Chapin, SC 03/28/2023 - The SC Basketball Coaches Association recently announced its Hall of Fame Class for 2023. Included in the inductees was former Chapin High School basketball coach Eddie Raines.
Coach Raines is a Whitmire native who spent 32 years in education holding numerous positions as a teacher, Administrator at both Elementary and High School campuses, plus positions at the district office level. However, the role he most cherished was that of Coach Raines! He coached at Wagner (1966-67), Winnsboro (2 different stints 1967-76 & 1977-87), and Chapin (1976-77) High Schools posting a record of 310-144. His Winnsboro team participated in two State Championships games in 1972 and 1973, plus advanced to the Upper State Final on three more occasions 1974, 1979 and 1984. He also advanced to the Lower State Championship one time.
Over his career, Coach Raines teams won 6 Conference Titles and finished Runner-Up 7 times. That success led him to being voted Conference Coach of the Year on five separate seasons. In 1978, Coach Raines was selected as the Head Coach for the North Squad in the Annual North-South All Star Game.
One of Coach Raines passion was improving the quality of basketball in our state and was a charter member of South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association and served as an Area Representative in that Inaugural year. Continuing in his role as an ambassador for high school basketball, since retiring in the 1998, Coach Raines has served as a member of the Prestigious Beach Ball Classic Committee for 28 years. His role is Chairman of the All-Tournament Team selection working with former coaches John Smith, Shay Rollins, Jim Suber, Homer Carraway, Hall of Fame Referee Jack Tiller. As a side note, Coach Raines is also 1-0 in his college career at Newberry College when he and his brother Irby filled in for Coach Neil Gordon. Coach Raines flirted with some college opportunities but felt a more stable lifestyle was best for his family. He also realizes that this honor would not have been possible without his former players, fellow coaches, family, and his #1 assistant coach, his wife Eunice.
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