Newspaper Page Text
March 5, 2008
Section
b
The Banks County News
Sports Editor: Chris Bridges
Contact: 706-367-2745
www.mainstreetnews.com
First
&
Ten
High School Wrestling
Hanley's Mat Leopards continue to establish records
chris@mainstreetnews.com
BY CHRIS BRIDGES
A reason for
Banks County
to be proud
T ake a bow Banks County
community, you have
reason to be proud.
The new athletic complex at
Banks County High School was
officially on display last Friday
afternoon and a sense of pride
was definitely in the air. The cen
ter of attention on this day was
the new baseball field, but there
was also pride in the new softball
field and tennis facility where the
BCHS teams were busy practic
ing for their season openers.
After months of work, the final
result is certainly something to
behold. I doubt there is a AA
school in the state with facili
ties on par with what BCHS has.
In fact, there are many larger
schools who would love to be
able to claim what is now in
Homer. Every citizen of Banks
County has a right to be proud
of what has been accomplished
here.
First, citizens deserve praise for
making this project possible with
the renewal of the Educational
Local Option Sales Tax. Funds
from this have gone to pay for
the new softball and baseball
fields as well as the new tennis
center. In addition, improvements
have been made to the BCHS
football stadium. Bleachers were
installed on the visitor’s side of
the stadium for the first time last
fall along with a concession stand
and restroom facilities.
Additional paved parking space
is also now available for those
attending BCHS athletic events
which for the most part are all
on campus now. The new athletic
complex is something BCHS stu
dents will benefit from for many
years.
Credit also should go to
the Banks County Board of
Education for clearly seeing the
benefits of such a project. While
it may seem logical on the sur
face a local BOE would support
something of this nature, I can
testify it is not always the case.
I have worked in counties
where school officials didn’t
believe in putting funds in ath
letics. In a neighboring county,
parents have been attending
recent school board meetings to
voice their complaints about not
receiving the level of support that
has become the norm in Banks
County.
There is more to being a stand
out student than simply being
in a classroom. Being involved
in school sponsored events is
also vital to being a successful
student. Be it FFA, drama or
athletics, students in the Banks
County system are encouraged to
participate in as many activities
as possible. This will only benefit
them down the road.
So take a bow Banks County.
You have reason to be proud
today. And if you have not seen
the completed athletic complex
by all means make your way to
BCHS and take in a baseball
game or a tennis match this
spring. Make plans to watch a
softball contest this fall and be at
the stadium to support the grid
iron Leopards.
It’s a great time to be in Banks
County right now.
Chris Bridges is sports editor of
The Banks County News. Contact
him at 706-367-2745 or by e-mail
at chris@mainstreetnews.com.
BY CHRIS BRIDGES
Seemingly with each passing season, the
Banks County High School wrestling program
continues to establish new marks of excel
lence.
During the past three seasons under the
direction of head coach Kasey Hanley, the
Mat Leopards have steadily moved up the
Class AA ladder during the state tournament.
This season BCHS finished 13 th overall led by
An Pham, Demetric Dempson, Jared Gregory
and Tremaine Mayfield. These four wrestlers
qualified for the recent traditional state duals.
Pham capped a standout career with a third
place finish at the Gwinnett Area and was
literally seconds away from competing for
the state championship. Hanley will have a
tough time replacing Pham next season as the
standout set a school record with 51 wins in
a single season and school record for career
wins with 92.
In addition, Pham now holds the BCHS
record for most pins in a season and during a
varsity career.
“I have learned more from An than he has
from me in the past three years,” Hanley said
of the senior.
The BCHS coach said Pham is looking at
continuing his career at the collegiate level.
“He always spoke of his opponents with
respect and always carried himself with pride,”
Hanley said. “He just loved to compete.”
• ••
The BCHS wrestling program is looking to
establish a wall of fame. Coaches are looking
for records, pictures and information on previ
ous team members, especially the names of all
state medal winners and area champions.
Those with information can contact Sam
Baxter at 706-654-0793.
Diamond Leopards: Ushering in Spring
NEW SEASON, NEW FACILITY
Jeff Smith and the Banks County High School Diamond Leopards are now 2-0 at their new home field after defeating Elbert County
Friday 7-3. The Diamond Leopards rallied to defeat the Class AAA Blue Devils as they continue to prepare for their 2008 Region
8-AA schedule. Photo by Chris Bridges
Home field advantage
Diamond Leopards rally to defeat Elbert County
BY CHRIS BRIDGES
It has been said the mark of a quality team is
being able to overcome adversity and still emerge
victorious.
Perhaps that’s why last Friday’s 7-3 win against
Elbert County can be viewed as a positive sign for
the Banks County High School varsity baseball
team.
Coach Joe Lord’s squad, which improved to 2-0
with the victory, overcame a three-run decifit in
the contest. The Leopards also overcame the fact
they left several runners on base and allowed too
many free passes.
Throw in the fact the team had to overcome the
hype surrounding the pregame dedication of the
new baseball complex and all things considered,
it was a win to be proud of.
“It’s always good to get a win, but I felt like
we could have played a lot better,” Lord said.
“With that being said, I was really proud of how
we bounced right back after getting down 3-0.
We were able to avoid giving up a really big
inning and get a few runs of our own to keep it
close. That’s how you have to play. I’ve said it all
along, but if you can keep it close, you can have
a chance.”
Kasey Hudgins earned the win pitching in relief
of starter Jeff Smith. Hudgins worked 3.1 innings
allowing three hits and no runs with three strike
outs. Smith worked the game’s first 3.2 innings
and also recorded three strikeouts.
See Baseball on page 4B
BCHS earns
win in first
game at
new complex
BY CHRIS BRIDGES
The Banks County High School
varsity baseball team ushered in a
new season with a new commitment
to success and as a result earned a
victory at its new home complex.
Coach Joe Lord’s Diamond
Leopards opened the 2008 campaign
by defeating Commerce High School
4-0 last Thursday in a game which
was delayed a day by cold weather
conditions. Despite the extra day to
prepare, the visiting Tigers could not
find an answer for the quality pitch
ing of BCHS senior Alex Gailey who
worked a gem throwing five innings
and allowing just one hit.
Commerce managed just five bas-
erunners all day (four of which came
on walks) as the BCHS defense was
perfect in not committing an error in
the 2008 season debut. Bill Redman
worked two scoreless innings of relief
and struck out four batters to add to
Gailey’s seven Ks.
“It’s always good to get that first
game in the books and it’s even better
when you can get a win in the season
opener,” Lord said. “We were able to
break in our new field with a solid
game and I’m proud of our team.
Our pitching was excellent, allowing
only one hit in the game while strik
ing out 11.”
Lord said Gailey delivered when
the team needed him too.
“He really stepped up on the
mound, at the plate and on the bases,”
the coach said. “Bill was also solid in
his two outings of work.”
Offensively, the Leopards compiled
nine hits and also had solid contact
on several outs.
“Some of our players were a little
too aggressive and we need to be
more patient and take what we can
get,” Lord said. “For an early season
performance in the cold, it wasn’t too
bad though.”
See Season Opener on page 4B
High School Soccer
Lady Leopards already exceeding goals during 2008 season
BY CHRIS BRIDGES
While the 2008 soccer season is still in
its early stages, the Banks County High
School Lady Leopards are already show
ing this spring will be the best season they
have enjoyed in some time.
Under the direction of first-year head
coach Michael Boomer, the BCHS varsity
girls were 2-2 going into this week’s action.
Considering the team had not posted a
win in several seasons and was outscored
116-6 in 2007, this year has already been a
success, according to the new coach.
Before Friday’s match with Aquinas,
whom Boomer said will be his team’s
toughest opponent in 2008, the Lady
Leopards had outscored their opponents
11-10.
“Our goal was to win one match this
year,” Boomer said. “We have already
won two and are gaining confidence each
time out.”
Up Next:
•Friday hosts Oglethorpe
County, 5 pm
•Monday hosts East
Jackson, 5 pm.
The coach said
the addition of
Erika Evans and
Lacey Saxon
have helped the
team gain some
needed speed.
BCHS has posted wins against East Hall
(3-1) and Hebron (6-2). In the win against
East Hall, Lacey Bennett scored two goals
while Tori Heu added one. Maria Mendoza
had two assists while Shanice Rucker had
one.
Bennett and Evans both scored three goals
in the victory against Hebron. Boomer said
that win was impressive because he had
the opportunity to play all 21 members of
the varsity squad in the contest.
“We have some good speed up front,” the
coach said. “Teams will have a tough time
keeping up with us up front.”
See Soccer on page 4B
NEW
ATTITUDE
Erika Evans (13)
has helped the
Banks County
High School Lady
Leopards soccer
team record two
wins this sea
son. New head
coach Michael
Boomer has
been impressed
with the team's
positive attitude
this spring.
Photo by
Lyn Sengupta