About Tribune & Georgian (Athens, Ga) 2002-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 4, 2018)
Thursday, January 4, 2018 Tribune & Georgian Sports Bridge Run Sign-ups being accepted for challenging annual 5K in Brunswick. see 8B B Section Submitted photos With Nick Krug and Raydan Wilder (below) winning their weight classes, the Camden County wrestlers defended their title at the Knockout Christmas Tournament last weekend in Kissimmee, Fla. ’Cat wrestlers win Knockout tourney Title defended in Kissimmee Andy Diffenderfer sports@tribune-georgian.com Before the season, Cam den County head wrestling coach Jess Wilder pointed to the Knockout Christmas Classic in Kissimmee, Fla., as a stern pre-state examina tion. Following a close finish last weekend, the Wildcats stood in a familiar spot: first place. Behind title efforts from Nick Krug at 115 pounds and Raydan Wilder at 147, Camden’s 226.5 points nipped runner-up South Dade (223.5). Tyler Crew (122) and Brandon Orum (128) placed second in their classes, Mi chael Gibson (162) third, Nathan Orum (108) and Tyler Dahlgren (140) fourth, Myles Starke (184) fifth, and Javonte Graves (197) sixth for CCHS, which won the crown for the third straight year. Three of Krug’s five victo ries were by decision, includ ing a 5-0 semifinal over Lake Gibson’s Connor Williams and a 1-0 final over Fleming Island’s Briar Jackson. He pinned his other foes. Be- See WIN, page 8B CCHS girls net two wins at Richmond Hill Andy Diffenderfer sports@tribune-georgian.com The Wildcat girls cagers closed the 2017 portion of their schedule with two wins last Thursday and Friday at the Richmond Hill Holiday Classic. Victories over Liberty County and Richmond Hill bumped them to 11 -2. Camden was to host Jen kins Tuesday, Jan. 2. Colquitt will visit Friday for the Re gion 1-7A opener, and the Lady ’Cats will visit Lowndes Saturday. CCHS 46, Liberty County 11 Gabby Robinson scored six of her game-high 10 points in the third quarter and secured four rebounds and two as sists as Camden breezed last Friday. The Region 2-AAA Lady Panthers managed just one field goal through the first three quarters and four for the game. Twelve Lady ’Cats scored. Patricia Johnson added seven plus five rebounds, and Aniya Burch five points, three re bounds and two steals. With four points each were Malerie Brooks (three steals, two re bounds) and Maiya Jackson (three rebounds), and with three apiece were Cartaley- iah Basnight (three picks) and See GIRLS, page 8B CCHS 41, Richmond Hill 37 Camden 10 9 8 14 - 41 Richmond Hill 7 11 7 12 - 37 Camden: Ellis 11, P. Johnson 7, Brooks 5, T. Jackson 4, Robinson 4, Floyd 4, Jones 4, Hamilton 2 Richmond Hill: Perry 10, Douglas 8, Johnson 4, Boyd 4, Lett 4, McDonald 3, Rhodes 3, Yontz 1 Three-pointers: Ellis, P. Johnson Free throws: Camden 13-22, Richmond Hill 13-24 CCHS 46, Liberty County 11 Camden 13 9 11 13 - 46 Liberty 0 3 1 7-11 Camden: Robinson 10, Johnson 7, Burch 5, Brooks 4, Hamilton 4, M. Jackson 4, Basnight 3, Horton 3, Floyd 2, T. Jackson 2, Jones 1, Ellis 1 Liberty: Freeman 6, Craig 3, Guilfo 2 Three-pointers: Craig Free throws: Camden 10-22, Liberty 2-9 Georgia, Alabama semifinal triumphs are study in contrast Like anybody else, sports- writers and commentators can be creatures of habit. After any thrilling end to a championship-level game, we immediately start debat ing where the event fits in the context of history. The description “one for the ages” seems to be a favorite of media, affixed to all shapes and sizes of sporting accom plishments. I don’t know where Geor gia’s wild 54-48 double-over time Rose Bowl win Monday over Oklahoma will ulti mately sit in college football lore. (I suppose it depends on if you’re a Bulldog or Sooner booster.) Yet by a score more suited for a high school basketball court than a gridiron, UGA head coach Kirby Smart and the Dawgs secured a national-title-game slot opposite his former boss, Nick Saban and Alabama. Indisputably, what trans pired in Pasadena was something neither school’s passionate legions will forget. Neither will viewers without rooting interests who were captivated by an epic filled Andy Diffenderfer Sports Editor with twists, turns, emotions, clever play calls and momen tum swings. A game that started a Sooner runaway became any thing but. After falling back, 31-14, Georgia hung around and hung around as Oklahoma and Heisman winner Baker Mayfield — unstoppable in the first half— failed to bring the knockout punch. That was instead executed by Sony Michel, his 27-yard touch down gallop sending the Bulldogs to the next round Monday night in Atlanta. If someone told me UGA would tally 54, I’d have pre dicted a comfortable Bulldog win. Instead, the surgical Mayfield spent the first two quarters carving up the SEC champions before a long field goal at the halftime gun provided momentum Geor gia sustained past intermis sion. Nick Chubb’s short touch down with 55 seconds left in regulation tied it — counter ing a Michel fourth-quarter bobble Oklahoma returned for a touchdown — and Lo renzo Carter’s blocked field goal in the second overtime set up Michel’s clincher. In contrast to Smart’s ex citability, the sullen Saban got what he wanted in the Sugar Bowl semifinal later that night against Clemson. The sizzle of the title meet ings the last two seasons was absent as his angry defense smothered the Tigers, 24-6. It was dull, relentlessly businesslike, and over mid way through the third quar ter. Clemson managed just 188 yards — or 34 less than See COLLEGE, page 8B Tribune & Georgian file photo and submitted photo Wilcox chosen for showcase Jergotti Wilcox of Camden Middle has been selected to play in the the Under Armour UA Next Game, slated for today at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. The game, sched uled for 2:30 p.m., will showcase the nation’s top middle-school players. The top eighth- grade student-athletes are determined in conjunction with the Under Armour All-America Middle School Camp Series and are comprised of players who have proven their worth on the gridiron and in the classroom. Playing running back and safety last season, Wilcox scored touchdowns by rush, kick return and fumble return for the Cougars. Francoeur featured at FCA dinner Jan. 19 The Lower Southeast Coastal Georgia chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes will welcome former Atlanta Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur for a banquet Friday, Jan. 19, at 6:30 p.m. at Kingsland First Baptist Church, 295 E. Chester St. The $30 cost will include a meal, an update on the FCA ministry in Camden and Charlton counties, and Francoeur’s testimony. Tickets are available at the WECC radio station and at www.lsecgafca.org. Sports news, photographs can be submitted Community sports articles and photos are published free of charge in the Tribune & Georgian. Submitted materials must include a contact name and phone number. Send sports articles and photos to P.0. Box 6960, St. Marys, GA, 31558, drop off at the newspaper office at 206 Osborne St. in St. Marys or fax to (912) 882-6519. Items also may be emailed to sports® tribune-georgian.com.
