Sports in Barnwell County is important to a lot of people. From inter-county high school teams to in-state college teams, robust rivalries exist.
2011 has seen many high points in sports in Barnwell County. Williston-Elko High School again competed in the upper state championships. Although they came up just a little short this year, Barnwell County is proud to say Williston-Elko High School and its students and athletes are from here.
Williston also has a golf state champion in their den. Thankfully, the list of accomplishments on and off the field of area schools can go on and on.
For many in the county, the game of the season took place in Columbia two weekends ago – Carolina vs. Clemson. Although Carolina defeated Clemson this year, the debate as to which school is superior will forever be debated. Clemson also went on to win the ACC title this past weekend.
One of the biggest games in the area did not garner as much attention as those listed above.
Unless residents were somehow connected to the children involved, the game came and went without much to do.
For those involved, particularly the 10-year-old boys who competed, this was a very big game.
Barnwell’s All-Star football team of 10-year-olds traveled to Charleston during the week and came home victorious which set them up to play Florence’s All-Stars this past weekend.
Although the game was hard fought, Barnwell’s All-Stars came up a little short on the scoreboard.
For residents and the staff here at The People-Sentinel, Barnwell’s All-Stars shone, on and off the field, making us all very proud.
Games like these are indicative of what caliber of players will someday fill the jerseys of the area high school teams. They will compete and many will win championships. They may even go on to play college football to compete in another rivalry.
Whether on or off the field, we applaud those coaches and other staff who step onto the field, teaching Barnwell County’s youngsters to win with gratitude and lose with grace and respect.
Congratulations to all the athletes in Barnwell County for an outstanding year – whether with one win or no losses, each and every one should stand tall.