Shiver me timbers! Join the scurvy dogs o’ the CHS SAIL Team (Scholar Athlete Innovative Leaders) at Charlestown High School for the maiden voyage o’ our SS Pirate Night! We’re gatherin’ the whole bloomin’ community to hoist the colors for Spring Sports, plunder some grub from six fine food galleons, and have a treasure trove o’ fun for young and old alike.
Come lend yer voices to cheer on our swashbucklin’ teams—baseball, softball, and tennis will be battlin’ on their home waters, starting at the fifth hour o’ the evenin’ (that’s 5:00 PM for ye landlubbers).
Got a chest o’ wares ye be lookin’ to peddle? We’d be thrilled to have ye aboard! Send a message in a bottle (or an email) to Melissa Stewart at mstewart@gccschools.com for more details, savvy?
What we’re saying is come join us for SS Pirate Night tomorrow May 15th, watch some spring sports, and enjoy any or all of the six food trucks who’ll be on site! And if you’re a vendor with product to sell, contact Melissa Stewart to set up!
While the winter sports season has ended and we prepare for the spring, we want to provide you with a recap of our Pirate Alumni who participated in intercollegiate athletics this past winter.
Below each athlete’s picture is a season or career recap (provided by what stats and news were available through the school’s website).
The Grenadier senior finished his career after playing in 127 games. He averaged 21 minutes per game and recorded 586 points, 199 rebounds, 62 assists, 7 blocks, and 54 steals in his four years. IUS made it to the championship game of the River States Conference Tournament where they fell to #1 seed St. Mary’s of the Woods, but they received an at-large bid to the NAIA National Tournament, where they lost in the first round to the overall #1 seed Freed-Hardeman University who has advanced to the NAIA Final Four. The Grenadiers ended their season with a 13-18 record.
The Marian freshman appeared in two games for the Knights. The Knights made the championship game of the Crossroads League Tournament where they lost by six to 4th ranked Indiana Wesleyan University but they received an at-large bid to the NAIA tournament. The third-seeded Marian women’s basketball fought a tough fight in the NAIA National Tournament Quarterfinals against the reigning National Champions Dordt falling 82-61. The Knights ended their season with an overall record of 27-8.
The Lady Knights sophomore started in 27 of 28 games this season and finished the season with 232 points, 85 rebounds, 32 steals, 56 assists, and 4 blocks. OCU advanced to the National Junior College Athletic Association Region 24 Tournament Semi-Finals before falling to Wabash Valley College. Hawkins will leave a two-year career at the junior college to continue at NAIA Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, Indiana.
Brooklyn Henson – Indiana University Southeast Cheer Henson and her IUS cheer teammates won “The Cheer Limited Open College National competition” on Saturday, March 21, 2025, marking their first national title in any athletic event.
McFarland appeared in 15 games for the IUC Crimson Pride this season where she averaged 5.3 points, 1.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and .4 steals per game. The very young Crimson Pride finished the season 2-25 but will return everyone with experience to build upon since there wasn’t a single junior or senior on the team.
The Eagle freshman appeared in 23 games. She recorded 48 points, 14 assists, 22 rebounds, and 10 steals. Midway finished the season with a 16-13 record and a loss to Brecia in the River States Conference Quarterfinals .
And as a reminder, be sure to follow other alumni participating in college sports this spring:
Recently while surrounded by family, friends, and coaches, Charlestown senior Bradley Watts signed his celebratory letter of intent to attend school and play soccer at Georgetown College in the fall.
Georgetown College is a private Christian college in Georgetown, Kentucky just 30 minutes from the state’s capital. Chartered in 1829, Georgetown was the first Baptist college west of the Appalachian Mountains. The college offers 38 undergraduate degrees and a Master of Arts in education. It offers degrees in areas of visual and performing arts, math and sciences, humanities, language and culture, business, medicine and healthcare, and others. Georgetown College is associated with five Rhodes Scholars and its alumni have included 38 Fulbright Scholars since 1989.
As a school of approximately 1200 students, Georgetown College has 58 student clubs and organizations, including four national fraternities. The college offers a chapel and several Christian and other religious groups for students. Its social organizations cover a wide range of interests, including government, recreation, community service, activism, the arts, and academics. Finally, it is home to 18 varsity sports in the NAIA and the Mid-South Conference.
Watts plans to major in Exercise Science. When asked about his choice to play at Georgetown College with the Tigers, Watts replied, “I chose to go to Georgetown College because I believe this place will help set me up for my future. The faith the coaching staff has in me is a big reason for my decision along with the support from my loved ones. I have been very grateful for the family created here at Charlestown and I feel Georgetown can provide me with a similar family with the team. I feel Georgetown will be a great way for me to succeed and my loved ones feel the same. I am grateful for their support and I am excited to make them proud. ”
Watts is a two-time Mid Southern Conference honoree who recorded 26 goals, 90 points, 38 assists, and 17 steals over his four year career as a midfielder at Charlestown.
Charlestown soccer coach Cristian Martinez shared his sentiments about Watts saying, “Approach college soccer like you did every practice and match—with heart, determination, and a fierce desire to improve. This is your chance to shine on a bigger stage. Embrace the challenge, work hard, and never forget the love of the game. You’ve got this!”
WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Bradley and wishes him a healthy and prosperous future as a Georgetown College Tiger.
Article contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network staff member Kyle Cook.
Recently in the presence of family, friends, and coaches, Charlestown senior Alexa Escamilla signed her national letter of intent to attend school and participate in bowling at North Carolina A & T in the fall.
Spread over 188 beautiful acres in Greensboro, North Carolina, the campus reflects the pride of every Aggie, with its modern facilities and diverse student resources. They offer 58 undergraduate degree programs, 18 minors, 13 doctoral degree programs, 36 master’s programs and 41 graduate certificate programs. Certificate programs and continuing education opportunities are available in a wide range of areas, as well. With an enrollment of over 14,000 students, North Carolina A&T is the largest historically black college or university (HBCU) in the United States, a position it has held since 2014. Escamilla will major in biology on the pathway to pharmacy at North Carolina A & T.
The Aggies, with 13 sports -five for men and eight for women- compete in NCAA Division I and are members of the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) in all sports with the exception of football and women’s bowling where they compete in the Mid Eastern Athletic Conference and just earned their 5th straight regular season conference title. They won the United States Bowling Congress’ Intercollegiate Team Championship in 2015.
Escamilla just completed her senior season for the Pirates as a three-time sectional and regional champion, and two time state finalist. When asked about her choice to play at North Carolina A & T with the Aggies, Escamilla replied, “I am choosing to go to NC A&T because of the incredible environment. I know that I will have all of the resources I need to be successful. Along with an amazing bowling team they have an even better Biology program that I plan to major in! I had the opportunity to meet people who were very genuine and helped make a hard decision, much easier. I am grateful for this opportunity to be a part of something amazing like this team because they have shown me I will be a part of their family. I know that I will feel at home with all of the people I will have around me. The faculty is also a huge part as to why I made my decision. They are willing to help with whatever I may need, especially schooling. A&T will help me grow as a person in both academics and as an athlete. These programs will help me have a future in the career that I know will fulfill me.”
Charlestown bowling coach Wesley Wiles commented on Alexa saying: “Alexa is one of the hardest working and most humble athletes that I have met. Her knowledge of the game and hunger to learn more makes Alexa one of the best bowlers I’ve witnessed. Alexa’s respectfulness and sportsmanship is top notch. I am proud of Alexa and can’t wait to see her continue to grow.”
WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Alexa and wishes her a healthy and prosperous future as a North Carolina A & T Aggie.
There are no tournament season passes and Charlestown All Sports Passes are not valid for IHSAA state tournament series contests.
CHS students may purchase tickets via presale at lunch and when doing so they are entered into a drawing for a gift card!
BROADCASTS / MEDIA
Please beware of fraudulent links for video streaming! No one has acquired permission from the IHSAA to video stream this sectional. The only approved radio media through the IHSAA 360 Group for these sectional games are:
WPMQ 99.3 FM
WOCC 102.7 FM
WUME 95.3 FM
WKLO 96.9 FM
WSEZ 98.7 FM
Other media seeking coverage need to contact the tournament Media Director, Aiden Stewart, at aidenelisestewart.25@gmail.com for access.
Spectators are allowed to photograph and film the events as long as it is for personal use only and does not violate IHSAA copyright. FACEBOOK LIVE STREAMS ARE NOT PERMITTED!
OTHER
A. No publications, brochures, fliers, etc. of any kind, whether for sale or free-of-charge, are to be distributed at IHSAA tournament events without prior approval from the IHSAA.
B. Balloons, banners and/or posters, etc. are not permitted.
C. Cowbells and other such noise devices, banners, shakers on sticks, signs, posters, etc., are not permitted.
D. No live animal mascots are permitted.
E. Line-up lanes of fans shall not be permitted on the playing floor at any time.
F. Audio/video devices are not permitted on the playing floor.
G. The throwing of articles, including toilet tissue, is not allowed.
Charlestown High School is pleased to announce the hiring of Aaron Daniel as its new Head Football Coach. Coach Daniel brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to the program.
Daniel has an impressive background in football that Charlestown faithful will be familiar with. During his 2009-2012 career as a Pirate he broke multiple school records, most notably the All Time Passing record and the record for Most Career Passing & Rushing Yards combined. Beyond his playing days as a Pirate standout, Daniel spent a year in the Indiana University football program.
Daniel has spent the past nine seasons at Bloomington South where he served four of those as a wide receivers coach and five as an offensive coordinator. He helped lead the Panthers to eight sectional championships and four semi-state appearances.
Coach Daniel expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating, “My family and I are excited for the opportunity to lead and work with a great community in Charlestown. Daniel will bring his wife (Taylor) and two children (Weston-3 years old and Austyn-4 months old) with him back to the community.
Charlestown High School welcomes the Daniel family and looks forward to all that he will bring to our historic football program.
Charlestown High School senior Hannah Burns was recently joined by family, friends, and coaches to sign a celebratory letter of intent to attend school and play softball at Illinois Wesleyan University in the fall.
Located in Bloomington, Illinois on 86 beautifully city-scaped acres, Illinois Wesleyan is a nationally recognized, exclusively undergraduate, independent, private university. When colleges are stacked up based on what they do for the world, Illinois Wesleyan University is #5 in the nation among four-year baccalaureate institutions – a Washington Monthly ranking that looks at contribution to the public good. Illinois Wesleyan University ranks #7 in the nation and #1 in Illinois on Zippia’s 2023 list of The Best Colleges for Getting a Job, based on Department of Education College Scorecard data.
With over 100 areas of study, including majors, minors, concentrations & programs, with an undergraduate 11:1 student–faculty ratio, an average class size of eighteen students, and 95% of full-time students receiving financial aid with a 59% acceptance rate.
The IWU Titans compete at the NCAA Division III level in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) conference with member schools: Augustana College (Rock Island, IL), Carroll University (Waukesha, WI), Carthage College (Kenosha, WI), Elmhurst University (Elmhurst, IL), Millikin University (Decatur, IL), North Central College (Naperville, IL), North Park University (Chicago, IL), and Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL).
The Illinois Wesleyan Titans Softball program has boasted a 1134-591-3 record in its 47 year program history with sixteen conference tournament titles, twenty NCAA Tournament appearances, and a national runner up billing.
Burns will major in nursing at Illinois Wesleyan University. When asked about her choice to attend school there and play softball, she replied “I chose Illinois Wesleyan because from the moment I stepped on campus it felt like home. Coach Prager and Coach Miller are such amazing people and made me feel like I fit right in. They have given me the opportunity to carry out my childhood dream and I am truly grateful. Additionally, I get the opportunity to attend one of the top nursing programs in the state. Everything about Illinois Wesleyan left me speechless. Since the moment I stepped foot on campus, I knew that this was the place I was meant to be and I am so excited to see where the journey takes me! “
Charlestown softball coach Joe Witten shared his sentiments on Burns saying, “If you have a chance to build a team from scratch, you would start with Hannah Burns. The first thing you would recognize about her is her work ethic. She never cuts corners. Holds her teammates accountable. She leads by example and is positive in every aspect of her life. Willing to take a challenge and improve no matter what the situation is. She wins because she does things the right way. Good things happen to good people. Her best days are ahead of her.”
WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Hannah and wishes her a healthy and prosperous future as a Illinois Wesleyan University Titan.
