The Item Sports

12/03/2025

The Gamecocks handle business in The Swamp!

Sumter High traveled to Lakewood last night and left with a pair of comfortable wins as the girls broke away with a strong second quarter to win 57-30 before the No. 6 team in SCHSL 5A DI cruised to a 77-37 win. Lakewood also celebrated sophomore Aliyah Hicks at halftime after she claimed the 4A state title in the 400m dash in the spring!

STORY: https://www.theitem.com/stories/gamecocks-sweep-lakewood-in-1st-sumter-county-matchup,436967

📷: TIM LEIBLE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Sumter High School Fighting Gamecock Athletics Lakewood High School Athletics

12/03/2025

"It's a quick turnaround like we've had the last couple of years, so we're a little more used to it now," the Baron head coach said. "It's part of the process. We'll have a pretty busy next couple of weeks here in December as we really get cranked up. We've got seven games in the next 11 days, which will be a lot of measuring to see where we're at and see who needs to step up in different places."

Wilson Hall Athletics

High school athletics are built around turnover. Every year, seniors graduate and new players step into the spotlight to replace them. It's a tale as old as time, but the Wilson Hall boys are experiencing among the more extreme versions of that …

12/02/2025

East Clarendon brings out the brooms against a county rival!

The Wolverines hosted Scott's Branch last night and put on a show! The girls grabbed an early lead and never looked back in a 58-19 romp, while the EC boys took home a 47-32 victory.

STORY: https://www.theitem.com/stories/east-clarendon-sweeps-scotts-branch-in-first-county-matchup,436868

📷: TIM LEIBLE / THE SUMTER ITEM

12/01/2025

As we move past Thanksgiving, we're thankful for the great athletes in Sumter, Lee and Clarendon Counties!

We had the chance to get together with our two winners for Best Male and Female Athlete at The Bobbys when they came back to town for the holidays! Wilson Hall grad Molly Jones and former Sumter High running back John Peeples both capped off their high school careers with excellent senior seasons last year. Congrats to our Bobbys winners!

📷: ABIGAIL PITTMAN / THE SUMTER ITEM

Sumter High School Fighting Gamecock Athletics Wilson Hall Wilson Hall Athletics

11/29/2025

"Honestly, it feels amazing. I really don't take this for granted because somebody else can always take that spot," Holmes said. "For me, I'm going to keep working hard and keep doing amazing things on the court to get that recognition. You have college teams that look over people like me, so it makes me work hard. I still have more work to do."

Lee County School District, SC

The Lee Central girls basketball team had a season to remember last year. The Lady Stallions pushed all the way to the SCHSL 1A state championship, losing a heartbreaker to Military Magnet 59-40. Now, the quest to get back to that game begins again, …

11/28/2025

Both Scott's Branch squads played for tournament championships.

Scott’s Branch played host to the Zaxby’s Tip-off Classic to jumpstart basketball season. Locally, the Eagles were joined by Ragin Prep, Lee Central and East Clarendon. Both Scott’s …

11/28/2025

Catch up on some great hoops from around the tri-county this week, including a tournament victory from Crestwood!

The Crestwood boys basketball team opened up its season with a trip to West Florence this week for the Turkey Shootout. The Knights claimed the tournament title with a trio of victories. Crestwood …

11/27/2025

This week on The Grind presented by Bank of Clarendon is Sumter High Gamecock BJ Brown.

BJ almost had no choice but to thrive on the court. While that journey came with its share of trials and tribulations, the Sumter High senior has proven to be one of the best hoopers in the state. He was an all-state player a year ago and was named one of the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association's Elite Boys players last week. After signing to continue his basketball career at Drexel, BJ only has one thing to check off his bucket list before graduation.

Sumter High School Fighting Gamecock Athletics

11/26/2025

The Zaxby's Classic had quite a night of hoops yesterday!

Lee Central faced Military Magnet for a rematch of last year's 1A state championship, but ran into a brick wall with their young roster. Scott's Branch, meanwhile, followed with back-to-back wins! The girls are about to tip off against Timberland for their bracket championship, while the boys follow against Branchville!

MORE PHOTOS: https://www.theitem.com/stories/photos-scotts-branch-lee-central-basketball-hit-the-court-in-zaxbys-classic,436750

📷: TIM LEIBLE / THE SUMTER ITEM

11/26/2025

Sumter Sports Talk with Jenkins Dwight is back this week as Jenkins sits down with Christ Community Church Youth Pastor Caleb Yoder about youth in sports and the current Sumter sports scene!

You can listen to the full episode here or wherever you get your podcasts!

11/26/2025

This week on The Grind, presented by Bank of Clarendon, is Sumter High's BJ Brown!

BJ was seemingly born to hoop. He's the son of two former college basketball players, but his rise to stardom didn't come easily. With years of hard work, BJ has developed into one of the state's top basketball players, as he was named to the SCBCA Elite Boys list this season. Now, the only goal left to check off for this all-state wing is a state title.

STORY: https://www.theitem.com/stories/the-grind-presented-by-bank-of-clarendon-sumter-highs-brown-ready-to-take-gamecocks-to-the,436694

📷: ABIGAIL PITTMAN AND TIM LEIBLE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Sumter High School Fighting Gamecock Athletics

11/24/2025

MBNO gives back!

The MBNO Foundation partnered with Bryan Law Firm, Anderson Brothers Bank, OFT Truck and Training Institution and Treaty Oak Clean Energy to give away Thanksgiving meals on Sunday. A perfect way to kick off the week of Thanksgiving!

STORY: https://www.theitem.com/stories/mbno-gives-back-with-thanksgiving-meal-donations,436646

📷: TIM LEIBLE / THE SUMTER ITEM

MBNO Brand Bryan Law Firm Anderson Brothers Bank