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Sports Overton I Sports editor Saying So Long To Some Good Memories It seems like just yesterday when I was writing my first column for The Houston Home Journal back on September 25,1993. The first week was like a dream. I didn't know anybody, but I was treated like I was somebody. Most people seemed excited about my position and that, in return, made me excited. I really thought that I'd be at the Journal for at least a year, maybe even two. And I've got to say that after nearly six months, I'm just now getting to a comfort level, at least with the people of the sports community. But sometimes you have to do things that you think will be in your best interest. And that's why I'm moving on up the road to Warner Robins starting Monday. On one hand, I'm ecstatic. It's a daily paper and that's a step in the right direction. Conversely, I'm disappointed that I won't get a chance to spend the summer at the Journal. Believe me, at this point, nothing thrills me more than the prospect of baseball and I was looking forward to covering the Perry and Westfield teams. But I do get a chance to write this final column filled with a little retrospect. I guess it's a little highlight reel of the time I've spent in Perry. September, 1993 Nothing like moving to Georgia. I moved in on a 95-degree Sunday afternoon, with my step dad and my mom helping. I'll never forget that night because I got about an hour of sleep thanks to the heat. It took a little adjusting on my part. The first paper I was in charge of was a Saturday edition. Perry was playing Jordan that evening and I wrote the story about 11 p.m. and by the time I finished laying it out, it was about 1 a.m. That wasn't too bad according to Brian Lawson, the former sports editor who helped me out that week. After I dropped the paper off in Warner Robins to be printed, I hit the highway for seven-and-a-half hours on my way to the N.C. State-North Carolina football game. Only my love for the Wolfpack would make me do such a thing. Or was it stupidity? I arrived in Raleigh at about nine in the morning. Talk about a first weekend October, 1993 A couple of things stick out in my mind. The first is the Westfield softball team going to the GISA final four in Tifton when I thought the Hornets would be lucky just to be in the playoffs. The other, more controversial action came after a column I wrote after Perry beat heavily-favored Ware County to break a three-game losing streak. Here's what I wrote: 'lt's amazing the difference a week can make for Perry head Coach John Stephens. Stephens, who was baffled by his team's play in a 26-7 loss to Wayne County two weeks ago couldn't figure out what was wrong with his team. Was it the effort? Was it the coaching? Was it the mental mistakes? Was it the execution?' Boy, did I get some dirty looks about that How dare I question the coaching ? A few people were pretty nasty to me. I talked with Stephens after the Fitzgerald win and told him that if I slandered him in any way, I was sorry. He smiled and it didn't seem to bother him. He said that coaches can't expect to live in 'glass houses.' But I think I had made my first enemies, at least among the public. November, 1993 The other enemies I made were from the Woods n' Water page, although I think many of them have not come forward. Honestly, I really don't know anything about hunting, fishing, etc. I guess I'm a wimp. I'll never forget going to Forsyth for a "Hunters for the Hungry" press conference at the Rum Creek Wildlife Management Area along with about 10 other "experienced" Pleaso see OVERTON, page 8A Campbell To Resign After School Year By BILL OVERTON Sports Editor Citing the desire to move on to the next level, Donna Campbell, a nine-year teacher and coach at Westfield Schools, announced her resignation Thursday. Campbell said that she hopes to coach at the collegiate level and that further schooling would be necessary for her to coach. She currently holds a bachelor's degree from Georgia College. "It's basically a career move," Campbell said. "It's something I've been toying around with for a while." Campbell, 31, will finish out the 1994 school year, performing her duties as a physical education instructor and track and field coach. She plans to enroll in Georgia College's health and physical education graduate program this summer. In her nine years as head softball coach at Westfield and seven years as head girls basketball coach, Campbell's teams have experienced a wealth of success in the playing r mk m Lon Talton Urea away In Westfield's loss to Windsor. Awards Dominated By Smith, Talton By BILL OVERTON Sport* Editor Sophomore Jennifer Smith and senior Lon Talton seemed to always be able to lend an extra hand to their respective Westfield teams during the 1993-94 basketball season. But Tuesday night. Smith and Talton were the ones who needed an extra hand to help carry all the hardware the picked up at the annual basketball awards banquet held at Westfield. Smith was named girls’ most valuable player. Talton was named most valuable player for the boys. Smith was named Houston Times-Joumal player of the year for girls. Talton was honored with the award for boys. im pp 9 smßk Lon Tilton and Jannlfar Smith ware raapactlva wlnnara of tha Houaton Tlmaa-Journal Player of the Year. arena. In addition to coaching four GISA region softball champions, Campbell had two teams to win the state softball championship in 1986 and 'B7. She holds a career record of 165-79. Campbell's basketball teams have won the region championship once (1991) and went to the final four once (1992). Her career record is 87-78 sifter an 11-15 season in 1993-94. But Campbell's guidance will be missed more in the classroom, according to Westfield Headmaster Dr. Michael Drake. "You never like to lose anybody the caliber of a Donna Campbell," Drake said. "She's not only a good coach; she's as good as P.E. instructor as I've ever seen." Campbell broke the news to her players Wednesday, and the reaction was one of shock more than anything. "I think it was very unexpected (for the players)," Campbell said. "It surprised most of them. I know some of them are taking it hard. But I think the girls will be just Smith made all-region and all state. So did Talton. It was that kind of night for the duo. "Anything you can do, I can do better," must have been the rallying cry. Smith, in only her second year at the varsity level, averaged a team-high 17 points a game from her center position. She had nine boards a game and shot 46 percent from the field. Talton was equally impressive, averaging 14 points a game along with four rebounds and two steals. He shot 45 percent from the field and 71 percent from the line. However, there were other awards given out on the evening. The complete list of winners is on page BA. fine in time." "She's been my coach for four years," said senior Jeanna Bishop, who has played softball and basketball under Campbell. "I know it's going to be tough on the younger kids now that there's a new coach. It's going to be difficult for them to adjust to somebody else." Despite the suddenness of Campbell's decision, most feel that the move was imminent "If she wants to better herself, I don't blame her," said first-year teacher and coach Jenny Crooms. "She's been here nine years. There's no doubt in my mind that Donna should be coaching in college. I feel like she's that good of a coach." Drake, Principal Marvin Arrington and the Westfield Athletic. Committee will now begin an immediate search for someone to fill the vacancy. "We will start right away collecting resumes," Drake said. "Depending on the quality of the applicants, we hope to have someone in place as soon as possible." Knights Pound Hornets By VETO F. ROLEY Staff Wrltar Windsor provided the power and pitching as the Knights spoiled Westfield's season opener Tuesday afternoon, 10-1. Alossius Evan kept the West field bats silent all afternoon, pitch ing the first six innings of the game, giving up only two hits and four walks while striking out 11 Hornets. Three Knight batters sent Hornet pitches out of the park to spark the Windsor offense, includ ing a solo shot by Evan in the sec ond inning. Even with the loss, Westfield coach Bert Brown saw several things that made him happy. "The outfielders, with the excep tion of one time when they threw the ball to the wrong base, played pretty well," said Brown. "I thought a couple of infielders, particularly Clay Smith (who started at second), had a couple of good plays. I'm happy with the way Troy Nuss hit the ball." Nuss had two of the Hornets' three hits, including both hits off Waldrip Celebrates In Style By VETO F. HOLEY Staff Wrltar Dallas Waldrip threw a birthday party Thursday afternoon, inviting as his honored guests the members of the Perry baseball team. Celebrating his 18th birthday, the Perry lefthander struck out 11 Dodge County batters and con tributed a first inning grand slam, leading the Perry Panthers to a 15-1 route of the Indians. With the win, the Panthers in creased their season mark to 3-2. The game was also the region opener for the Panthers. Waldrip was on the mound for all three of Perry's wins. "Dallas Waldrip came out and took charge," said Perry head coach Bob Jones. The game was never in doubt from the first inning. Travis ~ Cantrell and Terry Yawn started the Perry half of the first with singes. A walk to Derrick Oliver loaded the bases and set the stage for Waldrip. Indian hurler Jon Peacock worked the count against Waldrip full. Trying to avoid throwing a ball which would result in the first PAK Travels To Championships By BILL OVERTON Sports Editor The Hae San Martial Arts Association will hold its 1994 regional championships today in Warner Robins. Over 350 martial artists from all over the southeast and six rings of action will highlight today's showdown at Houston County High School. Included in the tournament will be the 50-60 member contingent of the Perry Athletic Karate club. The PAK should be stronger Houston Times-Journal Page 6A ms ■ -I, JHT ' Bp || M jP w,« ** ''« Jr Hh^klP Donna Campbell will laava Waatflald Schoola following the 1903-94 aehool year. She haa won 165 gamea In nine yeara of coaching aoftball and 87 gamea In seven yeara of baaketball. Evan. Brown said that his major con cern was not winning or losing the ballgame, but getting playing time for his players and pitchers. "We were not concerned with wining," he said. "It was not a region ball game." The Hornets saw 15 players enter the game. "We hung around," said Brown, who noted the Knights were up only 5-1 after five innings. How ever, the Knights scored five runs in the final two innings, four in the final inning. "That's what you get when you switch folks around," he said. "li's early in the season," said Brown. "We are doing a lot of shuf fling around. We are trying to get ready for the region." Perry took the early lead. With two outs in the bottom of the first, Sheldon Shelton walked, advancing to second on a wild pitch. Nuss put him across the plate for the Hor nets' first run of the season with a single to right However, the Knights would quickly take over die game from the ' ' .. ; yv:.... -.• »* § ? : Dallas Waldrlp connects on his grand alam In the first Inning. Perry run of the game being walked across the plate. Peacock went for a strike. Waldrip deposited the errant , pitch across the left-center pitch for the slam. Perry would score an additional six runs in the inning, to take a 10- 0 lead into the second. 4 The Panthers would add one in the second and two in both the third and fifth innings. Dodge County than ever, taking five Black Belts into competition. But Perry Head Instructor Chad Lewis expects all of the classifications to do well. "While I like the looks of our lower ranks to do well," Lewis said, "it's the advanced ranks that I'm looking to bring home the hardware.” Perry hopes to continue its strong performance of the fall regional championship, where it had a winning percentage of 119 percent in Wrightsville, Ga. -Saturday, March. 121994 “ Houston Times-Journal Hornets. Billy Morstead and Evan led off the second with back-to-back solo shots to give Windsor the lead. The Knights would add two runs in the fourth, one in the fifth and sixth, and four in the seventh. Eight of the nine Knight starters collected hits against Hornet bat ters, with Evan and Matt Griffiths getting two hits each. For the Hornets, Nuss got two hits, and the only RBI, to lead the Westfield attack. Jake Walls singled in two trips to the plate for only other Hornet hiL Lon Talton started on the mound for the Hornets and took the loss, going three innings iuid giving up two runs, earned, on two hits. Both hits were solo homeruns in the sec ond. He also struck out three Knight batters. "(Talton) only allowed two hits and didn't walk anyone," Brown said, who said the senior pitcher is the ace of the Homet staff. "We seem to play a little better defense when he is on the hill." Brian Staines relieved Talton in Please see KNIGHTS, page 8A would avoid the shutout, getting one run in the third off three hits. The Perry Panthers have come a long way since opening day when they were no-hit by Jackson, losing 10-0. "It was among die worst days I can remember us ever having," said Jones. "It's a slow moving process," said Jones of turning his inexperi- Please see WALDRIP, page 8A There will be form and sparring events beginning at 10 a.m. General admission is $6. "I'm extremely excited about this tournament and I expect us to do well," Lewis said. "We've got a lot more, experience this year than ever before and a lot of new faces that should do well. "While I want to see us do well, the ultimate goal of this tournament is to pull together as a team and have a good time working together."