Buford Middle runner-up in mat tourney

Photo supplied

The Buford Middle School wrestling team displays its tournament runner-up trophy at BMS’s Rumble in the Hive wrestling tournament on Dec. 18 at Buford High School.

Photo supplied

The Buford Middle School wrestling team recently competed in the middle school state qualifying tournament at South Pointe High School in Rock Hill. The BMS wrestlers, from left, are Kristopher “Tator” Self, Scottie Moser, Zeb Polston, Ricky Hinson and Matt Griffin. Polston and Moser won their weight classes, while Hinson and Self each placed second and Griffin won a bronze medal for a third-place finish.

The Buford Middle School wrestling team finished second in the third annual Rumble in the Hive tournament at Buford High School on Dec. 18.

The BMS Jackets, 8-3, won their  pool to advance to the championship round against Long Middle School of Cheraw.

The Jackets forged a 40-6 lead on Long, but it rallied with four pins and two forfeits to take the 42-40 win on a match-ending pin.

Buford Middle and Long Middle each went 3-0 in pool play.

Cheraw, with its win over Buford, won the tournament title, with Buford finishing second. Rawlinson Road Middle School of Rock Hill placed third.

“This tournament is always competitive and this one was this year,” Buford Middle School coach Kris Self said. “It came down to the final match of the tournament.”

Buford won the inaugural tournament in 2008, with Sullivan of Rock Hill capturing the 2009 tournament crown.

Chesterfield won the sportsmanship award in the 2010 tournament.

Self said the tournament was a success due to the help of several groups.

“Coach John Mahaffey and the Buford High School wrestling team was very supportive and Jason Moser was helpful in having the tournament running smooth,” he said. “The Buford Booster Club donated supplies for the tournament.

“We also appreciate the support of Lancaster High School which allowed us to borrow a mat for the tournament,” Self said. “Having two mats helped to keep the flow of the tournament running smooth.”

The Jackets opened their middle school wrestling season, dropping a pair of matches for an 0-2 start, but have come on strong to post their 8-3 mark.

“A big win for us was a 66-6 victory at Hartsville last month,” Self said.

The BMS Jackets also participated in the middle school state qualifier at South Pointe High School in Rock Hill last month.

Four Jackets qualified for the middle school state tournament at Lexington High School on Jan. 22.

Jacket state qualifiers included Zeb Polston, first place gold medal 110; Scottie Moser, first place gold medal, 125; Ricky Hinson, second place silver medal 140; Kristopher “Tator” Self, second place silver 170. Matt Griffin, at 119, won third place and a bronze medal in the  119-pound class.

The next middle school qualifier is set for Jan. 15 at Fort Mill High School.

Buford wrestled Chesterfield on Tuesday and travels to Cheraw to wrestle in the Long Middle School tournament on Saturday.

“Since we lost to Long in our tournament, we’re kinda looking forward to wrestling in their tournament and possibly gaining some mat revenge,” Self said.

BHS 4-6 in Ram Rumble

The Buford High School wrestling team went 4-6 in the two-day Ram Rumble at Chesterfield High School on Dec. 21-22.

The Jackets were 1-4 on opening day, falling to former state champions Chesterfield and Loris.

BHS went 3-2 on day two, including a three-point setback to Cheraw.

“We gave up five forfeits, so the guys we had in there wrestled well,” BHS coach John Mahaffey said.

Buford, 8-7, returned to the mat Tuesday night with a match with Chesterfield.

Bruins post 1-3 mark in AHS Eagles tourney

The Lancaster Bruins posted a 1-3 record in the Eagle Invitational at

Airport High School on Dec. 30.

Lancaster placed third in its pool and was sixth overall in the eight-team field.

Lancaster defeated Orangeburg-Wilkinson, 39-12. The LHS losses came to Columbia High School 60-24, Airport, 48-9 and Richland Northeast, 49-24.

“This was a good experience for us,” LHS coach Jeff Foo said. “We had four guaranteed matches and the experience of being on the mat with different teams can only be a benefit, especially for our young wrestlers.”

Lancaster hosted Northwestern in a region match on Tuesday night.