Entries by Chris Bridges

The Bethlehem Christian Academy baseball team has not lost to a team in Class A this season.

On paper, however, the Knights (19-2) will face their toughest challenge within their own classificiaton in the GISA when they host defending state champion Crisp Academy beginning Friday in a best-of-three semifinal series. A doubleheader will begin Friday at 2 p.m. at BCA with a third game, if necessary, Saturday.

The Wildcats from Cordele entered state as the No. 2 seed from Region 3-A. Crisp Academy, ranked third in Class A, swept Westminster 15-0, and 14-0 in the quarterfinals last week.

“I think Bethlehem Christian is a fine team,” said Crisp Academy coach John Penney. “They are going to be tough. We look forward to the series. We have to show up and give it our best effort. We know we are going to face a quality opponent.” [Full Story »] 

After four holes at the state golf tournament, Apalachee High School’s Shelby Hanna led the defending state champion by three strokes.

Hanna had stormed out of the starting gate at Bartram Trail Golf Course in Evans and had all those following her play take notice.

“My mind really starting racing then,” said AHS coach Kevin Morris. “It was something to see how well she doing.” [Full Story »] 

A trio of Winder-Barrow High School track athletes went out in style last Thursday in Jefferson.

Jamonte Riden, Kendall Isler and Quintin Long each earned top 10 finishes in their respective events and helped cap a successful spring for Bulldogg track.

Riden was ninth in the long jump but just made it to the event on time in order to compete. Riden arrived just as the event was starting (he and his teammates got lost trying to get into the stadium) and was moved into the second heat.

Riden then jumped 21-10 to advance to the finals before finishing ninth. The personal best for Riden is 23-5 and that mark would have almost won state as Cedar Shoals’ Jamorio Calhoun took the event with a jump of 23-5.25.

“Competing at state is very different,” Riden said. “I know my stomach has been churning all day. I do my best not to get nervous but this is a big event. It’s something to compete in front of this many people. It’s tough to block it all out.” [Full Story »] 

Winder-Barrow High School senior Clara Moody signed with South Georgia College during a ceremony held last week.

Also attending were sister Kaylie Moody, brother Mark Moody, mother Wendy Moody and father Jeff Moody.

Several of Moody’s WBHS teammates were there to support her during the event including, from left, Jared Glenn, Mitchell Buttler, Quinn McDaniels, Paul King, Ashley Cook, Moody, coach Jennifer Blevins and Ryan Nowakowski. Moody competed in several events for the Swim Doggs including the freestyle and butterfly.

The distance running tandem for the Winder-Barrow High School Lady Bulldoggs competed on the big stage last week in Albany at the state track meet.

Whitley Kennedy, Amanda Cope and Caitlin Connell each completed their 2012 seasons with quality showings at the AAAA state meet. Cope (11:46.94) was 11th in the 3,200-meter run while teammate Connell was 13th (11:52.54) in the event. Connell has now completed her standout WBHS career and will run for Kennesaw State next season.

Kennedy, competing in the 800-meter dash, was 10th in the event in 2:24.03. She was less than three seconds from eighth place, which was needed to reach the finals. [Full Story »]