Category Archives: Sports
Green Wave rally to down Daniel
By Bru Nimmons
Sports Editor
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
CENTRAL — Coming off back-to-back losses at the Smoky Mountains Christmas Classic in Tennessee over the weekend, the Daniel High School basketball team looked like it was ready to get back on track with a 28-25 halftime lead over Easley during Monday’s DWD Christmas tournament opener.
Instead, the Lions were unable to maintain their first half tenacity in their fourth game in five days, as the Green Wave battled back to take a 57-50 win.
“I told our guys, and I have to take responsibility, but we really have to be tougher down the stretch,” Daniel head coach Ben Touchberry said. “They played harder, they got the 50-50 balls, they out rebounded us and they out executed us.”
While the Green Wave managed to spread the ball during the course of its second half surge, the inside-out play of 6’5” junior forward RJ Stack stood out as he went toe-to-toe with Daniel’s Morehead State bound big man
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
PHS’ Clarkson, Yates sign with local colleges
By Bru Nimmons
Sports Editor
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — A little over a month removed from winning the Class 4A volleyball state championship, 
Pickens High School volleyball stars Lily Clarkson and Chesney Yates had another reason to celebrate earlier this month as they signed to advance their academic and athletic careers at ceremony at the high school held on Dec. 17.
Clarkson, Pickens’ do-it-all setter and key member of the Blue Flame’s back-to-back state championship teams in 2024 and 2025, signed with Southern Wesleyan University.
Clarkson led the team in assists in 2025, while also being among the top three in kills, aces and digs. Following the completion of her senior season, she was named to the Class 4A All-State team
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Greenville Swamp Rabbits, Carolina Handling host Christmas event for mothers and children
EASLEY — Mothers and children living at The Dream Center’s Opportunity Village were treated to a holiday celebration Friday during the Dream Big Holiday Bash, an event hosted by Carolina Handling in partnership with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits.
The afternoon included visits from the Swamp Rabbits’ mascot, Stomper, who posed for photos with
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Area schools see movement in new SCHSL realignment
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — The South Carolina High School League (
) announced the classification placement for its member schools on Friday, and three of Pickens County’s four public high schools are set to change divisions, barring appeals.
The county’s largest high school, Easley, will move from Class 5A down to Class 4A with a listed enrollment of 1,354. Like all member schools, Easley’s attendance number factors in the SCHSL’s 3.0 multiplier for students outside of the school’s attendance zone.
For the Green Wave, the move marks a return to the 4A classification where it spent 2020-24 before
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Bobcats come back to top Easley
By Bru Nimmons
Sports Editor
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — The Easley High School boys’ basketball team went big game hunting on Dec. 9, looking to 
pick up a second straight win as they hosted fourth-ranked Seneca on Friday night.
The Wave played lights out for the first half of action, building
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Easley girls fall to Seneca
By Bru Nimmons
Sports Editor
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — The Easley High School girls’ basketball team hosted Seneca on Dec. 9 looking to pick up its first win of the season.
The Wave struggled to find their footing in the opening half, putting the game out of reach, but first-year Easley head coach Terry Patterson saw plenty of growth from his inexperienced squad down the stretch of the Green Wave’s 67-21 loss.
“We’re still just trying to teach the fundamentals, but
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Daniel, Easley athletes sign with colleges
By Bru Nimmons
Sports Editor
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — Two Pickens County high schools hosted signing ceremonies last month to celebrate athletes who are set to continue their academic and athletic careers at the next level.
Daniel’s Jackson Conley (basketball, Morehead State), Eli Payne (baseball, USC Sumter), Liam Purcell (baseball, Eastern Kentucky) and Miles Vischer (golf, North Greenville) and Easley’s Ayden Beeco (Spartanburg Methodist, baseball) and Walker Cox (baseball, South Carolina) were honored at their
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
Red Devils take down Blue Flame again
Kerry Gilstrap/Courier
The Liberty and Pickens boys’ basketball teams met on the hardwood for the third time this season on Monday night at Liberty High School. Winners of the previous two matchups, the Red Devils reigned supreme once again on Friday night taking down the Blue Flame 70-50. Above left: Liberty’s Sidney Mongomery fades away on a shot during Monday’s game. Above right: Pickens’ Brooks Dow throws down a one-handed slam in the loss.
PHS grad Lucas earn All-Region recognition
FLORENCE — Francis Marion University senior middleblocker Caroline Lucas and junior outside hitter Madilyn Gartner have been named to the Division II Conference 
Commissioners Association (D2CCA) Volleyball All-Southeast Region Team for 2025, with both earning first-team accolades. Lucas was also tabbed as a first-team selection for the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Southeast Region squad, while Gartner was an honorable mention pick. Both teams were announced on Wednesday
You must be logged in to view this content.
Subscribe Today or Login
