“Squash! Squash!” Story By Amanda Driggers

How Would Columbus Christian Academy keep their fans on the edge of their seats without the help of their encouraging, fighting cheerleaders? They couldn’t; our pep team has

cheers that get the fans off their feet and chanting along with the squad. Every game, the cheerleaders come prepared to pump up the crowd and the CCA teams. CCA’s cheerleading team encourages the junior varsity, varsity girls, and varsity boys team whether they win or lose. So far this season, the faithful squad has spread cheer and support during four conference wins!The Columbus Christian Academy cheerleaders have a variety of cheers ranging from popular chants such as, “We Will Rock You,” to originals like, “G-O.” The fan favorite “Squash” gets the crowd and players ready for a win. Currently, the Pacer cheerleaders are preparing to put on a pep rally and performance for the biggest game of the season - homecoming! Homecoming will take place at the Boys and Girls Home of North Carolina at Lake Waccamaw on January 28, 2011, and will be against North Myrtle Beach Christian School. We can be sure that they will get everyone off their feet with surprising new performances and old favorites, such as the teams captains favorite, “If you wanna’ win.” The enthusiastic 2010-2011 CCA cheerleading team consists of one senior, Ashley Grice; one sophomore, Tess Fisher; one freshman, Katy Gash; three eighth graders, Jessie Goodman, Micaela Ward, and Kelsey Williams; and one seventh grader, Allyssa Fields. The

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Men’s Varsity BasketballStory by Amanda Driggers

Columbus Christian Academy has enjoyed the pleasures of

having a boy’s basketball team for almost as long as they have been a school. Through the years, the varsity team has earned first, second, third and fourth place trophies in their conference. Also, the varsity Pacers have earned sportsmanship trophies, and its team members have earned spots in all conference teams. Sophomore Tom Johnson scored a high of sixteen points at CCA’s first conference game this season. This game took place at the Anchorage Camp at Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina, and was against Liberty Christian Academy. The CCA boys’ varsity basketball team ran onto the court still floating on a cloud of victory from previous non-conference wins. They had prepared to execute the plays and drills taught to them during their intense practices. But even with all the practice, the varsity team could not pull off a win against the Carolina Christian Athletic Association’s number one team. CCA’s second conference game of the season was against Scotland Christian Academy of Laurinburg, North Carolina. With the burden of one conference loss on their shoulders, the Pacers came prepared to play to the best of their ability. Once again, the boys did not win, but they were successful in doing the best that they could.Finally a game to get us out of the stands! The Pacers third and last conference game of 2010 was against the Boys and Girls Home of North Carolina. The varsity team executed plays, worked as a team, and listened to

their coach, pulling off a conference win and giving them a record of 1-2.The Columbus Christian Academy teams plan to

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practice and continue preparing for further games throughout the winter break. When the Pacer varsity boys’ team comes back from their break for the 2011 basketball season, their first game will be against Antioch Christian Academy in Lumberton, North Carolina.So far this year the CCA boys’ varsity team has worked hard to get to where they are in the conference. After launching the season with a record of 1-2, CCA hopes to finish the remainder of the 2010-2011 season as a winning team! k

Let’s Recognize the Coaches Story by Amanda Driggers

The coaches of Columbus Christian Academy strive to teach their players skills, team work, and life lessons with every opportunity. Our Pacer coaches include, Kenya Powell, Van Ulrich,

Reddigo Long, Rusty Worley, Sammy Gore, Roger Coffey, and Alan Roberts. Kenya Powell has coached volleyball at Columbus Christian Academy for the last three years. Last year she was rewarded with the conference Coach's Award for her work with the girls. In the past she has also coached CCA’s basketball team for two years and their softball team for one year. Mrs. Powell is also a teacher at Columbus Christian Academy and spreads spirit on the court when she cheers for her three sons; Kevin, Kendall, and Yates, who play for the Pacer teams. In addition to being Columbus Christian Academy’s athletic director, Mr. Van Ulrich also coaches the Pacer soccer team. He has coached the soccer team for many years and has also enjoyed the privilege of coaching the varsity boys’ basketball team in the past. Currently, Mr. Ulrich works as a salesman and also referees public school soccer games all over the state of North Carolina. The girl’s new basketball coach Rusty Worley is

enjoying his first year instructing the varsity team. Outside of coaching, Mr. Worley is a business owner and continues working with teens through sports as a football referee for the public schools. He also assists in coaching the CCA girls’ softball team. Rusty Worley has been helping and watching the Pacers since last year when his daughter, Lauren Worley, a vital part of the team, began to play.Reddigo Long has been coaching the junior varsity boys’ basketball team for three years. He began coaching the varsity boys’ basketball team for the first time this year. Mr. Long has enjoyed coaching his son, Josh, the past two years with the junior varsity team. During games, his assistant, Tyler Hood is ever tallying and keeping the statistics in check. In addition to coaching, Mr. Long also enjoys his service to the people as an area pastor.Sammy Gore has been coaching the Pacer baseball team for three years. Along with baseball, Sammy Gore enjoys serving his community by teaching at the prisons in this area. He and his assistant coach, Rodney Johnson, push the guys to do their best during every game.The Lady Pacer softball girls are led by a team: Roger Coffey and Alan Roberts. Both Mr. Coffey and Mr. Roberts will have senior daughters playing on the softball field this year. Anna Roberts and Lindsey Coffey have enjoyed the positions of team captains during basketball, and will greatly enjoy this last year with the softball girls. Mr. Coffey and Mr. Roberts are also assisted by the basketball coach, Mr. Rusty Worley. When not coaching, Roger Coffey is involved with Columbus Christian Academy as one of the junior high teachers and is a pastor; Alan Roberts is a Woodman of the World representative. This duo of devoted coaches won the Carolina’s Christian Athletic Association’s Coaches award last year.Columbus Christian Academy has a great cast of coaches who uplift their teams as they discipline and push them to do better!k

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The ADMS Trojans are looking forward to a new basketball season. This year the Lady Trojans have all new players, as opposed to last year when the squad consisted of mostly eighth graders. We were able to interview one of the new players, Tatiana Lennon. Tatiana is no stranger to sports, but this will be her first year playing school basketball.

Tatiana was interviewed by Amber Creech.Q: Why do you like basketball?A: Because, it is a fun sport to play.Q: How long have you been playing basketball?A: One year.Q: What is the most important part of the game?A: Trying to shoot the ball in the goal.Q: How do you feel about your coach?A: Mr. Brown knows a lot about basketball and is very helpful in learning the sport.Q: Do you plan on playing basketball after this school year?

A: Not at the present time. I will decide after this season is over.Q: What is your team's strongest attribute?A: Shooting.Q: How do you prepare for a game?A: I warm up with exercises.Q: What do you expect from your team?A: To improve throughout the year.Q: What is your greatest strength on the court?A: Dribbling.Q: Who is your favorite teacher at ADMS?A: Our math teacher, Mr. Schraml.Q:What are your future career plans?A: To be a FBI agent.

Antonio “AJ” WikeInterviewed by Shelynn Handy.

Q: Why do you like basketball?A: Because I am good at it.Q: How long have you been playing?A: Since I was six years old. I started playing recreational basketball for my Uncle Kenneth Long when I was nine years old and then transitioned to school basketball last school year.Q: What is the most important of the game?A: Teamwork is the key when playing.Q: How do you feel about your coach?A: He is a good coach and he helps us improve our skills during every practice and game.Q: Do you plan on playing basketball after this school year?A: Of course.Q: Who is your favorite teacher at ADMS?A: Mrs. SnowdenQ: What are your team’s strongest attributes?A: Defense and 3-pointers.Q: How do you prepare for a game?A: Stretching and then we get serious so that we can get our heads in the game.Q: What position do you play best?A: GuardQ: What do expect from your team?A: Another great season. Last year we were undefeated. Way to go Trojans!Q: How often do you have practice and does it help you in the game?A: We practice everyday after school. Then I practice on my own time. Altogether its seven days a week and it shows on the court.Q: Who is your favorite teacher at ADMS?A: Mrs. Snowden.Q: Do you keep up with your grades just to play basketball?A: Yes, but not just for basketball. I do it for every sport.

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Traylon JonesInterviewed by Tatyana Graham.

Q: Why do you like basketball?A: Because, it helps me keep up with my grades so that I can play.Q: How long have you been playing basketball?A: Since I was six years oldQ: What do you feel is most important when playing basketball?A: Teamwork and doing your part to make the team even better.Q: How do you feel about your coach?A: He is very helpful and he makes the team better.Q: Do you plan on playing basketball after this school year?A: Yes, because it helps me stay out of trouble.Q: Who is your favorite teacher?A: Mrs. Snowden, because she helps me keep my grades up.Q: What is the team’s strongest attribute?A: Driving in the paint.Q: How do you prepare for a game?A: Stretching and shooting around.Q: What positions do you play best?A: Small forward and power forward.Q: What do you expect from your team?A: Another year of being undefeated.Q: How often do you have practice and does it help you in the game?A: I practice daily and it helps me a lot.Q: Do you keep up with your grades just so you can play basketball?A: Yes, I try to keep my grades up so I can play all sports.

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A Season in ReviewStory by Kenneth Boyd

Tabor City Middle School wrapped up their 2010 volleyball season in Nakina with matches against Williams Township and Central Middle School out of Whiteville.

With a loss to Williams (who had a very strong team), and a win over Central in the final games, the girls showed nothing but consistent improvement. Some of the highlights for the season were going undefeated against Central and pulling out a very exciting win over Nakina, last year’s conference champion. TCMS was fairly evenly matched with Hallsboro, winning and losing some, and it was fun to watch Hallsboro improve as consistently as our girls did. Our season record of five wins, seven losses does not reflect the number of close games played, in fact, most of our losses were within two points. Our team was able to recognize their mistakes and improve in many ways, most notably in attitude. Head coach, Mrs. Jeanene Lee has a strict rule: “no animosity toward a fellow player.” Her belief is that attitude is contagious and that a good attitude will spread to everyone. “Even if they never play again, I hope that they will choose to be ladies of character and use the golden rule, treating others the way they would like to be treated”, she is quoted as saying.

“These lessons about attitude and sportsmanship will help them more in life than any specific volleyball skill that I can teach them.” Mrs. Lee often talks about having “Weism”, and not “Meism”,

stating that selfishness kills the whole team concept. She tells kids that in life, they will be on many teams and they must learn to do their part – whether it’s your family team, youth team, sports team, dance team, friendship or relationship.As with any group of kids working together, occasionally they saw discipline issues. Coach Lee was proud of the girls that had to be disciplined, as they accepted their punishment and improved their behavior. One of the less conventional tactics employed by Mrs. Lee was a refusal to cut any girl that tried out for volleyball. The season started out with a team “A” and a team “B”. Team “A” was the traveling team, and if one of the kids from that group had grade or behavior trouble, they could be moved to team “B”. This worked as an incentive for the girls to set a good example for the other students in the school. Some girls had never played volleyball before this year, and if they were cut, they might not ever try-out again. A big part of the coach’s job is to encourage participation, and that is why Mrs. Lee chooses not to cut participants.In summary, it was a good year. The highlight of the season was coming in third and getting a trophy to bring home for TCMS, showcasing our success in the Nakina, pre-season tournament. We appreciate Nakina for providing us with the opportunity - they put on a great tournament! Mrs. Lee wants to let everyone know that she is proud of her volleyball girls, and that TCMS appreciates the students, faculty, parents and community for all of their support. k

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2010-2011 Bladenboro Bulldogs Basketball Boy’s

Round UpBy Joey Autry

The Bladenboro Boys basketball team had an amazing season under the auspices of coach Cory Blanks. Their fantastic season included sharing the

conference championship with Elizabethtown Middle School with a final conference record of six-and-two. In the final season tournament, our boys will play Clarkton School of Discovery on Tuesday, February 1 at Tar Heel Middle School. Boy’s tournament finals are scheduled for Thursday, February 2 at Tar Heel

Middle.Bulldog boys have been led in scoring by

Malcolm Vaught and Dada Lennon. The team

has witnessed great contributions from Colby

Lewis, Hunter Willoughby, and Tavion Graham. Team

members Mason Smith, Pablo Flores, Aiquille

Faulkner, Jamar Moore, Seth Britt, Justin Ruffin, Anthony White, and Chandler Lennon have been instrumental in the Bulldogs success. Coach Blanks able-bodied (and much appreciated) assistants were Andre Mitchell and Timothy Shipman. Both Bulldog basketball teams would like to thank all the parents for helping supply snacks, drinks, and support this season. We would also like to thank Bladenboro Middle School faculty, staff, Mr. Stokes, Mrs. Harrellson, and Athletic Director Steve Thurman for their infectious school spirit and support. And our appreciation goes out to Top Gun Magazine, John Clark of Bladen Online, and the Bladen Journal for helping pour encouragement into students lives through local media. May you all have blessed year! k

2010-2011 Bladenboro Lady Bulldogs Basketball

ReviewBy Joey Autry

Our Lady Bulldogs have had a good season, showing lots of promise for their upcoming high

school years. The girls team finished second to Clarkton School of Discovery in the Bladen Five Conference play with a four-and-

two record. The Lady Bulldogs will begin tournament play January 31 at Tar

Heel Middle School where they will face the Lady Panthers in the first round. Tournament finals will be

played Thursday, February 2nd at Tar Heel Middle School.Our girls have been led in scoring by eighth graders Morgan Sweeney, Bayleigh Sykes, Peyton Fisher, and seventh grader Lorna Smith. We’ve seen great defensive contributions from Krisna Ransom, Ananda

Baldwin, and Alison Thompson. This has been a wonderful group of young ladies to coach. It should be noted that

almost the entire team is in the BETA Club, telling me that their future in academics and

athletics is very bright.Valuable team members not mentioned above are: Alex Perry, Sara Housand, Laine Melvin, Morgan McCollum, Megan Bennett, Breanna Jackson, and Cassidy Hales. Our

team statistician was Bernetta Sweeney and team managers were Alanna Ludlum, Logan Autry, and Dylan Melvin. Thank you for a memorable season! k

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Coach RabonInterview by Chandler Nobles

Recently, I sat down to interview Coach Daniel Rabon, a first year teacher and brand-new coach at Evergreen. I had many questions, but the biggest was perhaps why he chose to coach

basketball. He replied “I like all sports, I have never had the opportunity to coach basketball before and I thought it would be fun. I haven’t been at Evergreen very long but I have enjoyed coaching here so far.” Next, I asked him if he thinks our team is capable of winning a conference title? His response was, “I think we are. We just have to work hard, day in and day out to continue to get better.” He added, “We have a core group of eighth graders coming back from last year that have shown leadership. We also have had some seventh graders step-up and take on leadership roles.” When I asked Mr. Rabon about his experience as the boys basketball coach he replied, “I have enjoyed spending time with these young men and watching then become better players.” We all look forward to spending the rest of the season with you Coach Rabon! k

The One-and-Only Coach Ben LeeWritten By Haylee Duval

Coach Lee has been doing everything he can, and more, for Evergreen School the past four, going on five years. I sat down with him to get some answers on why and how he does the things he

does. When I asked Coach Lee why he wanted to coach basketball he answered, “At first I was pushed into doing it without a choice, but after starting, it soon became one of my favorite things. I have done it

every year since.” I asked him, “Do you think your girls have a good chance at winning the conference?” He replied, “I believe we have as good a chance as any with as hard as we work.” He makes it very clear that the Evergreen girls work very hard to improve at basketball and try to become better players, day after day. When asked “What do you think your girls could do to improve?” He said, “The key to any sport is improving every aspect. If I had to choose one thing in particular, it would be spreading the floor and putting up good shots.” He also stated that the worst thing about coaching is watching your players improve, working very hard to become better players, seeing them leave everything they’ve got on the court, and watching them walk away without a victory. When I asked Coach Lee what his favorite part of coaching was, he answered “Definitely spending time with my players; we always have a great time. I love my girls, they are like my own children.” Out of all the sports you could have chosen to coach, why did you choose basketball? His reply: “I enjoyed playing basketball at a young age; it was really the only sport I was good at, and I love to watch my players find what they’re good at and excel.” Lastly, I asked, “What do you do to keep the team motivated?” He said, “I try to make sure I’m up and ready to influence the team to be up and ready. I have found in my past years, most Evergreen players are self-motivated and are always ready to go out and give it all they’ve got.” Coach Lee puts everything he has into coaching these girls and helping them become the best they can be. He is a great coach. k

Coach Rabon & Chandler Nobles

Coach Ben Lee & Haylee Duval

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One-on-One with the Big ManBy: Cole Strickland

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with, Kalyk Banks, the six foot monster with a size fifteen shoe. Out of the many questions I wanted to ask, I started off with, “Why do you love

to play basketball?” Kalyk said “I enjoy it. When I’m on the court, I’m having fun.” With just one question answered, there were still plenty more to go. The second question I had for him was: do you think that the team plays well together? He responded, “I think that we play great together.” To me, that implied that he gets along well with his teammates. I asked him what his other interests were. Kalyk replied “Only football.” I got to thinking about the last time Evergreen had won a conference title and wondered aloud if he thought that we could win a conference title this year? He said, “I think that we have a very good chance of winning one.” When asked what he thought about Coach Rabon, Kalyk replied, “He is one of the best coaches I have had.” I also questioned him about how long he had played basketball. “Since I was in the seventh grade” said Banks. He hasn’t played very long, but he is a good inexperienced player. I asked him if he was going to play in the future and he said, “I will play because it is one of the sports that I like and that I am good at.” Lastly, I wanted to ask about what he can do well on the court. "What strengths do you possess?" I inquired. He said, “I am good at defense, rebounding, and playing in the paint.”So, be watching out for the six foot monster. He will be sending your shots out of bounds. k

One-on-One With AvionaBy: Erica Torres

Today I sat down with Aviona McLeod to ask her some questions about basketball. My first question was: Why do you like basketball? She responded “I like basketball

because it is fun and it’s good for your body.” Next I asked “Do you ever imagine yourself going pro as a basketball player? Why or why not?” She said “Yes, because most of my family plays basketball and I do to.” With my next question, I really wanted to see if she had a good answer, because as a player on the same team, I could see her improving. The question was, “Do you see yourself improving in basketball every day that you play? If so, how?” Her response was, “Yes, I learn from my mistakes.” Another question I asked was, “Why did you try-out for basketball?” She said, “Because I didn’t want to be the only person not playing sports.” The last question I had for her was, “How do you feel about your coach?” Her response was, “He is a good coach and helps us with anything that we don’t know how to do.”After interviewing Aviona I told her that she will be a good player if she keeps practicing and working hard like she does everyday. She is improving, and will have another chance to do the same thing next year. k

Aviona McLeod

Kalyk Banks

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Hallsboro Middle School Hosts the

19th Annual Invitational Basketball

TournamentBy Reagan Barnhill

Hallsboro Middle School hosted the 19th Annual Invitational Basketball

Tournament from January 14th through the 20th , 2011. On opening night, Hallsboro girls started off play with a 34-13 win over Central Middle School. In the nightcap, Hallsboro boys defeated the defending champion Acme Delco 38-33. On day two, the Hallsboro girls cruised to a 45-0 victory over Acme Delco, and the Hallsboro Boys followed with a 37-24 win over Tabor City. In the Wednesday night match up, Hallsboro girls knocked Nakina out of play with a 30-14 upset. The Tiger boys won their semi-final game 34-18 over Cerro Gordo.The Hallsboro girls successfully defended their tournament title by holding on to post a 32-15 win over Chadbourn Middle School. In a hard fought championship game, the Hallsboro boys fell short by a score of 30-24 to Carver Middle School. On the closing day, Hallsboro guard Morgan Mckeithan was named the tournament Most Valuable Player for the girls and Jayland Ratliffe of Carver received the boy’s award. k

Morgan McKeithan

Hallsboro Girls Basketball Team

Marquice Antone

Jordan Freeman

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WHATEVER IT TAKES!!!By Kayla Elkins

East Bladen girls varsity basketball team has been very successful with

the help and direction of the head coach Patty Evers. The Lady Eagles have made it their goal to win the conference, play-offs and the regional championship. Every player has their eye on the state championship! With only eight players back from last year (#3 senior Nyiesha Murchison, #11 sophomore Melissa Macon, #12 senior Shamyuia Montgomery, #13 senior Janet Hatcher, #20 senior Jazmine Kemp, #23 junior Crystal Shipman, #33 junior Zhane Johnson, and #55 senior Courtney Melvin), the Lady Eagles picked up some new talent in the form of #4 freshman Asha Graham, #30 senior Emily Ward, and #54 senior Jasmine Wright. Our graduating seniors will be truly missed as they have been great role models for the younger girls on the team. Every player brings their own sense of style to the team, and like coach Evers says, everyone has a role. The Lady Eagles are a family, there is no fighting or singling out- there is no “I” in team. This team will go down in East Bladen history, having always subscribed to the following: “I’ll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it’s sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.” - Kobe Bryant k

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The JV Stallion Boys – A Force to be Reckoned WithBy Jordan McPherson

The South Columbus Junior Varsity Boys Basketball team consists of eight players with only two returning from last year. This group has played through a demanding season and has shared equally

in both success and failure. The JV Stallions lost their first three games, managing to win just one before the Christmas break. When the season continued in January, the Stallions played two games the first week back, losing the first and winning the second. With the snow, all games were pushed back, but ironically, you could feel the momentum turning. The game before Christmas against South Brunswick gave the boys something positive to take into the break; unfortunately, coming up against a good North Brunswick team at their house, with a chance at winning, the game was sacrificed in the fourth quarter. Fortunately, East Bladen came to play later that same week and this turned out to be one of the better JV Basketball games fans remember seeing. East Bladen was ahead, going into the fourth, and the Stallions turned things around with just a couple of minutes left. The game continued back and forth during the last minutes and you could feel the excitement flowing through the gym. Some of the fans were coming in for the varsity match-ups and fortuitously stumbled across a great battle taking place in the JV Boys game. Fans love an action packed fourth quarter, and the last one hundred and twenty seconds of the East Bladen battle was

just that. South Columbus wound-up clinching the victory by three points and this kicked their momentum into overdrive. South Columbus JV boys would go on to win the next two games against a talented West Bladen squad that had already beaten them earlier in the year, and then defeating Whiteville by thirteen. Junior varsity sports can have all the excitement that the varsity games do, and the players definitely have the same drive to succeed. Since their winning streak, the Stallions lost another close game to East Columbus by three and also to South Brunswick by just three. There have been many games that have come down to the wire, and the Stallions JV boys have been on both sides of the outcome. It’s exciting to hear the intensity of fans in a gym when they are enjoying a ball game- whether it’s a JV or varsity game. As of this writing, the Stallions are four and six with a four and three conference record. With five games left in conference play, we should expect the same to continue taking shape; that is some exciting basketball games played hard on both sides that come down to the wire. It will be thrilling to see where this team finishes up. The leading scorer for the stallions so far has been sophomore Maurice Stevenson, scoring approximately 8.3 points per game. The Stallions also have a group of freshmen who are stepping right up on the high school level: Dashaun Daniels, Reggie Frink and Khalil Soles. Rounding out the Stallions are Brandon Jones and the three big men Shaquille Elleby, Diontre Gerald, and Travis Jackson. k

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Stallion BowlingBy Morgan Dameron

South Columbus is celebrating its second season with a bowling team, and although both boys and girls have

improved greatly since last year, there is still much to be done. Because bowling is a very intense and challenging game that requires a tremendous amount of teamwork, with this group, there is little doubt that improvement will be swift and significant.For the 2010-2011 tryouts, participants were required to bowl two games, with those scores being averaged. The top ten girls and the top ten boys with the best averages were the students who ultimately made the team. During games, battling against different teams gets very complicated and the competition is fierce. Our team always does their best, and in fact, made it all the way to Cary for the state championships last season. Although last season’s state finish was not as high as we had hoped, we did quite well when you consider it was the first year that bowling had even been offered at South Columbus. Our goal is to make it to the state championships again this year, but to place much higher than we did previously.In my opinion, the thing that makes bowling so awesome is that it allows student athletes to socialize not only with friends from school, but also with people from other schools. I have really enjoyed my time with the bowling team and feel that overall, it is a great sport. I am very glad that it has been added to the South Columbus sports roster. k

Back Row: Morgan Teal, Kaitlyn Norris, Shani Spivey

Front Row: Morgan Dameron, Amber Hooks

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Madison Hinson CMS Girls Basketball Team PlayerBy: CMS Journalism Students: Shaelyn Cokley and

Justin Turner

Madison Taylor Hinson is a member of the 2011 Central Middle School Girls Basketball team. She loves the game and is excited to be part of the team.

Even though she has played church basketball since she was in 3rd grade, Madison knows she still has lots to learn about playing the game. Madison explains that playing on a school team is tough. It requires a lot of dedication, a lot of practice, and a lot of teamwork.She currently plays the point guard position. This post on the team requires the player to be alert and focused. Madison explains that she

must pay attention to the coach and look for play calls from her

while I keep my eye on the ball in the game. Madison enjoys the fast pace of basketball, and how the scores can change quickly with just one swish of the net. She says that the game is never over until the buzzer sounds!Madison represents Central Middle School as a member of the Volleyball and Soccer Teams. Her talents do not stop with athletics. She also proves that she knows what she is doing in the classroom, as well. Madison is also regularly listed on the school’s Principal’s List. To be placed on this prestigious list, a student must maintain straight A’s in all school subjects and classes, which she has managed to do this entire year.Madison says that her family is very supportive. She explains that she is always on the go and has to study and do homework on the run sometimes. According to Madison, family, church, school, and sports are all important parts of her busy life. k

Traika Pridgenby: Jordan Cox and Cheryl McLean

Latraikeyonnia Pridgen, known simply as Traika by her family and friends, is a well-rounded eighth grade student at Central Middle School. Traika is a great student and studies hard to keep

her name on the CMS honor roll. She has recently been selected to be on the Central Middle School basketball team for the second year. She seems to already be off to a great start this season. The team is working hard and is beginning to come together. She enjoys putting points on the scoreboard for the Hornets. According to the team’s new coach, Miss Lori Hinson, Traika’s defense work is right on point, too. Growing up, Traika always watched her cousins play basketball and she says they really made it look like so much fun! Her position in the game is a guard. She plays her position very well, and tries to prevent anyone from getting by her. The eighth grader plans to play basketball during her high school years. Traika believes that if she works hard enough she might have what it takes to play in college. k

Jamyson FloydBy: Tanner Dew & Katelynn Rockwell

Jamyson Floyd, an eighth grade student at Central Middle School is a starting guard on the CMS basketball team this year. He began playing around the age of five-years-old and has grown up on the game, which he loves.Jamyson states, “I started out playing at home, then I

Traika Pridgen

Traika Pridgen

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Tyrell McAlisterBy: Jocelyn Jones and David Maultsby

Tyrell McAlister is an easy-going eighth grade student and basketball player at Central Middle School. He is the starting point guard for the team this year, which he especially

enjoys because it is a leading position. The point guard must be able to think quickly and implement the plays on the court that the coach has called from the bench.Tyrell is very devoted and dedicated to the game of basketball. And while he likes leading the team in plays, he indicates that his favorite part of Basketball is playing defense, telling The Hornet Times writers that the adrenaline rush a player gets when going after the ball is worth the sweat. He says it is important for all of the players on the team to understand that they are a part of a team and that no one player is on the court alone. Tyrell believes that teamwork is the key element of the game.The eighth grader explained that he’s had a passion for basketball since he was a small child, citing his role model as Lebron James, point guard for the National Basketball Association Team, Miami Heat. Tyrell says Lebron James is dedicated, and is the best at what he does. Tyrell dreams of being a strong and successful player just like his role model in the future.Schoolwork is something that Tyrell has to make time for as well. He says that making time for homework and studying is tough sometimes because of practices and games, but he tries his best to make sure that is the first thing he does when he gets home. McAlister

shared that he knows he must keep his grades up, stating that school is important to him.It is obvious from talking to Tyrell that he really loves the sport of basketball. He tells us that he loves it mostly because it’s fast paced, fun, and energizing. He also shares that the vibe of the crowd keeps him moving and motivated during games. “There is just something about hearing a gym full of people cheering for your team that makes you feel like playing harder.” k

went to the Whiteville Recreation Center to play on their teams. Now I am a member of the CMS team. Jamyson says that he has watched basketball star, Ray Allen, ever since he first started in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He says Ray is a role model that he admires. He explains that his Dad is a big supporter and always encourages him to be the best player that he can be.Jamyson feels that he is a strong player on the team at school because he has had many years of experience and understands what it means to be a team player. In an interview with the The Hornet Times, he stated “When I’m out there on the court, I feel good. It’s like I’m where I’m supposed to be. I’m in the zone. On the court, I am able to help my friends and teammates. I get the chance to show what I’ve learned from my coach and my friends at practice.” He goes on to talk about how he works at basketball every day at home. Sometimes working on specific skills by himself, and other times with friends. He is always trying to learn new things about the game and find new ways to beat the opponent. When he is not playing basketball, Jamyson can be found playing video games or watching television like other kids his age.“At school,” he says, “I love to play, because my friends are there with me, and I always meet new people when I go other places.” He also explains that playing basketball helps him focus better in school, because it gives him a goal to work toward. Like his role model, Ray Allen, Jamyson understands the importance of getting a good education. Jamyson’s coach, Mr. Byron Tedder, believes that Jamyson has a future in the sport. k

Jamyson FloydTyrell McAlister

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Shanita Hampton

Story and photos by Crystal Cecil

Webster’s defines ‘athlete’ as: a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina. We define

‘athlete’ as: Shanita Hampton, four sport varsity competitor who just happens to be a football and basketball cheerleader as well. If you had never met this girl, and were reviewing only her impressive basketball stats, you would be floored to learn that she is a mere five-foot, three-inches tall. Spectators at ball games have been overheard saying things like “yeah, that’s the little girl that plays her guts out!” in reference to the Lady Gator in the number twenty jersey. But basketball is not the only place that Shanita tears it up; a four time varsity letterman in volleyball, named the Three Rivers volleyball player of the year for 2009-2010, the only softball player in school history to “hit for the cycle” (hit a single, a double, a triple and a homerun, during the same game), she was named the softball player of the year for Columbus County as well as Three Rivers Conference Player of the Year as a junior– and that was after having taken a season off as a sophomore! Miss Hampton has run varsity track and field for three seasons, and in the spring of 2010, ran the anchor leg for her 4 X 100 and 4 X 200 teams at the state championships. She is a varsity football and basketball cheerleader, plays AAU basketball with a team out of Sanford, and through it all manages to stay on the A/B honor roll.

Between cheerleading, basketball practice, homework and a busy social calendar (did we mention that she’s also the youngest of five?), it’s a wonder we managed to catch up with her. Surprisingly bashful, Shanita admits that basketball is her first love, but that she has always wanted to try soccer. In the words of ECHS softball coach Larry Williamson, she “is one of those athletes that could do anything well. She is just tremendously

gifted.” It is, in fact, her talent that has kept her from the soccer fields; she is in high demand for track and softball during the spring months.

So how does a teenager keep up the pace, playing four varsity sports and cheering for two more in an academic year? “My parents support me in all my undertakings, they are always there. They push me to do well in whatever I go after, they’ve never even missed a game. And I have to give credit to coach Karlyn Stephens too – some coaches require that you devote yourself to one sport, but Ms. Stephens encourages us to try everything, to do everything that we can or want to do.” Shanita’s varied athletic endeavors have garnered attention from every direction. She has received collegiate letters of interest for both track and field as well as basketball, and has recruiters regularly watching her compete. At the time of this writing, Shanita was undecided as to where she would be in the fall. “I would like to be playing basketball at ECU, but I’m waiting to see what all of my options are.” She goes on to state that she would like to become an athletic trainer, and that ECU would be a good fit for her career plans.

The daughter of Irise and Samuel Hampton, Shanita has been playing basketball since she was six, and her

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parents have been there, chaperoning and cheering since then. “I started at the Hallsboro Middle School gym on Saturday mornings when they used to have a rec program and I never stopped playing.” From the local rec program to middle school ball, through high school and AAU, she’s been leaving her mark. But if you ask Shanita what her favorite sports memory through the years has been, she will tell you about a moment last spring when she got up to bat four times during a high school softball game, and hit for what’s called a “natural cycle” that is, she hit a single, a double, a triple and then a home run in that order, in the same game. “That’s

been my best memory.” She says smugly. And when you bring up her athletic accomplishments: the player of the year awards, the MVP for basketball, the conference championships and state playoff berths, she will tell you that she is most proud of her grades. “I have been on A/B honor roll every year except for one. My sophomore year, I slipped up, didn’t have my head on straight. But I’ve been good since then.” With a special interest in math, Shanita cites Mrs. Richardson as her favorite teacher. “She can make anything make sense. Mrs. Richardson is very good at explaining things, and she’s patient.”

“So who inspires you? Who keeps you practicing and

playing and studying like this?” Shanita get’s quiet for a bit. “So many people. My parents have always worked really hard, and they taught me that you have to work hard for what you want. My coaches along the way – Ms. Stephens (basketball coach, Karlyn Stephens), she pushes us. And sometimes during games, I know she doesn’t look like she’s being very nice, but she is the just about the nicest, funniest, and friendliest person I know. I can see myself just like her one day- intense, pushing, but kind. I’m inspired by other players too. CJ Melvin at East Bladen, she and I talk lot’s and she is always encouraging me and talking about how we’re going to play at ECU together. Shannon Bobbitt is an inspiration too. She played for Tennessee and then went on to play for the LA Sparks in the WNBA. So many people inspire me.”

In this, her senior year of basketball at East Columbus High School, we asked about her goals for the team. “I’m just looking at conference play right now. We need to tie with South Robeson for the conference championship. I’d like to go far into the state playoffs, but one thing at a time.”

When asked where she saw herself in five years, her answer was refreshing. “In five years, I’ll still be playing ball. I’d like to be in college, working on a second degree or masters. Hopefully, I’ll be at East Carolina, finishing up my last year of basketball there and applying to graduate school.”

With a whole slew of accolades to her credit, an incredible work ethic, and her humble but pointedly resolved attitude about her future goals, we have no doubt that Shanita will indeed go far.

Shanita Hampton, we are proud to name you our outstanding “Top Gun Athlete of the Month” for January and February. We look forward to hearing great things about your future accomplishments! k

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Tigers Basketball

Chadbourn Middle School took part in the nineteenth annual Hallsboro Middle School Invitational Basketball Tournament in

January. In the first round of play, our boys fell to Carver Middle School out of Scotland County (Carver would go on to ultimately win the boys tournament). It was a thrilling game as our boys kept the score close and Carver was a worthy opponent.Our Lady Tigers had a tremendous tournament run, winning every game up to the championship round. In the final game, they bowed to the Hallsboro Tigers and were runner-up in the tournament. Each of the girls was awarded a medal for their outstanding play and they brought home a trophy commemorating their run.Currently, we are getting ready for our regular basketball season. On January 25, 2011 we played host to Hallsboro Middle School. Our boys played very hard and Nizohn Powell was our top scorer. The final in the boys game was Hallsboro 37 - Chadbourn 31.In a re-match of the Invitational tournament, our girls once again came head-to-head, playing hard, but ultimately drawing up short by two. Destiny Minick and Lataysha Mason were to two top scorers for Chadbourn during that game. The final in our girls game was Hallsboro 29 - Chadbourn 27.It should be a very exciting season as we have our eye on our closest competition, and the games have been electrifying. Come out and see for yourselves, you won’t be disappointed! k

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Nakina’s FinestBy Zachary Graham

Hello, my name is Zachary Graham. I am an 8th grade student at Nakina Middle School. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down and

talk with some of the finest athletes at our school, members of the girls and boys basketball teams and cheer squad. Following are some of the questions I asked, and the team members’ responses to those questions.Members of the girl’s basketball team interviewed included captains Hannah Lee, Katie Evans, and Lauryn Ray. “How do you contribute to the team?” Katie Evans responded by saying “I play the position of center. I help set screens, rebound, and I love to get the ball and score.” Hannah Lee answered the question “what makes the sport interesting to you?” with “Running, passing, and interacting with the other team. I love to be aggressive!” she exclaimed. Lauryn Ray revealed her answer as “I’m fast, so my strong point is defense. My job is to wear down the other team’s strong offensive players.”

Boy’s basketball team members replying to questions were Blake Stevens and Kristopher McCelleon. “Big Kris”, as we call him at school, loves to play basketball because he likes to “be involved” with school activities and “don’t forget about seeing those cheerleaders” he laughed. Blake Stevens, one of the team captains this year, answered the question “who encourages you to do your best?” saying, “My parents are always there for me. Whether it’s baseball, basketball, or what ever else I’m involved in, they will support me. My teammates encourage me as well.”Cheerleaders interviewed were 8th graders Lindsey Duncan and Brittany Suggs. Brittany replied to the question “what special achievements have you received?” Her response was “becoming captain of the cheering squad was a major accomplishment for me. I enjoy helping the other girls with stunts, and showing them the importance of good character.” Lindsey Duncan responded to the question “what makes game day exciting for you?” with “game day is exciting because all you can

think about is getting in the gym and cheering for your team.” k

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Coach HewettBy: Brittany Hulon and Alyssa Jarman

The crowd goes WILD!!! You’ve just shot a three-pointer that won the game! What are we talking about? Basketball, of course! The Williams Township girls basketball team has just begun its season.

As you watch the players practicing you can’t help but think how amazing it is that some of the girls on this team are able to put in so much effort. The volleyball season has barely ended for most of them, and after winning the Volleyball Championship, they are still going strong into basketball season.We sat down with Coach Lynne Hewett to interview her about the team and herself. This is her first year coaching any sport; she played on the junior varsity team for two years (in seventh and eighth grade) and varsity for four years (grades nine through twelve). She said that her most thrilling game was when Williams Township played Tabor. “We beat them in regular season, and then we both went to the state playoffs. During the game it was roaring and everyone in the gym was shouting for their team.” Her description sounded intense. We talked about her limited experience in this arena, and she said she was very excited, but that she has never coached before. Since it was her first year she researched basketball coaching skills. She also asked for help from her high school coach, Charles Jordan, and he willingly agreed. He has made an incredible difference in the progress our girls team has made. We also talked about how she thinks her team performs on the court. She said they have improved greatly, working hard, and they show tremendous enthusiasm. Coach Hewett played volleyball, basketball and softball in high school, but basketball is the only sport she has not played for an

organized team (church teams, city leagues, etc.) since her high school days. When she was asked to coach basketball, she readily agreed because she loves all sports- the competition, the energy, the discipline, and the rewards. We asked what sort of influence the players had on her and she replied that their excitement and love for the game encourages her to give them everything she has. Also, she remembered how her basketball coach was so thorough with drills, and while she was coaching the memories flooded back, reminding her how she played those drills. Her team is like a family to her and there is excitement in our girls’ basketball program.We also had the opportunity to speak with Brittney Sellers and Adrianna Williams. They both play offense and defense and they, too, are excited about the upcoming season. When they practice, Coach Hewett teaches them things they don’t know and tells them what they are doing wrong. They warm up, practice, and then they go through plays on the white board. Brittney believes that she is strong in her running game while Adrianna believes that she excels in her dribbling skills. Their future career plans are to graduate from college and to be successful.In visiting the team during practice after school, we also briefly spoke with another player named Haleigh Milligan. When we asked her “What’s your favorite sport?” She replied “basketball” of course. She plays

the position of “power forward.” Haleigh believes that she and the team are off to a great start with new teacher and coach, Lynne Hewett. We are lucky to have her, she said. I am expecting a lot of wins this year! k

Charles Jordan with Coach Lynne Hewett

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An Interview with Basketball Player Layton RayBy Tessa Batten

How long have you been playing basketball? Basketball is my favorite sport, and I’ve been playing since I was four years old. This is my second year, playing for Williams Township.Describe a typical practice.First we stretch, then we do something called five player drills followed by five-on-five practice drills. After that, we usually have a break and then practice our free throws and some more drills. Sometimes we will have practice games too.What do you think about Coach Williams?He is a very good coach—we learn about ball and life from Coach Williams. He was our coach last year, and we all looked forward to returning this year. Mr. Williams is a teacher at Acme Delco and he drives to Williams where Coach Willis Nealey assists him. Both men are devoted to the sport.What is your favorite basketball memory?Last year, in 7th grade, I made my first 3-pointer!!! It was a big moment for me, they don’t happen every day!

Introducing Bailey Dyson and Brittney SellersStory By Kiyah Keel

Bailey and Brittney are two Williams Township volleyball players that have been tearing up the courts since the sixth grade. Bailey is our number four server and Brittney is the first. Miss

Dyson actually won the “best server” award last year. Throughout the years they claim that volleyball has become their favorite sport and that Coach Gore has inspired them, and has made playing volleyball a great experience. Brittney and Bailey are especially proud of the fact that, at the last game of the season against Nakina, Brittney scored the 1st point and Bailey scored the last. They say the most exciting game of the season was when they won the Championship, playing against the Mustangs. I asked what helps them prepare for a game, and they said a lot of practice and exercise. They also keep a positive attitude about the game--knowing that, whatever happens at the end, they are still winners. Brittney and Bailey are close friends and say that they are each other’s biggest fans. They plan to play volleyball for the rest of their lives. k

Louis Godwin & Layton Ray

Alexis, Brittney, Bailey D, Clarissa & Kiyah

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Each month the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) will highlight one of our area Student Athletes or Coaches in Top Gun. In most of our schools FCA has a presence that seeks to encourage and inspire our students and coaches to be their very best. We appreciate Top Gun’s commitment to the same!

Many of you are familiar with FCA and our Ministry here in Southeast NC and across the USA. However, we are sure that many readers will not be as familiar with FCA. Therefore we thought it appropriate to introduce FCA’s Mission and Vision here in the beginning issue of 2011.

What is FCA?The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is touching millions of lives... one heart at a time. Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been challenging coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels to use the powerful medium of athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ. FCA is the largest Christian sports organization in America. FCA focuses on serving local communities by equipping, empowering and encouraging people to make a difference for Christ.The FCA Vision: To see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of athletes and coaches. The FCA Mission: To present to athletes and coaches and all whom they influence the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church. The FCA Values: Our relationships will demonstrate steadfast commitment to Jesus Christ and His Word through Integrity, Serving, Teamwork and Excellence. Integrity: We will demonstrate Christ-like wholeness, privately, and publicly. (Proverbs 11:3)Serving: We will model Jesus' example of serving. (John 13:1-17)Teamwork: We will express our unity in Christ in all our relationships. (Philippians 2:1-4)Excellence: We will honor and glorify God in all we do. (Colossians 3:23-24)

FCA’s 4 C’s approach to MinistryFCA structures all of its approaches to Ministry under the framework of one or a combination of four categories: 1) Campus Ministry; 2) Coaches Ministry; 3) Camp Ministry and 4) Community Ministry.

Campus Ministry: FCA meets on school campuses, (Middle School, High School and College), utilizing campus clubs called “FCA Huddles”. An FCA Huddle sponsor is usually a faculty member who oversees a group of student leaders who are in charge of the Huddle meetings and other functions of FCA’s Ministry on Campus.

Coaches Ministry: At the heart of FCA are coaches. Our role is to minister to these men and women by encouraging and equipping them to know and serve Christ. FCA ministers to coaches through Bible studies, staff contacts, prayer support, discipleship and mentoring, Behind the Bench (a program for coaches wives), resources, outreach events, national and local conventions, conferences and retreats.

Camp Ministry: FCA Camps are a time of "inspiration and perspiration" for athletes and coaches to reach their potential by offering comprehensive athletic, spiritual and leadership training. Camps can be found at hundreds of locations across the country for all FCA students and coaches.

Community Ministry: The non-school based FCA ministries reach the community through partnerships with the local churches, businesses, parents and volunteers. These ministries not only reach out to the community, but also allow the community to invest in athletes and coaches.

If you would like more information about FCA, please feel free to call FCA’s Southeast NC Area Director, Hal Hiatt anytime! You can reach Hal at 910-619-6809. He would love to hear from you! You can also visit FCA’s National Web Site: www.fca.org for more details.

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Change Is In The Air

The athletic department of West Bladen High, much like the school itself, has undergone some changes. The first, and probably most noticeable change is in the position of Athletic Director. Wade

Pait has stepped down from the position of A.D. to make room for Michelle Huffman. The coaching staff in its entirety is excited about the upcoming seasons and proud of WBHS athletic successes this school year as a whole.If you walk through the halls of West Bladen, it may be difficult to pick out an athlete from the rest of the student body because of the change in the overall atmosphere of the school. The student athletes are, however, making a name for themselves in the county and its surrounding areas. One such example being the varsity boys’ basketball team’s defeat of E. E. Smith in what some people called a “David vs. Goliath” match-up. Other notable basketball victories have come in conference play against teams including Whiteville High School and South Brunswick, among others.In other sporting news, the school boasts sixteen members of the all conference squads for fall sports. This includes members of the boys’ soccer team which journeyed this year to the state playoffs. The seniors of this group are looking ahead to the possibility of being involved in athletics at the next level. The entire persona of the athletes and coaches has changed this year as the atmosphere and attitude of the school has changed. With the positive influences that are being showcased at West Bladen High School—we can only say that the best is yet to come! k

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Clarkton Blue Devils

DominateA collaborative work

by 8th graders Jill Powell and Geomae

Peterson

In their first game of the season, the Clarkton Blue Devils boys

basketball team defeated Tar Heel Middle School 41 to 31 at Tar Heel. The boy Blue Devils were off to a great season as Tauren Baldwin drove in the ten point win. Coach Melvin (of the Blue Devils) said, “This was one of my favorite games.” On January 26, 2011 the boy Blue Devils faced the Bladenboro Bulldogs. During the last few minutes of the game, the teams were neck and neck, with Clarkton ahead by just one point! A player for Bladenboro was up for two free throw shots and he made both. This resulted in the Blue Devils losing, however the Devils still earned a place in the conference championship tournament game.In the upcoming tournaments, Clarkton Blue Devils boys and girls teams will be competing at Elizabethtown Middle School. The girls are undefeated this year! When asked about this basketball season, Coach Melvin replied, “We’ve had a fairly good season, and both teams worked hard for their successes.” The Clarkton Blue Devils cheerleading teamed helped to motivate the players. When their team scored, they cheered and encouraged the crowed to cheer as well.Clarkton School of Discovery is expecting much success in the upcoming tournament. Students and staff are ready to cheer their home team to victory! k

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Keeping the ball in your court since 1991!

2408 Main Street • Conway, SC 29526843.248.2574 • Fax: 843.248.5499 • 1.866.392.7464

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The Waccamaw Academy

Middle School GirlsBy Teressa Rasberry

Our 2010-2011 Waccamaw Academy Middle School Lady Warriors Basketball team may not be having a winning season, but this nothing short of a winning group. With each game

played, they continue to improve. The girls work very hard and it is evident that they are learning a lot from their coach, Julius Ryan. Coach Ryan is doing a great job teaching them the game; even though it may not look that way to him at times! Working together as a team, the Lady Warriors consistently look good on defense; and even though they haven’t scored many points this season, they are clearly having fun. We are proud of the good sportsmanship they exhibit, even when it is not returned; it’s a pleasure to see their confidence growing with each and every game. This is a talented group of young girls who will only get better as time goes on. Stick together girls- the teamwork will get the win. We are proud of you, keep up the good work! k

Waccamaw Academy Middle School BasketballBy Bryan Skipper

The Waccamaw Academy Warriors Boys Middle School Basketball team, coached by Julius Ryan, is well into their season, and has not tasted defeat. They are seven- and-zero, with an

average point spread in their favor of more than eight. The team is a member of the SMSL conference (Southeastern Middle School League), which is comprised mostly of teams out of Wilmington. Five members of our own Waccamaw Academy Middle School team are in the eighth grade and all of the eighth graders are starters. We have four players in seventh grade, two in sixth and one in fifth grade.Because this is a young team there aren’t any big players, therefore they must rely on their “run and gun” offense to generate the majority of their points. They are a quick group with a swarming defense that gives opponents trouble. And although they aren’t a tall team, they do an excellent job of being in the right place to gather rebounds on both ends of the court.Their never give in approach to the game is evident not only in the way they play, but also shows at practice. They encourage and push each other to become better players by always remaining focused on the task at hand. With four regular season games remaining at the time of this writing, they are on their way to the best Middle School season ever at Waccamaw Academy. The Warriors will participate in the SMSL tournament with play beginning on

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Waccamaw Academy Lady Warriors Varsity BasketballBy Samantha Lane

The Waccamaw Academy Lady Warriors have really excelled in this early season. Already, they have improved their win record over last season and they still have several more games left. Head

Coach Andy Watts, and his team of seven, work really well together both on and off the court. They are not just teammates, they are like a family. The players are: Samantha Lane, Savannah Williamson, Kayla Watts, McKayla McNeill, Chelsea Britt, Sarah Grace Snipes, and senior TIeghlor Janyssek. Holding the lead in scoring is McKayla McNeill. The lead rebounder this season is Kayla Watts. The Academy is expecting big things from this young team. k

Waccamaw Academy Varsity Boys By “Warrior Boy”!

The Waccamaw Academy varsity boys’ basketball team is coached by Mr. Eric Smith. They varsity boys are young this season, starting only one senior in addition to three sophomores and one

freshman. The boys have played hard all season and continue to grow with each game. Playing one of the toughest schedules in the state when you consider that three of the four teams in the conference are ranked in the top eight in the state, and two-of the-three are actually picked to play in the state championship. The boys are focused and determined to have a good year, leaving it all out on the court. Their attitude and effort shows every time they take the Floor! k

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The athletes at East Columbus High School are running full blast. Basketball is almost over, and spring sports will be starting soon. The swamp is filled with Gator Spirit! We interviewed Albert Demery to see what he had going on as we start this new semester in school. Here are some things he wanted to share:

Interview by Madison Carroll

Albert Demery:Q: What sports do you play?A: I play football, basketball and track. Q: How long have you been involved in sports?A: I have been playing for five years.Q: What positions do you play?A: My positions are Tight End and Linebacker in football, and Power Forward in Basketball.Q: Which sport is your favorite?A: I am passionate about all of my sports, but I like basketball the most because I think I’m better at it. Al may think he is better at basketball, but we know, Al is GREAT at everything he does!

Brooke Spaulding, Glamorous Gator Girl

The Gator Girls are the “dance team supreme” for East Columbus High School. Brooke Spaulding, one of the glamorous Gator Girls recently shared with us her thoughts about dancing and

what it means to her.Brooke shared with us that she loves dancing and thinks it is her best sport. Initially, Miss Spaulding told us, she started dance because it offered her a class credit. It soon became fun, and was a great way for her to express herself. In fact, she’s so into it now that she “doesn’t want to leave”.Because Brooke is a senior this year, she will graduate with the class of 2011. We will miss her terribly, we love her Gator Spirit!

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My Favorite SportBy Sierra Cummings

Like most kids my age, I started playing T-ball when I was about four years old. After a season with the tee, I graduated to playing softball when I was five. This means that I’ve been

involved with the sport for approximately twelve years. Softball is by far my favorite sport; although if you catch me on the right day, I will admit that golf is sometimes a close second and that I’ve always wanted to try playing volleyball. Through the years, I’ve played many positions, but these days I mainly play shortstop. Preparing myself for games, I stretch, and even workout a bit to get loose. Once the game has begun, I very much look forward to batting; I consider it my greatest strength because it takes such a good eye. I am fortunate in being able to determine when a pitch is going to be a strike or a ball with regular consistency. Over the years, I have received numerous awards, but I am most proud of my “best batter” and MVP recognition. Some of that recognition should be attributed to one of my favorite coaches, Jesse Register. I consider him to be one of the best I have played under

because he is constantly encouraging you to look forward, to improve your skills and to better yourself as an individual, both on and off the playing field. It should also be said that Mr. Register’s daughter, Christina is someone that I consider to be my “best-est” fan!On the playing field, I would compare my skill set to that of Jessica Mendoza of the USA Softball Team. I admire her extreme talent, her speed and her intelligence. The fact that she is always looking for

ways to take her team to the next level makes her an outstanding leader on the field. In the future, I would like to further my softball skills by playing for Arizona State University (ASU), my favorite team. The Sun Devils have a group of girls that clearly love the sport of softball and who aspire to higher levels of success with every season.In closing, I would like to share my favorite sporting memory while playing shortstop: With a runner on first and second, the batter bunted. I ran to cover second where we got the runner out. I then threw the ball

to first for a double play. I turned to see the runner who had advanced to third was headed for home and we managed to get her out with a run-down. It was an exciting triple play and a great experience! k

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Hallsboro Middle School Girls One-To-Watch

Fresh off of the 19th annual Hallsboro Middle School Basketball Invitational win, the HMS Lady Tigers appear to be unstoppable. Coach Dave Zickafoose couldn’t be happier, “I really am enjoying

coaching this team. It’s been a long time since I had such a well-rounded group of girls that were able to play this cohesively. Knowing that you can pull a player off the court, go to your bench and select just about any other teammate and have the same result in play, that is very satisfying.” With thirteen girls on the roster, seven of whom are eighth graders, there is no lack of leadership. The one thing lacking is the proverbial stand-out that every other middle school team has. “I don’t have one player that I would say carries the team. In our last game, Kayla Brown was my leading point scorer, but in the next game, it will likely be someone else. I can’t definitively tell you who was the leader in assists, rebounds or points because they all play so evenly. When one girl has a bad game, someone else steps up. I’ll say it again, I have a very balanced, well-rounded team, and you don’t see that come through a middle school very often.” With six post-tournament games under their belts, the Lady Tigers average a twelve point lead in their

victories. The one team to give them a run for their money was another Lady Tiger group, Chadbourn Middle School. “They consistently have good athletes over that way” says Zickafoose. “They are probably one of two teams we’ll see this season that will challenge the girls, the other being Central Middle.” When asked if he predicts this team will take the conference title yet

again, he hedges and says “they have as good a shot as any. You never know what’s going to happen out there. My team is well conditioned and plays as a team. That’s about as much as you can ask for.” Having coached for nineteen years at the same school (two years with Hallsboro when it was a high school and seventeen years since it’s been a middle school), “Coach Z” as he is affectionately known, has seen substantial success on the boards. He states that he’s coached just about every boys and girls sport played at the school, but after football, girls basketball has been his favorite team

sport to lead. As the saying goes: “do what you love and success will follow”, one has only to look at the banners lining the walls of the gymnasium at HMS to see where success has followed. With an undefeated tournament run, carrying zero losses so far this season in conference and non-conference play, Coach Dave Zickafoose and the Hallsboro Lady Tigers basketball team is “One-to-Watch”! k

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