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REGION 6-AAAA BASKETBALL ROUND-UP County teams earn three wins From staff reports Saturday’s Region 6-AAAA bas ketball schedule produced mixed results for Forsyth’s six varsity repre sentatives. The Forsyth Central Bulldogs experienced the most success, sweep ing Riverwood in two home games. Meanwhile, the North Forsyth Raiders split with Chamblee, winning the boys battle but falling short in the girls game. South Forsyth, playing one of the region’s toughest programs in Marist, dropped both contests. Central too much for Riverwood Looking to bounce back from a tough night at Tucker, the Forsyth Central Bulldogs fended off Riverwood Saturday night, 49-43, while the Lady Dawgs won 48-37. Bulldog head coach Steve Barnes saw a lot of positives during his team’s victory, despite a sluggish opening half of play. “[Friday] we didn’t play with the intensity and enthusiasm that we had been,” said Barnes, “so it was good to see us bounce back [Saturday].” The Dawgs’ perimeter shooting kept them in the contest early, as Robert Pendino and Jonathan Wojociechowski hit several 3-point ers. But Central (4-5 overall, 4-3 in Region 6-AAAA) raised its game during the second half, especially on defense, creating several turnovers. The Dawgs also turned to post Judd Gravitt, who nailed several key shots, including free throws, to ice the victory. “Judd had a really good game,” said Barnes. “And we played really good defense in the second half. We made some mental mistakes, but we were able to hold on.” The Forsyth Central Lady Dawgs (3-6, 2-5) didn’t need to post a come back against the Raiders, grabbing an early lead that held up behind Amy Mohr’s 19 points. Jennifer Korb added 10 points, as the Lady Dawgs picked up a must win victory after a tough opening stretch to the 6-AAAA schedule. “It’s amazing how a win can cleanse the soul,” said Central head coach Chris Leak. “It was a great team win, and we had six of nine players score.” The Lady Dawgs hope to use the victory as a springboard into the holi day tournament season and beyond. “We’ve got long-range goals for short-range failures,” said Leak. “We’re going to be somebody that needs to be reckoned with at the end of the season.” The Lady Dawgs and Bulldogs have a short respite before heading into Friday’s Christmas Tournament at Lumpkin County. North splits with Chamblee North Forsyth’s boys posted a huge 62-28 win Saturday at home over Chamblee, while the Lady Raiders experienced a disappointing loss 47-36 loss to the Lady Bulldogs. The Raiders (7-1, 4-1) began their offensive attack early in the game, scoring 11 points to Chamblee’s six in the first quarter and continued to dominate the Bulldogs with 23 more points in the second quarter. The Raider defense held the Bulldogs’ scoring to just six points in the third quarter and only 14 points at during the second half. Aiding a strong defensive show ing, the Raider offense also proved powerful, widening the scoring gap Photo/Bill Vanderford Pitchin’ and flippin’ in the receding waters of Lake Lanier usually results in catches of heavy bass. Sports — ■■ , IK *' ■ ' -- - - * ■■MB WMMMMM | ''' WMI "" r - . | Il r w <- * kI H i > Tn /- ki k A 1 ft - ■ C < R i 11 LImMBMmI R \ in the second half. Leading the way for North was Christopher Light with 13 points, Matt Womack with 12, and John Jennings with eight. The Lady Raiders couldn't get the better of Chamblee, falling 47-36. The visiting Lady Bulldogs took a 7-4 lead early in the first quarter. But the Lady Raiders found their momen tum and matched the Lady Bulldogs in the second quarter, trailing by three at halftime. However, the Lady Raiders lost their drive in the third quarter and scored just four points while Chamblee added 13. North attempted a comeback in the fourth quarter, breaking out with 16 points and outscoring their oppo nent by one but were unable to catch the Lady Bulldogs. Despite defensive problems, the Lady Raider offensive efforts were no less proficient, as Mallory Holtzclaw led the way with 14 points. Katie Gravitt added nine points, and Shannon Cleland chipped in with five. North Forsyth played at South Forsyth Tuesday (score not available at press time). See HOOPS, Page 2B ~lw IBs s s Receding waters require different cast By Bill Vanderford • For the Forsyth County News Pitchin’ and flippin’ aren’t tactics reserved just for baseball or horseshoes. In the receding waters of Lake Lanier, it also describes a method that, when con ditions are right, usually results in catches of heavy bass. Longer seven- to eight-foot rods are best when attempting the art of pitchin’ and flippin’, and the name basically describes the action. One uses a longer rod to pitch or flip a plastic worm, jig and pig, or other soft plastic lure quietly into shallow, visible cover. It’s almost like the lost art of fishing with an old cane pole. During the spring, water levels are often high, which is also an ideal situa tion for pitchin’ and flippin’ lures direct ly into visible, shoreline structures. The receding waters of any draw down also takes the water away from shoreline cover, but suddenly begins to reveal isolated stumps, rocks, and fallen trees that had been underwater for the rest of the year. Baitfish and bass are generally attracted to these objects during the cooling process, and if an angler is able to present a realistic-looking lure to these fish, good things usually happen. Big bass, around lonely cover during falling water tend, to be lure-shy and won’t likely chase an offering. Slower lure action and pinpoint presentations Above, North Forsyth’s Matt Womack (34), seen earlier this season, scored 12 points Saturday night in the Raiders’ 62- 28 win over Chamblee. At left, Forsyth Central’s Amy Mohr posted a team-high 19 points to lead the Lady Dawgs past Riverwood, 48-37. Photos/David McGregor are critical to angling success. One must carefully serve them dinner right in their living room. This is easily accomplished by softly pitching or flipping the lure right into their hiding place. Logs, stumps, brush piles, boat docks, or shallow rock formations are excellent places to look for isolated big bass. Sunlight or calm winds are added enhancements that cause bass to hold extremely close to these visible struc tures. Though it is often difficult to flip or pitch a lure into shallow cover with out spooking a bass, if these objects are approached slowly and quietly from the deepwater side, the results will be much See CAST, Page 2B Wrestlers aim for Forsyth By Travis M. Chaffin Sports Editor Forsyth County wrestlers are gearing up for a big weekend at home. All three local high schools will be in action on Saturday North Forsyth hosts a quad-meet with Northgate, and Lumpkin and Gilmer counties at 9 a.m., while Forsyth Central takes part in the rival War Eagles’ eight-team South Forsyth Duals, beginning at 10 a.m. South Forsyth is coming off a successful weekend of mat action, placing third in the highly compet itive Apalachee Tournament. Dublin placed first with 315.5 team points, ahead of Morgan County with 238 and South with 202.5. South Forsyth’s highlights in the tournament include: 103 pounds: Michael Williams placed second, falling to B. Osburn of Dublin in the finals; 130: Mike Denoia placed second, losing to B.J. Jolly of Grayson 3-6 in the finals; 135: Ryan Murray (second place) lost to B. Hurrin of Dublin by pinfall in the finals; 140 Kyle Knox (second place) lost to state champion Demario Jones of Dublin in the finals; 145: Travers Xanthos (third place) beat D. Saenz of Apalachee 11-5; 152: Ryan Becker (third place) beat Godlewski of Grayson 4-3; 171: Kyle Huffman (third place) beat B. McAlllister of Dublin by pinfall; and 215: Andy Gillan (third place) beat J. Gaddis of Winder-Barrow by pinfall. This Saturday’s South Forsyth Duals will also feature Roswell, Milton, Northview, Riverwood, Johnson, Union Grove and Forsyth Central. Meanwhile, at this past week end’s John Smith Mountaineer Invitational at Lumpkin County High. North Forsyth placed fourth behind first-place Jefferson, Lithia Springs and Dawson County while Forsyth Central placed ninth out of 16. North Forsyth’s individual placers were: 125: Josh Pledger, fourth place; 130: Heath Westray, third place; 135: Matt Miller, first place; 145: Alex Haney, fourth place; and 189: Matt Nelson, third. Though the Raiders are cur rently ranked eighth in the state, head coach Travis Jarrard said the team has yet to show consistency on the mat some matches they wrestle perfectly, and, in others, they don’L But, he said, these are errors that can be fixed. “Even though I’m frustrated. I’m still kind of happy in knowing where some of the problems are coming from,” Jarrard said. “So, it’s not like I’m down on the sea son I know what we need to do, and after Christmas break, we’re going to really have to buckle down and get it done.” One bright spot from last weekend was Pledger’s fourth place finish. The 125-pounder broke his hand in the Raiders’ final football game of the season and had been wrestling with a See AIM, Page 2B b