Blythewood High School recognized 19 members of the Class of 2017 as they announced their plans to continue their careers on the collegiate level. Eight different
sports were represented on stage as the high school held their final scholarship signing ceremony of the school year. The seniors will graduate next month.
Their families, coaches, and school officials joined the players as they signed their letters of intent.
Jacobi Bailey, son of Stanley Bailey and Cristal Broom, announced his plans to play basketball at Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, North Carolina. Bailey, a four-year letterman for head coach Ezekiel Washington at Blythewood, played point guard and guard for the Bengals. Bailey was a key member of the first Blythewood team to play for a basketball state championship in March.
Virginia Boone, daughter of Alan and Cathy Boone, announced her plans to run cross country and track at Anderson University in Anderson, South Carolina. Boone ran cross country for coach Yolanda Marshall and track for coach Matthew Owings at Blythewood. Primarily a distance runner, Boone was a team captain for the cross country team each of the last three season. She was a varsity runner for both the cross country and track teams since her sophomore year.
Camryn Bostick, daughter of Terry Bostick and Nyesha Woodard, has announced her plans to play basketball at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. Bostick, a center for head coach Steve Inabinet at Blythewood, averaged over 15 points a game and 11 rebounds a game as a senior for the Bengals. Bostick was selected named to the The State’s All-Midlands Team (honorable mention) and was selected to participate in the Capital City All-Star Game.
Joshua Bowers, son of Larry Bowers and Tia Bannon, has announced his intentions to run cross country and track at Charleston Southern University in Charleston, South Carolina. Bowers ran cross country for coaches Patrick Kelly and Matthew Owings and track for coach Yolanda Marshall at Blythewood, was an All-Region and All-State selection his senior year. Bowers finished sixth in the state at 1,600 meters as a junior and was named the team’s most valuable distance runner. Bowers was also a guard for the boy’s basketball team that became the first basketball team in school history to play for a state championship.
Adele Bradley, daughter of William and Coretta Bradley, has announced her intentions to continue her volleyball career at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Bradley was a defensive specialist and libero for head coach Mary Hall at Blythewood. Bradley is also a member of the Blythewood track team, qualifying for the state championship meet in multiple events a year ago. Bradley is also a member of the Blythewood BETA Club, as well as the English and Dance Honors Societies.
Brian Brown, son of Anthony and Erica Brown, has announced his intentions to continue his football career at Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio. Brown, a safety for head coach Dan Morgan at Blythewood, will join the Muskies after his graduation from Blythewood. Brown recorded 40 tackles his senior year as a Bengal and had three pass break-ups.
Claudia Cannon, daughter of Renee Raczynski, has announced her intentions to continue her cross country career at Newberry College in Newberry, South Carolina. A runner for head coach Yolanda Marshall at Blythewood, Cannon is a four-year varsity letterman for the Bengals. Cannon was an All-Region and All-State selection his past year and was named the most valuable runner for the team.
Patrick Coyne, son of David and Jennifer Coyne, has announced his intentions to continue his lacrosse career at Newberry College in Newberry, South Carolina. Coyne, a defenseman for coaches Dennis Lebaron, Chuck Barrow, and Kirk Thurston at Blythewood, was a key member of 2017 team that played in the Upperstate Championship Game, the best finish for a boy’s lacrosse team in school history. Coyne was named a team captain and most valuable player his senior year and was selected to the All-Region (first team) and All-State (second team) teams.
Terrell Gilmore, son of Terrell and Danielle Gilmore, announced his intentions to continue his running career at Limestone College. Gilmore was a cross country runner for coaches Patrick Kelly, William Epps, and Matthew Owings and ran track for coach Yolanda Marshall at Blythewood. He was a two-time All-Region selection and was named the track team’s distance runner of the year.
Shayla Hunter, daughter of Vickie Hunter, announced her plans to continue her volleyball career at Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Hunter, a libero for head coach Mary Hall at Blythewood, was a key member of the region championship volleyball team. Hunter is a three-time A/B Honor Roll student at Blythewood and will finish her senior year with the honor.
Keayra Jackson, daughter of Maurice and Jerima Allen, announced her intentions to continue her running career at University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Jackson is a runner on the track and field team at Blythewood for coaches Matthew Owings and Steve Inabinet. Jackson qualified for the state championship meet as both a junior and senior. Her 4x100m relay team finished seventh at last year’s meet. Jackson, a member of the 4x100m region champion relay team, is a state qualifier in the long jump, triple jump, and the 4x100m relay as a senior.
Hayden Kasavicha, son of Gary and Kristin Kasavicha, has signed a scholarship to swim at the University of Maine in Orono, Maine. Kasavicha swam for coaches Macy Hunter and Nicole Smith at Blythewood High School. Kasavicha was a state qualifier in each of the last two seasons, posting a Top 6 finish at this year’s state championship meet. Kasavicha, a team captain his senior year, is a three-time All-Region selection and will graduate holding seven school swimming records.
Ashley Mitchell, daughter of Floyd Mitchell, announced her intentions to continue her track and field career at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mitchell ran track at Blythewood for head coach Matthew Owings. A mid-distance runner, Mitchell earned the Bengal Award in 2015 and was named the Mid-Distance MVP in 2016. An A Honor Roll Student, she is a member of the Society of High School Scholars.
Jody Powell, son of Jody and Aneisha Powell, has announced his plans to continue his football career at Palmetto Prep Academy in Columbia, South Carolina. Powell, an offensive lineman for head coach Dan Morgan at Blythewood, was named an outstanding offensive lineman for the Bengals his senior season.
Chania Rispress, daughter of David and Ginida Rispress, announced her plans to play volleyball at Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Rispress, a setter for head coach Mary Hall at Blythewood, earned various honors her senior year. She selected to the All-Midlands volleyball team. Rispress was also selected to the South Carolina North-South All-Star game representing the Bengals on the 5A/4A team.
Khalil Shakir-Harris, son of Taliah Shakir, signed a scholarship to play basketball at Limestone College in Gaffney, South Carolina. ShakirHarris, a small forward for head coach Ezekiel Washington at Blythewood, is a four-year varsity letterman in basketball. He was a key member of the first Bengal basketball team to play in a state championship game this past year. He also represented the basketball team on the school’s Athletic Council.
Nia Smith, daughter of Gerald Smith and Cherlyn McIntee, announced her intentions to continue her athletic career at Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Smith will play basketball and run track for the Valkyries. Smith played basketball for coaches Steve Inabinet and Kristin Claiborne at Blythewood and ran track for head coach Matthew Owings. On the court, Smith played the post position. A high jumper in the spring for the track team, Smith earned a spot on the A Honor Roll for her work in the classroom.
Sydney Swann, daughter of Stephen Swann and Donna Dose, announced her plans to continue her volleyball career at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. Swann, a utility player for head coach Mary Hall at Blythewood, helped lead her teams to region championships each of the last two years. A four-year letterman in volleyball, Swann was named to the North-South All-Star South Carolina Volleyball Team in 2016. She also earned a varsity letter in basketball her sophomore year.
Aleah Wilson, daughter of Michael and Yolanda Marshall, accepted a scholarship to Chicago State University in Chicago, Illinois. Wilson ran cross country for head coach Yolanda Marshall and track for head coach Matthew Owings. Wilson specialized in distance and mid-distance events for the Bengals. Wilson was an All-Region and All-State selection during her time at Blythewood and will graduate as a six-year letterman in cross country and track
