South Carroll came into the season with expectations at an all-time high, with the Cavaliers coming off back-to-back Class 2A-1A state championships.
Hamper, in his eighth year as SC's coach, knew he had a wealth of talent in his lineup. It became a mix of veterans and inexperienced varsity wrestlers, but the Cavs jelled and enjoyed another winter filled with trophies.
South Carroll won county, regional, and state tournament championships, after a 30-4 regular-season record, and Hamper earned Times Coach of the Year for a second straight season.
The Cavs defended their county tourney crown behind six individual champions — junior Joey Thomas (113 pounds), freshman Cam Werner (120), junior Jake MacKenzie (132), senior Shane Conners (152), junior Jamar Williams (160), and senior Talmadge Eller (182). They finished with 175 points and held off Westminster (135) and Winters Mill (132).
They edged Middletown at the 2A-1A West tourney, 162-152, and needed a strong performance in the 2A-1A state finals to keep Middletown at bay again. Hamper guided Conners, Thomas, and Williams to state titles at Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, and South Carroll won with 119 team points to the Knights' 116.
South Carroll collected seven Times first-team all-county selections, led by Co-Wrestlers of the Year in Conners and Thomas.
And Hamper should return the bulk of his lineup to go after more hardware next season.
