The 14th annual Golf for Life tournament is set for April 27 at Double Oaks Golf Club on Hwy. 98 in Commerce.
Proceeds from the tournament will help Franklin Life Pregnancy Resource Center’s efforts to provide assistance for women and their families with unexpected pregnancies.
The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a shotgun start. The format is a four-person team Lauderdale. Entry fees are $65 per person or $260 per team, which includes lunch after the tournament. Prizes will be awarded for longest drive and closest-to-the-pin. The first, second and third-place teams will also receive awards.
Hole sponsorship is available at a minimum of $50.
For more information about the tournament, contact Tina Brock at 706-498-4584 or Jerome Hill 706-498-0197. Contact Brock for information on hole sponsorship. Team information can be mailed to franklinlifeprc@aol.com.
Other Sports
Opening Day for BCPRD takes place Saturday
The Banks County Parks and Recreation Department is holding Opening Day for the recreation baseball teams this Saturday.
The parade of athletes begins at 11 a.m. as teams will be led from the recreation center through the driveway of Windmill Park. The Opening Day ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m. on field No. 2
Adult-League Softball
The BCPRD will offer adult-league softball during the spring.
The recreation department is offering both co-ed softball and a men’s open league. The co-ed league will play traditional co-ed league rules. The men’s league will play by ASA and park rules.
The cost per team is $500. Registration closes April 8. Games begin the week of April 22. Games will be played over eight weeks. The coaches’ meeting will take place on April 15.
For more, contact Todd Mayfield at the BCPRD at 706-677-4407 or tmayfield@co.banks.ga.us.
The parade of athletes begins at 11 a.m. as teams will be led from the recreation center through the driveway of Windmill Park. The Opening Day ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m. on field No. 2
Adult-League Softball
The BCPRD will offer adult-league softball during the spring.
The recreation department is offering both co-ed softball and a men’s open league. The co-ed league will play traditional co-ed league rules. The men’s league will play by ASA and park rules.
The cost per team is $500. Registration closes April 8. Games begin the week of April 22. Games will be played over eight weeks. The coaches’ meeting will take place on April 15.
For more, contact Todd Mayfield at the BCPRD at 706-677-4407 or tmayfield@co.banks.ga.us.
Jackson Co. youth wrestlers dominate in ‘Bama tourney
Three Jackson County wrestlers won their divisions, while three others finished as runners up in the Alabama Super State tournament Saturday.
The tournament featured state champions from multiple states, including Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Louisiana.
“So, we decided to go to get some good competition — which it was very good competition,” coach Allen Spry said.
The event served as a warm-up for Georgia state tournament for these wrestlers. That tournament will be held this Friday and Saturday in Perry.
In the Alabama tournament, Robert Spry (10U, 70 pounds), Donovan Spry (10U, 55 pounds) and Dylan Ransom (10U, 75 pounds) each placed first in their weight divisions, while Deacon Wiley (10U, 85-90 pounds), Kamryn Spry (6U, 45 pounds) and Daelin Spry 8U, 50 pounds) all took second place in their respective divisions. Josh White actually placed twice in the 10U division, taking sixth in the 67-pound class and fifth in the 70-pound class.
Robert Spry pulled off a major victory in winning his bracket, defeating an Alabama state champion and a two-time Georgia state champion in taking a first-place medal. He won all his matches, including the state finals, via technical fall. Meanwhile, Donovan Spry went unbeaten in his bracket, as did Ransom, who took home a title in only his second year as a wrestler.
“He was really wrestling good, hard and fast,” coach Spry said of Ransom.
Wiley, an 85-pounder, earned a tough draw in the tournament as both the 85 and 90-pound classes were combined. Wiley lost in the finals to a 90-pound champion from Alabama.
Kamryn Spry, only in his second year of wrestling, fell in the 6U, 45-pound finals to a two-time champion from Alabama. White, in pulling double duty in the 10U class, wrestled eight matches in about three hours in a busy day on the mat.
“I was proud of all them,” coach Spry said. “We went up there and we represented well.”
Spry said for a group of wrestlers, not only from Georgia, but from the same county, to dominate is it did made a statement.
“Again, it’s just another stepping stone to see that we’re on our way and we’re heading in the right direction,” he said.
Over a dozen Jackson County wrestlers are scheduled to wrestle in this weekend’s state meet.
The tournament featured state champions from multiple states, including Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Louisiana.
“So, we decided to go to get some good competition — which it was very good competition,” coach Allen Spry said.
The event served as a warm-up for Georgia state tournament for these wrestlers. That tournament will be held this Friday and Saturday in Perry.
In the Alabama tournament, Robert Spry (10U, 70 pounds), Donovan Spry (10U, 55 pounds) and Dylan Ransom (10U, 75 pounds) each placed first in their weight divisions, while Deacon Wiley (10U, 85-90 pounds), Kamryn Spry (6U, 45 pounds) and Daelin Spry 8U, 50 pounds) all took second place in their respective divisions. Josh White actually placed twice in the 10U division, taking sixth in the 67-pound class and fifth in the 70-pound class.
Robert Spry pulled off a major victory in winning his bracket, defeating an Alabama state champion and a two-time Georgia state champion in taking a first-place medal. He won all his matches, including the state finals, via technical fall. Meanwhile, Donovan Spry went unbeaten in his bracket, as did Ransom, who took home a title in only his second year as a wrestler.
“He was really wrestling good, hard and fast,” coach Spry said of Ransom.
Wiley, an 85-pounder, earned a tough draw in the tournament as both the 85 and 90-pound classes were combined. Wiley lost in the finals to a 90-pound champion from Alabama.
Kamryn Spry, only in his second year of wrestling, fell in the 6U, 45-pound finals to a two-time champion from Alabama. White, in pulling double duty in the 10U class, wrestled eight matches in about three hours in a busy day on the mat.
“I was proud of all them,” coach Spry said. “We went up there and we represented well.”
Spry said for a group of wrestlers, not only from Georgia, but from the same county, to dominate is it did made a statement.
“Again, it’s just another stepping stone to see that we’re on our way and we’re heading in the right direction,” he said.
Over a dozen Jackson County wrestlers are scheduled to wrestle in this weekend’s state meet.
Youth basketball: Three Barrow County teams win district tournaments
Three of the eight Barrow County Leisure Services all-star youth boys basketball teams won their respective district tournaments last weekend and will compete in the state tournaments this weekend.
Barrow won its second consecutive 8U boys Georgia Recreation and Park Association District 7 title. After losing a pool play game to Jefferson, 26-21, Barrow bounced back, beating Habersham County, 28-25, and exacting revenge on Jefferson, 32-30, in the championship game. The team will now compete in the state tournament in Effingham County Friday and Saturday. The team is coached by Marlo Yarbrough.
The Barrow 12U boys, led by coach Derrick “Stick” Johnson, won the district tournament with a lot of the same players that previously combined to win the 10U tournament. Barrow beat Jefferson 64-31 in pool play and then bulldozed its way through the championship bracket, routing Habersham County 70-29, Madison County 75-25 and Jackson County 79-44 in the finals. The team will compete Friday and Saturday in the state tournament in Murray County.
The Barrow 17U boys team, led by first-time all-star coach James Joyner, also won its district tournament, beating Habersham County in the championship. Barrow will compete Friday and Saturday in the state tournament in Effingham County.
Barrow won its second consecutive 8U boys Georgia Recreation and Park Association District 7 title. After losing a pool play game to Jefferson, 26-21, Barrow bounced back, beating Habersham County, 28-25, and exacting revenge on Jefferson, 32-30, in the championship game. The team will now compete in the state tournament in Effingham County Friday and Saturday. The team is coached by Marlo Yarbrough.
The Barrow 12U boys, led by coach Derrick “Stick” Johnson, won the district tournament with a lot of the same players that previously combined to win the 10U tournament. Barrow beat Jefferson 64-31 in pool play and then bulldozed its way through the championship bracket, routing Habersham County 70-29, Madison County 75-25 and Jackson County 79-44 in the finals. The team will compete Friday and Saturday in the state tournament in Murray County.
The Barrow 17U boys team, led by first-time all-star coach James Joyner, also won its district tournament, beating Habersham County in the championship. Barrow will compete Friday and Saturday in the state tournament in Effingham County.
Winder native Shipplett part of winning driver’s crew in Daytona 500
Five weeks after the death of the owner’s son and the organization’s president, Joe Gibbs Racing got a much-needed uplift Sunday, winning the Daytona 500 behind Denny Hamlin in the No. 11 car, who won NASCAR’s premier event for the second time in four years.
Right there as a part of it all was Winder native Josh Shipplett, who was a tire carrier on Hamlin’s pit crew. It was the second time Shipplett has been a member of a winning pit crew in the Daytona 500, the first coming in 2011 in his Sprint Cup debut while working as a crew member for Trevor Bayne, who pulled off a surprising win that year.
“It was a lot different this time because I think the first time everybody was amazed that it actually happened, and this time we knew we had a real shot at it,” Shipplett said Monday before talking about the enormity of the moment following the death of J.D. Gibbs, the son of owner and NFL coaching hall of famer Joe Gibbs, last month from a neurological disease. “I think this meant so much to the company with everything that went on in the offseason. It was really huge and special to be a part of.”
Overall it was the seventh time that Shipplett, a 2007 Winder-Barrow High School graduate, has been on the winning crew of a Cup race.
His second came with Richard Childress Racing in 2017, after Monster Energy had taken over as the Cup’s top sponsor, when Austin Dillon won the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, triumphing in the Childress No. 3 car for the first time since Dale Earnhardt won at Talladega in October 2000.
Shipplett left Childress Racing and joined Joe Gibbs Racing prior to the start of last season. He was a part of four victories on the crew of Martin Truex, Jr., who won the Auto Club 400, Pocono 400, Toyota/Save Mart 350 and Quaker State 400.
Shipplett moved to Hamlin’s crew this season and said he is enjoying his time with the driver and the company.
“It’s great so far — so far, so good,” Shipplett said. “It’s a different environment. They’re very family-conscious. Joe believes it’s the people who make the company, and it’s just a really good place to work. You never had to worry about needing anything because it’s all very family-oriented and Joe will do anything for you.”
Shipplett, his crew mates and Hamlin will be back in action Saturday in the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The race starts at 2 p.m. on FOX.
While Shipplett and his team were still getting to bask in the glow of victory Monday — they were treated with a big breakfast Monday morning in Daytona and got to see the winning car placed in the museum at Daytona International Speedway for the next year — they knew it was time to get back to work.
“This is one of the only ones you get to enjoy,” said Shipplett, who is just getting started with a long and grueling season.
“Come this time tomorrow, we’ll be getting ready to practice and move on to the next one.”
Right there as a part of it all was Winder native Josh Shipplett, who was a tire carrier on Hamlin’s pit crew. It was the second time Shipplett has been a member of a winning pit crew in the Daytona 500, the first coming in 2011 in his Sprint Cup debut while working as a crew member for Trevor Bayne, who pulled off a surprising win that year.
“It was a lot different this time because I think the first time everybody was amazed that it actually happened, and this time we knew we had a real shot at it,” Shipplett said Monday before talking about the enormity of the moment following the death of J.D. Gibbs, the son of owner and NFL coaching hall of famer Joe Gibbs, last month from a neurological disease. “I think this meant so much to the company with everything that went on in the offseason. It was really huge and special to be a part of.”
Overall it was the seventh time that Shipplett, a 2007 Winder-Barrow High School graduate, has been on the winning crew of a Cup race.
His second came with Richard Childress Racing in 2017, after Monster Energy had taken over as the Cup’s top sponsor, when Austin Dillon won the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, triumphing in the Childress No. 3 car for the first time since Dale Earnhardt won at Talladega in October 2000.
Shipplett left Childress Racing and joined Joe Gibbs Racing prior to the start of last season. He was a part of four victories on the crew of Martin Truex, Jr., who won the Auto Club 400, Pocono 400, Toyota/Save Mart 350 and Quaker State 400.
Shipplett moved to Hamlin’s crew this season and said he is enjoying his time with the driver and the company.
“It’s great so far — so far, so good,” Shipplett said. “It’s a different environment. They’re very family-conscious. Joe believes it’s the people who make the company, and it’s just a really good place to work. You never had to worry about needing anything because it’s all very family-oriented and Joe will do anything for you.”
Shipplett, his crew mates and Hamlin will be back in action Saturday in the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The race starts at 2 p.m. on FOX.
While Shipplett and his team were still getting to bask in the glow of victory Monday — they were treated with a big breakfast Monday morning in Daytona and got to see the winning car placed in the museum at Daytona International Speedway for the next year — they knew it was time to get back to work.
“This is one of the only ones you get to enjoy,” said Shipplett, who is just getting started with a long and grueling season.
“Come this time tomorrow, we’ll be getting ready to practice and move on to the next one.”
WRESTLING: Youth Panthers win state elementary duals title
The Jackson County youth wrestling program’s individual dominance in recent years has now translated into team dominance.
Competing in their first-ever duals tournament, the youth Panthers won the state elementary school duals championship Jan. 20, beating Social Circle 28-24 to take first in the 11-team field.
The tournament was held at the Lake Point sports complex in Cartersville.
“Our kids have done pretty decent, we’ve won (individually in) 6U, we’ve won 8U, we’ve won 10U,” coach Allen Spry said. “But guess what? Now we got all three of those programs in one day on the same mat against 10 other teams and to beat them, and to walk away in our first duals as state champions, it’s kind of like we are a threat. Jackson County is for real.”
This marked the first dual state title for Jackson County at any level of competition.
Jackson County won its pool with three victories — beating Woodstock (52-3), North Hall B (53-6) and Haralson County (54-6) — to advance to the championship pool. There, it beat North Hall A 42-21 before defeating Social Circle for the championship.
“Our kids just really came through,” Spry said.
Cael Powers (45 pounds), Connor Stephens (100) and Daelin Spry (50) all went 5-0 in the event (Spry was 10-0 on the day, having wrestled earlier in the training-center duals). Deacon Wiley (90) and Dylan Ransom (75) both went 4-0. Donovan Spry (60) was 8-2 overall and Robert Spry (70) was 9-1 (both also wrestled in the training-center tournament as well).
Jackson County trailed Social Circle 18-12 in the finals match but reeled off wins in the next seven bouts to clinch the championship.
“We’re excited,” said Spry, who noted that these wrestlers will feed in to the middle school and high school programs in the years to come. “They’ve done remarkable. The kids did remarkable, and we’re very proud of them, and we’re very proud of the program and the direction it’s heading.”
Team members were Powers (45 pounds), Tucker Davis (45 pounds), Daelin Spry (50 pounds), Donovan Spry (55 pounds), Jacob Langston (55 pounds), Austin Jurovschi (60 pounds), Robert Spry (70 pounds), Josh White (65 pounds), Toby Jurovschi (75 pounds), Ransom (80 pounds), Wiley (90 pounds) and Stephens (100 pounds).
Competing in their first-ever duals tournament, the youth Panthers won the state elementary school duals championship Jan. 20, beating Social Circle 28-24 to take first in the 11-team field.
The tournament was held at the Lake Point sports complex in Cartersville.
“Our kids have done pretty decent, we’ve won (individually in) 6U, we’ve won 8U, we’ve won 10U,” coach Allen Spry said. “But guess what? Now we got all three of those programs in one day on the same mat against 10 other teams and to beat them, and to walk away in our first duals as state champions, it’s kind of like we are a threat. Jackson County is for real.”
This marked the first dual state title for Jackson County at any level of competition.
Jackson County won its pool with three victories — beating Woodstock (52-3), North Hall B (53-6) and Haralson County (54-6) — to advance to the championship pool. There, it beat North Hall A 42-21 before defeating Social Circle for the championship.
“Our kids just really came through,” Spry said.
Cael Powers (45 pounds), Connor Stephens (100) and Daelin Spry (50) all went 5-0 in the event (Spry was 10-0 on the day, having wrestled earlier in the training-center duals). Deacon Wiley (90) and Dylan Ransom (75) both went 4-0. Donovan Spry (60) was 8-2 overall and Robert Spry (70) was 9-1 (both also wrestled in the training-center tournament as well).
Jackson County trailed Social Circle 18-12 in the finals match but reeled off wins in the next seven bouts to clinch the championship.
“We’re excited,” said Spry, who noted that these wrestlers will feed in to the middle school and high school programs in the years to come. “They’ve done remarkable. The kids did remarkable, and we’re very proud of them, and we’re very proud of the program and the direction it’s heading.”
Team members were Powers (45 pounds), Tucker Davis (45 pounds), Daelin Spry (50 pounds), Donovan Spry (55 pounds), Jacob Langston (55 pounds), Austin Jurovschi (60 pounds), Robert Spry (70 pounds), Josh White (65 pounds), Toby Jurovschi (75 pounds), Ransom (80 pounds), Wiley (90 pounds) and Stephens (100 pounds).
Local youth cheerleading teams heading to nationals, seeking sponsorships
The Jackson County Parks and Recreation STARS competition cheer squads both took first place at the Southern Empire Classic Cheer Competition Jan. 20th at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth.
With the victories, both the Rising Stars (10U) and the Shooting Stars (12U) earned bids to compete nationally. They will attend either the Emerald Nationals in Fort Walton, Florida or The One Finals in Orlando, Florida.
Both squads also won the CheerSport Competition Dec. 2 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
This marks the third consecutive year that the JCPR STARS teams have reached nationals under head coach Mariah Spry (Owner of Thunder Tumbling Gym), assistant coach Austin McCravy and JCPR cheer director Shara Spry.
“Jackson County Parks and Recreation is proud to offer this great program to our young county athletes,” organizers said. “This program helps them to develop the necessary skills to compete at this level. We are grateful to have awesome parents and community support for this type of programming.”
The STARS competition cheer squads will host fundraisers to help cover expenses for nationals. To assist or sponsor, send payments to:
Jackson County Parks and Recreation
441 Gordon Street
Jefferson, Georgia
Note: Tax deductible payments, noted for Stars, can be made to JCYSA.
With the victories, both the Rising Stars (10U) and the Shooting Stars (12U) earned bids to compete nationally. They will attend either the Emerald Nationals in Fort Walton, Florida or The One Finals in Orlando, Florida.
Both squads also won the CheerSport Competition Dec. 2 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
This marks the third consecutive year that the JCPR STARS teams have reached nationals under head coach Mariah Spry (Owner of Thunder Tumbling Gym), assistant coach Austin McCravy and JCPR cheer director Shara Spry.
“Jackson County Parks and Recreation is proud to offer this great program to our young county athletes,” organizers said. “This program helps them to develop the necessary skills to compete at this level. We are grateful to have awesome parents and community support for this type of programming.”
The STARS competition cheer squads will host fundraisers to help cover expenses for nationals. To assist or sponsor, send payments to:
Jackson County Parks and Recreation
441 Gordon Street
Jefferson, Georgia
Note: Tax deductible payments, noted for Stars, can be made to JCYSA.
West Jackson wins Junior Panther wrestling tourney
The West Jackson wrestling team defended its home turf Saturday, winning the Junior Panther Invitational at Jackson County Comprehensive High School.
This is the first time that the middle school program has placed in its home tournament, let alone won it.
Austin Robertson, Ramon Castillo and Gavin Patterson all won their respective weight classes. Other placers were Holden Gilstrap (second), Drew Campbell (second), Robert Spry (third), Cameron Weatherly (third), Dylan Jurovschi (third), Drew Scott (third), Nolan Bell (fourth) and Raven Cook (fourth).
This is the first time that the middle school program has placed in its home tournament, let alone won it.
Austin Robertson, Ramon Castillo and Gavin Patterson all won their respective weight classes. Other placers were Holden Gilstrap (second), Drew Campbell (second), Robert Spry (third), Cameron Weatherly (third), Dylan Jurovschi (third), Drew Scott (third), Nolan Bell (fourth) and Raven Cook (fourth).
Jefferson youth runner takes third at Jr. Olympics
Jefferson’s William Malueg ran to a third-place finish in the 8-and-under boys’ 2K race Saturday at the USAFT Junior Olympics in Reno, Nevada with a time of 8:22.52.
He is now ranked as number three in the nation for his age group and again gained All-American status. Running high elevation (4,000 feet above his normal training altitude) and in snow and ice, his time was 50 seconds off his personal best.
Malueg’s teammate, Logan Roberts, also competed in the Junior Olympics in the 11-19-year-old boys’ age group, placing 256th out of 339 runners in his age group in the 3K with a time of 13:32.80.
He is now ranked as number three in the nation for his age group and again gained All-American status. Running high elevation (4,000 feet above his normal training altitude) and in snow and ice, his time was 50 seconds off his personal best.
Malueg’s teammate, Logan Roberts, also competed in the Junior Olympics in the 11-19-year-old boys’ age group, placing 256th out of 339 runners in his age group in the 3K with a time of 13:32.80.
FOOTBALL: Middle school Dragons cap perfect season
Jefferson’s middle school football team capped another perfect season and region title, beating Gainesville 28-0 on Oct. 11 to finish with an 8-0 mark.
“This group of young men is an extremely dedicated and hard-working group,” head coach Wayne McCarty said. “We started working out in June and the attendance the entire summer was phenomenal. That alone is usually an indicator of success. This group worked hard every day in practice and the results showed up on the scoreboard.”
Jefferson’s wins this season came over Oconee County (17-13), Malcolm Bridge (42-19), Cedar Shoals (35-0), Gainesville (34-7), Clarke Central (35-16), Cedar Shoals (40-12), Clarke Central (7-0) and Gainesville (28-0).
The Dragons’ region consists of Clarke Central, Cedar Shoals and Gainesville. McCarty said the region hopes to add two to three more teams next year.
“This was the first year of the new region and it went very well,” McCarty said.
McCarty pointed to the developmental process of the middle school players.
“There is a lot of talent in this group and I expect good things from these kids as they progress through high school,” he said.
He also praised the foundation established at the recreation level.
“Jefferson is one of the few schools that has two and even three teams at every age group in rec football,” he said. “They are having tons of success and are literally developing depth at double and triple the rate of other local systems. It makes my job easy because of the hard work and sacrifice being made by the rec coaches before they get to us at the middle school.”
“This group of young men is an extremely dedicated and hard-working group,” head coach Wayne McCarty said. “We started working out in June and the attendance the entire summer was phenomenal. That alone is usually an indicator of success. This group worked hard every day in practice and the results showed up on the scoreboard.”
Jefferson’s wins this season came over Oconee County (17-13), Malcolm Bridge (42-19), Cedar Shoals (35-0), Gainesville (34-7), Clarke Central (35-16), Cedar Shoals (40-12), Clarke Central (7-0) and Gainesville (28-0).
The Dragons’ region consists of Clarke Central, Cedar Shoals and Gainesville. McCarty said the region hopes to add two to three more teams next year.
“This was the first year of the new region and it went very well,” McCarty said.
McCarty pointed to the developmental process of the middle school players.
“There is a lot of talent in this group and I expect good things from these kids as they progress through high school,” he said.
He also praised the foundation established at the recreation level.
“Jefferson is one of the few schools that has two and even three teams at every age group in rec football,” he said. “They are having tons of success and are literally developing depth at double and triple the rate of other local systems. It makes my job easy because of the hard work and sacrifice being made by the rec coaches before they get to us at the middle school.”
Recent Comments