69 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com our sports “I’m extremely excited about the upcoming season,” Williams said. “I plan to focus on establishing a strong culture of discipline, teamwork and continuous improvement. We’ve had a strong emphasis on communication and holding yourself and teammates accountable. We also want to develop all our players over time with the basic fundamentals of the game and have them all become stronger leaders on and off the court.” OCEANSIDE COLLEGIATE ACADEMY LADY LANDSHARKS While the OCA Landsharks boys basketball team keeps edging close to a state final, the girls team under eighthyear head coach Mandy Harrison might be even closer. Having built the Lady Landsharks program into a winner since 2018, Harrison is not only hopeful for another strong season, but one that might finally knock down the door to multiple state finals. “Our outlook for the 2025–26 season is extremely positive,” said Harrison, whose previous team advanced to within one game of the state final. “We’re returning three standout starters and All-Region players: Josie Hanks, Ella Hunter and Henley Hanks. These seniors will anchor our team with experienced leadership, backcourt speed and dynamic offensive presence. And over the summer, we competed against top-level talent from across the state and beyond to prepare for the upcoming season.” Along with a few new upperclassmen, the Lady Landsharks also have a promising group of 12 incoming freshmen, the largest class in program history, and all of whom Harrison is expecting to step in immediately and play pivotal roles both in and out of Region 6 AAA for now and years to come. “This influx of talent, combined with the energy and commitment of our passionate coaching staff, brings a new level of excitement to the program,” Harrison said. “These players are skilled, competitive and ready to battle.” The battling starts Nov. 21 against Academic Magnet, followed by the Heathwood Hall Thanksgiving Classic, December’s Carolina Lowcountry Invitational and of course region play against the likes of OrangeburgWilkinson and Hanahan. But as Harrison will tell you, while getting past region and non-region teams is always an accomplishment, the playoffs are now where her players must catch a break and push the team to a long-awaited new level. Or as Harrison put it: “The future is bright for OCA basketball.” BISHOP ENGLAND LADY BISHOPS It probably won’t happen this year, but the countdown is on for Bishop England’s girls basketball head coach Paul Runey to pass the state record for all-time wins by a high Lucy Beckham head coach Dustin Williams is preparing his girls team for what could be a tough season. OCA players and head coach Mandy Harrison expect to have many moments like these in the new season.
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