Since his graduation from Holly Hill Academy in 2001, the course of Brett Gardner's baseball career has taken a meteoric rise.

Tonight, at halftime of the HHA girls' home game against Colleton Prep, Gardner's achievements will be recognized in a ceremony in which he will become the school's first male athlete to have his jersey retired.

"It is definitely such a great honor that they think that much of me to do that," Gardner said. "When I was in school there I never imagined something like this would be happening."

Gardner, 23, was a third-round pick by the New York Yankees in 2005 after a stellar college career that began as a walk-on at the College of Charleston. This past season Gardner hit .323 and stole 30 bases in 63 games with Class-A Tampa. That performance was good enough to earn him a selection to the Florida State League All-Star Game. In June, Gardner was promoted to Double-A Trenton where he batted .272 and stole 28 bases in 55 games.

"This has just been a dream come true," said Gardner. "This is not like anything myself or anyone else could have planned or saw happening."

HHA headmaster John Gasque said the school decided to honor Gardner because of the example he has set for all HHA students.

"We are just thrilled that he has been able to do what he has done," he said. "So many people have the talent, but don't do anything with it. He is a great example, and our kids will be able to look at his jersey and say, 'I can do that.'"

Gardner has been invited to spring training with the Yankees this year. He said he is excited about the opportunity, but expects that he will begin the 2007 season back in the minors.

"The past couple of years have just kind of flown by," said Gardner. "I am really blessed to be in such a good position. I am really looking forward to going to spring training, playing in front of some important people, and showing them what I can bring to the table.

"It's also a good chance for me to be around some older guys," he added. "I am sure it is going to be a little more fast-paced, but it is a good opportunity for me, and it is a good learning experience."

Gardner will head to Tampa, the site of the Yankees' spring training complex, next weekend.

"I'm heading down there to work out for about three weeks," he said. "We get started with spring training around Feb. 18, and probably around the first week of April I am going to be assigned to whatever team I will be playing on."

The ceremony comes on the night of two important SCISAA Region 6-AA contests for the Raiders' basketball program. HHA head coach Barry Morehead coached the Colleton Prep boys for five years, and led them to state championships in 1994 and 95. The connection has created a rivalry.

"Anytime we play CPA now it is a big game," he said.

The HHA boys' (16-1, 1-0) only loss has been to Orangeburg Prep this season, and Moorehead said the team will be boosted by the return of Jimmy Jenkins heading into tonight's game against the War Hawks (3-12, 1-0). The HHA girls (12-5, 1-0) have benefited from the recent return of guard Stephanie Peagler, and tonight's game is important, according to Morehead, because the Lady War Hawks (10-6, 0-1) opened region play with a loss to Dorchester Academy.

"Colleton Prep is a good team," he said. "Our region is going to be tough, so if we can send them to 0-2 that would be big.

"They already have that rivalry from battling each other the past two years in the state softball tournament," he added. "Everyone will be up for this one."

T&D Sports Writer Brian Linder can be reached by e-mail at blinder@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5553. Discuss this and other stories online at TheT&D.com.

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