Like father, like son

Former Gaffney High standout Steve Lipscomb remembers three things about his Shrine Bowl experience the snow, the final score and the new friends he met.

He hopes his son, Lance, has those same fond memories when he plays in the Oasis All-Star Shrine Classic on Saturday.

The Oasis Shrine Classis is the first high school football all-star game to feature the best football players from the independent schools in North Carolina and South Carolina. The players are chosen on their athletic ability and classroom achievement.

“It’ll be a good experience for him,” said Lipscomb, who is now a successful businessman living in Columbia with his wife, Diane, and their three sons, Lance, Steven and Hunter. “He’ll have a good time.”

Lance is a star defensive end at Heathwood Hall in Columbia. Steve jokes that Lance at 6-1, 225 lbs. is much larger than he was when he earned all-state accolades as a lineman for the Indians in the late 1960s.

Lipscomb said he never encouraged his son to play football.

“It was strictly volunteer,” he said. “Whatever he wanted to do was fine with me. I’m proud of all my children.”

Lance has been a threeyear starter for Heathwood Hall. He also plays golf for the school.

“He’s done very well there,” Lipscomb said.

Especially in the classroom, where Lance is No. 1 in his class.

“I’m more proud of that than his football,” Lipscomb said.

But Lipscomb does admit he’s looking forward to the Oasis Shrine Bowl.

“Among his peers, he’s been a real good player,” he said. “I still have all my Shrine Bowl stuff and I hope he keeps his stuff from the Shrine Bowl.”

The game will be played at Charlotte Latin High School.

“We think this will be one of the most exciting games we’ve ever had the pleasure to sponsor,” Oasis chief executive Rolla E. Rogers said. “For too long, the independent or private school athletes have been overlooked. Now that’s going to change.”

After graduating from Gaffney, Lipscomb chose South Carolina from more than 100 scholarship offers, including Alabama and Georgia.

Lance will also likely have his choice of colleges. But his scholarship will be for academics.

“He’s not looking to play sports in college,” Lipscomb said. “(Lance) hopes to get a Merit Scholarship.”