UNDER THE RADAR

Tradd Castles was a model for the offensive line at Brookland-Cayce High School.

The left tackle was the anchor on the Region 5-4A champion Bearcats team that finished at 8-4 and went to the semifinal round of the S.C. High School League playoffs.

“Tradd was a leader for us,” Brookland-Cayce head football coach Rusty Charpia said. “He set the standard and he kept others on the team moving in the right direction. I can’t say enough about him.”

Castles was selected for the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives North-South All-Star game played in Myrtle Beach last December.

He was on the South team which rallied for a 35-14 victory over the North.

Castles explained his approach to the game.

“I feel like I work hard, do whatever the coaches ask, and try to help other players however I can,” he said. “I’m not the biggest or strongest or fastest, but I think I play physically enough and smart enough to be able to play with anyone.”

Charpia said Castles concentrated on football and has improved from the time he was in middle school.

At Brookland-Cayce, he started 38 consecutive games. He is a straight A student as well.

Charpia also said appearances can be deceiving.

“Don’t let the choir boy looks fool you,” Charpia said. “He’s mean, tough and nasty on the field.”

With all of his attributes, Castles has received interest from college coaches. Charpia said Presbyterian recruited Castles, along with some small schools in North Carolina.

Newberry is where Castles’ heart is, according to Charpia.

“Newberry put together a pretty good package to get him,” Charpia said.

Castles will sign with that school in February. He has plenty of family locally and Newberry is fairly close to home, said Charpia.

Castles’ father, Dr. Trey Castles, starred at Brookland-Cayce and then played quarterback at Newberry.

“Tradd will do well at Newberry,” Charpia predicted. “I think he will get to play quickly.”

B-C NAMES 5 NEWEST HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

The Brookland-Cayce High School Athletics Hall of Fame will induct 5 new members on February 14.

This year’s inductees are Brookland-Cayce High graduates Delaine Hair Britton (class of 2000, tennis), Curtis Wilson (class of 1946, basketball and football) and Wade Roof (class of 1999, baseball) and coaches Richard Lundy (softball) and Ben Killian (baseball).

There will be a reception in the arena’s Hall of Fame room at 6 pm with a ceremony during halftime of the home basketball game against archrival and Region 4-4A foe Airport High School which tips off at 7:30 pm