Jeff Hartsell
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Articles by Jeff Hartsell
Amid World Cup, Charleston Battery aims for cup trophy of its own
MOUNT PLEASANT — As World Cup fans relish the high drama of the knockout stage, the Charleston Battery is aiming at high-stakes knockout play of its own. The Battery’s home contest against the Charlotte Independence on July 11 is the final match of group-stage play in the USL Cup, a World Cup-style tournament featuring 42 teams from the USL Championship and USL League One.
University of Kentucky standout captures Rice Planters Amateur tournament
MOUNT PLEASANT -- Gavin Clutts woke up Friday morning unaware of where he stood going into the third and final round of the Rice Planters Amateur golf tournament at Snee Farm, and determined not to find out. "I didn't even look at the leaderboard," Clutts said.
Summerville softball team captures Class AAAAA Division I state championship
SUMMERVILLE -- The stands were packed at Summerville High School's softball field on Wednesday night. Fans hung over the outfield fence, and even firefighters climbed atop their ladder truck to get a better view. The Green Wave put on a show equal to the crowd, delivering a three-run rally with two out in the sixth inning to claim a 6-3 win over Byrnes and their third state championship in four years.
Pegula first since Serena to defend Charleston Open title
When the last tennis ball of a long week was struck, Jessica Pegula staggered briefly on the green clay, a wry smile of relief washing over her face. “I don’t know how many hours I spent on this court, but it was way too much,” she told a festive Easter Day crowd at Credit One Stadium.
Defending Charleston Open champ goes to 3 sets, again, to advance to semifinals
Jessica Pegula’s week of living dangerously continued on Friday at the Credit One Charleston Open on Daniel Island. The defending Charleston champ moved into the semifinals for the fourth straight year with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over lefty Diana Shnaider, the No. 7 seed, on Stadium Court. Pegula won her third three-setter in three days, and was down a break in the third set in the last two.
Defending champ Pegula survives yet another thriller at Charleston Open
If it’s Jessica Pegula on green clay in Charleston, odds are there is some long-form drama involved. “I don’t know what is it about this court,” the defending Credit One Charleston Open champ told the fans at Stadium Court after yet another three-set thriller. That crowd on Thursday pulled the top-seeded Pegula through the latest in a series of tense, testing Charleston matches, the 32-year-old outlasting No. 14 seed Elisabetta Cocciaretto 1-6, 6-1, 7-6 to advance to the quarterfinals.
Teen tennis star charms Charleston Open crowd; Pegula survives
Charleston tennis fans set their eyes for the first time on the sport’s latest teen sensation, and Iva Jovic’s Lowcountry debut lived up to her rising reputation. Jovic, 18 and seeded No. 4 at the Credit One Charleston Open, cruised into the third round with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over fellow American Alycia Parks, pleasing the Stadium Court crowd and setting up the potential for another spectacular teen performance at this tournament.
Badosa’s back at Charleston Open, finding joy on court again
Most every day, Paula Badosa says, she considers hanging up her tennis racket. The game that has brought her so much joy, money and fame has also exacted a cost — pain, fear and self-doubt. “Every day, every day I’m thinking about it,” Badosa, 28 and once ranked No. 2 in the world, said this week at the Credit One Charleston Open on Daniel Island.
Life with Mom on tour at the Charleston Open: Bencic balances tennis, motherhood
As Belinda Bencic practiced on Monday at the Credit One Charleston Open, hitting partners and coaches were joined on court by a very special “assistant.” She toddled around with a tennis ball in one hand and a tiny racquet in the other, waving at onlookers. Bencic’s daughter, Bella, is nearly 2 years old and has become a presence on the WTA Tour, playing soccer with men’s star Jannik Sinner in Miami last week and keeping Mom company on the road.
Who and what to know about the Credit One Charleston Open
There’s something about the green clay tennis courts of Charleston. The clay, made up of crushed volcanic rock from the Blue Ridge Mountains of West Virginia, signals a new season on the WTA Tour. The tour year annually switches from hard courts to clay at the Credit One Charleston Open, then moves on to the slower red clay of Europe leading up to the French Open.
Charleston Open still on leading edge for women’s sports
When Rosie Casals faced Nancy Richey in the finals of the first Family Circle Cup in 1973 on Hilton Head Island, there was something different in the air.
Clemson tops The Citadel to complete Lowcountry sweep
With both South Carolina and Clemson visiting Riley Park this season, The Citadel baseball team had a chance to make history on Wednesday night. It’s been 41 years since the Bulldogs knocked off both Palmetto State rivals in the same season — 1985 to be exact. The Citadel pulled off the first part of that rare double play last week with a win over USC but could not complete it March 18 against Clemson.
The Citadel upends South Carolina in baseball
South Carolina baseball coach Paul Mainieri used a Tuesday night game at The Citadel to ease a couple of injured pitchers back into action. But the Bulldogs were not in a cooperative mood as they roughed up USC pitchers Alex Philpott and Cullen Horowicz in their season debuts for two home runs and three runs in the first two innings, sparking an 8-3 victory before 4,329 at Riley Park.
The Citadel tops Chattanooga in Southern Conference tourney
As Sola Adebisi took part in the traditional on-court TV interview for the game’s hero, his Citadel teammates thronged around him in joy. “We have tons of belief,” Adebisi said into the camera. “We can win it and make history.
College of Charleston rolls as judicial ruling returns star guard
Connor Hickman's off-and-on season is back on again, thanks to a Charleston County judge. The College of Charleston guard, ruled ineligible on Feb. 11 after playing in 20 basketball games for the Cougars this season, had his eligibility reinstated on Feb. 19, just in time for Charleston's Thursday night game at North Carolina A&T.
In 'huge moment' for tennis, Charleston Open to offer record prize money
When some of the world's top tennis players gather for the Credit One Charleston Open on Daniel Island next month, they will compete for a record amount of prize money. The new purse of $2.5 million, announced Feb. 10 by tournament owner Ben Navarro, is twice the prize money offered at last year's Charleston Open and more than double the amount required for a 500-level tournament on the WTA Tour.
Samford defeats The Citadel; ends the Bulldogs two-game winning streak
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Home games and overtime have been kind to The Citadel basketball team this season, but neither were available on Thursday night at Samford. Coach Ed Conroy's team began a three-game road trip with a 78-64 loss at the Pete Hanna Center, snapping a two-game win streak and dropping The Citadel to 8-16 overall and 5-6 in the Southern Conference. Samford climbed to 12-12 overall and 5-6 in the SoCon, tied with The Citadel in the middle of the conference standings.
Reeves, College of Charleston top Campbell in CAA basketball
What’s better than having a 7-footer on your basketball team? Well, having two 7-footers, of course. Pressed into a season-high 31 minutes of service off the bench on Thursday night, College of Charleston’s 7-2 Christian Reeves responded with a season-best 21 points and nine rebounds to spark the Cougars to an 87-83 victory over Campbell before 5,079 fans at TD Arena.
The Citadel roars back to top Furman in overtime thriller
As The Citadel missed 18 of its first 19 shots from 3-point range and Furman stretched its lead to 19 points with 11 minutes to play, the several hundred cadets who turned up at McAlister Field House on Jan. 21 had little reason to cheer. But that changed dramatically in the last 10 minutes of the game. As the cadets roared, The Citadel rallied from 19 down with 10:50 left to force overtime against the rival Paladins.
The Citadel falls to ETSU in Southern Conference opener
Two second-half possessions told much of the story for The Citadel basketball team in a 74-49 loss to East Tennessee State on Dec. 30 at McAlister Field House. On the first, Bulldogs guard Carter Kingsbury beat his man to the baseline and drove to the basket for an uncontested layup. The ball bounced harmlessly off the rim, and ETSU hit a layup of its own at the other end.
Johnson leads OCA to state title game
Two years again, Terrance Johnson spent his sophomore season at Oceanside Collegiate learning how to play football, strictly on the practice field. After all, it was the first time the basketball standout had tried his hand at the sport. "I was playing basketball, and when I came to Oceanside, coach (Brent) LaPrad told me I could do something great on the football field," Johnson said.
Johnson leads OCA to state title game
Two years again, Terrance Johnson spent his sophomore season at Oceanside Collegiate learning how to play football, strictly on the practice field. After all, it was the first time the basketball standout had tried his hand at the sport. "I was playing basketball, and when I came to Oceanside, coach (Brent) LaPrad told me I could do something great on the football field," Johnson said.
Oceanside Collegiate blasts Dillon to reach Lower State title game
NORTH CHARLESTON — Last year, Dillon High School took Oceanside Collegiate down to the wire in a memorable high school football playoff game. "They should have beat us," said OCA coach Brent LaPrad. "They got tripped on the 1-yard line last year to save our behind." The Landsharks needed no such luck on Nov. 21 at District 4 Stadium.
Lucy Beckham pulls away to playoff victory
Not quite ready for their season to be over, Lucy Beckham’s Bengals scored the final 17 points of the game to pull away for a playoff victory over North Myrtle Beach on Friday night at District 2 Stadium. Senior fullback Jack Lamonica ran for 112 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries to lead the fifth-seeded Bengals to a 38-21 win over No. 12 North Myrtle Beach in the first round of the Division II-AAAAA football playoffs.
College of Charleston tops Tusculum in basketball opener
Chris Mack is back, the student section was packed and the Chucktown Sound was again loud for TD Arena’s 40th consecutive sellout on Monday night. Much else about Cougars basketball has changed, however, with coach Mack bringing in 13 new players for his second season. Cougar fans turned out in enthusiastic numbers to check out the new squad’s season opener. And based on the evidence of a 79-58 blowout of Division II Tusculum on Nov. 3, it should be a fun season on George Street.
Beckham prevails in Sweetgrass rivalry
They share a stadium, a town and friendships dating back to youth football and elementary school. But the Wando Warriors and Lucy Beckham Bengals can't share the Sweetgrass Bowl trophy, which goes to the winner of the Mount Pleasant high schools' annual rivalry game. "It's home," declared Beckham coach Jamel Smith after his Bengals claimed the trophy with a 31-14 victory over Wando before a packed house at District 2 Stadium on Thursday night.
Wando falls to Stratford, looks fwd. to Beckham
Stratford clinched a region championship trophy on Oct. 24 at District 2 Stadium in Mount Pleasant. Wando was left to look forward to winning a trophy of its own, in next week's Sweetgrass Bowl rivalry showdown against Lucy Beckham. The Knights from Goose Creek coasted to a 42-21 victory over Wando to improve to 8-1 overall and 4-0 in Region 7-AAAAA on Oct. 24, earning a league title and a first-round bye in the Class AAAAA playoffs.
Stingrays open season with victory; Warsofsky wins coaching debut
As the lights dimmed at the North Charleston Coliseum on Saturday night, the familiar question echoed over the ice. “Who’s ready for some Stingrays hockey!?” The roar of 6,285 faithful fans and the clang of almost as many cowbells answered in the affirmative as South Carolina’s first pro hockey team began its 33rd season on Oct. 18.
Bengals fall to Stratford in 1-pt. thriller
A rainy night in Mount Pleasant turned into a showcase for two of the top running backs in Lowcountry high school football on Friday night. Maliq McGowan and Stratford were one point better than Jack Lamonica and the Lucy Beckham Bengals during a steady downpour at District 2 Stadium on Oct. 10.
Wando hangs on to beat Goose Creek in region opener
It wasn't suitable for framing, but coach Isaiah Perrin and the Wando Warriors will take it. The Warriors overcame three turnovers, numerous penalties and a hungry Goose Creek team to escape with a 14-12 victory over the Gators in high school football on Friday night at District 2 Stadium in Mount Pleasant. Wando quarterback Harris Stone threw two touchdown passes and the Warriors avoided late disaster to improve to 4-2 overall and 1-0 in Region 7-AAAAA.
Oceanside follows Dutch Fork win with shutout
In South Carolina high school football, beating Dutch Fork is like climbing Mount Everest or winning an Academy award. What do you do next? How do you follow up knocking off the top program in the state? For Oceanside Collegiate, the encore to last week's dramatic, emotional victory over No. 1 Dutch Fork was a 47-0 win over fellow charter school Atlantic Collegiate at Johnson Hagood Stadium.
Beckham bashes Bluffton behind Lamonica
It took a minute for Lucy Beckham's rushing attack to get rolling on Friday night against Bluffton. Through one quarter of play, the Bengals had piled up a grand total of -2 rushing yards and trailed the Bobcats by a touchdown. But senior quarterback Finn Gunter never lost faith that the yards would eventually come. And they did in a 35-20 victory over previously unbeaten Bluffton at District 2 Stadium in Mount Pleasant.
Wando rally falls short vs. St. James
At this rate, St. James High School may as well pack up its football operation and move it 73 miles down Highway 17 from Murrells Inlet to District 2 Stadium in Mount Pleasant. A week after snapping a 14-game skid with a win over Lucy Beckham, the Sharks returned to Robert Hayes Field and won again on Sept. 12, holding off Wando for a 21-14 victory. The Warriors dug a 21-0 hole in a first half plagued by errors, including a botched field goal, two turnovers and double-digit penalties.
Bengals blow lead to St. James
There were equal parts celebration and consternation at District 2 Stadium in Mount Pleasant on Friday night. The St. James Sharks rode a party bus all the way up Highway 17 back to Murrells Inlet after snapping a 14-game losing streak. The home-standing Lucy Beckham Bengals pondered how they ripped off touchdowns of 54, 47 and 81 yards to lead by two touchdowns only to lose by 35-28.
Beckham duo leads Bengals past Philip Simmons
With the start of their season delayed by a week, the Lucy Beckham Bengals were more than eager to get on the football field on Friday night. In the first six minutes against Philip Simmons at District 2 Stadium, Beckham running backs Jaden Gethers and Jack Lamonica each ripped off long touchdown runs, sparking the Bengals to a 35-15 victory over the Iron Horses on Aug. 29.
Wando rolls past Socastee in rain-delayed opener Original
Neither rain nor flood nor a rising tide of cork could stop Socastee and Wando from finally kicking off their high school football seasons during an Aug. 25 Monday night showdown at District 2 Stadium in Mount Pleasant. Rained out on Friday night, the game was threatened again on Monday by an afternoon downpour that forced the cork pellets on the turf at Bob Hayes Field to the surface in what looked like muddy streaks.
Charleston’s Navarro battles first pro slump heading into US Open
If 2024 was the summer of Emma, the U.S. Open was that beautiful final weekend at the beach, the nearly perfect ending to a sweet season. To cap a year that saw her claim her first WTA Tour title and the WTA’s Most Improved Player Award, Charleston’s Emma Navarro ran to the semifinals of last year’s U.S. Open, including a three-set victory over third-ranked Coco Gauff.
Top seed wins all-American battle at Charleston Open final
At various stages this week, Jessica Pegula seemed on the brink of elimination at the Credit One Charleston Open. But nobody could ever quite push her over the edge. The top-seeded Pegula staged a third straight comeback to claim the Charleston Open title on Sunday at Credit One Stadium, knocking off fellow American Sofia Kenin 6-3, 7-5.
Charleston Open owner: Tournament will double prize money to equal men
The Credit One Charleston Open will double its prize money next year to more than $2 million, matching the purse at similar tournaments on the men’s pro tennis tour. Charleston Open Ben Navarro made the announcement on April 6, the final day of a record-breaking week for the largest women’s-only tournament in North America.
No. 1 seed Jessica Pegula reaches Charleston Open final
It will be an all-American final in the Credit One Charleston Open on Sunday. U.S. star Jessica Pegula, the winningest tennis player on the WTA Tour this year, clawed her way into the final with a 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova on Saturday at Credit One Stadium. “It took everything I had,” Pegula told a huge crowd on Daniel Island.
Top seed rallies to defeat defending champion at Charleston Open
Danielle Collins was just four games and seemingly a few minutes from one of the biggest wins of her career on Friday at the Charleston Open. The defending Charleston champ was up a set and 2-0 against top-seeded Jessica Pegula, on the verge of snapping an 0-5 career record against Pegula and advancing to the semifinals on Daniel Island. That would keep alive her bid to become the first player to defend the Charleston title since tennis legend Serena Williams in 2012-13.
It's the elite eight for Emma: Navarro rallies to reach Charleston Open quarterfinals
The hometown crowd cheered her through the tough spots, clapping and shouting ‘C’mon Emma!” at crucial junctures. The net cord at Credit One Stadium did its part as well, gifting the hometown favorite three helpful points. But Charleston’s Emma Navarro also had to find something from within to gut out a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over No. 15 seed Ashlyn Krueger and advance to the final eight of the Credit One Charleston Open on April 3 on Daniel Island.
Emma Navarro is unbreakable in opening win at Credit One Charleston Open
Hailey Baptiste tried everything she could think of — a behind-the-back volley, a running tweener, a blazing 121-mph second serve. None of it shook the implacable Emma Navarro. With a hometown crowd cheering her on at Credit One Stadium on Daniel Island, the 11th-ranked Navarro opened her sixth Credit One Charleston Open with a 6-4, 6-3 win over the 90th-ranked Baptiste.
Defending Charleston Open champion Danielle Collins prevails
Danielle Collins has lifted a trophy at the end of the Credit One Charleston Open each of the last two years. Her chances of lifting a third trophy this week appear pretty fair after she rolled through her opening match on April 1 at Credit One Stadium on Daniel Island. The 31-year-old Collins, who won back-to-back titles in Miami and Charleston last year to highlight a career season, cruised to a 6-3, 6-1 win over 20-year-old American Robin Montgomery, making her first appearance in Charleston.
Keys returns to Charleston as a newlywed, and new Grand Slam champ
Having played in Charleston 11 times since 2013, tennis star Madison Keys had plenty of time to scout out the Lowcountry as a wedding venue. “It’s always been one of my favorite places to come to,” she said March 31 at the Credit One Charleston Open on Daniel Island. “I mean, I love the food, the city, all of the history.
Navarro now among the hunted on WTA Tour
Donning the local traditional headwear can be a price of victory on the WTA Tour. Take Charleston’s Emma Navarro, for example. After she won her second career singles title four weeks ago at the Merida Open in Mexico, Navarro gamely put on a bejeweled blue sombrero for the trophy ceremony. “I feel a little ridiculous saying anything in this hat right now,” Navarro told the crowd. “But I love it.” Another price of victory on Tour can be an ever-growing target on your back.
US players on rise heading into Credit One Charleston Open
In 2003, Charleston tennis star Emma Navarro was 2 years old. The Credit One Charleston Open, which celebrates 25 years on Daniel Island this week, was still known as the Family Circle Cup and had just moved to Charleston two years earlier. And 2003 is the year that the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge was opened, replacing the old Cooper River bridges connecting Charleston and Mount Pleasant.
Can Emma Navarro follow up her career year? We’re about to find out
A year ago almost to the day – on Jan. 13, 2024 – Emma Navarro posed for photos with her first WTA Tour singles trophy. She sat on the court at the Hobart International on the island of Tasmania in Australia, soaking up the sun and the good vibes. It was a sign of things to come in 2024 for the Charleston tennis star, an Ashley Hall School graduate who is now ranked No. 8 in the world.
Rogers honored by hometown, headed to SC Hall of Fame
MOUNT PLEASANT – After she was handed the keys to the town of Mount Pleasant, retired tennis star Shelby Rogers had one question. “What can I use these for?” Rogers asked Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie. The question was ironic, because it was the town of Mount Pleasant that was one key to helping Rogers unlock her tennis potential years ago. “It’s where I started,” Rogers said as kids practiced at the Mount Pleasant Tennis Complex on Thursday afternoon.
Tennis dreams fuel WTA players at LTP Mount Pleasant event
MOUNT PLEASANT — Sophie Chang’s itinerary for the last six weeks tells the story of life on tennis tours such as the WTA Challenger circuit. “Let’s see,” Chang said from courtside at LTP Mount Pleasant, host of this week’s Fifth Third WTA 125 tennis tournament. “Last week, I was playing in Austin, Texas. The week before that, I was in Midland, Mich. “Before that, I was in Mexico.
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