WRESTLING
SCHSL State wrestling championships
The Florence Center hosted the SCHSL state wrestling championships over the weekend, with wrestlers from Manning and East Clarendon making their mark on the mat.
Manning’s Breanna Corley led the way, finishing third in the girls’ 125-pound division. Corley opened with a dominant pin before falling in the semifinals. She rebounded in the consolation bracket with back-to-back second-period pins to claim her spot on the podium. Jorden Hilton-Kelly (106) had the top finish for the Manning boys, placing fourth after a strong run through the bracket. Joshua White (126) and Ashton Palmer (190) each picked up wins but fell short of the podium.
East Clarendon’s Xavier Smith (285) was the only Wolverine to reach the quarterfinals, while Takoda Cornelius (150), Syrus Brown (175), and Jarvin Pineda-Ochoa (190) each notched victories in the consolation rounds. Tryston Underwood (138) battled but was eliminated after two tough losses.
Though a state title eluded the local competitors, several wrestlers delivered standout performances against the best in South Carolina.
LACROSSE
Swampcats split opening games
Porter Gaud 12, Laurence Manning 5 (Feb. 22)
The Swampcats opened their season at home against Porter Gaud but struggled with early turnovers, leading to a 5-1 first-quarter deficit. Despite a fourth-quarter push with three goals, LMA couldn’t close the gap. Aaron Nivens and Coleman Elmore led the offense with two goals each, while Jackson Timmons dominated faceoffs, winning 13 of 18. Gavin Brown and Noah Tucker anchored the defense, and Phoenix Tisdale recorded 11 saves in goal.
Laurence Manning 15, South Effingham (GA) 5 (Feb. 24)
The Swampcats bounced back in dominant fashion on the road, cruising past South Effingham. LMA jumped to a 3-1 first-quarter lead, stretched it to 8-2 at halftime, and never looked back. Coleman Elmore led the charge with four goals, while Jordan Ives and Aaron Nivens added three each. Jackson Timmons was stellar on faceoffs, winning 14 of 17. Defensively, Noah Tucker and Cade & Mason Hodge controlled the game, and Phoenix Tisdale tallied six saves in goal.
BASKETBALL
Monarchs fall in second round
The Manning boys basketball team saw their playoff run end Friday with a 67-55 loss to Andrew Jackson in the SCHSL 2A second round.
The Monarchs came out strong, jumping to a 16-10 lead after the first quarter, but Andrew Jackson responded with a 19-8 second-quarter surge to take a 29-24 lead at halftime. The Volunteers extended their lead with a 20-point third quarter, putting Manning in catch-up mode.
Despite a late push led by Triston Washington’s two three-pointers and Jeffery Ceasar’s eight fourth-quarter points, Andrew Jackson held firm at the free-throw line to keep Manning at bay. The Monarchs struggled at the stripe, finishing 10-22 on free throws.
Ceasar led Manning with 20 points, while Washington and Taivon Carter chipped in 13 each.
