BE boys' amd girls' soccer teams are highly ranked, hope for deep playoff run

Believe it or not, it’s been a while since the Bishop England boys’ and girls’ soccer teams have won state championships.

But both squads are ranked highly and hope to make a deep run in the playoffs to end the mini drought.

The boys’ team, coached by Ed Khouri, began the week ranked No. 1 in the state in Class AA and the Bishop girls are No. 2 after snapping a four-game losing streak. The boys’ team was 16-2-1 heading into action this week. One of those victories was a 4-0 decision over Academic Magnet, a team that has had the Bishops’ number the past few years.

The boys' team has not won a title since 2013, and one more state title would give the team 17 state title overall, which would be a state record.

The Bishops and Irmo both have 16 heading into this year’s playoffs. The Bishops lost to Academic Magnet the past two seasons in the playoffs, and the Raptors went on to win the state title the past two years.

The Bishops’ only losses this season have been to Wando in the Bryan Ostrower Soccer Showcase and to Brookland-Cayce in the Nike Cup.

The Bishops have posted 10 shutouts this spring. The Bishop girls, coached by Dave Snyder, haven’t won a state title since 2009. Academic Magnet has been the Bishops’ toughest opponent in recent years. Academic Magnet has won three consecutive years and four of the last five years.

The Class AA girls’ playoffs start May 2, and the boys’ playoffs commence May 3.

Hawks on track

Sophomore sensation Quincy Mitchell continues to have a big season in track and field.

He posted two national elite times during the Berkeley County Track and Field Championships.

Mitchell claimed first place in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.91. He also ran a national elite time in the 200-meter dash with a time of 21.90, which was good enough for a gold medal.

Mitchell also ran a leg of the Hawks’ winning 4x100-meter relay team.

Teammate Dominque Green also had a national elite effort, with a heave of 52-0 in the shot put.

Stratford won the boys’ championship with 159 points. Hanahan was right behind with 148 and Goose Creek third with 88.

BE girls’ LAX No. 1

Bishop England completed the regular season with a 12-1 record and the No. 1 ranking after posting a 19-3 victory against Dutch Fork.

Bishop England dominated from the beginning, outscoring the hosts 12-2 in the first half. Emma Pizzo led the way, collecting eight goals and four assists. Morgan Roberts added six goals and Ellie Long scored two times with one assist.

The Bishops, coached by Jeff Weiner, have had great seasons end in heart breaks the last few years.

They lost to J.L. Mann 13-11 in last year’s state championship. Two years ago, they lost to Wando in overtime in the Lower State championship. In 2013, J.L. Mann edged the Bishops 15-14 in the title game.