67 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com intangible of a long history against them. In the school’s 111 years, BEHS has accumulated more than 150 state titles across 22 sports, with at least one sport running the table every year since the 1996-97 school year. The notable exception is boys basketball. The last time – and so far, only time – that BE won a state championship came in 1963 during the Kennedy presidency. With last year’s realignment to a region with schools much larger than Bishop England, getting past the opponents and the school’s history has become an even bigger challenge, though one that Eykyn intends to overcome, one year at a time. “We are returning a lot more experience compared to last year’s team,” Eykyn said. “Six guys started and played major minutes and we are looking forward to them all contributing again this season.” PHILIP SIMMONS IRON HORSES Entering the new basketball season, losing four top starters from last year’s region championship team will be a major hurdle to overcome for Philip Simmons. But while a lot of new blood will be present this year, boys basketball head coach Garrett Campbell expects it to be heavily laced with wise-beyond-their-years leadership. “We will be relying on new starters to take the lead,” Campbell said. “Our success this season will hinge on the new guys stepping up into a larger role and playing the way we know they can play.” The Iron Horses’ only returning starter is second-team All-Region player Hopper Afman. Joining him, and expected to make major contributions, are Jack Mevold, Palmer Driggers and Dylan Morris. All are expected to anchor both ends of the court, especially when play begins in Region 6 AA against teams such as Burke and Woodland. Non-region foes will hardly make for easier games when Philip Simmons battles always tough Goose Creek and Cane Bay, a rebuilding Wando and an improved Bishop England. It’s a lot for the team to live up to after coming off last season’s overall mark of 19-6, a 10-0 region run and advancing to the second round of the state playoffs. But rather than a rebuilding year, Campbell said he sees the new team as more in line with major adjusting. Depending on how fast and well they learn, how soon they can jell and how much they can consistently keep a balance of spirit in both winning and losing, the new team might at least be able to signal where it is headed soon. “We have a really high-IQ group of guys who play the game the right way,” said Campbell, “sharing the ball, giving great effort and building each other up during ups and downs.” our sports Philip Simmons boys at a summer practice getting ready for the 2025 season. BUY • SELL • TRADE SPORTS CARDS TRADE DAYS POKEMON Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for Black Friday and Seasonal Specials @BUCKSSPORTSCARDS BUCKSSPORTSCARDS.COM LIVE BREAKS ON TIKTOK AND WHATNOT 3006 S. MORGANS POINT RD. 843-936-2972 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
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