Newspaper Page Text
May 14, 2008
Section
b
The Banks County News
Sports Editor: Chris Bridges
Contact: 706-367-2745
www.mainstreetnews.com
First
&
Ten
★ ★ ★
chris@mainstreetnews.com
BY CHRIS BRIDGES
Harn provides
inspiration to
all around him
J ay Harn put the finishing
touches on his high school
athletic career Saturday
leaving all those who witnessed
his performances impressed and
wanting to see more.
The Banks County High School
senior continues to be an inspira
tion to all those who know him
personally and those who know
him from seeing him compete.
Two state championships during
the wheelchair events at the state
track meet in Jefferson this past
week, along with a runner-up fin
ish, are only part of the story.
I first met Jay in the summer
of 2005. I had just arrived on the
scene and remember seeing him
during summer football work
outs. He was one of many who
were preparing for the upcoming
season and no doubt had a bright
future ahead of him on the foot
ball field.
That fall, however, Harn was
the victim of a hunting accident
which has forever changed his
life. Falling from his deer stand,
Harn was paralyzed from the
waist down. Despite the best
efforts of his doctors and by
Harn, the condition remains.
That turn of events would be
more than some people could
handle. To be honest, I’m not
sure I could deal with it. I have a
supportive family which is vital
in cases like this, but the mental
challenge it would present — not
to mention the physical one — is
something I cannot begin to com
prehend.
Harn, however, has literally
become an inspiration to me and
countless others who have come
in contact with him. Every time
I see him now, he asks me how
I am doing. Imagine that. He
asks me how I am doing. He is
always smiling and to be honest,
you view him as a regular high
school senior. He cuts up with his
friends, competes in sports, has a
girlfriend and is preparing for life
after graduation.
Still, life is not the same for
Harn and that’s why his accom
plishments this past week make
everyone who witnessed them
smile. The look captured on his
face by our photographer Lyn
Sengupta says it all in my opin
ion. Harn had just won one of his
two wheelchair race events and
the moment was not lost on him.
I will miss seeing Jay compete
next spring. Track season at
BCHS won’t be the same without
him. I will miss his competitive
spirit, his great positive attitude
and the great way in which he
represented his school.
It will also be difficult not hav
ing Jay around to provide inspira
tion for those who know. I admit
he provided it for me. Afterall,
when you get to know Jay how
can the little things in life bother
you. I only wish I could have the
positive approach Jay does on a
daily basis. I’m not ashamed to
say he is a hero of mine. He is
also a friend. That’s something
I hope he feels the same way
about.
Best of luck Jay in all the future
brings. You have given all of us
reason to smile.
Chris Bridges is sports editor of
The Banks County News. Contact
him at 706-367-2745 or by e-mail
at chris@mainstreetnews.com.
High School Track
Harn shines at state meet for Leopards, wins two events
BY CHRIS BRIDGES
Saturday was a day to shine for Jay
Harn.
The Banks County High School senior
captured first place in both the 200-meter
and 800-meter events in the wheelchair
competition at the GHSA state track meet in
Jefferson. Harn’s first place showings fol
lowed up a second-place finish in the shot
put competition two days earlier.
Harn’s efforts allowed BCHS to win the
wheelchair division at the state meet for
2008 with 28 overall points. This was the
first year a team championship was awarded
as seven athletes from six different schools
competed.
The BCHS senior set a personal best in
the 800-meter and was one tenth of a sec-
State Champion
Banks County High School's
Jay Harn captured two state
titles in the wheelchair compe
tition at the state track meet
Saturday in Jefferson.
ond off his personal best in the 200-meter.
While competing in the shot put, Harn
also made a personal best throw of 19-8.5.
The state champion in the event set a state
record with a throw of 20-5.
See State Track on page 3B
Li - 1
r.
1
*
El- J
V
V
STATE
CHAMP
BCHS senior
Jay Harn cap
tured two
state titles in
the wheelchair
competition
at the state
track meet in
Jefferson last
week.
Photo by
Lyn Sengupta
BCHS: Class AA State Baseball Playoffs
Leopards run into
roadblock during
first round of state
BY CHRIS BRIDGES
H oly Innocents High School rolled out
the welcome mat for the Banks County
High School baseball team last Friday.
Unfortunately, for the Diamond Leopards it
was a rude welcome as the host Golden Bears,
the defending Class AA state champions, made
quick work of BCHS in the opening round of the
state playoffs. Holy Innocents posted 11-0 and
16-0 wins with both games of Friday’s double
header in Atlanta going just five innings.
Those losses ended the season for the Diamond
Leopards, who were making their return to
the state playoffs for the first time since 2001.
Despite the losses, the future appears to be on
solid ground for the BCHS baseball program,
which has made steady progress during the past
four years under the direction of head coach Joe
Lord.
“Even though we got defeated pretty hand
ily by the defending state champions, it wasn’t
because of
The rewd o f gomg to lack of effort,
the state playoffs is a preparation or
testament to the hard desire,” Lord
work put in by our said . “ I look for
them to prob-
players and coaches...
ably go to the
- Coach Joe Lord state finals. I
think it will
come down to Weslyan or Holy Innocents for the
AA crown.”
Instead of looking solely at the two state play
off contests in which his team was overmatched,
Lord is focusing on the 2008 season as a whole.
The season consisted of 16 wins with only three
losses coming to teams which did not reach the
state playoffs. The Leopards never lost more
than two games in a row and only lost three
home games this spring.
BCHS also had a five-game winning streak at
one point in 2008 and finished five games above
the .500 mark. The Leopards tied for first in the
subregion, finished third among 12 schools in
8-AA and made it to the state playoffs.
“The reward of getting to the state playoffs is a
testament to the hard work put in by our players
and coaches not only during the season, but dur
ing summer ball, offseason workouts and previ
ous years leading up to this one,” Lord said. “We
know what it takes to get there and we have con
tinued to raise the bar. We got a taste of the state
tournament and next year we’ll be looking to get
back and go even farther. It’ll be a challenge, but
we’ll be up to it.”
In the first game against Holy Innocents,
STATE PLAY
Banks County High School's Chris Porter attempts to reach first base during Friday's
state playoff contest in Atlanta against Holy Innocents High School. The Leopards
advanced to the postseason for the first time since 2001 this spring.
Photo by Lyn Sengupta
Jeff Smith, Tyler McEntire and Wesley Angel
handled the pitching. Alex Gailey and Zack Dale
provided the offense for BCHS.
In game two, Gailey, Kasey Hudgins and
Angel handled the pitching duties while Porter
had the team’s only hit.
Looking ahead to next spring will see the
Leopards competing in a revamped Region
8-AA.
Jefferson, who has been a force in Class A,
will be one of the schools be moving in.
“We’ll more than likely play a full region slate
with no region tournament,” Lord said. “Two
time region champ North Oconee will be in there
as well so we’ll have our work cut out for us.
We believe we can compete with any of these
teams, however. We got there this year, and next
year our goal is to make back-to-back trips and
advance as far as we can.”
BCHS will lose two seniors — Gailey and
Aaron Wagoner — to graduation this spring.
Lord said a solid group of returning players
should help the Leopards be a contender for the
state playoffs again in 2009.
Senior duo
paces BCHS
during 2008
BY CHRIS BRIDGES
The Banks County High School
baseball senior class of 2008 will
always be special to coach Joe
Lord.
Aaron Wagoner and Alex Gailey
began their freshman seasons
the same year Lord became the
Diamond Leopard head coach. Four
years later, Lord has grown as a
coach, Gailey and Wagoner have
grown as players and the BCHS
program has grown as a whole.
“We have all grown together,”
Lord said this week as he reflected
on the 2008 season and the three
years before that. “Alex and Aaron
have been keys to our improve
ment.”
Gailey was a four-year starter for
the Leopards.
“I know everybody we play won’t
miss seeing No. 8 on the field, but
we sure will,” Lord said. “He’s been
an integral part of our building pro
cess and our success.”
Gailey has already signed with
Piedmont College where he will
continue his academic and athletic
careers. Lord said the high school
standout will do well at the next
level.
“He’s been a valuable asset to us
on the mound and at the plate,” the
coach said. “He is a great young
man and a great leader. He is a tre
mendous competitor and a winner.
He’s been on the pitcher’s mound
and at the plate in some key situa
tions over his career and he will be
tough to replace. He will do well
in baseball and most importantly
in life.”
Also helping lead the way this
season — and for the past four
years — has been Wagoner. For
the past two seasons, Wagoner has
been the starting second baseman
for the Diamond Leopards and has
been able to provide a needed level
of defensive stability in the infield.
Lord also had high amounts of
praise for this senior.
See Seniors on page 3B
High School Football
Leopards prepare to wrap up spring with Saturday scrimmage
BCHS coaches asking for special
donations as admission to contest
BY CHRIS BRIDGES
The Banks County High School football team
will conclude spring practice this week with all
eyes looking toward the upcoming 2008 season.
Second-year head coach Blair Armstrong said
earlier this week practice has been positive and the
coaches are pleased with the progress several play
ers have shown.
“We are excited about what we have seen,”
Armstrong said. “It’s fun to see the improvement
the players have made.”
Several returning players as well as some new
comers have caught the attention of the coaches
to this point in spring drills. Justin Beasley looks
“faster than ever” Armstrong said and Demetric
Dempson has gotten “faster and stronger” during
the offseason.
The BCHS head coach also noted the spring
practice performance of Clint Caudell, who is
returning from a shoulder injury. Other players who
have been standouts include Travis Betts, Brent
Bowman, Cody Gowder, Matthew Patton, Chris
Mota and Darryl Childers.
One position which will have to be filled for
BCHS this fall is quarterback. Last year’s starter,
Dustin Worley, graduated. Worley, who signed
with Catawba College in North Carolina passed for
1,000 yards his senior season including a 300-yard
performance against Washington-Wilkes in the
region playoffs.
Armstrong said Alex Banks, last year’s starter
on the junior varsity, knows the players although
the coaches would like for him to gain more expe
rience. Chris Porter is expected to get a look at
the position along with Brett Armour and Chase
Armour, who are expected to return to the program
for the upcoming year.
“We will be new at quarteback,” Armstrong said.
“It will be a challenge to see who can make it.”
BCHS will hold its annaul spring scrimmage
Saturday at 7 p.m. Coaches are asking those who
attend to follow the “DDDT” plan when it comes to
admission. Coaches are asking fans to bring at least
one of the following for admission:
•DVDs (R) for highlight videos and game record
ing
•Detergent (liquid) for uniform washing.
See Spring Football on page 2B