As the weather starts to cool down, Piedmont winter sports are warming up. Basketball and swimming are set to open their seasons soon and are optimistic for the new year.
Men’s and Women’s Swimming
Swimming’s opener was initially scheduled for Sept. 28th but was postponed due to Hurricane Helene. Their first meet will be at home in Tallulah Falls on Oct. 11.
“We’re excited to see how many more records we can break this year and are hoping to see many more podium wins this season.” said senior Erick Fortner.
The Lions are coming off an Independent South conference championship sweep from last year, with the men’s and women’s teams dominating. Lions Head Coach Teddy Guyer also won men’s and women’s Coach of the Year honors for his leadership. A record-setting year for the Lions swim team included an 8-2 record.
Last year, the men’s team had six seniors graduate, and the women’s team had four. The Lions brought in promising freshmen to fill in the gaps, the men’s team bringing in four and women’s bringing in one.
The swimmers on the Lions’ stacked roster are very strong, as everyone on each roster plays a role and has the potential to dominate. The Lions swimming program looks to repeat as conference champions this year and break more records.
Men’s Basketball
On the hardwood, men’s basketball is coming off a decent year, finishing 16-11 with a 6-6 conference record, enough for third place. Their high-powered offense, consisting of players like Ryan Jolly and Noah Reardon, was able to set the Cave Arena scoring record against Warren Wilson, dumping 122 points on the scoreboard. Jolly led the team in scoring, averaging 21.1 points a game.
Their main pieces, however, were seniors or transferred out after their season ended. The Lions lost six players at the conclusion of the season, most notably Jolly, Reardon, and Joe Helenbrook. Reardon and Helenbrook graduated, with Jolly transferring to Winthrop and Helenbrook transferring to Ogelothrope for their final years of eligibility.
The Lions made up for their losses by bringing on numerous talented freshmen.
“We have eight newcomers, so our roster looks a lot different.” said head coach Greg Neeley. “I think we can be a very deep and balanced team, and I’ve been encouraged by the chemistry of this group so far.”
New talents like Trip Thompson and Mason Smith will boost the Lions’ exciting, offense-heavy game plan. Returning players like Bailey Wiseman and Fisher Darden are being handed the reins to lead.
Men’s basketball is looking to continue much of what they succeeded in last year: scoring and winning tight games. With many new, exciting weapons entering their freshman year and a few key pieces returning, the Lions are gearing up for what should be a successful year.
Their first contest will be against their former teammate Jolly and his Winthrop squad on Nov. 4 in Rock Hill, S.C..
Women’s Basketball
Women’s basketball finished third in the CCS with a conference record of 10-6 last year and a total record of 15-10. Their offseason losses include five students graduating, such as Lu Woolfolk and starting point guard Laken Stiles.
Last year, freshman Alex Willis performed tremendously at center for the Lions, averaging 10.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Her breakout year resulted in CCS Rookie of the Year honors. She will enter her sophomore year looking to continue her stellar play.
Sharpshooter Ashley Scott will be another key piece for the Lions during their season, along with senior Andelin Hill, who averaged a double-double for much of last season.
Coach Jamie Purdy is entering her 19th year coaching the Lady Lions, and she boasts a winning percentage of 0.683.
Women’s basketball tips off their season on the road on Nov. 8 against East Texas Baptist University in Memphis, Tenn..
In the final months of 2024, Piedmont’s winter sports are gearing up to begin play and are ecstatic for another new year.
