For high school athletes in Barnwell and Allendale Counties another year in sports has flown by.
This past year there were euphoric highs and a few sad disappointments to go along with  some surprising breakthroughs.
Some of the team highlights started last January with the Barnwell High boys’ varsity basketball team beating Pelion High 64-47. Also during the month, the Blackville-Hilda varsity boys defeated Williston-Elko High 87-54.
In February, the USC-Salkehatchie baseball team knocked off No. 4 ranked Walter’s State 8-3. Barnwell Warhorse baseball legend and current Atlanta Braves scout  Labon Joye held a clinic for area youngsters in Barnwell.
The month of February concluded with  Barnwell High School hosting the State Majorette Twirling competition.
The March activities included Michael Beasley of Blackville-Hilda High selected District VII Basketball Officials Coach of The Year.
Also, Barnwell High baseball team rolled over Edisto 9-2 in region play.  The JDA softball team handed W.W. King its first loss of the season in a 10-1 victory. Blackville-Hilda varsity softball team made quick work of Hunter-Kinard-Tyler-High 13-0 in six innings.
In April, the Williston-Elko High golf team captured their second straight region crown. The Barnwell High girls varsity soccer team eliminated defending state champs Waccamaw High 1-0 in the second round of the class 2A playoffs.
The month of May saw the Barnwell High varsity softball capturing the Lower State Championship with a 4-3 win over Swansea High. However, a week later the Lady Warhorses Warhorses fell to Central High in the State Finals.
In June Barnwell High baseball coach Joel Vaugh stepped down after six seasons with the Warhorses. Also, Denver Broncos defensive back and  Williston-Elko High graduate Rafael Bush held a football kiddie camp in Williston.
 There were also highlights in the Barnwell Recreation summer program with four softball teams celebrating wins in the first round of the district tournament. The Angels and Belles division teams went on to win the district championship.
In July, Williston-Elko High varsity boys basketball coach Devin Liferidge resigned to take the same position at Fairfield Central High. The Barnwell Angel All-Stars finished runners up in the state finals and Jefferson Davis Academy named Curt Ott as its new Athletic Director.
In August, the Barnwell High varsity football team defeated Blackville-Hilda 40-0 in the season opener. The Warhorses then defeated Williston-Elko High 20-18 the following week.
Barnwell High went on to win its first six games, including the regional opener against Wade Hampton.
The Warhorses, however, stumbled down the stretch, losing three of its last four games, including a loss to Bishop England in the second round of the playoffs. During the month of August, the Williston-Elko High varsity volleyball team swept Barnwell High 3-0 in the season opener.
After starting the season with two straight losses, the Blue Devils rebounded in September with wins over Ridge Spring-Monetta, Wagner-Salley, Blackville-Hilda and North. The Blue Devils won eight straight games to capture their third straight region crown.
The Blackville-Hilda varsity football the team ended a four-game losing streak Sept. 16 with a 40-28 win over Ridge Spring-Monetta. The Hawks won their last six games, including a thrilling 41-34 victory over Calhoun County in the Oct. 28 season finale.
In October, Jefferson Davis Academy avoided its first winless season by routing Andrew Jackson Academy 36-0 in Blackville.
Also area coaches and players garnered post season honors. At Allendale-Fairfax Rondal Geohaghan, Jr. was named to the Shrine Bowl. For Blackville-Hilda High, coach David Berry was named head coach of the North All-Stars.
Coach Paris Mason and defensive back Roderick Kearse of BHHS and Rokeem Williams of Williston-Elko and Phazhan Odom of Barnwell High were also selected.
In November, Williston-Elko High ended its streak in Upper State victories, losing to Christ Church High in the class A semi-finals. The Barnwell Small Fry All-Star football team fell in a heartbreaker to Florence 20-14 at W.W.Carter Field.
In December, the Blackville-Hilda High varsity girls and boys basketball team posted wins over in-county rival Barnwell High in the Hawks’ Nest.
Some of the top individual achievements of the year include Zach Zissette of Barnwell High scoring four goals in a game. Also in soccer Lynnsey Jamison racked up three goals April 17 in a 5-0 win against Wade Hampton.
 On the hardwood, Shanita Hutto of  BHS had 25 points, 18 steals and 16 assists in the Lady Warhorses 54-38 win Feb. 1 over Pelion High. On Jan. 13 Shawanda Ferguson of BHHS contributed 28 points and 14 rebounds in the team 45-15 win over North High.
On Jan. 28, Edward Givens of JDA scored 26 points, including seven three-pointers against Patrick Henry Academy.
Some of the top diamond highlights include Taylor Hearn of WEHS going three for three at the plate and he pitched a four hitter with seven strikeouts in the Devils 6-3 win March 15 over Wagner-Salley High.
On April 6, Jamie Strock of BHS finished with four hits, including three RBIs in the Warhorses 9-2 win over Edisto High.
On April 2, Nyesha Arnold of BHS went three for four with two doubles and three RBIs in the team 8-2 win over Silver Bluff.
On April 28, Hillary Zorn of BHS recorded 11 strikeouts in a 16-0 first round win over Woodland High.
On April 29, Kasey Owens of JDA struck out 12 batters in a 8-1 win over Augusta Christian Academy.
Some eye-catching performance on the gridiron started with Mark Riley of BHS throwing for 212 yards and two touchdowns in the season  opener against Blackville-Hilda.
Kendric Salley of Williston-Elko High ran for 257 yards  and three touchdowns in the team 56-6 win over Wagener-Salley High.
Roderick Kearse of Blackville-Hilda rushed for 278 yards and four touchdowns against Calhoun County.
Matthew Webster of JDA had a good all-around performance against Andrew Jackson Academy. On offense, he finished with 278 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, Webster recorded 22 tackles and two sacks.
Rokeem Williams of Williston-Elko High racked up 276 all-purpose yards in the Upper State Finals against Christ Church High.
Head coach David Berry of Blackville-Hilda led the North All-Stars to a 42-3 win over the South in the All-Star Classic in Myrtle Beach.