Pinewood star Manigault commits to Wichita State

As expected, Pinewood Prep's talented point guard Kenny Manigault has committed to play basketball for the Wichita State Shockers.

He had a big junior season for the Panthers, who captured their third straight SCISA Class AAA state championship. He was a third-team All-Lowcountry selection after almost averaging a triple-double for the season. Coach Pat Eidson said he's the most complete player at Pinewood since Chuck Eidson played in the late 1990s.

Manigault said he wants to play for Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall, who coached at Winthrop for nine years before taking the Wichita State job in April.

"I like their coach, their campus, the people around the program and the environment," Manigault said. "I think I can play right away if I really work hard."

He also plays for the Carolina Celtics AAU team and played well in the recent Peach State Summer Showcase.

Manigault impressed Justin Young of Rivals.com. "One of the things that separates Manigault from the a number of other point guards in the 2009 class is his length and his ability to use wingspan on the defensive end of the floor," Young wrote. "He blocks a number of shots for a guard and can defend the wing well. Manigault is a fine rebounder at this level and does a nice job of knifing his way into the paint with little trouble."

Manigault is the third Lowcountry player to commit to play basketball. Teammate Milton Jennings has already selected Clemson, and Porter-Gaud's Khris Middleton has picked Texas A&M. Middleton and Manigault are cousins and play for the AAU Celtics.

Connolly to Coastal

Bishop England pitcher Ryan Connolly has committed to play baseball for Coastal Carolina. The rising senior was 8-2 in the spring with a 1.40 ERA. He scattered 67 hits in 70 innings with an impressive strikeout-to-walks ratio. He walked 10 and struck out 70.

Connolly played for the 17-U Diamond Devils traveling team this summer. The team won two wood-bat national championships.

Gantt to Spartanburg

North Augusta all-state pitcher Marty Gantt did not qualify academically to enroll at South Carolina. The lefty has decided to enroll at Spartanburg Methodist. He plans to attend SMC for two years and then enroll at USC. He will be eligible for the draft next spring. He was 8-3 as a senior, with a 1.95 ERA.

Grant to Clinton

Burke basketball player Norelle Grant will play for Clinton Junior College in Spartanburg. She was an all-region selection last winter, averaging 12 points and five assists for the Bulldogs.

Rosters needed

Coaches of all fall sports teams are asked to e-mail or fax rosters for their teams. Rosters can be e-mailed to pbowman@postandcourier.com or faxed to 937-5579.