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About The Commerce news. (Commerce, Ga.) 1???-current | View Entire Issue (March 23, 2016)
PAGE 2B THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS • THE COMMERCE NEWS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 2016 MainStreet Newspapers all-area swimming team Swimmers of the year Girls: Camille Porter, Jefferson, Sr. Won the girls' Class AA-AAAAA state title in the 100-yard freestyle (50.91) while also placing in the top 10 in the 50-yard freestyle and competed as a member of the 200-yard freestyle relay team (fifth at state) and the 400-yard freestyle relay team (18th), holds personal-best times of 24.23 in the 50-yard freestyle, 50.91 in the 100-yard freestyle 50.91,1:56.10 in the 200-yard freestyle, 5:16.01 in the 500-yard freestyle, 100 back 1:03.32 in the 100-yard backstroke, 1:10.96 in the 100-yard breast stroke, 59.26 in the 100-yard butterfly, 2:14.53 in the 200-yard individual medley. Comment: Porter, an Auburn signee, holds most all of the girls' records at Jefferson and Is the school's first-ever state swimming champion. A team captain, she managed to qualify for state in all individual events. Porter Is a year-round swimmer who often travels to Athens twice a day to practice. Boys: Ian Hentenaar, Winder-Barrow, Sr. Finished fifth at state in the boys' 100- yard freestyle (46.77) and sixth in the boys' 200-yard freestyle (1:41.89) setting school records and personal bests in each event Comment: Hentenaar, described as an all-around student-athlete who excels in the pool, classroom and community, has his name on all but one school record at Winder-Bar row. He has competed in the state meet all in each of his four years in four events and has reached the finals in each year in at least one event. Hentenaar Is an honor graduate and the WBHS Dooley Award nominee and has earned a scholarship to Davidson College for swimming, leadership and academics. All-area swimming team Skylar Rogan, Apalachee, Sr. Placed fifth at state in the girls' 500- yard freestyle and eighth in the state in the girls' 200-meter freestyle Comment: Bogan will swim at UNC-Asheville. Madison Rogan, Apalachee, Sr. Finished eighth at state in the girls' 500-yard freestyle and 13th in the girls' 100-yard butterfly Comment: Bogan will swim at UNC-Asheville. Kate Massey, Commerce, So. Qualified for her second consecutive state swim meet, competing in four events (200- yard individual medley, 50-yard freestyle, 200- yard freestyle relay and 200-yard medley relay with teammates Anna Hardy, Jessie Pritchett and Samantha Davidson), placed 25th at state in the girls' 200-yard individual medley Comment: NA Samantha Davidson, Commerce, Fr. Qualified for state with both the girls' 200-yard freestyle relay and 200- yard medley relay, placed 44th indi vidually in the 50-yard freestyle Comment: NA Jackson Harvin, Jackson Co., Fr. Qualified as a freshman in the boys; 100-yard butterfly and 200-yard indi vidual medley (placing 30th) Comment: NA Nic Aquila, Jefferson, Sr. Swam a 1:00.87 in the boys' 100-yard backstroke (barley missing the state cut), 2:19.31 in the 200-meter individual medley Comment: Aquila, a team captain and Aca demic All-American, has been part of the Jef ferson middle and high school swimming pro gram since its inception and has been a lead er in and out of the pool. He's also an all-state band selection a member of chorus honors. C.J. Guzman, Jefferson, So. Qualified for the state meet in the boys' 200-yard individual medley and swam a per sonal-best at state (2:09.86) and also recorded times of 5:24.76 in the 500-yard freestyle and a 1:02.68 in the 100-yard backstroke Comment: Only a sophomore, Guz man, a year-round swimmer, is described as a motivator in and out of the pool. Guzman has been part of the Jefferson middle and high school program since Its Inception. He also competes at the state level for Jefferson's literary program. Falon Bell, Jefferson, Sr. Swam personal-bests of 26.1 in the 50-yard freestyle and 58.81 in the 100-yard freestyle, qualified for the state meet in the girls' 50-yard free style and was a member of Jefferson's state-qualifying 200-yard freestyle and 400- yard freestyle relays teams, which went on to earn the highest relay finishes at state in pro gram history (fifth and 18th place, respectively) Comment: Bell, a year-round swim mer, earned academic All-Amer ican honors for Jefferson. Coach of the Year Tess Nunnally, Jefferson In her first year at the helm of Jefferson's program, Nunnally coached a state cham pion (Camille Porter) and guided the girls' team to an 11th-pi ace finish at state. On to the next challenge CHS Tennis Tiger teams earn key wins over Indians The Commerce boys and girls picked up key wins at Towns County last week. In an Area 4-A matchup with the Indi ans, the Commerce boys dominated in a 5-0 victory. Ricki Orozco defeated his opponent 8-0 in No. 1 singles play, while Dalton Flint won 8-1 in No. 2 singles. Cade Ridley earned an 8-2 victory at the No. 3 singles spot, while the No. 1 doubles duo of Trev or Young and Ethan Leffew shut out their opponents 8-0. Logan Jackson and Austin Brock won 8-1 in No. 2 doubles play. The girls’ match between the area rivals was more tightly contested, but in the end, the Lady Tigers emerged with a 3-2 victory. No. 1 singles player Morgan Partin won 8-0, while Ariel Woodham (No. 2 singles) and Bethany Arnold (No. 3 singles) both fell 6-8. The No. 1 doubles duo of Jeanece Smith and Zoe Walraven won 8-6, while Sarah Amaya and Maggie Hill won 8-1 in No. 2 doubles play. The victories over Towns County could prove vital down the road for the Tigers, as area record determines seeding in the 4-A tournament at the end of the season. Commerce will host the Indians for a rematch today (Wednesday) at 4 p.m. Leopards ... Cont. from IB Commerce’s J’varius Wood (bottom row, middle) recently signed an athletic scholarship with Shorter University in Rome. Wood will play defensive back for the Hawks next fall. Wood signs with Shorter Commerce High School senior J’varius Wood recently signed a letter of intent to attend and play football at Shorter University in Rome. As a three-year starter for the Tigers, Wood played a key role on offense, defense and special teams. In his senior season, he rushed for 527 yards and nine touchdowns on 76 attempts. He led the Tigers receiving corps with 14 catches for 290 yards and six touch downs. As a defensive back, Wood racked up 56 tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery. He returned punts and kicks on special teams, and served as the Tigers’ punt er - averaging 32.8 yards per punt on the 2016 season. Wood was a two-time All-Region 8-A selec tion and helped lead the Tigers to back-to- back state semifinal appearances. “I’m very excited for (Wood),” said Com merce head coach Michael Brown. “He’s worked hard to give himself an opportunity to play at the next level. He set some goals for himself early in his career to be able to do this, and it’s always exciting to see a kid achieve those goals. I think he’s going to have tremen dous success at the next level. He’s a kid with outstanding character and tremendous work ethic. He’s very talented and he’s gong to a good school. I think it’s a great fit and I’m excit ed to see what’s going to happen - not only in the field, but in his off-the-field career as well.” While Wood isn’t sure just yet where he’ll line up on the field for Shorter, he expects to be in the defensive backfield for the Hawks this fall. After speaking with his new coaches last week, he planned a weekend visit to tour the campus (last Saturday). “I’m just glad I get another chance to further my career and keep playing at a different level of football,” said Wood. “I really liked that (Shorter’s coaches and team) seems like a tight-knit group of people. They seemed really friendly and welcoming.” Athlete of the Week! sponsored by: HYMAN BROWN INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. SOUTHERN TRUST INSURANCE COMPANY Sage Culpepper Senior Commerce High School Culpepper was the low-medalist for the Tigers with an 83 on an 18- hole round at Brasstown Valley last week. HYMAN BROWN INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. 11 State Street • Commerce (706) 335-3900 Indian’s power hitter, load ing the bases. A miscue by the Leopard pitcher and infield gave Lumpkin County’s mnner a chance to steal home, and while it was close, he was mled safe, ending the game. Boisclair struck out seven batters and allowed seven hits in seven innings. Mill- wood homered in the sixth inning, driving in one run. Roberts added another Leopard RBI. Banks County lost anoth er close contest, falling 8-6 in the second game of the doubleheader in Dahlone- ga. The Leopards fell behind 8-2 in the first four frames of play, but mounted a come back in the top of the fifth. Staton drove in one run on a ground out to third, while Roberts scored on a Lump kin County passed ball. After a scoreless sixth inning, the Leopards came close to mounting their own comeback in the final frame. With two run ners on base and one out, Boisclair reached first on a groundball error, while Rylee scored. Pinch runner Kelen Dalton scored anoth er mn for the Leopards on a passed ball, while Boisclair advanced to third. The Indi ans intentionally walked Patrick to give the Leopards two mnners on base with only one out. But the next two batters lined out and struck out. Cody Parker pitched 3.2 innings, fanned four batters and gave up seven hits. Dylan Nix pitched 2.1 innings, fanned four batters and gave up one hit. Staton recorded two hits and two RBI in four at-bats and Rylee went 2-for-4 at the plate. The 4-8 Leopards will continue their region slate this week in a three-game series with Franklin Coun ty. The Leopards hosted the Lions on Tuesday, but details were unavailable at press time. Banks County will travel to Franklin Coun ty for a doubleheader on Friday. Game times are set for 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. SPRING IS IN BLOOM! Chicks Are Here! FRUIT TREES • Apple • Peaches • Pears • Plums Also Available • Blueberries • Grapes • Blackberries • Muscadines VEGETABLES and GARDENING Plants & Seeds Purina & Godfrey’s Livestock & Pet Food Frontline & Advantage Flea & Tick Treatment BEDDING PLANTS Perennials and Annuals Hanging Baskets FLOWERING TREES • Dogwoods • Yoshino Cherry Trees • Crabapple • Cleveland Select Pears • Red Bud Miracle-Gro, Potting Soil, Fertilizer and Grass Seeds Slu/tfiey FEED & SEED Maysville Rd. • Commerce, GA 706-335-2162
