HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

Bryce Thompson has finally settled on his college choice.

After months of speculation, the Dutch Fork all-purpose back and 2017 Lexington Chronicle Player of the Year announced Thursday plans to enroll at the University of Tennessee.

Thompson, who returned to Dutch Fork as a senior after two seasons at Ben Lippen, amassed over 2,000 total yards, scored 38 touchdowns and had 27 tackles in leading the Silver Foxes to a second straight Class 5A title.

He was initially set to sign with the University of South Carolina, but never signed.

“I feel like Tennessee is a great spot for me,” said Thompson, who’s expected to play on offense. “What coach (Jeremy) Pruitt is doing is building from the ground up and I want to be the guy that helps him get us back to where we should be.”

Thompson now joins a freshman Volunteer roster which also includes Airport kicker Paxton Brooks.

Tennessee will face South Carolina in Columbia on Oct. 27. The Gamecocks have won the last two meetings and head coach Will Muschamp is 6-0 all-time against the Volunteers.

Bob Taylor is once again Chapin boys soccer coach

For the fourth time in a year, the state championship boys’ soccer program at Chapin High School will have new leadership.

Interim head coach Ken Corning, who took over the program on April 11 for Denny Sago (who replaced 2-time champion Ben Bosco) and led the program to a third straight title and second in a row in Class 4A, declined full-time duties.

This time, the school looked to its past and made an in-house hire. During spring sports signing day at the school, it was announced Chapin girls’ soccer coach Bob Taylor will move back over to the boys’ program.

“I’ve always been interested in the boys’ program and following them quite closely, of course,” Taylor said. “I always worked with the varsity boys’ coach closely and we feel like we’re kind of a family down here. So, I feel like I can bring some stability to the program and I certainly feel like I can bring a winning attitude to them.

“Ken Corning did an awesome job finishing up the season and I hope he’ll stay on the staff. I asked him even before I even took the job if he was willing for me to take this job. He’s supportive of it and that’s why I moved forward on it.”

This is Taylor’s second tenure as the boys’ coach. The Clemson University graduate previously served from 1994-99, leading the Eagles to Class 2A runner-up appearances in 1997 and his final season.

During that time, he also led Chapin to back-to-back Class 2A wrestling titles in 1996 and 1997. He’s also previously served as Irmo High School wrestling coach.

Taylor became the girls’ soccer coach in 2010 and led them to three state title appearances (2014, 2016-17) and the Class 3A title in 2016. Assistant coach Chad Bridges was promoted to replace Taylor as the girls’ head coach.

“I wouldn’t have left the girls if I didn’t feel like if they weren’t in good hands,” Taylor said. “Working with Chad over the last few years, I felt it was time for him to have the chance to have a varsity program and have his own program and I feel like he’s going to put a great stamp on the girls’ program.

“My goal is to keep the boys moving in the way they have been. It’s going to be a lot of changes. We had a lot of seniors graduate (16), but I’m looking forward to moving to (Class) 5A and I think the boys are, too. So, we’re excited about that.”

Gary Adams is new B-L Athletics Director

This past Saturday saw Batesburg-Leesville High School pay homage to longtime athletics director Gary Phillips.

Phillips spent 30 years as the position as well as boys’ basketball coach.

He posted over 400 wins as a head coach, leading the Panthers to the 1988 Class 2A championship and state runner-up in 1983 and 1987.

Lexington County School District Three Board of Trustees appointed second-year head football coach and Batesburg-Leesville high alumnus Gary Adams as Phillips’ replacement.