Category Archives: Sports
Uiagalelei, other Tigers announce transfer plans
By Ian Taylor
Courtesy The Journal
itaylor@upstatetoday.com
CLEMSON — As college football’s championship weekend came to a close, hundreds of players around the nation announced their intentions to look for greener pastures as the NCAA’s transfer portal officially opened on Monday.
Among them were multiple members of the Clemson football team, including junior quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei, who formally announced his plans to leave in a post on Instagram on Monday after being benched in favor of true freshman Cade Klubnik during the Tigers’ ACC title game win over North Carolina on Saturday.
“The relationships I have built with everyone in the building will last a lifetime, and I am
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Pickens girls run BHP off court in win
PICKENS — Coming off their first playoff win in more than a decade, the Pickens Blue Flams girls’ basketball team had high hopes coming into the 2022-23 campaign, and they look well on their way to meeting expectations after an 84-49 win over Belton-Honea Path to start the regular season on Nov. 29.
“I’m excited about this one,” Pickens head coach Rikki Owens said. “I feel like they came out and executed straight from the jump and they finally ran our offense as
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Green Wave girls use big fourth-quarter comeback to beat Daniel
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
CENTRAL — Falling behind by as many as 10 points twice, including a 36-26 deficit in the fourth quarter, the Easley girls’ basketball team knew it needed a big effort to overcome Daniel on Thursday night.
Forcing five turnovers down the stretch, the Green Wave were able to make their way back into the game behind junior forward Olivia Gramblin’s nine-point fourth
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Crews lifts Easley in win over Lions
CENTRAL — In a battle of two new-look squads, the Daniel Lions held the advantage through nearly three quarters as they boasted an eight-point lead over county rival Easley with less than 40 seconds left in the third quarter on Thursday night.
That was until four huge three-pointers from Easley sophomore Ethan Crews swung the game in the Green Wave’s favor, allowing them to pull ahead and stun the Lions in a 55-46 win.
Trailing 36-28 late in the third, Crews kicked off his breakout performance with the shot of
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Blue Flame boys fall apart in loss to Bears
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Taking a 21-6 lead in the first quarter, the Pickens High School boys’ basketball team looked ready to take another step forward in year four under head coach Jeff Harrelson against the Belton Honea-Path Bears on Nov. 29.
However, Blue Flame turnovers and offensive struggles in the following quarters allowed BHP to not only claw back, but take an eight-point lead with just more than three minutes to go. With one last push from guard Jaden Jackson, the Flame were able to cut the lead to 46-44 before the Bears powered through with a
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Tiger win streaks end in Death Valley as Gamecocks pull upset
By Ian Taylor
Courtesy The Journal
itaylor@upstatetoday.com
CLEMSON — All good things must come to an end, but the Clemson Tigers certainly wished their streaks of home wins and wins over South 
Carolina did not end at the same time.
The Gamecocks marched into Memorial Stadium on Saturday and left with a 31-
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Easley cheer squad wins first state title
COLUMBIA — Just a year removed from finishing second at the Class 4A state championship, the Easley Green Wave competitive cheer 
team reached their ultimate goal on Saturday at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, winning the state title for the first time in school history.
The Green Wave, who finished second behind Catawba Ridge at the Upper State championship on Nov. 14, were able to overcome the Copperheads on their way to winning the title.
Easley scored 304.5 points in the competition to best second-place Lucy Beckham’s 295.5 points and third-place Catawba Ridge’s 295.
Rounding out the top 10 in Class 4A were A.C Flora, Riverside, Airport, Myrtle Beach, Irmo, West Florence and Hilton Head.
The title comes on the heels of the Wave finishing second in the state in 2021, coming up shy of repeat state champion A.C. Flora, as well as a third-place finish in 2020.
This week in Football Frenzy
Powdersville ends Lions’ 36-game win streak with late touchdown, two-point conversion 2B, Clemson defense makes statement in win over Miami
All this and so much more in this week’s FOOTBALL FRENZY, exclusively in the Pickens County Courier NOW ON SALE! Get the print edition at a grocery, drug or convenience store near you. LOGIN AND SEE ENTIRE SECTION!
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County volleyball stars earn statewide honors
By Bru Nimmons
Staff Reporter
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — After an extremely successful season that saw two county volleyball teams advance to the third round of the playoffs and one 
advance all the way to the state championship game, Pickens County has seen seven local players earn statewide honors.
Starting with the Class 2A Upper State champion Liberty Red Devils, two players earned distinct honors. Liberty senior hitter Skyler Clayborn was the lone Red Devil named to the 2A All-State team selected by the South Carolina Coaches Association of Women’s Sports (SCCAWS). While not selected to the All-State team, Liberty’s do-it-all senior setter Teagan Owens was named a member of the North
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County tipoff
Photos by Jessica Mackey/Courier
Pickens County high schools kicked off basketball season last week with the second-annual Pickens County Basketball Jamboree at Liberty High School. All four county schools were represented during the games, with the Easley squads taking on Liberty and Daniel facing off with Pickens. The games were contested in single 20-minute halves with a running clock. Easley took both of the matchups with Liberty, winning 24-2 in the girls’ game and 24-8 in the boys’ matchup. In the other games, the Pickens girls downed Daniel16-4, while the Daniel boys cruised to a 31-13 win over the Blue Flame. Pictured, clockwise from top left, are Pickens’ Jayden Harden looking for an outlet while being guarded by Daniel’s Destiny Hoover, Liberty’s Alex Peraza laying in a ball against the outstretched arm of Easley’s Carson Freeze, Daniel’s Tristyn Carrington driving by Pickens’ Tucker Perry on his way to the hoop and Easley’s Olivia Gramblin shooting over the top of the Red Devil defense. The season will get into full swing for all four county teams over the next few weeks.
