There is a new three-point queen in the state of Georgia and her name is Gabby Arencibia. In Towns County’s 74-39 win over Commerce, Arencibia canned seven three-pointers en route to 25 points. The seven baskets pushed her career total to 295, which set a new state record for career long distance. ...
While McEachern has received most of the attention in Cobb County this season, the Marietta girls basketball team is putting together a strong campaign and recently clinched the No. 1 seed in the Region 5-5A tournament. The Lady Blue Devils are 21-3 and 11-0 in region play thanks to a 66-64 win over Woodstock Tuesday. Marietta has a core four that get it done. Trana Hopkins (21 points against Woodstock), Courtney Sprague (20 points), Jasmine McSwain and Kehera Wilson are a group that make Marietta, ranked No. 6 in this week’s Score Atlanta poll, a dangerous team come playoff time. ...
Jesse Hicks is expected to be named the new head coach at Central Macon today after spending the last two seasons at Dougherty. He would replace interim head coach Brent Thornton. Hicks is the former Baldwin High School head coach who racked up 70 wins in eight seasons at Baldwin. He went just 3-17 in his two seasons at Dougherty. ...
Heads or tails. In some extreme cases, the simply flip of a coin determines important tiebreakers in the state of Georgia, and a coin flip gave Dade County the top seed in the Region 7-AA North girls tournament. Sonoraville, which defeated Calhoun on Tuesday to force the tie, earned the No. 2 seed while Calhoun is left with the No. 3 seed. The top three finishers at this weekend’s subregion tournament advance to next week’s 7-AA Region tournament in Dalton, according to prepcentralonline.com.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
A case for Faton Bauta
It is so easy to fall in love with the hot young recruit that steps on campus, but every once in a while, it makes sense to go head over heels. The University of Georgia has a returning redshirt junior quarterback in Aaron Murray, who broke school records one year ago and seems poised to have most of the passing records by the time he leaves Athens in the spring of 2014. With Hutson Mason taking a redshirt season this year, though, perhaps Dwyer (Fla.) High School product Faton Bauta should get a look in a few packages this year. The future of the position sits squarely in the lap of redshirt freshman Christian LeMay, but Bauta has been on campus for a few weeks now and apparently has spent most of that time at the football complex. According to sources close to Georgia, Bauta is either watching film, studying the playbook, lifting weights or throwing to receivers non-stop. LeMay will be the backup to Murray this year, and he should be with an extra year on Bauta, but don’t be shocked to see Mike Bobo come up with a special package for Bauta.
Rusty Mansell of 247Sports compared Bauta to Tebow and with good reason. Bauta is 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, who was a fullback/linebacker until he moved to quarterback his senior season. He could be called on for quarterback draws or sneaks near the goal line much the way Tebow was used his true freshman season at Florida. He even has shown a better arm the Tebow at this point in his career.
No one in the world expects Bauta to steal a start from Murray, and if Murray were to go down with an injury, odds are LeMay would come in and assume the starter’s role. But don’t be shocked to see Bauta in there a bunch this upcoming season. As much as Georgia fans hated Tebow out there, had he donned the red and black, fans would have been in love. Perhaps this is the universe throwing Georgia a bone in the form of “Tebow Jr.”
Rusty Mansell of 247Sports compared Bauta to Tebow and with good reason. Bauta is 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, who was a fullback/linebacker until he moved to quarterback his senior season. He could be called on for quarterback draws or sneaks near the goal line much the way Tebow was used his true freshman season at Florida. He even has shown a better arm the Tebow at this point in his career.
No one in the world expects Bauta to steal a start from Murray, and if Murray were to go down with an injury, odds are LeMay would come in and assume the starter’s role. But don’t be shocked to see Bauta in there a bunch this upcoming season. As much as Georgia fans hated Tebow out there, had he donned the red and black, fans would have been in love. Perhaps this is the universe throwing Georgia a bone in the form of “Tebow Jr.”
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Waco is unstoppable, Buford and GAC split
Region 6-AA heavyweights GAC and Buford faced off last night in Buford as four ranked teams took the floor seeking playoff positioning. Kaela Davis stepped her game up for Gene Durden’s girls who were playing without MacKenzie Darrah. Former GAC star Kristina Nelson left the game for Buford with a first half injury, forcing Davis and Andraya Carter to carry the load. Carter finished with five points and eight rebounds but it was Davis and her 16 points that paced the Wolves to a 47-43 win. The victory finished off an unbeaten region schedule for Buford. ... In the boys game, Kyle Kellum had18 for Buford while Isaiah Williams and A.J. Davis added 17 and 14, respectively, but it was GAC, led by Delano Spencer’s 20 points that gave the Spartans a 74-70 road win. GAC used a big third quarter run to stretch a two-point halftime lead into a 58-40 margin entering the fourth quarter. ... The Parkview girls finished off an unbeaten regular season with a 58-40 win over rival Brookwood. Marissa Mandeldove canned six three-pointers en route to 20 points for the Panthers. This is the second unbeaten regular season in three years for Parkview. ... The GAC football program is in search of a new coach after Tim Cokely announced he was taking the head coaching job at Marianna (Fla.) High School. Cokely led the Spartans to a 17-5 record during his two seasons with GAC. ... While it isn’t quite to the mark set by the Walton girls tennis team, the Washington County girls basketball team won its 55th straight game last night, 59-46 over Cross Creek. Washington County trailed at intermission but Allisha Gray scored 19 points in the second half to finish with 29. The Washington County boys as 22-0 this season after a 58-46 win over Cross Creek. The girls are one better at 23-0.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Buford, Norcross dealing with injuries as playoffs loom
Losing a player such as Diamond DeShields is supposed to hurt but don’t tell the Norcross Blue Devils that. Despite losing the standout junior (wrist injury) that has helped lead the Norcross girls basketball team to back-to-back Class AAAAA state titles, the Blue Devils have been rolling. Patrice Butler recently went for 22 and 12 in an 81-40 victory over Meadowcreek. Tori Carter and Jasmine Kemp have also stepped their games up in DeShields’ absence. No. 2 Norcross faces No. 4 North Gwinnett in Suwanee this Friday. Norcross won the first meeting 48-37 on Jan. 17. ... Speaking of injuries, just as the Buford Wolves were welcoming back backcourt standout Andraya Carter, Gene Durden’s club loses MacKenzie Darrah to a dislocated right hip. According to the Gwinnett Daily Post, the injury occurred when Darrah was going after a loose ball in a win over Decatur. No timetable has been set for her return. ... The year of Archer just experienced another bright spot as the wrestling program claimed its first region title with a victory in the Area 8-AAAAA traditional tournament. Archer also qualified all 14 wrestlers for next week’s Class AAAAA state sectionals as five wrestlers took individual titles. Sam Bullard (106 pounds), Grant Aycox (120), Elliot Lee (182), Ernest Alexander (195) and Hunter McCleskey (285) all took titles to help Archer better runner-up Brookwood. Archer’s basketball team, ranked earlier this season, pulled off a stunner over No. 6 Berkmar 70-54. Randall Smith had 19 points and 10 assists in the victory to move Archer to 17-7, 12-3 in region play. Archer trailed at one point in the second quarter 26-16 but went into intermission up 31-30. Bryan Hamlet notched 13 points, including the junior’s 1000th career point. ... Finally Kanler Coker was selected as the Touchdown Club of Atlanta’s Offensive Player of the Year yesterday. The Flowery Branch senior quarterback passed for 2833 yards and 31 scores while running for 837 yards and 15 more in 2011. Coker is headed to UNC.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Parker, Miller Grove get the better of SWD
Miller Grove managed to finish off a season sweep of the Southwest DeKalb boys over the weekend with a 59-53 win. The Wolverines received 20 points and 15 rebounds from Tony Parker to take down Shaq Goodwin and the rest of the Panthers. UGA-commit Brandon Morris chipped in 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists for Miller Grove. The two last met back in December, with Miller Grove prevailing 57-53 in overtime. ...
Yonel Brown had 12 points in Berkmar’s 61-45 win over Meadowcreek, but it was A.D. Rogers and Tim Rowe each going to 15 that pushed the Patriots into the win column. No. 8 Berkmar improved to 16-7 just one night after the Patriots dropped a game to Archer 70-54. ...
Buford is now set for its regular season finale against GAC after disposing of Jackson 59-49. A.J. Davis has found his footing, going for 14, matching Isiah Williams in the victory. ...
North Gwinnett received 23 points from Score 44 guard Chris Bolden to knock off Mill Creek 46-41. The suffocating Bulldogs defense hounded No. 4 Mill Creek into a 1-16 night from behind the three-point line. ... The North Gwinnett girls were never really challenged in a 62-39 victory over Mill Creek. The No. 4 Bulldogs nearly received a triple-double from five-foot-nine junior Lexie Brown, who tallied eight points, eight rebound and 10 rebounds. ...
Whitefield Academy faced Harrison in an inter-classification matchup that saw the Wolfpack prevail 66-57. Kenny Gaines scored 24 points to help snap Harrison’s 10-game winning streak. The victory was Whitefield’s 12th in a row. ... Sprayberry had two players go for 21+ points in an 87-63 win over Kell. D.J. Vereen notched 24 points and Trey Schultz chipped in 21 points in the victory. Two other players each scored 18 in the win.
Yonel Brown had 12 points in Berkmar’s 61-45 win over Meadowcreek, but it was A.D. Rogers and Tim Rowe each going to 15 that pushed the Patriots into the win column. No. 8 Berkmar improved to 16-7 just one night after the Patriots dropped a game to Archer 70-54. ...
Buford is now set for its regular season finale against GAC after disposing of Jackson 59-49. A.J. Davis has found his footing, going for 14, matching Isiah Williams in the victory. ...
North Gwinnett received 23 points from Score 44 guard Chris Bolden to knock off Mill Creek 46-41. The suffocating Bulldogs defense hounded No. 4 Mill Creek into a 1-16 night from behind the three-point line. ... The North Gwinnett girls were never really challenged in a 62-39 victory over Mill Creek. The No. 4 Bulldogs nearly received a triple-double from five-foot-nine junior Lexie Brown, who tallied eight points, eight rebound and 10 rebounds. ...
Whitefield Academy faced Harrison in an inter-classification matchup that saw the Wolfpack prevail 66-57. Kenny Gaines scored 24 points to help snap Harrison’s 10-game winning streak. The victory was Whitefield’s 12th in a row. ... Sprayberry had two players go for 21+ points in an 87-63 win over Kell. D.J. Vereen notched 24 points and Trey Schultz chipped in 21 points in the victory. Two other players each scored 18 in the win.
Friday, February 3, 2012
The Satisfaction will come eventually
For more on Georgia's Signing Class, check out www.chuckoliver.net
As a Georgia guy following the faxes on National Signing Day, I was reminded of Teddy KGB from Rounders. “Just like a young man, coming in for (an ice cream cone). I feel so unsatisfied.” Well perhaps I changed the part about the ice cream cone, but you get the gist. Georgia had 17 pledges the morning of National Signing Day, then managed to flip Josh Dawson from Vanderbilt and then (eventually) secure Josh Harvey-Clemons. Anytime you can snag the best player in the state and get a four-star prospect away from a division opponent, you should call it a good day.
But I was left wanting more. Was I spoiled by last year’s Dream Team? I guess I was. Georgia was in the running for Ronald Darby and Avery Young yet missed out on both. Georgia thought it could get Brandon Greene and/or Ja’Quay Williams to flip, but both stayed with Alabama and Auburn, respectively. Georgia finished with 19 players, including a kicker and a punter, and in the top five according to ESPN, the top ten according to 247Sports and in the top 11 according to the two other services. But I just wanted more. I wanted a faster start than what Georgia had and I wanted a stronger finish. Am I being selfish?
Georgia managed to snag two of the top six running backs in the country, filling a need. Georgia managed to snag two of the best players in the state in Jordan Jenkins and Harvey-Clemons. Georgia managed to snag some help on the defensive line in John Atkins, Leonard Floyd, James Deloach, Jonathan Taylor and Dawson. Georgia managed to grab a freak of an athlete in Faton Bauta, who is already spending 15 hours a day at the Georgia complex, lifting, studying and improving. Oh and did I mention yet that Georgia managed to snag one of the best offensive linemen in the country in five-star tackle John Theus who should start from Day One?
Georgia’s class is worthy of a top ten ranking, no doubt. It just feels that after last year’s strong close, when the Dawgs won several late declarations that they missed this year, perhaps this class never had a chance. Another 10 game winning streak will make us forget all of the stars and rankings though. Once we see Keith Marshall score his first touchdown with Theus blocking, I’m sure I will feel plenty satisfied then.
As a Georgia guy following the faxes on National Signing Day, I was reminded of Teddy KGB from Rounders. “Just like a young man, coming in for (an ice cream cone). I feel so unsatisfied.” Well perhaps I changed the part about the ice cream cone, but you get the gist. Georgia had 17 pledges the morning of National Signing Day, then managed to flip Josh Dawson from Vanderbilt and then (eventually) secure Josh Harvey-Clemons. Anytime you can snag the best player in the state and get a four-star prospect away from a division opponent, you should call it a good day.
But I was left wanting more. Was I spoiled by last year’s Dream Team? I guess I was. Georgia was in the running for Ronald Darby and Avery Young yet missed out on both. Georgia thought it could get Brandon Greene and/or Ja’Quay Williams to flip, but both stayed with Alabama and Auburn, respectively. Georgia finished with 19 players, including a kicker and a punter, and in the top five according to ESPN, the top ten according to 247Sports and in the top 11 according to the two other services. But I just wanted more. I wanted a faster start than what Georgia had and I wanted a stronger finish. Am I being selfish?
Georgia managed to snag two of the top six running backs in the country, filling a need. Georgia managed to snag two of the best players in the state in Jordan Jenkins and Harvey-Clemons. Georgia managed to snag some help on the defensive line in John Atkins, Leonard Floyd, James Deloach, Jonathan Taylor and Dawson. Georgia managed to grab a freak of an athlete in Faton Bauta, who is already spending 15 hours a day at the Georgia complex, lifting, studying and improving. Oh and did I mention yet that Georgia managed to snag one of the best offensive linemen in the country in five-star tackle John Theus who should start from Day One?
Georgia’s class is worthy of a top ten ranking, no doubt. It just feels that after last year’s strong close, when the Dawgs won several late declarations that they missed this year, perhaps this class never had a chance. Another 10 game winning streak will make us forget all of the stars and rankings though. Once we see Keith Marshall score his first touchdown with Theus blocking, I’m sure I will feel plenty satisfied then.
Two of Georgia's Big Three on Display tonight
Walton and Lassiter met twice on the football field this past season with Walton prevailing twice. Many of those Trojans players will seek out a measure of revenge tonight as the two programs square off on the hardwood. Lassiter’s roster includes football standouts Niles Clark, Juwan Dickey, Robert Dowling and Adam Dowell. ...
Wheeler will hit the road to face Etowah. Charles Mitchell scored 30, including 12 in the fourth quarter in last week’s loss to Milton. He will look for some help to take down Etowah. ...
No. 4 Mill Creek travels to North Gwinnett in a game that features two teams that have been ranked in the Score Atlanta Class AAAAA rankings at various points this season. Chris Bolden of the Score 44 will be in for a battle with Mill Creek’s talented Paul Evans and Jalen Bracey. ...
Class AAAA No. 1 Miller Grove will host No. 5 Southwest DeKalb tonight as Shaq Goodwin, a member of the Score 44 and one of the Big Three faces another member of the Big Three, Tony Parker as well as Score 44 forward Brandon Morris. ... On Saturday Buford (AA) faces Eagle’s Landing (AAA) in a matchup of No. 3 teams teams. ...
In girls action, Class AAAA No. 8 Miller Grove will host Southwest DeKalb while Class AAA No. 2 St. Pius hosts North Atlanta. ... No. 4 North Gwinnett looks to continue is nice run with a matchup against the always-dangerous Mill Creek. ... North Cobb is looking for a win against Kennesaw Mountain as the Warriors cling to the No. 10 spot in Class AAAAA. ...
In a Class AA showdown, No. 7 Decatur travels to the Long Forum to meet No. 8 Greater Atlanta Christian. Both teams will seek to leverage a win for better positioning in the region tournament. ... Saturday will see Buford meet Jackson-Atlanta a day after the Wolves host Cross Keys as Wolves senior Andraya Carter plays in her first game since returning to the Score 44 list.
Wheeler will hit the road to face Etowah. Charles Mitchell scored 30, including 12 in the fourth quarter in last week’s loss to Milton. He will look for some help to take down Etowah. ...
No. 4 Mill Creek travels to North Gwinnett in a game that features two teams that have been ranked in the Score Atlanta Class AAAAA rankings at various points this season. Chris Bolden of the Score 44 will be in for a battle with Mill Creek’s talented Paul Evans and Jalen Bracey. ...
Class AAAA No. 1 Miller Grove will host No. 5 Southwest DeKalb tonight as Shaq Goodwin, a member of the Score 44 and one of the Big Three faces another member of the Big Three, Tony Parker as well as Score 44 forward Brandon Morris. ... On Saturday Buford (AA) faces Eagle’s Landing (AAA) in a matchup of No. 3 teams teams. ...
In girls action, Class AAAA No. 8 Miller Grove will host Southwest DeKalb while Class AAA No. 2 St. Pius hosts North Atlanta. ... No. 4 North Gwinnett looks to continue is nice run with a matchup against the always-dangerous Mill Creek. ... North Cobb is looking for a win against Kennesaw Mountain as the Warriors cling to the No. 10 spot in Class AAAAA. ...
In a Class AA showdown, No. 7 Decatur travels to the Long Forum to meet No. 8 Greater Atlanta Christian. Both teams will seek to leverage a win for better positioning in the region tournament. ... Saturday will see Buford meet Jackson-Atlanta a day after the Wolves host Cross Keys as Wolves senior Andraya Carter plays in her first game since returning to the Score 44 list.
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