5 Brookland-Cayce High School standout athletes and coaches to be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame

Five former standout athletes and coaches from Brookland-Cayce High School will be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. The event is set for halftime of the home varsity boys basketball game on Thursday, February 12.

Following are this year’s inductees:

George Beam – Coach –1979 – 1986

George Beam was head coach of the boys basketball team and amassed a 76 percent winning record. His teams had seven consecutive state playoff appearances, 1980-1986, and his teams ended their seasons ranked in the state’s Top 10 final polls in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, and 1986. His teams were Region Champions in 1982, 1985, and 1986; Newberry Christmas Tournament Champions in1982; and Hawaii Invitational Tournament Champions in 1985. Mr. Beam was named Region Coach of the Year in 1981, 1985, and 1986, and he was selected Columbia Area Coach of the Year in 1980. Mr. Beam served as president of the Midlands Area Coaches Association, 1981-1986; president of the State Basketball Coaches Association, 1985 and 1986; and coach of the North Team in the 1986 SC All-Star Game. He was Cayce-West Columbia CWC Optimist Man of the Year in 1980, a 10 Young Community Leaders selection by the Columbia Record in 1985, and a host of the high school basketball TV show “Roundball Roundup” from 1983-1986.

Melanie Murray– Athlete–Class of 1994

Melanie Murray earned 11 varsity letters, playing softball, basketball, cross-country and volleyball. She was selected to the All-State and All-Region Softball Teams in 1992, 1993, and 1994, SC Coaches Association of Women’s Sports All-Star Team in 1994 (MVP), and Softball North-South All-Star (1994). She received the Golden Glove Award in 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994 and was a National Junior College Athletic Association 1st Team All-American in 1994 and Fast Pitch Softball Championship Honorable Mention, as well as a member of the All-Tournament Team in 1993. She was offered softball scholarships to Spartanburg Methodist College and Nicholls State University. She was later a member of the Virginia Roadsters Professional Softball Team (1997-1999) and served as head coach of the Spartanburg Methodist softball team (2002-2004).

Erika Pittman Goodwin–Athlete–Class of 1995

Erika Pittman Goodwin earned four varsity letters in cheerleading. She was captain of Brookland-Cayce’s cheerleading team in 1995 and selected for Most School Spirited Superlative and Most Dedicated as a senior. She was a cheerleader at the University of South Carolina from 1995-1999, serving as captain in 1998-1999. She was a cheerleader at the University of Louisville from 2000-2002 and captain of the school’s co-ed cheer team in 2001-2002. She was later head coach and spirit coordinator for the University of South Carolina and worked with co-ed and all-girls programs for 21 seasons. She led USC cheer teams to Top 10 finishes for 20 consecutive years at the National Cheerleaders Association’s Collegiate Championship and served as South Carolina state director for Varsity Spirit.

Cindy Kessler– Coach–1970 – 2000

Cindy Kessler served as head coach for softball, volleyball, gymnastics, cheerleading, track and field, and bowling teams. Her team earned a first place finish and State Gymnastics Championship in 1981 and were Gymnastics Invitational State Champions in 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, and 1980. As a softball coach, her teams were 4-A State Champions in 1987 and 1988, and she was SC Softball Coach of the Year in those same years. Her volleyball teams were Region Champions in 1975 and 1978. She was a founding member of the Coaches Association of Women’s Sports (CAWS) and was inducted into the SC Coaches Association of Women’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2023. She was the Brookland-Cayce Teacher of the Year in 1982-1983 and was inducted into the Educator Hall of Fame in 2010. She served on the Lexington Two Board of Trustees from 2000-2024.

James “Jake” Koy Stone Jr.– Athlete–Class of 1968

James “Jake” Koy Stone Jr. earned 10 varsity letters in football, basketball, and track and field. He was a member of Brookland-Cayce High School’s State Championship football team in 1966. In 1967, he was selected to the All-Area Football Team, Shrine Bowl Team, and was the Columbia Area Preseason 1967 Sports-A-Rama Offensive Player MVP. In 1968, he was named Columbia Area Athlete of the Year Runner-up, Brookland-Cayce High School’s Most Outstanding Athlete, and was the starting left cornerback in the North-South All-Star Game, logging four interceptions. In track and field, Mr. Stone was the AAA State Champion in low and high hurdles in 1967, and set a Brookland-Cayce High School record in 1968 for scoring 191 points in eight track and field events. Mr. Stone received a football scholarship to the University of South Carolina (1968-1971) and was a USC letterman (1970). He was a member of the 1969 ACC Championship Team.

(Provided Photos)