Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

Sports Lady Panthers atop Region 3AA South; take 4-0 record into Christmas break By PHIL CLARK Sports Writer Lean in closer, let me whisper something to you! The Perry Lady Panthers are atop the region 3AA South standings at the Christmas break! No fooling. Max Vickers has led the team to a 4-0 record, 2-0 in the sub region, as the team takes a break for the holidays, and the Houston County Bear Brawl. And Vickers has done it by getting a lot of players involved. In Cochran last Tuesday, for example, in a 58-28 win over Bleckley County, the Lady Panthers got 30 points from starters and 28 off the bench, including a team-high eleven by freshman Sheniquia Howard. Amber Fendley had all of Perry's points in the first quarter as the Lady Royals eased to 6-4 first quarter lead in the slow-starting game. But the Lady Panthers turned up the tempo in the second to take control of the game, outscoring the home team 24-6 for a 28-12 halftime lead. Fourteen of the 24 points came off the bench as Howard had seven, as did Monique Kendrick. The second half was mostly just running out the clock against the outmanned Lady Royals as Vickers got a look at a lot of younger players, with every player on the roster getting some playing time. It was 42-22 alter three quarters, and a 16-6 fourth quarter gave Perry the 58-28 victory. Howard had eleven points for Perry, with Shanetia Gilbert, the junior guard, scoring ten The rest of the scoring was spread among six players including eight by Yatosha Davis, seven by Monique Kendrick, six each by Amber Fendley. Jada Releford and Keshia Billings and lour by Magan Jackson Bleckley County’s only real scoring threat was Kelly Wilson, who had a game high sixteen points, more than halt her teams total Ten of those cam in the second half, when the outcome was no longer in doubt. Perry will play in next week's Bear Brawl at Houston County High. Westfield girls take 5-1 record to tourney at Tattnall Square Dec. 27-29 By PHIL CLARK Sports Writer Alright, a show of hands! How many Westfield basketball fans out there would have thought at the start of the season that the ;young Lady Hornets would be 5-1 at the Christmas break? No hands! No surprise. But that's how it is today as the Lady Hornets rest up for the Tattnall Holiday tournament December 27-29. Jennifer Smith controlled the opening tipoff Friday night, then did just about everything else she could to insure a 67-59 Lady Hornet victory over John Mi Hedge at the Hornets' Nest. Smith got the opening tip, then hit the first basket of the game fourteen seconds later on the way to a 26-point game, joining three teammates in double figures in this foul-plagued game. In all 60 fouls were called, and seventy seven shots were taken from the foul line. This was an eight point Westfield victory, but it didn't come easy! After Smith's opening basket, the teams exchanged lire lead several times before Stephanie Barr sank two free shots with one second on the clock to give Westfield an 18- 17 lead alter a quarter. But the Lady Trojans quickly look the lead back with a 6-1 run to open the second quarter, gaining a 23-19 lead just a minute and forty seconds into the quarter. After Wesmeia timeout, the Lady ■ » , ' y: Ji I WBk P gSay# | • ' ft '•'' B | jßyi % Ml- 1 iSf Monique Kendrick. 23, receives some last minute-minute instruction from Coach Max Vickers during the Lady Panthers' victory over Cochran last week. The win kept the Perry undefeated with a 4-0 record, 2-0 in the region. The Lady Panthers will be playing Dublin at 4 p.m. Dec. 28 in the Bear Brawl. Hornets cam hack with a run of their own Smith hit two free throws to tie the game at 25-all, then Mary Katherine Walker s baseline jumper gave Westfield the lead Windy Biggcrs got a basket to increase the lead to four before the Lady Trojans bounced b;ick to lake the lead at 30-27 behind a three pointer by Kristen Ldinondson and back to back baskets by Niki Simmons ;ind Kelly Bass Windy Biggers, who had eleven points, all in the first half, hit the first of a one-if-one, missed the second but got a hustling rebound and a basket to tie live g;une After a Smith basket. Biggers made a great pass to set up a Walker baseline jumper as the Lady Hornets took a 35-31 halftime lead. Westfield jumped out to their biggest lead of the g;une early in the third quarter as Julee Fryer hit her first basket of the night, a three pointer at the 6:50 mark to give Westfield a 44-33 lead. But a 17-5 John Milledge run gave the visitors a one point lead at.the end of three, 50-49. Westfield fans have become accustomed to fourth qutirter rallies, though, and they got another one. After a Stephanie Barr free throw tied the game early in the fourth, Smith took control of the game, getting a basket off a rebound, then converting a three-point play to give Westfield a 55-51 lead. Then the g;une became a ptirade to the free throw line as the teams combined for 35 free throws in the fourth qutirter. With a first quarter injury to Bristol Sullivan and an injured ankle in the second quarter to Stephanie Barr meant Billy Sellars got some quality minutes from freshman Jennifer Stewart and eight-grader Laura Posey. Sullivan did not return to the g;une, though the injury did not appear to be serious. B;ut returned for the second half. Both Posey, in the third quarter, and Stewart in the fourth, hit crucial free throws for the Lady Hornets, and Posey also got an important steal late in the gtune. Smith had 26 points and a ton of rebounds for Westfield, while Biggers second eleven. Fryer and Wttlker ten apiece to of fset the Lady Trojans' Kris Fdinundson, who had a gtune high 27 and Niki Simmons who had 16. Houston Tims -Journal iNMr ’mmW ■■■ \ \ HHHH Brandon Hughes, 33, splits two Northside Ninth- Graders en route to two points Saturday in Perry's 62- 60 win at the Northside gym. Wednesday Dec. 21,1994 Scribe's Christmas list has something for everyone in area 6A By: PHIL CLARK This time every year, I make out my Christmas wish list for folks in the sports business. Here goes. For Sissy Gann, a bigger mantel to hold her many golfing trophies, and a complete recover from recent arthroscoptic knee surgery, so that she can continue to add to the list of awards. For John Stephens, a little peace of mind in knowing he did the right thing in announcing his resignation at this time of year, so that all parties concerned have time to make whatever adjustments are necessary. For Billy Sellers at Westfield and Max Vickers at Perry High, continued success in rejuvenating stale girls' basketball programs. For the Houston Times-Joumal, a couples of things. First, a new name, say Houston Home Journal! And a recovery from the most tumultuous year in the newspaper's long and impressive history. For Ed Pilcher at Thomas County Central, I'd like for him to find a way to share his playoff secrets. In the past three years, Thomas County Central has captured the state AAA football championship despite less than spectacular regular season records. Pilcher is 20-10 in regular season games over the three years, 15-0 in playoffs! For Carl Peaster, the principal at Macon County High School and one of the best girls’ coaches I've ever seen. I continue to wish his induction into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, though he probably will never get it. For Harley Bowers ot die Macon Telegraph, 1 wish retirement. For Stan Gann. Sr., I wish continued good health, so that he can do the thing he likes most, nodiing! For Ronnie Jones at W'estfield. I only hope that he can keep that splendid coaching staff together Stephens resigns AD, football posts at Perry By PHIL CLARK SDortc Writer Ihe five-year John Stephens tenure as athletic director and head football coach at Perry High School is over. The veteran coach and principal Phil Smith announced his resignation last week after five years often punctuated with criticism of his program. Smith said the resignation is effective at the end of (lie current school year. A sean h w ill begin right away to find a replacement, though, according to Smith. Stephens came to Perry in 1990, when the school as in region 4AA. His team just missed the region playoffs that year, losing to Americas in the last game of the year The Panthers also bear Mary Persons that year, helping to keep the Bulldogs out of the region playoffs for one of the very few times during Dan Pitts' tenure. The billowing year, Perry dropped to 5- 5, but were again 5-4 in the region standings, but again it wasn't good enough for the playoffs. Stephens' first playoff team at Perry came after the school was elevated to class AAA and joined region 2AAA. Though Perry finished just 4-6 overall, their 3-3 region record earned the number four playoff spot, but Stephens' former school, Appling County quickly eliminated Perry with a 41- 7 victory. The following year, 1993, was perhaps Stephens’ best at Perry as the Panthers finished 6-4 overall, but 5-1 in the region, gaining the home field advantage for the region playoffs. But Dodge County, whom Perry had beaten 16-0 in the regular season, knocked the Panthers out of the playoffs with a 30-16 win. Hornets take 84-77 win By PHIL CLARK Sports Writer Junior guard lodd Rigdon had career highs in points and assists and Brian Nash and Jake Walls combined for 43 points and 20 rebounds as the Westfield Hornets withstood a furious fourth quarter by John Milledge to beat the Trojans 84-77 Friday night to even their season record at 3-3, 3-1 since tlie varsity players returned from the football team. Nash got tlie Hornets going with tip-in off a missed shot, and before the quarter ended, seven Hornets had scored points as Lance Bryant put back a rebound as the Mr c,ark I --■Sg&mbihmhJ i nat accomplished, I'd wish tor mm a return to the state championship game. For Eric Zellars of this newspaper, recognition as one of die top sports photographers in this area. For Ray Goff, I wish for him no more Heisman Trophy candidates, so that he can run a football program, not a publicity campaign, and include a running attack in his game plan. For George O'Leary at Georgia Tech, a few wins, period. For Dan Pitts at Mary Persons, the record breaking football victory, which should come early in the 1995 season. For Bill Chappell at Dalton, win number 300, which should also come in next year's first game. And a continued pursuit of what will by then be Pitts' state record. For Robert Davis at Warner Robins High, one more te.un good enough to challenge for a slate title, before die veteran mentor decides to hang it up. For Doug Johnson at Houston County High, a team that stays healthy for the whole season, so that this outstanding young coach can exhibit his ability. For the Bibb County School System, someone wise enough to spot good football coaches, and keep the good ones, like Maurice Freeman, from getting away. Freeman, a seven year Northeast assistant, got the head job at Brooks County and won a state championship his first year! And for all of you, thanks for your support, and Merry Christmas! ' •' ■ John Stephens Returning to class AA, and region 3AA this year. Perry finished 4-6, 3-5 in the region, and had an opportunity to reach the playoffs again with a win over Bleckley County, but lost in Cochran 35-14 to all but eliminate them from the playoffs. A loss to Harris County in the final game of the year sealed it, though, as it turned out, a win would not have put the team into tlie playoffs. Stephens' teams broke even in regular season giunes, winning 25 and losing 25. The two playoff losses left him with a 25-27 record at Perry. He does have a former player in the NFL. Dexter Carter of the 49ers played for Stephens at Appling County before a college career at Florida State. Stephens has stud he isn't sure if his future plans include coaching. He does plan to continue teaching;, though. Wherever the road takes him, we wish him the best. He's one of the nicest folks you'll want to meet. quarter ended with Westfield leading 23-12. After the teams exchanged points in the second quarter, scoring 17 each, Westfield led at the half 40- 29. Jake Walls took over the scoring in tlie second with nine, tlie same total Jason Miller had for John Milledge. Brian Nash was dominate in the third, controlling the backboards and knocking in ten points as Westfield jumped to a commanding 25-point lead at the end of three quarters 64-39. Then came the ugliest quarter of Please see HORNETS, page 7A