A year which tested the high school sports world like no other comes to a close in 7 days. Here are some of the top local stories of 2020.

Covid-19

The virus impacted all aspects of life and sports was no different. From the cancellation of spring sports, to numerous postponements and game cancellations during the fall and the daily team quarantines, covid-19 changed the way high school athletes will approach sports now and into the future.

Dynasties & 1st time champions

Before the pandemic, the Gray Collegiate boys’ basketball team achieved a 3-peat. In November, the Lexington reclaimed its place atop SC High School League Class 5A golf, joined for the 1st time in Class 3A by Gilbert. In December, Chapin’s run of 5 straight competitive cheer titles was ended by fellow Region 5-5A member Lexington.

Fans shut out from Blowfish games

The governor’s emergency orders restricting spectator sports kept fans out of Lexington County Baseball Stadium the 1st 2 weeks of the season. Thanks to a resolution by the Lexington County Council recategorizing the team as a amateur youth sports team, fans were welcomed back with open arms.

Boys of “Summer League”

The pandemic resulted in the cancellation of the SC American Legion baseball season. Coaches like Florence Post 1’s Derick Urquhart, athletics director Michael Riefsynder of Lexington Post 7 and director of baseball operations Rob Livingston of Chapin/Newberry resulted in the creation of the SC American Summer League. Taking full advantage was West Columbia Post 79 which, led by head coach Dargan Lybrand and assistant coach Blake Roland, emerged as champion with a 19-2-1 overall record.

Chapin boys’ hoops coach passes

On March 29, Mark Snelgrove lost his 7-month battle with pancreatic cancer. The Lexington High School graduate arrived at Chapin in 2017 after turning the Midland Valley boys’ basketball program into a state champion. He was named the S.C. Basketball Coaches Association’s Coach of the Year and coached in the 2018 North-South All-Star Classic.

All photos by Thomas Grant Jr. | Chronicle