Lexington County soccer players and coaches came away with big honors from the United Soccer Coaches on Tuesday.

Gray Collegiate head coaches Kevin and Emily Heise were named South Carolina boys and girls small public schools Coaches of the Year. In their first season at the West Columbia school, the Heises led their respective programs to region titles and berths in the Lower and Upper State finals, respectively.

Mary Katherine Waters of Lexington and Bri Reynolds of Swansea were named to the South Carolina Girls’ All-South Region team and Spencer Ayen of Gray Collegiate Academy to the Boys’ All-South Region team.

The College of Charleston-bound Waters averaged double figures in points and assists for the Lower State champion Lady Wildcats and was the S.C. Coaches Association of Women’s Sports Class 5A Player of the Year.

State BOE issues reprimand

The controversy between Gray Collegiate Academy boys’ soccer coach Kevin Heise and former employer Brookland-Cayce was recently revisited by the South Carolina Board of Education.

In a consent order in response to a complaint reported by Lexington School District 2, the board charged that Heise reportedly made “inappropriate and unprofessional comments regarding students and a District staff member” (B-C athletics director and head football coach Rusty Charpia) during a classroom incident on Feb. 10, 2017.

Heise was later placed on administrative leave and resigned on April 20. His wife and girls’ soccer coach Emily Heise and brother-in-law Robert Setzler, now at Gilbert, also resigned a short time later. “I have always been a pretty positive person and, to borrow a quote from a person of whom I have much respect, ‘I prefer to look through the windshield instead of the rearview mirror.’”, Heise said. “However, I would like folks to know that I enjoyed most of my time teaching and coaching at my alma mater, Brookland-Cayce High School, and it will always have a special place for me and my family. We built a tremendous soccer program that was a benchmark for others across the Palmetto State.

“A lot has changed at B-C and in Lexington School District Two in general and things tend to happen for a reason. I just experienced one of the best years professionally at Gray Collegiate Academy and have been overwhelmed with the administration’s support in elevating this school academically and athletically. I am looking forward to that continuing down the road. Our future is truly bright.”