About Dawson County news. (Dawsonville, Georgia) 2015-current | View Entire Issue (May 22, 2019)
SPORTS DawsonNewscom Wednesday, May 22, 2019 facebook.com/dawsonnews twitter.com/dawsonnews Herrick to lead Tigers boys basketball team Coach brings 15 years of experience, including 11 state playoff appearances and three Final Four finishes By Bob Christian bchristian@dawsonnews.com After a month-long process and a review of more than 30 applicants, Dawson County High School announced Eric Herrick as the new DCHS boys basketball coach on May 15. He will replace outgoing Coach Chad Pittman who retired from the program in April. Herrick brings 15 years of experience, with 11 state play off appearances — including three Final Four finishes since 2010 — to a Tigers program that is primed for success as the team comes off of a region 7-AAA championship and the deepest playoff run in school history with an outing in the 2018-19 Final Four. “I hope that expectation is there, I put that expectation on myself,” Herrick said. “I expect to be successful. I expect to play in Final Fours and region championships.” Herrick started his career as both an assistant and head coach for the Gascock County boys’ varsity team. He contin ued coaching White County before his career exploded with Chattahoochee High School as he led the team to four straight playoff appearances including his first semifinal appearance in 2010. As the head of the North Forsyth Fady Raiders since 2011, Herrick has built the team into a dominating force in 5-7A girls’ basketball with an overall record of 191-47 and seven playoff appearances in eight years capped off with See Herrick 12B Tigers come away with 16-10 victory in annual Spring Game Photos by Bob Christian Dawson County News Freshman quarterback Keegan Stover throws the ball deep May 17 in his debut during the 2019 Spring Game. Scrimmage against Pickens County comes after 2 weeks of tryouts The Dawson County Tigers line up on offense at the goalline against the Pickens County Dragons. By Bob Christian bchristian@dawsonnews.com Dawson County got a taste of fall and an answer to their questions May 17 when the Tigers defeated Pickens County 16-10 in the 2019 spring foot ball game in Tiger Stadium. The annu al scrimmage culminates with the end of two weeks of tryouts and is the first glimpse that both fans and coaches will have of the team at full speed until the end of summer. The Tigers are entering a rebuilding year after graduating 28 seniors from last year’s roster. The loss extended across both sides of the ball and included the offensive and defensive lines, the team’s top two scorers, the team leader in sacks and the team leader in tackles. A stout Tiger defense took to the field in the first half and quickly put to rest any doubts about their ability to follow in the footsteps of last year’s top-10 unit by holding the Dragons scoreless through two quarters. Rising Senior Kobe Rea and junior Nathaniel Mitchell recorded tackles for a loss as they consistently pene trated the offensive line to disrupt the backfield. Under constant pressure, the Pickens County quarterbacks found little rhythm in the passing game, with the first of three intercep tions ending the Dragon’s final drive of the half. An equally tough defensive perfor mance from Pickens County kept the Tigers between the twenties during their time with the ball, and only the combination of a turnover and a pen alty got the team within range to attempt a last-second 47-yard field goal that went just outside the left See Spring 12B DCHS Senior Kaylee Sticker wins AJC Cup By Bob Christian bchristian@dawsonnews.com Dawson County senior Kaylee Sticker picked up what may be the final piece of hardware of her high school career — other than a diploma — on May 13 at Honors Night when she was presented with the 2019 Atlanta Journal- Constitution Cup as Best All-Around Senior. The award came during a hectic moment in Sticker’s life according to her mom, Heather Sticker, who, in addition to the already tight schedule of graduation, was completing a family move across the coun ty. “Kaylee came home with this award and, to be totally honest, we weren’t certain See Sticker 14B Sticker Bob Christian Dawson County News Long distance runners Jenna LeCours, Collin Kilgore and Frankie Muldoon hold their awards May 19 after the track and field awards banquet. See more photos, page 2B. DCHS track and field squad celebrates season with awards ceremony By Bob Christian bchristian@dawsonnews.com The Dawson County track and field teams hosted an awards banquet on May 19 to celebrate the 2019 season that saw both teams go undefeated in the regular season, the boys capture the first-ever regional title in school history, and 27 ath letes qualify for state competition with nine coming home as state finalists. Players of the Week! Freshman Emma Pelfry & Junior Brianna Ray Dawson County pole vaulters freshman Emma Pelfry and junior Brianna Ray finished the 2019 track and field season at the top of their game, as they came home in a tie for eighth place at the GHSA State Track and Field Championships on May 11. Pelfi-y and Ray tied the DCHS record of 8 feet, originally set by Ray in 2017, with Ray tying the record for the third straight tournament, while Pelfry hit the mark for the third time in four tournaments. 706-216-0992 We’ve Gone Green! “We will be here when you need us. ” Certified Collision Center ll-CK DAHLONEGA DUNKIN DONUTS Industrial Park Rd. 130 Industrial Park Rd, Dawsonville M-F: 8:00 - 5:00 Dawsonville's Premier Collision Center PLAYER OF THE WEEK Will Howard After leading the Tigers with the lowest round in every tournament of the regular season, sophomore golfer Will Howard went on to finish fifth out of a field of 83 in the Area Tournament at the end of April. Howard’s one- under 71 qualified him as an individual for the State Tournament on May 20-21, where he will be the sole representative of the Dawson County boys’ team. “If we had a region champion in golf it would be (Howard),” Head Coach Michael Parker said. “Extremely impressive for a sophomore.” Sponsored by: A State Farm Ryan Scott Ins Agency Inc Ryan Scott, Agent 1000 Old Dawson Village Road E Suite 210 Dawsonville, GA 30534 • Bus: 678-456-4785
