Many of The T&D Region and Palmetto State’s top sports figures had plenty to say in 2005. The following is a sample of some of the memorable quotes from the past year.

“When I make my decision, I want it to be final. I just want to let the other schools know that I was flattered with all the scholarships, but I just want to make them know I want to go (to the college of my choice).” — Bamberg-Ehrhardt defensive end Ricky Sapp discussing the recruiting process. He received over 20 scholarship offers before selecting Clemson University.

“It was just a thrill. You know how somebody says they get a chill in their spine when something happens? It really wasn’t a chill in my spine. It was a just a feeling that I endured inside. I mean, it was just really unbelievable. I was talking to them and they told me that they selected me and I was just feeling joy.” — Former Orangeburg-Wilkinson and Florida State All-American offensive tackle Alex Barron after he was drafted 19th overall by the St. Louis Rams.

“It’s like a parachutist. The first time you jump out of the airplane, the odds of it opening are great. But, the more you keep jumping, there’s a good chance it won’t open. I think the team that’s won the most now will have to play not to lose.” — Former Blackville-Hilda girls’ basketball coach Farrell Zissette talking about facing a team for the fourth time in a season.

“It motivated us a lot because we didn’t want to come home while they’re celebrating and we’re walking around looking sad. We couldn’t have that happen.” — H-K-T senior Brandon Pough when asked if the boys felt extra pressure to follow up the girls’ championship victory in similar fashion. The Trojans proceeded to set two state records for points and field goals in a 100-87 victory over Hemingway.

“Ever since I was little, my momma told me if I wanted to play sports, I had to have the grades, too. So, I just knew what I had to do in order to do what I love. I knew I wanted to play basketball, so I knew I had to get my grades up first.” — Former North High School All-State guard/forward and school valedictorian Nikki Williams.

“We are going to go to win. I don’t think anyone wants to play them. We might get our doors blown off, but we are going to go down there to win.” — Bamberg-Ehrhardt head football coach Ron Duncan about his team facing three-time defending Class A champion Lamar. The Red Raiders would stun the Silver Foxes on the road to advance to the Lower State finals.

“I won’t do it again next year. It just doesn’t give us enough time to prepare and that’s something I won’t do next year — schedule a game in ’Week Zero.’”— Hunter-Kinard-Tyler head football coach Barry Charley

“He was just a good young man who had a promising future. He was a good-hearted individual that everyone liked and had a bright future ahead of him no matter what it was. He was well-respected both by the young and old.” - Charles Murray Jr., talking about his son, Dorchester Academy lineman Charles Murray III, who was killed in a car wreck in Reevesville.

“I was praying to God for a block. He answered my prayer on this night and we got the win.” — Denmark-Olar linebacker Eric Jones after Wilson place-kicker Robbie Bonano’s potential game-winning 55-yard field goal attempt went low and was returned 65 yards for a touchdown to preserve the Vikings’ 12-5 road win.

“I’m not going just sit back and let my kids be criticized. I’ll take any heat from the public about the loss against Edisto. I’ll take that heat and we’ll move forward. Willie Jeffries, Lou Holtz ... he wins a national championship and he goes in and loses tough games. Paul ”Bear“ Bryant, Eddie Robinson, I can go on and on. If you stay in football long enough, by golly, you’re going to lose some tough ones and this is a tough one for us. It’s a hard pill to swallow. But we can’t just sit back and rest on our laurels and think about what happened last week. We’ve just got to pick it up and be ready to go play Richland Northeast. If we don’t, we’ll get demolished.” — Orangeburg-Wilkinson head football coach Tony Felder about his team’s struggles.

“You never know what’s for you. Sometimes, you can work hard at a place and it’s just not for you and you’ve got to do the right things. Hopefully, I’ve been doing the right things and it was time for me to move on and come to a place where, hopefully, I’m successful. I feel like I was successful at O-W, but here, we’re able to get on top and win a couple of region (titles). So God is going to do his will at his own time.” — Calhoun County head football coach Tommy Brown after the Saints clinched a second straight Region 4-A title. In 11 seasons at O-W, his lone region title came in 1995.

“I realize it’s quite a milestone to achieve, but that’s never been a priority for me in terms of getting three, four, 500 wins,” he said. “I coach because I really enjoy the camaraderie with the fellas. I like being around the young folks. There’s a lot of basketball still in me in terms of ... I played quite a bit as a young man. There’s still a lot of basketball in me.” — Calhoun County boys’ basketball coach Zam Fredrick after getting his 400th career win.

So I sat out a year and didn’t know if I wanted to coach or not. After 10 months or so, I started getting my enthusiasm back up. After two years in the NFL, I was a little bit like that song Jo Dee Messina’s got out right now ’My Give A Damn’s Busted.’ As you know, given a little time, sometimes that ’Give a Dang’ can get back up there. “ — University of South Carolina head football coach Steven Spurrier during his visit to Orangeburg back in May.

“They’ve got all the things in place and depth to boot. They’ve got two quarterbacks, they’ve got two running backs, they’ve got two great wide receivers. It’s almost like they’re preparing for Noah’s Ark. They’ve got two of everything. On defense, they’re the same way. They’ve got two defensive lines. It’s the darndest thing. Not only are they very good, they’re very deep and that allows them to play with reckless abandon because they know they can interchange guys pretty evenly and not lesson the talent gap.” — South Carolina State head football coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough about Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference nemesis Hampton.

“I told my wife two weeks ago that I wanted to beat this team the last time we played them, and that’s what we did. I told them we were going to get them again.” — Holly Hill Academy softball coach Henry Lockey after his team defeated Colleton Prep to win the SCISAA Class 2-A title.

“It’s been a lo-oo-oo-ng time,” — Swansea girls’ basketball coach Bobbi Zimmerman after the Lady Tigers defeated Columbia for the first time in 10 years.

“I just like challenges. Every school I’ve been too. Elloree, my first head coaching job, they told me, ’Don’t go.’ You saw what happened. We won the region in our first year and were very competitive. When I came to Denmark, it was the same way. So, it’s just a new challenge for us. I believe we could try to see about coming here to the Statehouse (as state champions) in football one day. I think we’ll get it done down there.” — Wayne Farmer, who left Denmark-Olar in June to become the head football coach and athletics director at Allendale-Fairfax.

“That stuff hurts. Yes, I survive it. But at the same time, it’s not like I went out there and went ’Oh yeah, I can’t wait to do this.’ — Former Orangeburg-Wilkinson two-time state wrestling champion Shelton Benjamin about the rigors of the WWE.

“He’s the best high school athlete I’ve ever seen,” Ware Shoals head coach Jeff Murdock said afterward about Murphy. “He’s great. He’s a great football player. He’s something special and if he continues, he’ll play on Sunday.” — Ware Shoals head coach Jeff Murdock about Calhoun County quarterback Tavarus Murphy, who rushed for two, second-half touchdowns in the Saints’ 17-7 victory in the Class A Upper State finals.

“We did what we did all year. We’ve done what they’ve done ever since they’ve been in their program, run the ball at people and that’s what we’re going to do.” — Blackville-Hilda head football coach David Berry following his team’s 3-0 victory over Calhoun County in the Class A state finals.

“It’s definitely informative. If the fans want entertainment, they can go to a comedy club somewhere. They came to see the ballgame. As a matter of fact, the sports announcer should not be interjected into the game in any way expect for information. Now, they have to be some form of entertainment to go along with the game. But the announcer should not be the entertainer. The announcer should be the informer and help the game flow. Also, in emergency situations when they come up, directing the fans with the proper procedures to do.” — Orangeburg Prep public address announcer Pat Black, who was honored as the National Association of Sports Public Address Announcer’s South Carolina High School Announcer of the Year in the veteran category.

“My grandfather used to say, ’The quickest way to the top of the mountain is taking the escalator. But the safest way is taking it step by step.’ So, I think what all of us are planning to do is take it game by game and day by day and month by month.” — Claflin University men’s basketball coach Ron Woodard about the school moving up to Division II.

“When they were caught, they put it on (former school assistant athletics director for compliance Jonathan Evans). Integrity starts with the coach and they tell us at the AFCA (American Football Coaches Association) that integrity starts with the coach. We’ve got to be ethical. It does make you feel a little tough if the guy had the edge on you by having a couple players who didn’t make it. I like (former Florida A&M head coach) Billy Joe and I’m sorry that it happened. Maybe we would’ve had a chance to win a couple more games.” — Former South Carolina State head football coach Willie Jeffries discussing the ongoing controversy at Florida A&M.

“I’ll be able to have bragging rights for the rest of my life. At 4-0, I can say that I’ve never lost to (Carolina) and I kind of take that seriously. I will cherish that and I’m taking that into the game with me.” — Clemson cornerback and former Woodland standout Tye Hill prior to the Tigers’ 14-9 win over USC.

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