About Barrow journal. (Winder, Ga.) 2008-2016 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 17, 2016)
PAGE 4B BARROW JOURNAL WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016 High School Football: Bethlehem Christian Academy DEFENSIVE STANDOUT Bethlehem Christian Academy’s Matthew Kamm was among the Knight players recognized during a recent team banquet. Kamm was named All- Region for the 2015 season and will be one of the top defensive players in the GISA for 2016. Photos by Kara Maxwell LEADING THE KNIGHTS Bethlehem Christian Academy’s Brad Toxen was named to the GISA All- Region football team for 1-AAA for the 2015 season. KEY PLAYER Bethlehem Christian Academy’s Brady Stewart was named to the All- Region football team for the Knights for 2015. Sports Opinion Memorable season for Lady Doggs S o much has taken place since the last time the Winder-Barrow High School girls basket ball program qualified for the state tournament. None of the current players on the roster were born at the time. Since the 1993-94 season, WBHS has seen numerous players and coaches file through its ranks. The school itself has changed classifica tion (more than once) and changed regions (multiple times.) So when the Lady Bull- doggs finally broke the long drought this season there had to be a feel ing of relief. The weight had been lifted from the program and while none of the current team mem bers, of course, have played during the entire streak, they certainly have the right to be proud of being the group to break the streak. Coach Brandon Thomas deserves credit for what he has done with the pro gram. It’s been a gradual process but the coach had no doubt the team would reach the point where making it to state once again would happen. Thomas guides the team with a steady and calm presence on the sideline during games. He doesn’t yell at his players. He doesn’t yell at the officials. In fact, I don’t remember him ever even getting into a serious discussion with referees over a call. Let’s be clear that hav ing that approach can’t be By Chris Bridges as easy as it looks. There are times when I watch the games, supposedly as a neutral spectator, that I’ve wanted to yell at the officials. Perhaps that’s why Thomas is so well suited to be a coach. He worries about what his team is doing or not doing rath er than getting worked up about this call or that call by officials. The Lady Bulldoggs entered the state tour nament as a No. 4 seed. While glad to finally end the drought, the team cer tainly would have loved to have been a higher seed. It’s tough for No. 4 seeds at state as they have to face a region champi on right out of the gate. That was the case for the WBHS team as they had to play Villa Rica Tuesday night on the road. In the 8-AAAAA semi finals, the Lady Bulldoggs pushed Flowery Branch to the limit before falling by five points to the eventu al region champion and second-ranked team in the state. In that game, two sequences stood out to me. The Lady Falcons con verted two fourth quarter 3-pointers while having a five-on-four advantage on the court. During both plays, WBHS had a play er hurt on the other end of the court, yet officials did not stop play until after Flowery Branch had scored. In the end, those six points were huge as the Lady Falcons won by five points. It was the second time this season the Lady Bulldoggs gave Flowery Branch all it could handle. And make no mistake, the Lady Falcons will likely make a deep run in the state tournament, entering it with a 27-1 mark. There was some natu ral letdown in Saturday’s region consolation game where the Lady Bulldoggs fell to Gainesville in a bat tle for the No. 3 seed. Certainly the outcome was important but having to take the court again less than 24 hours after such an emotional loss was ask ing a lot, not to mention the physical toll the game with Flowery Branch took. With the majority of the roster returning in 2016- 2017 for WBHS, look for another run at the state tournament to be in the works. It’s not guaranteed, but this year’s team has set a new standard. Each player and coach for the Lady Bulldoggs deserves credit for that. Chris Bridges is sports editor of the Barrow Jour nal You can reach him at cbridges @ barrowjournal. com. WILDCAT HOOPS Apalachee High School’s Jabari Hill (second from left) and Kamar Baldwin (right) were both named to the Region 8-AAAAA basketball team. Baldwin was also the Region Player of the Year. They are shown with Wildcat coaches Dan Woschitz and Kevin Morris. LASTING IMPRESSION Ian Hentenaar has established himself as one of the top swimmers in the history of the Winder-Barrow High School program. Hentenaar, shown at this year’s state meet, will continue competing at the collegiate level. Photo by Teresa Allen
