JPII’s run ends in state finals
LowcoSports.com
With a thrilling win over host Hammond School in Friday’s semifinals, John Paul II wrestling made history with its first trip to the SCISA Duals final before falling to Cardinal Newman in the championship matchup.
Brandyn Horton’s first-period pin in the final bout of the night lifted the Golden Warriors to a 39-37 win over the Skyhawks and earn the team a reward of shaving coach Greg Lonz’s head — along with a berth in the final.
Lonz rocked a Mohawk for the finale, but it wasn’t enough mojo to overcome the Cardinals, who rolled to a 67-10 win for their first title since winning five straight from 2014-18.
The win over Hammond was monumental, though, and marks new heights for the young JPII program started by S.C. Wrestling Hall of Fame coach Bill Damude, former longtime coach at Beaufort High.
Senior Chris Orta led off with a pin to give the Golden Warriors a jump on Hammond, and Jonathan Domiguez earned a huge pin in a momentum-shifting match at 285 to tie it at 12. A forfeit to Jase Reynolds at 106 and a thrilling last-second pin from 113-pounder Bailey Homer after fighting off his back three times gave JPII a 24-12 advantage, but the Skyhawks won the next three weights to regain the lead at 25-24.
Brian Orta responded with a first-period pin at 138, and 144-pounder Jack Hannagan followed with a 4-1 win over returning state runner-up Blaze Barnes for an eight-point lead, but two pins from Hammond’s hammers, Luke Martin and Cobin Rabon, made it 37-33 with one bout left.
Horton delivered, scoring a quick takedown and near-fall before finishing off a first-period pin and flexing for his celebrating teammates.
JPII was no match for a juggernaut Cardinal Newman team, as only Daniel Snyder and Hannagan were able to secure wins in the final. Snyder earned a second-period pin over top-ranked Decha Dawson, avenging a loss earlier in the season.
The Golden Warriors are back in action Saturday at the SCISA individual state tournament at Cardinal Newman in Columbia.
Dolphins, Bucs bow out in 2nd round
Getting out of the first weekend of the SCHSL dual playoffs is a task, especially on the road, and Battery Creek and Bridges Prep each advanced Saturday before falling in the second round, while Beaufort High and Whale Branch were bounced in the first round.
The Dolphins routed Georgetown, 53-18, in Class 3A before dropping a tough 43-33 bout to Dreher, which advanced to the Lower State final with a 45-30 win over Lake City on Monday.
The Bucs backed up last week’s big win over Bamberg-Ehrhardt with a 39-30 win in the first round in the Class 2A/1A bracket, but they couldn’t get by host Edisto, falling, 60-21.
SCISA DUAL PLAYOFFS
2ND ROUND
John Paul II 48, Heathwood Hall 30
SEMIFINALS
John Paul II 39, Hammond School 37
CHAMPIONSHIP
Cardinal Newman 67, John Paul II 10
SCHSL 3A DUAL PLAYOFFS
At Lake City
Loris 52, Beaufort 24
At Dreher
Battery Creek 53, Georgetown 18
Dreher 43, Battery Creek 33
SCHSL 2A/1A DUAL PLAYOFFS
At Edisto
Bridges Prep 39, Bamberg-Ehrhardt 30
Edisto 60, Bridges Prep 21
At Buford
Bishop England def. Whale Branch
