Tate Softball Takes 3 Of 4 In FL-AL Weekend Challenge

February 24, 2014

The Tate Lady Aggies softball team traveled to Panama City over the week to compete in the Florida-Alabama Challenge hosted by Chiles High School.

Tate took three out of four games and compiled a total of 54 runs the entire weekend; their only loss came by one run with a game that lasted well past midnight. The Lady Aggies played against teams from Miami, Tallahassee, and Montverde, FL.

Bridget Dall and Casey McCrackin both hit two home runs; Rachel Wright, Kaylen Rowell, and Tori Perkins all had single shots over the fence. Lauren Brennan (.750) and Casey McCrackin (.600) led the Aggies at the bat the entire weekend.

Tate will play rival West Florida this Wednesday (make-up game) night at Tate than travel to Navarre Friday night for a district game.

Pictured: Tate Florida-Alabama Challenge home run hitters: Rachel Wright, Bridgett Dall (with two homers), Tori Perkins, Kaylen Rowell and Casey McCrackin (with two homers). Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

FWC: Gun Season Over, But Local Deer Hunting Lasts Through March 2

February 24, 2014

General deer gun season may have ended Sunday in the Panhandle, but  if you don’t mind hunting with a primitive weapon, our local Zone D’s late muzzleloading gun season runs a week longer until March 2. This unique late season, which occurs only in the Florida Panhandle, was established to give hunters the chance to hunt the rut, which occurs from mid-January through February in the Panhandle.

A $5 muzzleloading gun permit is required to hunt during this season. On private land, hunters have the choice of using a muzzleloader, bow or crossbow.

On wildlife management areas, this postseason is referred to as the archery/muzzleloading gun season. Hunters can use bows or muzzleloaders but not crossbows, unless they possess a disabled crossbow permit. Hunters who choose to hunt with a bow must have the $5 archery permit, and those using a muzzleloader need the muzzleloading gun permit.

The most common kinds of game to hunt during this season are deer and wild hogs. Only bucks may be taken (even if you use a bow), and one antler must be at least 5 inches in length. If you’re hunting deer, make sure you have the $5 deer permit. On private land, the daily bag limit is two. Bag limits and antler size for deer on WMAs can differ, so please consult the area brochure before you hunt.

Wild hogs aren’t considered game animals on private lands. Because of this, they can be taken year-round by most weapons with no bag or size limits. On most WMAs, there also are no bag or size limits, and hogs are legal to take during most hunting seasons except spring turkey. On selected WMAs, specific bag and size limits do apply, so check the area’s brochure to make sure.

No dogs may be used in the pursuit of deer during this season. However, leashed dogs can be used to track a wounded deer if necessary. And it’s important to note that no turkeys may be taken during this season.

Bows and crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 35 pounds, and hand-held releases on bows are permitted. Broadheads used in taking deer must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum width of 7/8 inch.

During this season, you may use only muzzleloaders that take black powder or a non-nitro-cellulose substitute and are fired by wheel lock, flintlock or percussion cap ignition (including 209 primers). You may not use muzzleloaders that require smokeless powder or those with self-contained cartridge ammunition capabilities. For hunting deer, muzzleloaders that fire single bullets must be at least .40-caliber, and those firing two or more balls must be 20-gauge or larger.

You’re allowed to take deer and hogs over feeding stations on private land, but it’s illegal to do that on WMAs.

Twelve of the WMAs in Zone D have a late archery/muzzleloading gun season. If you plan to hunt any of ’em, you must have the $26 management area permit as well. Ten of those areas don’t require a quota permit during this period: Apalachicola, Apalachicola River, Beaverdam Creek, Blackwater, Choctawhatchee River, Econfina Creek, Escambia River, Point Washington, Tate’s Hell and Yellow River WMAs. The two that do require a quota permit are Chipola River and Perdido River WMAs.

You can get all of the licenses and permits you’ll need at any tax collector’s office or retail outlet that sells hunting and fishing supplies, by calling 888-HUNT-FLORIDA or by going online at License.MyFWC.com. And, as a reminder, hunting licenses are now available at the Clerk of the Court Office in the courthouse in Century.

As hunters, we all know that it’s nearly impossible to score every time we’re in the woods. But the thrill of the hunt lies in the appreciation of the woods, watching the wildlife and never knowing when that trophy animal might decide to show itself.

Tony Young is the media relations coordinator for the FWC’s Division of Hunting and Game Management. He can be reached with questions about hunting at Tony.Young@MyFWC.com.

Russia Tops With Olympics Medals In Sochi; U.S. Is 4th

February 24, 2014

The 22nd Olympic Winter Games have ended.  Here are some highlights of the two plus weeks of action.

Only three gold medals were awarded on the final day and two of them went to host Russia.  The Russians swept the medals in Sunday’s first event, the men’s 50-kilometer cross-country ski race.  Alexander Legkov won it with a time of 1:46.55.2

That was 0.7 of a second faster than teammate Maxim Vylegzhanin (1:46.55.9) and 0.8 better than bronze medalist Ilia Chernousov (1:46.56.0).

Russia won its first-ever gold medal in the four-man bobsled, as driver Alexander Zubkov made it a clean sweep, after earlier in the games winning the two-man event.

Russia unexpectedly ended up on top of the medals table, with 13 gold, 11 silver and nine bronze for a total of 33.  At the 2010 Vancouver Olympics the Russians were back in 11th place with three gold, and sixth in total medals won with 15.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said he was pleased to see the Russians do so well before enthusiastic fans.

“It is not just enough to organize the Games, but you also need a good home team.  So they were working hard after the shock they had in Vancouver ,” Bach said.  “And I think it is just remarkable the progress that has been made within four years from Vancouver until today, so can we only congratulate the Russian team for this great success.”

Also at his closing news conference, Bach said the response from all the participants – athletes, National Olympic Committees, international sports federations, sponsors and broadcasters – has been overwhelmingly positive.

He added that in speaking to many athletes, after spending four nights in different Olympic villages, he did not hear one complaint.

“They loved the sports facilities, the quality of the Olympic villages,” Bach said.  “What impressed (them) the most was the proximity of the Olympic villages and their venues.”

Second to Russia in the gold medal count was Norway with 11.  Canada was third with 10, one more than the United States, by successfully defending its men’s ice hockey title with a 3-0 win over Sweden.  That was the final sporting event of the Games.

The United States was second behind Russia in total medals with 28, while Norway had 26 and Canada 25.

In all, 26 nations won medals at the Sochi Olympics, the same number as in Vancouver.

Bach said that even though so much attention has been given to the huge cost to stage these Olympics, estimated at $50 billion, Sochi’s operational costs were about the same as Vancouver.

He emphasized that the investment in the region for infrastructure will be here a long time – new roads, railroads, housing, sports venues, winter training facilities and more.  Sochi will host a Formula One auto race and 2018 World Cup football games.

“This project was not limited to just building a winter sports center,” Bach said.  “It was about the transformation of a whole region into a modern destination for tourists, for conventions and for sports.  And it was amazing what happened here.”

Five athletes tested positive for banned substances during the Sochi Games, including Austrian cross-country skier Johannes Duerr on the final day.  His expulsion for the red blood cell booster EPO prevented him from competing in Sunday’s 50-kilometer race.

The other four testing positive were a Ukrainian cross-country skier (Marina Lisogor), a German biathlete (Evi Sachenbacher-Stehle), a Latvian ice hockey player (Vitalijs Pavlovs) and an Italian bobsledder (William Frullani).  Those four other cases involved minor stimulants that can be found in food supplements.  None of the five had won medals.

As for the United States, a number a favorites like two-time Olympic snowboard halfpipe champion Shaun White failed to make the podium, while other underdogs came through.  Alan Ashley is the chief of sport performance for the USOC.

“There is always at the Olympics times when you are like going, ‘Oh my gosh, I wish so and so had done better,’ but just as many times there is like a whole new generation of athletes or a new group of athletes that surprise you, and that is the beauty of the Games,” Ashley said.

But the U.S. figure skating team had its worst Olympics showing since 1936 with no medals in men’s, women’s or pairs, and the long track speed skating team had its worst Olympics ever.

“Our job now is to say, OK, what went wrong, what went right?,” said Ashley. “How do we improve so that the next generation, when we go into Pyeongchang (in 2018) that we have corrected some things and moved this forward so that that group of athletes and that group of skaters that goes with us to the next Olympic Games has an even better opportunity to perform?”

The United States did come through with one notable performance in figure skating, as Meryl Davis and Charlie White won the first-ever Olympic gold medal for their country in ice dancing.

[VOA]

Northview Shuts Out Washington

February 23, 2014

The varsity Northview Chiefs beat Washington High 8-0 Saturday in Pensacola.

Winning pitcher Brannon Freeman pitched for seven, allowing two hits, two walks and eight strike outs. He is 1-0 as a starting pitcher with one save.

Stats: Jody Bonner 1-3 with a double, one RBI and a run scored; Chasen Freeman 3-3 with a triple, 2 RBI and a run scored; Thomas Moore 1 -4 with a double and one run scored; Aaron McDonald 1-4 with a double , one RBI and one run scored; RJ Pritchett 2-4 with two doubles, two RBI; Kevin Barrow 1-3 with one run scored; and Roman Manning 1-3 with two runs scored.

Pictured: The Northview Chiefs shut out Washington Saturday in Pensacola, 8-0. Photos by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

NHS Dance Team Qualifies For State With Superior Rating

February 22, 2014

The Northview High School Dance Team  was rated Superior at the Florida Bandmasters Association District 1 Auxiliary Solo and Ensemble MPA event Friday night at Gulf Breeze High School. With the top rating, the group qualified to attend the upcoming state competition. Pictured: Northview High School Dance team members are (front L-R) Danielle Scott, Bethany Reynolds, Morgan Digmon, Shelby Nielson, (back, L-R) Leah Fischer, Anna Fischer, Rebekah Sepulveda, Chloe Leonard, Lily Townson and Jessica Lowery. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Northview’s Thomas Inks Graceland Football Scholarship

February 22, 2014

Northview High School senior La’Quan Thomas signed a football scholarship Friday with Graceland University, a NAIA school in Iowa. Graceland University is a private liberal arts university of about 2300 students and 150 faculty. Pictured top: Thomas signs his college scholarship as family members look on Friday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.


Scores: Baseball Wins For Tate JV, Flomaton; Softball Wins For Northview

February 22, 2014

In junior varsity baseball, Tate downed Northview 10-4. Tate took an 8-0 lead early in the game, with the Chiefs coming up short after rallying to score four runs in the fourth inning. The JV Aggies will host Washington at 4:30 next Tuesday, while the JV Chiefs will host Flomaton in Bratt at 4:00 Monday.

The Flomaton Hurricanes shut out Escambia County High School of Atmore Frida, 15-0. The ‘Canes will travel to Bratt on Monday to face the Chiefs of Northview. T he JV takes the mound at 4:00, followed by the varsity at 6:00.

In softball action, the Northview junor varsity beat Baker 12-5, the varsity Chiefs beat the Gators 8-6. In varsity action, Mallory Ryan recorded five strikeouts  and 16 hits for the Chiefs. The Chiefs hit the road on Monday to take on Holmes County.

Pictured: The JV Tate Aggies defeated the Northview Chiefs Friday night 10-4. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.

Baseball: Northview, Tate, Flomaton

February 21, 2014

Here are select high school baseball scores from around the area Thursday:

Northview

The junior varsity Northview Chiefs beat Baker, 4-3. The the varsity Chiefs earned their first district win over the Baker Gators 12-5. For the varsity, Brannon Freeman was 4-4 with four runs scored; Thomas More was 1-4 with one run; Aaron McDonald was 2-5; Kevin Barrow was 2-2 with two run scored; Brett Weeks was 2-2 with two runs scored; Roman Manning was 1-2 with one run. Daulton Tullis earned the win in seven innings, allowing three hits, five runs, one error, nine strikeouts and a double.

The varsity Chiefs (3-0, 1-0) will travel to Washington High in Pensacola on Saturday at 1:00. The JV Chiefs will head to Tate Friday night for a 6:00 game.

Tate

The junior varsity Tate Aggies beat Pace 6-3 Thursday, while the varsity Aggies fell to Pace 5-0.  The junior varsity is now 2-2-1, while the varsity Aggies are 2-2. The junior varsity Aggies will host Northview Friday at 6:00, and the varsity Aggies will host Washington next Tuesday at 7 p.m..

Flomaton

J.U. Blacksher defeated the Flomaton Hurricanes 10-4. The next game for Flomaton is Friday at 5 p.m. against Escambia County (Atmore) High School in the W.S. Neal tournament.

Pictured top: Pitcher Josh Neese earned the win for the JV Northview Chiefs Thursday against the Gators in Baker. Picture inset and below: Northview’s varsit and junior varsity beat Baker Thursday in Baker.  Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.




High School All-Star Soccer Rosters Announced

February 20, 2014

Tonight, the best boys and girls senior soccer players from Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties will play in the 7th annual Subway High School All-Star Soccer game at Asthon Brosnaham Park. The Pensacola Sports Association is pleased to announce this year’s coaches and rosters.

The coaching staff for the west teams, comprised of Escambia County schools, consists of Gerald Praylow from Pensacola High School for the girls’ team and Felipe Lawall from Washington High School leading the boys’ team.

Okaloosa and Santa Rosa County Schools make up the east team.  Jeff Klug from Milton High School will lead the girls’ team while Navarre High School’s Zac Preston will coach the boys’ team.

Girls West Team:

  • Catholic Kaitlyn Lockridge, Holey Sherman, Mallory Hermann
  • West FL Olivia Griffin, Andrea Rivera, Kaysi Roberts
  • East Hill Meghan Doyle
  • Tate Brittany Barth, Samantha Flaherty, Anna Del Gallo, Carlie Del Gallo
  • Washington Megan Sauer, Haley Burgess, CJ Gascoigne
  • Escambia Rori Cassedy
  • Pensacola Tianna Little, Molly Ambrose, Lauren Scott
  • Pine Forest Danielle Corda, Kayla Hall

Girls East Team:

  • FWB Kerri Andre
  • Gulf Breeze Alyssa Pejic, Kylie Feltenberger, Frances Harpole
  • Niceville Brooke Sneller
  • Crestview Baylee O’Marra
  • Rocky Bayou Amber Smith
  • Navarre Hannah Gullickson, Hunter Moorer, Ella Burkhart, Bri Young, Gabby Armstrong, Jade Whitley
  • Pace Katelyn Burkhart, Taylor Burkhart, Jenna Dilauro
  • Milton Keely McNeal, Alexia Tzagakis, Megan Melendez
  • Choctaw Maggie VanHusan, Sam Shaw, Rachyl Sutton

Boys West Team:

  • East Hill Stephen Churchill
  • Escambia Jesus Perez, Augustine Maldonado, Patrick Land, Max Schnieder
  • Catholic William Keegan, Marcus Valles, Brandon Wiley
  • Pensacola Aron Byrd, Long Le
  • Pine Forest Jordan McBride, Thomas Aadnanes, Augusto Bustamante
  • West FL Christopher King, Austin Broussard
  • Tate Michael DeMars, Keenan Grace, Brandon Jenkins, Paul Shelton
  • Washington Mitchell Lipham, Holder Hudson, Antonio Collins

Boys East Team:

  • Choctaw Kevin Sanchez
  • Crestview David Born, Blake Brooks
  • FWB Josh Popoy, Merle Thumma, Tristan Tiegan
  • Gulf Breeze Lucas Zalar, Josh Ceravolo
  • Milton Brian Abenojar, Jacob Schiowitz, Adrian Dunn
  • Navarre Ricardo Hidalgo, Cameron Smith, Noah Hughson, Cody White, Edward Layne
  • Niceville Mikey Swiercz, Lucas Van Decar, Andy Rodriguez
  • Pace Luke Breland, Chandler Castleman
  • Rocky Bayou Joe Neau

Final game rosters are subject to change.

Tickets to the SUBWAY High School All-Star Game are $7 at the gate and $5 with a canned good item dontation. The PSA is teaming with Manna Food Bank for a canned good drive and encouraging everyone to help families by bringing a canned good item.

Basketball: Northview Eliminated In State Semis

February 19, 2014

The Northview Chiefs lost to West Gadsden 61-54 Tuesday night in the state regional semi-finals.

The Chiefs were able to tie the game at 44 in the fourth quarter, but were unable to hold onto the momentum through the end of the game. West Gadsden advances to play Chipley in the regional finals after a 66-41 Chipley win over Port St. Joe Tuesday night.

Northview finished the season at 17-3.

« Previous PageNext Page »