the matchup 11-0 and the #3 team in South Carolina. Spartanburg, on the other hand, was 3-8 and absolutely lucky to be in the postseason. The Vikings played at Rock Hill and dominated in the second half, upsetting one of the best teams in 4A.

Batesburg-Leesville 24, Woodruff 17
The #1 team in 2A, also #3 in our Power 4 Rankings, fell 24-17 to the team that always troubles the Wolverines. Jake Lambert and crew ended their undefeated season with a heartbreaking loss, leaving only Abbeville to represent the Upstate in the 2A playoffs.

4A Div. I Playoffs

Dorman 31, Clover 28

Mauldin 32, Fort Dorchester 21

Gaffney 31, Stratford 0

Byrnes 58, White Knoll (4-7)

4A Div. II Playoffs

James Island 56, Wren 55 OT

Irmo 28, Hillcrest 0

Greenwood 28, Beaufort 0

Hartsville 14, TL Hanna 7

3A Playoffs

Union County 34, JL Mann 7

Greenville 35, Riverside 0

2A Playoffs

Abbeville 28, Keenan 6

Strom Thurmond 31, Broome 12

Central 20, Chesnee 13

The annual Shrine Bowl pits the best high school football players from North Carolina against the best players from South Carolina. The 2009 Shrine Bowl Roster includes 13 players from the Upstate. Here are the local players you'll be able to watch on team South Carolina on December 19th in Spartanburg:

Matthew Ashley, OL, Belton-Honea Path

Andrew Bailey, DL, Dorman

Martavis Bryant, WR, TL Hanna

James Costello, OL, Gaffney

DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Daniel

Conelius Jones, WR, Spartanburg

Marcus Lattimore, RB, Byrnes

Corey Miller, DL, Byrnes

Ruben Perez, K, Laurens

Kelcy Quarles, DL, Greenwood

Logan Stewart, OL, Boiling Springs

Dylan Thompson, QB, Boiling Springs

Taylor Hudson, OL, Mauldin

There was also one coach from the Upstate named to the Shrine Bowl coaching staff. Mike Hawkins from Laurens will serve as one of the assistant coaches.

shrine bowl archive

Walt Canty, MVP

Denzelle Makes a Good Tackle

Big Hits and Quick Moves

J.L. Mann's Tyler Felt In Shrine Bowl

Westside's Luckadoo Leads SC Shrine Bowl Team

Rams' Luckadoo To Coach Shrine Bowl