Prelims Results
(View full prelims recap here)
Class A
1. Ninety Six H.S., SC
Music: Ninety Six H.S., SC
Visual: Ninety Six H.S., SC
GE: Ninety Six H.S., SC
Class AA
1. Bassett H.S., VA
2. York H.S., SC
3. Lugoff-Elgin H.S., SC
Music: Bassett H.S., VA
Visual: Bassett H.S., VA
GE: Bassett H.S., VA
Class AAA
1. Dobyns-Bennett H.S., TN
2. Fort Mill H.S., SC
3. Nation Ford H.S., SC
Music: Dobyns-Bennett H.S., TN
Visual: Dobyns-Bennett H.S., TN
GE: Dobyns-Bennett H.S., TN
Class AAAA
1. Wando H.S., SC
2. James F. Byrnes H.S., SC
3. Green Hope H.S., NC
Music: Wando H.S., SC
Visual: Wando H.S., SC
GE: Wando H.S., SC
Finals Results
(View full finals recap here)
1. (86.55) Wando H.S., SC
2. (86.10) Dobyns-Bennett H.S., TN
3. (82.90) James F. Byrnes H.S., SC
4. (82.15) Fort Mill H.S., SC
5. (81.35) Nation Ford H.S., SC
6. (78.80) Bassett H.S., VA
7. (77.40) River Bluff H.S., SC
8. (76.65) Panther Creek H.S., NC
9. (74.90) White Knoll H.S., SC
10. (74.20) Green Hope H.S., NC
Music: Wando H.S., SC
Visual: Wando H.S., SC
GE: Dobyns-Bennett H.S., TN
Returning 2017 Finalists (7)
1. Fort Mill H.S., SC2. Dobyns-Bennett H.S., TN
3. James F. Byrnes H.S., SC
4. Nation Ford H.S., SC
5. Green Hope H.S., NC
6. Panther Creek H.S., NC
9. York H.S., SC
Previous Champions
2017: Fort Mill H.S., SC2016: Dobyns-Bennett H.S., TN
2015: Dobyns-Bennett H.S., TN
2014: Dobyns-Bennett H.S., TN
2013: Dobyns-Bennett H.S., TN
States Represented (4)
North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
The 2018 Gaffney, South Carolina, Regional will be held Oct. 13 at Gaffney High School. In 2017, when the regional was held at Wake Forest University, Fort Mill took the top spot, winning finals over Dobyns-Bennett by one tenth of a point.
Dobyns-Bennett, on the other hand, has had many regional victories this decade. Until last year, they won the Winston-Salem regional in every year of its existence. Wando has not competed this early in the season in a long time, and we feel that this disadvantage for Wando, along with Dobyns-Bennett’s recent history of regional victories, may result in Dobyns-Bennett edging out Wando in a close win.
Following these two headliners, we have a group of Carolina bands all with resumés fitting of a regional medalist. The two most likely contenders are last year’s champion Fort Mill and their in-town rival, Nation Ford. The two bands are those best poised to snag the bronze medal. However, we cannot rule out James F. Byrnes or Green Hope, as both have a history of success at this regional. Panther Creek typically excels in early October, and they have a chance at placing among the top three as well. All of these bands mentioned are finalist locks.
Many bands have a chance at filling those last three spots in finals. Bassett and Cary may have missed finals at this regional in 2017, but before last year, they were tied with Dobyns-Bennett for most consecutive finals appearances at the Winston-Salem Regional. Of the bubble bands, we think they have the best chance of performing on Saturday night. Among the other potential finalists are Rock Hill, River Bluff, Boiling Springs, and York Comprehensive, all of whom are previous finalists at this regional, as well as Ardrey Kell and Clover.
HornRank Contributor Jacob Wilkins authored this event preview.
2. Wando H.S., SC
3. Fort Mill H.S., SC
4. Nation Ford H.S., SC
5. Green Hope H.S., NC
6. James F. Byrnes H.S., SC
7. Panther Creek H.S., NC
8. Cary H.S., NC
9. River Bluff H.S., SC
10. Bassett H.S., VA
Visual: Mike Anderson, William Chumley, and Jackie Gilley.
Chief: Gary Markham.
Our Thoughts
This regional has two clear frontrunners in Dobyns-Bennett, four-time regional champion, and Wando, a newcomer to this particular regional. Wando has been a marching band powerhouse in the Southeast for over a decade, winning 11 South Carolina State 5A championships since 2003. They're also a four-time Grand National finalist. However, among their list of accomplishments, you will not find a BOA regional championship title. While they have won class championships at the Atlanta Super Regional on several occasions, they have yet to snag a regional victory. |
| Dobyns-Bennett performs at the 2017 Grand National Championships on Nov. 11, 2017, at Lucas Oil Stadium. // Photo by Jeremiah Wooten |
Following these two headliners, we have a group of Carolina bands all with resumés fitting of a regional medalist. The two most likely contenders are last year’s champion Fort Mill and their in-town rival, Nation Ford. The two bands are those best poised to snag the bronze medal. However, we cannot rule out James F. Byrnes or Green Hope, as both have a history of success at this regional. Panther Creek typically excels in early October, and they have a chance at placing among the top three as well. All of these bands mentioned are finalist locks.
Many bands have a chance at filling those last three spots in finals. Bassett and Cary may have missed finals at this regional in 2017, but before last year, they were tied with Dobyns-Bennett for most consecutive finals appearances at the Winston-Salem Regional. Of the bubble bands, we think they have the best chance of performing on Saturday night. Among the other potential finalists are Rock Hill, River Bluff, Boiling Springs, and York Comprehensive, all of whom are previous finalists at this regional, as well as Ardrey Kell and Clover.
HornRank Contributor Jacob Wilkins authored this event preview.
Predictions
1. Dobyns-Bennett H.S., TN2. Wando H.S., SC
3. Fort Mill H.S., SC
4. Nation Ford H.S., SC
5. Green Hope H.S., NC
6. James F. Byrnes H.S., SC
7. Panther Creek H.S., NC
8. Cary H.S., NC
9. River Bluff H.S., SC
10. Bassett H.S., VA
Adjudication Panel
Music: Tim Allshouse, George Boulden, Gino Cipriani, and Jarrett Lipman.Visual: Mike Anderson, William Chumley, and Jackie Gilley.
Chief: Gary Markham.
