For the first time in more than a decade, a school other than Wando has captured the King of the County wrestling tournament.

The event includes all of the wrestling programs in Charleston County, and Wando had won the last 11 years before last weekend. The new king is James Island, which out-pointed Wando by 32.5 points to claim the championship.

In the individual weight classes, James Island winners included Ellis Murrell (113 pounds), Antonio Petrie (126), Tommy Johnson (138), Pedro Lacerda (152), Savion Smalls (182) and Jon Garrett (285).

Wando individual winners included Jack Nathan (106), Alex Cyr (120), Griffin Thomas (132), Luca Cavallaro (145), Pierce Carpenter (170) and Jacob Pelbath (195).

Other winners included Kevin Young (160) and Savon Garrett (220), both of Stall. Young was named the most outstanding wrestler for weights 152 to 285. Johnson was the most outstanding wrestler from weights 106-145.

Johnson now has 32 wins this season and is ranked as the No. 3 138-pounder in Class AAAA by scmat.com.

James Island now sets its sights on the Region 7-AAAA championship. If all goes well, that will be decided in a big showdown with May River on Jan. 25.

Already this region season, the Trojans have recorded a win over top 10 club Hilton Head, their first win over the Seahawks in more than a decade. May River is currently ranked No. 3 in Class AAAA.

A third team goal for James Island is to qualify at least six wrestlers for the Class AAAA state wrestling tournament in February. Six qualifiers would be one more than the five that qualified last season.

Leading the charge this winter for the Trojans are four team captains —Johnson, Petrie, Lacerda and 132-pounder Cody Chanthabane.

Peace keeping pace

Cane Bay junior wrestler J.J. Peace is continuing his impressive career this season.

Peace, a two-time state champion, has yet to lose a high school match as part of the Cobras’ program. Peace enters action this week with a 75-0 record and seeks to become only the eighth wrestler in state history to have three consecutive undefeated seasons.

If he were to finish this year and next year without a loss, he would become the first wrestler in state history to have four undefeated high school seasons.

Faith Christian on a roll

The Faith Christian boys basketball team has climbed the statewide rankings in the S.C. Independent School Association’s Class A. The Knights are ranked second in the state in Class A and posted a big win over No. 3 Charleston Collegiate on Jan. 13., winning by 59-48. The win improved the Knights to 16-2 on the season.

David Shelton’s Lowcountry Top 10

Boys Basketball

1. Summerville

2. Goose Creek

3. Oceanside Collegiate

4. First Baptist

5. Cane Bay

6. Porter-Gaud

7. James Island

8. Lucy Beckham

9. Woodland

10. Ashley Ridge

Girls Basketball

1. Philip Simmons

2. Stratford

3. Summerville

4. Academic Magnet

5. Cane Bay

6. Northwood Academy

7. Bishop England

8. James Island

9. Stall

10. Timberland

Summerville High School wrestling coach Darryl Tucker achieved a coaching milestone on Jan. 10, earning his 300th career victory as the head coach of the Green Wave.

Tucker reached the monumental win with his team’s victory over Timberland as part of a four-team match at Hanahan High School. Tucker got win No. 298 over Hanahan and No. 299 with a win over Military Magnet.

“It’s special, really special,” said Tucker, a graduate of Summerville and former wrestler and baseball player at the school from 1989-93. “To be able to accomplish this at Summerville, the place I grew up and competed myself as an athlete, makes it really special. I’m proud to be able to continue on the long tradition of success that was established before me.”

Tucker was a part of two state championship teams (1992-93) was a wrestler for coach Steve LaPrad, now the head football coach at Fort Dorchester. He also spent six years as an assistant under Kenny Walker while the Green Wave won four state championships. Tucker took over as head coach for the 2008-09 season.

“I’ve been very fortunate,” Tucker said. “Steve LaPrad, the best there ever was. Then having the opportunity to coach under Kenny Walker and I learned so much from him. It goes back to the roots, instilling those values and keeping the program moving forward.”

Summerville has reached the state finals twice under Tucker, losing to Rock Hill in 2013-14 and falling to Hillcrest in 2020-21. Tucker’s goal is to hoist the championship trophy as a head coach.

“I would trade all 300 wins for a state championship,” the coach said. “If winning championships was easy, everyone would have one. But it is a goal. We are going to stay the course and continue to do things the right way. If it’s meant to be, it will happen.”

Summerville is currently ranked fifth in the latest Class AAAAA state rankings by scmat.com. Other Charleston-area teams ranked in Class AAAAA include Cane Bay (seventh), Goose Creek (17th), Ashley Ridge (18th) and Fort Dorchester (19th).

In Class AAAA, Lucy Beckham is ranked 10th and James Island is ranked 18th. Hanahan is ranked ninth in Class AAA, followed by Philip Simmons at No. 10.

In the AA/A rankings, Timberland is ranked seventh and Bishop England is eighth. Cross is ranked ninth, followed by Academic Magnet at No. 18 and Military Magnet at No. 19.

Togami headed to USC

Wando High pole vaulter Hannah Togami will be taking her talents to the University of South Carolina next year. She is the two-time defending state champion in Class AAAAA. Togami also was a second-team All-Lowcountry selection in volleyball this past season.

David Shelton’s Lowcountry Top 10

Boys Basketball

1. Summerville

2. Goose Creek

3. Oceanside Collegiate

4. First Baptist

5. Cane Bay

6. Porter-Gaud

7. Woodland

8. Ashley Ridge

9. Lucy Beckham

10. James Island

Girls Basketball

1. Stratford

2. Philip Simmons

3. Summerville

4. Military Magnet

5. Fort Dorchester

6. Cane Bay

7. Northwood Academy

8. Stall

9. Timberland

10. James Island

S.C. Basketball Coaches Association Polls

Class AAAAA Boys Top 10

1. Dorman

2. Conway

3. Byrnes

4. Goose Creek

5. Lexington

6. TL Hanna

7. Summerville

8. Carolina Forest

9. Hillcrest

10. Cane Bay

Class AAAAA Girls Top 10

1. Stratford

2. Woodmont

3. Spring Valley

4. Sumter

5. Clover

6. Lexington

7. Summerville

8. Wando

9. Rock Hill

10. Fort Dorchester

Class AAAA Boys Top 10

1. North Augusta

2. Lancaster

3. Irmo

4. Wilson

5. Greenville

6. Indian Land

7. Westside

8. Catawba Ridge

9. Greer

10. West Florence

Class AAAA Girls Top 10

1. South Pointe

2. North Augusta

3. Westwood

4. South Florence

5. Hartsville

6. Pickens

7. Greer

8. AC Flora

9. Bluffton

10. Catawba Ridge

Class AAA Boys Top 10

1. Crestwood

2. Orangeburg-Wilkinson

3. Chester

4. Wren

5. Marlboro County

6. Daniel

7. North Charleston

8. Clinton

9. Lake City

10. Manning

Class AAA Girls Top 10

1. Southside

2. Camden

3. Wren

4. Phillip Simmons

5. Blue Ridge

6. Crestwood

7. Lower Richland

8. Emerald

9. West Oak

10. Gilbert

Class AA Boys Top 10

1. Gray Collegiate

2. Oceanside Collegiate

3. Wade Hampton

4. Keenan

5. Strom Thurmond

6. Landrum

7. Andrew Jackson

8. Newberry

9. Abbeville

10. Woodland

Class AA Girls Top 10

1. Keenan

2. Gray Collegiate

3. Andrew Jackson

4. Silver Bluff

5. Bishop England

6. Barnwell

7. Kingstree

8. Timberland

9. Chesterfield

10. Columbia

Class A Boys Top 10

1. Great Falls

2. Scott’s Branch

3. Christ Church

4. High Point Academy

5. Denmark-Olar

6. North

7. Southside Christian

8. Hannah-Pamlico

9. Johnsonville

10. Calhoun County

Class A Girls Top 10

1. Military Magnet

2. Denmark-Olar

3. High Point Academy

4. Lake View

5. Christ Church

6. Carvers Bay

7. Calhoun Falls

8. McBee

9. Cross

10. Latta

A year long project and vision to improve the Folly Road corridor has wrapped up another year of research and plans.

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - A year long project and vision to improve the Folly Road corridor has wrapped up another year of research and plans.

The Rethink Folly Road Complete Streets Initiative has a goal to improve congestion and connectivity with pedestrian and bike lanes. Officials hope the work will also improve the value and quality of life along the thoroughfare.

The idea behind the project began in 2015 and Charleston County, Charleston City, Folly Beach and the Town of James Island approved the initiative in 2016. It’s a collaborative effort to study the area, design improvements and secure funding for work.

For the past three years, Toole Design has been working with the county and cities along the corridor to do research and community studies on how to best implement the biking and walking paths.

Lakeesha Dunbar, Office Manager for Tool Design, says the design phase and securing property is often longer than actual construction.

“The last two years is getting the design of the Phase One project done in coordination with the state. And so that’s a big piece in itself. And then since I’ve been on board, um, in the last year, we’ve done quite a few little things to keep it trying to keep the momentum going with the community,” Dunbar says.

Tool design worked with the county on designs and also collaborated with business owners along the road.

“We have to get buy in one because we’re having to get easements and property from property owners along the corridor,” Dunbar explains.

The Tool firm’s contract with the Rethink Folly Road project ends and the end of 2022.

“We’ve been expansion of staff to coordinate the steering committee and the BI monthly meetings. I think just that continued coordination and communication between all of the jurisdictions because there are the multiple jurisdictions along the corridor - that’s key,” Dunbar says.

Going forward, the jurisdictions hope to see phase one completed in the next two years. Phase 1 is the initial phase of the bicycle and pedestrian accommodation project stretching from Lowe’s to Walmart.

Charleston Councilwoman Jenny Costa Honeycutt says in the coming year, people will notice disjointed parts of the paths going in.

“There’s been several improvements within that area already and as different areas like the Chick-fil-A that’s being remodeled as they get improved, you will see isolated, you know, paths and all built in those areas, but along for the long term is going to take a little bit longer to acquire all the property we need,” she says.

Honeycutt compared the goal for Folly Road to how Coleman Boulevard functions in Mount Pleasant – a main road but with bike lanes and sidewalks that connect the nearby community. She says it’s a grand vision of a safe community road that will take a while to accomplish and asks people to be patient as the county and involved cities continue designing and construction.

“So, you’ve got the county who’s sort of the applicant that’s sort of running the operation, you might call, but you have all of those stakeholders involved in at the table and as we progress, we want you know, the community’s input, particularly business owners along the corridor to make sure that it reflects what the community wants,” Honeycutt says.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.

ALL WEEKCharleston Restaurant Week

Catch the last five days of Charleston Restaurant Week and take advantage of special deals that won’t break the bank. More than 50 Charleston eateries offer classic Lowcountry favorites, seafood-centric menus, steakhouse fare and diverse ethnic cuisine. Participating restaurants feature prix fixe dinner menus with multiple courses as well as brunch and lunch options. Check online for a full list of restaurants and deals.

Jan. 18-22. Various Times. Various Locations. charlestonrestaurantweek.com

THURSDAYThird Thursday at Public Works Art Center

Soak up some good vibes at Public Works Art Center’s Third Thursday. Guests can wander through the Studio Artists Exhibition, displaying portrait photography and multidimensional mixed media creations, and the South Gallery, showing fabric and clay sculpture work by visual artist Will Thornton (also known as “Smug Lips”). Enjoy light refreshments during the reception and get a chance to meet some of the featured artists.

Jan. 19. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Public Works Art Center. 135 W. Richardson Ave. Summerville. publicworksartcenter.org

SATURDAYCharleston Vintage Market

Head to the first Charleston Vintage Market of 2023 featuring more than 40 vendors Browse everything from art and home decor to vintage clothing and house plants. Enjoy food and drinks from The Whale, Banging Vegan Eats, Deadlow Coffee, Blackout Burger and Sweetgrass Vodka. Dogs are welcome

Jan. 21. 12-4 p.m. The Refinery. 1640 Meeting Street Road. Downtown.facebook.com/chsvintagemarket

SUNDAYSchool of the Arts Orchestra’s oyster roast

Dig in to all-you-can-eat oysters at this family friendly event benefiting Charleston County School of the Arts High School Orchestra. Enjoy live music, barbecue, hot dogs, a chili cookoff and silent auction. If you don’t have a chance to attend, you can still donate to the fundraiser online to support the next generation of instrumentalists and musicians.

Jan. 22. 3-6 p.m. $15-$25. Bowens Island Restaurant. 1870 Bowens Island Road. James Island. givebutter.com/lXKK2q

ALL WEEKGullah Geechee art exhibition

Don’t miss the Collectively Disconnected multimedia exhibit by Lowcountry folk artist Arun Drummond on display until March 31. Drummond’s work celebrates the Gullah Geechee culture of South Carolina’s sea islands with simplistic, colorful paintings layered with sweetgrass designs. His art pieces can be found at the Charleston City Market downtown.

Jan. 18-March 31. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. $10-$20. Brookgreen Gardens. 1931 Brookgreen Drive. Murrells Inlet. brookgreen.org

Stay cool. Support City Paper.

City Paper has been bringing the best news, food, arts, music and event coverage to the Holy City since 1997. Support our continued efforts to highlight the best of Charleston with a one-time donation or become a member of the City Paper Club.

CHARLESTON, S.C., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bank of South Carolina Corporation (Nasdaq: BKSC) announced unaudited earnings of $6,655,140 or $1.20 and $1.18 basic and diluted per share, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2022 – a decrease of $89,725 or 1.33% from earnings for the year ended December 31, 2021 of $6,744,865 or $1.22 and $1.19 basic and diluted per share, respectively. Earnings for the three months ended December 31, 2022 increased $268,616 or 17.45% to $1,807,785 compared to $1,539,169 for the three months ended December 31, 2021. Returns on average assets and average equity for the year ended December 31, 2022 were 1.01% and 15.26%, respectively, compared with 2021 returns on average assets and average equity of 1.14% and 12.30%, respectively.

Fleetwood S. Hassell, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are very proud to announce 2022 profits that were the fourth best in our 36-year history. Maintaining safe and sound banking practices with consistent lending in this new interest rate environment along with excellent management of operating expenses has resulted in another solid year. Although interest rate spreads have improved, mortgage activity has slowed and intense competition for deposits has emerged. Bond portfolio values have also been impacted by higher rates, which indirectly impacts our capital and book value. We expect these declines to be temporary as investments mature over the coming months. The bank is well positioned to benefit from additional Federal Reserve rate increases, which we believe are coming this year as they continue to fight rising inflation. As we look ahead to 2023 and the opening of our new James Island office in just a few months, the bank's future is bright as we stay the course and continue to build for the future."

The following table shows the balance sheet and income statement highlights:

About Bank of South Carolina Corporation

The Bank of South Carolina Corporation is the holding company of The Bank of South Carolina ("The Bank"). The Bank is a South Carolina state-chartered bank with offices in Charleston, North Charleston, Summerville, Mt. Pleasant, and the West Ashley community and has been in continuous operation since 1987. A sixth office at 1730 Maybank Highway on James Island is anticipated to open in the second quarter of 2023. Our website is www.banksc.com. Bank of South Carolina Corporation currently trades its common stock on the NASDAQ stock market under the symbol "BKSC".

SOURCE Bank of South Carolina Corporation

Two fake stop signs have been found in one James Island neighborhood, which the mayor says has caused confusion and controversy between town officials and local

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - Two fake stop signs have been found in one James Island neighborhood, which the mayor says has caused confusion and controversy between town officials and locals.

A neighbor’s security camera captured the Town of James Island’s public works department removing the illegal stop signs from the corner of Clearview Drive and Tennant Street on Oct. 21.

“You cannot put your own stop signs out. You can always come to the town and make a request, and it will always be merited,” Mayor Bill Woolsey said. “We won’t often be able to put them up, but you can’t put them up yourself, and how we respond is we immediately contact SCDOT. We would have been very surprised if they put a stop sign out there without telling us beforehand.”

A worker could be seen wiggling one of the signs a couple of times before lifting it out of the ground and placing it in the back of a truck.

Not only were the signs put in illegally, according to the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, but the ground next to the street was painted with white stop bars, as well.

“It’s the first I’ve ever heard about it, and I hope it doesn’t spread,” Woolsey said. “[I’m surprised] someone would come and paint a line in the road and buy some online stop signs and install them themselves in the middle of the night or early in the morning.”

Deputies said they were patrolling the area the night before and didn’t see any new signs, but when they went back the next day, they said the signs, which were apparently purchased online, had been put in overnight.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation has also confirmed they have not installed any stop signs at the intersection.

Neighbors initially thought the stop signs were put in by DOT to help with speeders and said the fake signs hurts their ability to address the issue.

“I guess somebody duped us, and they were putting in fake stop signs,” neighbor Jim Boyd said. “They looked to all of us legitimate and 100% real. We are just in favor of anything and everything that we can get people to slow down. Yes, we understand first responders need to get here quickly as well, but we want everything and anything.”

However, Woolsey said he believes the signs did not pop up at random.

“If we find out who did it, they will be charged, and we believe that, most likely, it was someone who lives close by,” he said.

Woolsey also said there was a recent incident where an illegal speed bump was found and removed near the intersection. He said the speed bump had black and yellow stripes and was similar to one found in parking lots across the Lowcountry.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.