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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2008 THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS PACE 3B AMERICA’S GAME A Christmas list for the Atlanta Braves Lady Leopards continued from page IB 1 I have forfeited all of my gifts from family and friends this year in favor of the following gifts I want Santa to deliver to the Braves. This was tough in light of the worsening econ omy - I could have used a new shirt, that John Deere easy- hitch implement for my tractor, and a couple of new locomotives for my electric trains. I give them all up for... •Two additional starters in addition to Javier Vasquez. If Hudson gets back his old stuff, this should round out a nice starting rotation - Jurrjens be ing the fifth man. (By the way Santa, in our generous spirit, we would like you to take Jo- Jo Reyes with you and give away - free - to any team. The only condition is that he never return.) •The return of a healthy Matt Diaz and Peter Moylan. I figure that these two could account for at least one run more per game for the Braves. Diaz was a throw away from the Kansas City Royals and was tearing up the league for the Braves until his injury. Please bring him back to us, all wrapped up just like new. Moylan is a great side-armer who could send them down in order consistently. We'd really like this Aussie back. •The return of the 2007 Jeff Francoeur. Enough said. •A very sentimental wish for me is the return of John Smoltz. He deserves it. I do not want to see Smoltz end his career by injury. He deserves going out in style to exemplify the great career he has built. No, Santa, he doesn't need to be a starter for us, the closer role would suit me just fine. This guy is such a fighter. His presence in the clubhouse is an inspiration to the rest of the team. Please Santa, bring us back John Smoltz if only for one final season. •A season record for ejec tions from the game for Bob by Cox. For the umpire who thinks the 2009 season will be even better than the last, I wish for a Bobby Cox who will drive them crazy. I am seeing worse and worse umpiring and we need a spokesman for us, and who better to keep the men in blue honest than our beloved manager, Bobby Cox. •Hall of Fame Status for Lou Burdette. I have been ad vocating this for many years. The man who nearly single- handedly won the 1957 World Series, Lou Burdette, deserves this status. This is not to take away the contributions of the other team members. Aaron (my hero in life) was great along with Eddie Mathews, Del Crandall and Wes Coving ton. But it was Burdette who won the series going 3-0 with two shutouts. I want to see “Bird Cage” in the Hall. •The return of high divi dends from the farm system. For about ten years, Atlanta was blessed with farm teams (A, AA, AAA ball clubs) which were well run and nur tured. In fact, the early and mid 1990s Braves were made up of a considerable number of farm team talent. Somehow, somewhere, that system went to pieces and needs to be re built post haste. •An atmosphere at The Ted which doesn’t make me feel like I’m under suspicion of creating, or about to create, a crime. I don't go to the ball park much anymore partly because of this. The between- innings security force stands at attention facing the crowd, scowling and just waiting for some evil-doer to come out onto the field. News for ma jor league baseball: you need the security force at the gates before things like Ml6s and john w. rieken 105 s enter the park, not afterward. Now my list of things I want for major league base ball. •The return of the National Anthem played by the organ. I have had my fill of raw talent trying to warble our national tune. I wish to stand silently, in reflec- while the old Wurlitzer on. Please, no record- tion, plays ings. I want it live. •The return of the double header. Greed ended the dou ble header as I used to know it. Years ago - and I know this is hard to believe - one would pay the standard price for a ticket and be able to see two games. There was a 30-40 minute break between games (the first game usually would start at noon at Sports man’s Park in St. Louis) and the crowd would be enter tained by the Anheuser Busch Clydesdales - the brewery was a short walk from the ballpark - who would circle the field. Imagine 40,000 people ris ing to their feet, cheering as these magnificent equines en tered from a gate in right field. Pulling the famous Budweiser beer wagon, complete with a Dalmatian or two alongside the teamster, the Clydesdales made their journey around the park for all to see. Finally, and after a thunderous standing A ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP/CORPORATION“ Commercial/Industrial Division (706)367-5281 • jacksonemc.com According to a study by J.D. 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Visit jdpower.com ovation, fans would either sit and talk about the action we just saw (game one), or, head to the concession stand for a shot of hot dogs and soda. Then, boom! Out would come the home team again and game two was under way. Santa, keep the turtle doves, the partridge the polka-dotted neck ties. Please leave me some help for the Braves and major league baseball in 2009. Banks County resident John Rieken is an avid baseball fan. E- mail comments about this column to jrieken@windstream.net. Football continued from page IB yards on 271 carries and scored 24 touchdowns during the season. Dale received the Top OL Grade for the year. Hulsey had 71 tackles, five tackles for loss and five sacks. Representing the Leopards on the second team are Billy Pinson and Justin Bowen. Honorable mentions from Banks County include Kane Duncan, Clay Frink, Demetric Dempson, Matthew Patton, Nick Sosebee, Thomas Baker, Bill Redmon, Nathan Mathis and Lyn Hester. The All Region coach of the year is Jefferson head coach Bill Navas. Jefferson sent four players to the first team and three to the second team with eight honorable mentions. ‘ROOF DOCTOR Roofing & Repair - Metal - Shingles - Flat Roofs - Flashing - Maintenance - Inspections HOMER CARVER Log on for local news and local sports updates all season long. www.banksnewstoday.com Prince Avenue had a 13-6 lead in the first quarter, which Banks had chipped away to a 19-14 lead by the half. King said the third period is where the girls really woke up and the Banks County press started working as the Lady Leopards went on an 11-point run. Banks passed Prince Avenue 25-23 in the third period. Outscoring the Lady Wolverines 14-6 in the final eight minutes. Banks carried a 39-29 win for the tournament championship. Once again, L. Kennedy led the them offensively with 14 points and nine rebounds. Saxon picked up 11 points followed by Erika Evans with eight points. Samm Kennedy scored four and Franklin shot for two. Rabun Co. Tuesday night the ladies rematched against Rabun County. King said before the game the girls had to play harder than the Dec. 5 game where Rabun won 75-30. The Lady Leopards fought hard on Tuesday, but had trouble finishing as Rabun took the 63-44 win. Banks had a number of steals during the game and was able to cover the Lady Wildcats fairly well, but the ladies had a little trouble getting the ball in the basket. Rabun jumped out early 18-11 in the first period. The Lady Wildcats outscored Banks again in the second period to hold onto their 10-point lead 35-25 at the half. The home team was not in a giving mood as the Lady Leopards fought back to only trail by 15 points going into the final quarter. A strong Rabun offense continued pounding the ball as Rabun picked up 13. Banks County could not overcome the deficit and ended behind 44-63. L. Kennedy put up 17 points for Banks to lead the offense. Saxon followed with nine points and Parks rounded out the top three with eight points. Dr. Neelagaru, M.D. (Dr. Neel) M N. Neelagaru, M.D. (Dr. Neel) is now associated with Northeast / Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville, Georgia and will do all Invasive Cardiology Procedures at V -J this facility. Commerce Cardiology Clinic Call 335-2000 for appointment Highest in Customer Satisfaction according to J.D. Power and Associates