Wildcats still looking to prove themselves

The West Ashley football team is stronger, smarter and faster than last year's squad that posted a 4-7 record. But second-year coach Bobby Marion says the Wildcats still have to prove themselves on the football field.

"We need to win a big game," Marion said. "I won't say we've turned the corner until we beat one of those big teams, one of those teams ahead of us."

West Ashley opened its doors in time for the 2000-01 academic year and is still searching for its first winning season. The Wildcats have made the playoffs in past years, but did it the easy way. All Big 16 teams used to qualify for postseason, regardless of a team's record. That meant the Wildcats could go to the playoffs with a 1-10 record.

The Wildcats open the season at home Friday night against Battery Creek, and Wildcats fans will see a team more in tune with Marion's offensive and defensive schemes. "We're also much stronger," said Marion, who was a longtime assistant coach at Stratford prior to being named the third coach in the Wildcats' brief history. "We're much, much stronger. There's no comparison. But we have to develop that (Class) AAAA mentality. There's no gimmes. We have to be ready to play every play every game. Right now, every time something goes wrong, we're hunting for excuses. That has to stop."

One thing that has to continue is the increase in numbers.

"We've increased our number of varsity and junior varsity players by 25," Marion said. "Last year we had 60 to 65 players who were either sophomores, juniors or seniors. This year, we're up to 85. Our B team has 25 more players than last year. We're over 50 (players) now, and that's going to help down the road."

The Wildcats have 13 starters back from last year's team, including eight on offense. Cedric Chisolm and Brandon Shell anchor the offensive line. Quarterback K.J. Cohen passed for 1,492 yards last year, and should top that total this fall. The defense will be led by linemen Donavon Pinckney and Eduardo Curry, and defensive back Trey Livingston, who led the team in tackles.

Wave runners win

The Summerville cross country teams competed in the Portland to the Coast High School Challenge, and the trip to Oregon was worth it as the Green Wave won the mixed division crown.

The Wave took 12 runners and each ran two legs of the race. The Wave's winning time over the 126-mile course was 14 hours, 27 minutes and 19 seconds.

The Summerville contingent included Anya Bunao, Sydney Hazel, Maria Rocha, Audrey Conners, Ashley Coke, Melissa Frye, Clayton Thorton, Sebastian Tillman, Josh Taylor, Daniel Williamson, Eli Ashby and Peter Jordan.

Summerville is coached by the husband/wife team of Jim and Eileen Kilbreth. The girls team is ranked No. 7 in the state among Class AAAA teams, while the boys are No. 3.

Volleyball jamboree

The Lowcountry Volleyball Jamboree will be held Thursday at the Mount Pleasant Recreation Department's Park West facility. The event has been held at Wando High in past years, but the air- conditioning system in the school's gymnasium has been on the blink.

The jamboree has also featured SCISA teams in past years, but the schools cannot compete this year since they have begun their regular season.

Tickets are $5.

Here is a schedule of Thursday's events:

5:30 p.m.: Waccamaw vs. Garrett Tech (Court A). Summerville vs. Georgetown (Court B).

6:15 p.m.: James Island vs. Hanahan (A). Berkeley vs. West Ashley (B).

7 p.m.: Battery Creek vs. Goose Creek (A). Stratford vs. Fort Dorchester (B).

7:45 p.m.: Wando vs. Bishop England (A).

Attention coaches

Coaches or their representatives should call in results as quickly as possible to ensure inclusion in the next day's edition. The numbers are 937-5586 or 1-800-209-2607. Results can also be e-mailed to sportsdesk@postandcourier.com

Reach Philip M. Bowman at pbowman@postandcourier or 937-5592.

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