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B2 | THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2025 The Eatonton Aessenger www.msgrnews.com FILE PHOTO The Gators will look to rising junior Landon Moreno to lead both on and off the court next season. GATORS CONTINUED FROM » B1 are eventually going to be good. I’ve had many teams like that where we start young and gain experience. I’ve had some pretty good teams since I came to Gatewood.... If they stay and work hard, we’ll be set in the future. We’re aiming for it to be a [good year ]. I do think we’ll give some teams trouble, though, once we get everyone on board. Gatewood recently competed in a camp at CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS w REFER TO PUZZLE ON PAGE C5 Georgia College & State University with a young squad. Keiser, a long-time head coach for the Gators, got to see what the future holds as they scrimmaged several other teams. Keiser thought his team played well in some games and struggled in others, although he didn’t have his full roster. “We went to Georgia College and played Pied mont Academy. We had a pretty good game against them,” Keiser said. “... We were like deer in head lights [in some games], but then we improved, and we got better.” Rock Lobsters announce 2025-26 opener The Athens Rock Lobsters of the Federal Professional Hockey League (FPHL) recently announced that opening night for their 2025-26 season is set for Saturday, Oct. 25, as the team returns to Akins Ford Arenato kick off its second season. In their first season, the Rock Lobsters performed well and generated strong interest across the Athens region. The Rock Lobsters ignited a new sports tradition in Athens by proving that professional hockey has a permanent home in the South. “Year one was bigger than we ever imagined,” Rock Lobsters President Scott Hull declared. “The fans showed up, the community got behind us, and we made a serious statement; not just in the league, but right here in Athens.” The 28-game, 2025-26 home-ice regular season schedule, including the home opener opponent and all home and away matchups, will be released soon. With a reloaded roster, new head coach Garrett Rutledge, and new league matchups ahead, the stage is set for the Lobsters to take another ride inside “The Tank.” Visit|rocklobstershockey.com|for season tickets or more information. — Contributed EAGLES CONTINUED FROM » B1 Dodd was productive at the plate, batting a team- high .455 with six doubles and 22 RBI with only one strikeout. Whatley was also dangerous in the batter’s box, hitting .435 with four triples and a team-high four home runs. Whatley was successful on the basepath in stealing bases and as a relief pitcher for the team as well. Phillips noted that both Dodd and Whatley were deserving of their post- season awards. “Jackson [Dodd] is one GRIFFIN CONTINUED FROM » B1 the country. A tree planting campaign to beautify Oakmont had completely of the hardest-working players, both on and off the field,” Putnam County baseball’s first-year head coach said. “And Ethan [Whatley] has also just scratched the surface of his potential.” Junior shortstop Gates Lanzarone, junior utility player Wyatt Sims, junior outfielder Branan Griffin, and senior catcher Tanner Lukens were named to the All-Region second team. Phillips described Lanzarone as the “heart of the defense,” while he said Sims was one of the team’s most versatile players. Both players, like their teammates, played pivotal roles in helping Putnam changed the character of the golf course. Knowing how controversial it would be, the powers there arranged for a tree-cutting plan to take place under the cover of darkness. “We took out a win close games. “Gates [Lanzarone] was our shortstop and heart of the defense. He was an all-around good player,” Phillips said. “Wyatt [Sims] was a workhorse; he played every position but two on the field.” Phillips also praised Griffin and Lukens. “Branan [Griffin] was a solid outfielder. He is just a hard-nosed kid that plays his heart out,” he said. “Tanner [Lukens] was our catcher and the most solid bat in our lineup. He would do anything to help our team • » win. Lukens and Jamarion Robertson were Putnam County’s only seniors, so thousand trees before we got caught,” Ford says. “Eventually, we took out 15,000 trees and the course has retained its original look,” Griffin adds. The fact that Griffin was president of Oakmont for six consec utive years underscores how well this soft-spoken Georgian was received in the Pittsburgh commu nity and especially at Oakmont. “Bill is a gentleman that everybody respects,” Ford says. “He loves the game of golf and was able to provide leadership that was great for our golf club. The people at the USGA hold him in the highest regard.” Griffin also had become a seasoned player who could hold his own in friendly compe tition. With Latrobe only 40 miles away, he got to know Arnold Palmer, whose game he had admired when he followed him at the Masters while Bill was a Members of the FPHL Athens Rock Lobsters salute the crowd following a win last season at Akins Ford Arena in downtown Athens. IAN TOCHER/ Staff the team returns a strong core next season. Phillips expects Dodd, Whatley, Lanzarone, Sims, and Griffin, among others, to lead the way in 2026. Phillips said after the season that the program’s future is bright. “As for the junior class that’s coming back, I just really love these guys,” Phillips said. “I love their willingness to accept me and their drive to get better. I think if we can continue with that atti tude into the offseason, plus some of the younger kids that are coming up from the middle school, I think Putnam baseball will be in really good shape next year.” student at UGA. Little did he know then that he would someday be invited to join Augusta and become friends with Palmer, playing with him a half dozen times over the years. While Bill did not enjoy Arnold’s celebrity, he certainly was similar in lifestyle and personality in that he really enjoyed people and could relate to everybody which has boded well for the University. He has raised millions of dollars for his beloved alma mater and the beat goes on. His work with Aruna, the brainchild of Dr. Steve Stice, is a clinical-stage biotech company that is devel oping neural stem cell-de rived exosomes to threat stroke and other central nervous system diseases. Golf has been an extraordinary vehicle for Bill Griffin to achieve his goals and objectives, and the beneficiary of his good works has been the University of Georgia. THANKS TO A DONATED BLAZER I LEARNED DIGITAL SKILLS THAT SUIT MY CAREER. EATONTON HEALTH REHABILITATION Your donations fund career services and education programs in your community. Where your things start new lives. Learn more 118 W. Marion St • Eatonton, Ga 706-485-8573 Visit: eatontonhealth.org Eatonton Health & Rehab is a Health Service of CHSGa
