Jay Out Of District Baseball Tourney, Northview Faces Freeport Today
April 23, 2013
The District 2-1A baseball tournament got underway Monday in Baker, with Jay and Chipley eliminated.
No. 6 seed Freeport beat the No. 3 Jay Royals Monday, 8-5. Freeport will face the No. 2 seed Northview Chiefs at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
No. 5 Baker beat Chipley 7-3 on Monday, with Baker set to face No. 1 Bonifay at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Northescambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Senate Advances Bill That Sunsets And Abolishes FHSAA
April 23, 2013
Proponents of the Florida High School Athletic Association are on their defensive heels as those trying to revamp how high school sports are managed in Florida are driving with the ball as the clock runs down.
The Senate Education Committee voted 5-2 on Monday in favor of a measure (SB 1164) that would overhaul the FHSAA and eventually replace it with something else yet to be designed. The Senate bill was amended Monday to match the House version of the legislation, improving chances for passage.
The amended bill places new restrictions on investigations, alters the makeup of the FHSAA board of directors by including charter school, home school and non-public school members and abolishes the organization in July 2017.
Backers of the change say the reorganization is needed, claiming the FHSAA has an arbitrary authority and that it has gone too far in investigating student eligibility.
Bill sponsor Sen. Kelli Stargel addressed criticism that the bill, in reducing oversight, invites mischief.
“This bill does not allow free agency, does not allow recruiting, it doesn’t not legislate cheating,” said Stargel, R-Lakeland.
FHSAA supporters, including many coaches, school district officials and private school administrators, claim the changes will create “chaos” as some schools become sports magnets. They say it will invite frequent transfers, and force administrators and teachers to continually readjust academic plans for students who jump campus to campus.
The committee support was the first step in the Senate for the bill.
The Senate proposal has one more committee stop and Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, said Monday he expects his Rules Committee will have time to meet again.
Meanwhile, the House is expected to discuss its proposal on Tuesday.
The House version, rushed through three committee appearances with no opposition, has backing from Rep. Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland, the chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee.
Backers of the FHSAA say the proposal will also make it more difficult for small schools to compete in state athletic tournaments as more reliance is put on each of the 67 school districts to self-regulate their athletic programs.
“When we put a team on the field we know the other team has followed the same rules and regulations,” said Alachua County Superintendent Dan Boyd. “We don’t’ want that to change.”
Critics also say lawmakers are setting a dangerous precedent by delving into the daily operations of a non-profit organization.
“How long is it before you decide you don’t like the way other entities are operating?” asked Ron Meyer, a lawyer for the Florida Education Association.
Stargel argued that the Legislature isn’t overstepping its authority.
“They are the monopoly,” Stargel said. “We designate them as the organization that oversees our high school athletics, many of our public school funds go to the organization, so therefore I believe we have a role.”
She added that the FHSAA could continue as the overseer of state high school athletics after the sunset date if it agrees to abide by the directives of the Legislature.
“I don’t want to take over high school athletics, that’s not our role, but I want them to be accountable to the will of the Legislature and the will of the people,” she said.
Pictured top: The coin toss before the FHSAA District 1A Football Championship game last December in Orlando between Northview and Trenton. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Smith, Blue Wahoos Shut Out Jackson Generals 3-0
April 23, 2013
Blue Wahoos starter Josh Smith fanned a season-high seven batters over seven shutout innings tonight as Pensacola blanked the Jackson Generals 3-0 at the Ballpark in Jackson on Monday night.
The Blue Wahoos plated all three of their runs in the third inning off Jackson starter Roenis Elias. Three doubles in the inning from Danny Vicioso, Ray Chang and Brodie Greene contributed to the effort and all three came home to score. Steve Selsky’s RBI single scored Greene to cap the Wahoos third-inning rally.
Elias (L, 0-2) settled down after that, and was finished after seven innings. He allowed just the three runs on six hits. He struck out four, but was saddled with the loss.
Smith (W, 2-2) earned his second win of the season to even his record. He surrendered just two hits on the night. With his seven shutout innings, he has now worked 11 straight scoreless frames dating back to his last start on 4/16. Curtis Partch (S, 4) pitched a scoreless ninth to nail down the save after Chris Manno pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning.
Offensively, Chang and Selsky led the way with two hits each. Both of Chang’s hits were doubles, he also scored a run and had an RBI.
The two teams continue their series on Tuesday night. RHP Tim Crabbe (1-1, 4.60) will start for Pensacola against RHP Chance Ruffin (1-0, 4.24). First pitch is slated for 7:05 at the Ballpark in Jackson.
story by Kevin Burke
AND1 Live Streetball Tour, Basketball Clinic At Northview
April 22, 2013
Two big basketball events are coming to Northview High School Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, the AND1 Streetball Tour 2013 will tip off in the Northview gym. Doors open at 6 p.m., with game time at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance (available at the school), or $12 at the door. Details are in the graphic to the left of the page.
On Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Northview basketball will hold a clinic for elementary to high school players. Players will get training from the Northview Chief’s varsity basketball team and coaches. All aspects of the game will be covered. The clinic is $20 per player. For details and registration information, click here (pdf).
Generals Draw Even In Series With 7-3 Win Over Wahoos
April 22, 2013
Despite a two-run homer by Donald Lutz, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell short against the Jackson Generals 7-3 on Sunday night at the Ballpark in Jackson.
The Generals scored four runs in the first inning against Blue Wahoos starter Daniel Renken. Each of the first four Jackson batters reached against him, and all came home to score in the inning. After that, Renken settled down and retired nine in a row before the Generals got to him for two more on a two-run home run by Abraham Almonte in the fourth inning.
Pensacola never got closer the two runs behind after the home run by Lutz, despite scoring an additional run in the fifth.
Renken (1-1) took the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits over five innings. Jackson starter Brett Shankin earned the win after giving up three runs on five hits over six innings.
Lutz led the way offensively for the Blue Wahoos with his 2-for-4 game. Theo Bowe also broke out with a 2-for-4 contest. The two hits were his first two of the season.
The two teams will continue the series on Monday night. RHP Josh Smith (1-2, 10.97) will start for the Blue Wahoos against Generals LHP Roenis Elias (0-1, 3.06). First pitch is set for 7:05 at the Ballpark in Jackson.
story by Kevin Burke
Century Man Runs 9/11 Memorial 5K In New York City
April 22, 2013
Runners from across the world — including one local man — honored the Boston Marathon victims while remembering the tragedy of 9/11 during a 5K run Sunday in New York City.
Jerry Sanders of Century joined about 3,000 runners and walkers in the 9/11 Memorial 5K run and walk, a untimed fundraiser for the yet to be opened 9/11 Memorial Museum. The event started at Pier 57 and continued 3.1 miles to the World Trade Center.
But the finish line was not the end of the race for Sanders.
“I could not stop,” Sanders said in an email Sunday evening. “Completed the 5K then walked around the city for over 4 hours waving my flag and meeting people. I (my flag) sure was popular! I could not count the people that wanted their pic taken with me.”
Along the way, someone noticed Sander’s “Marines” hat, confirmed that he was a Marine, and led the crowd in the Marine Corp Hymn.
“They sang while I choked back tears, as I was fighting tears from the start,” he said. “Such great people New Yorkers.”
At the finish, a lady approached Sanders and asked why he was carrying the flag, and he explained it was memory of the 9/11 victims and their families. She said her husband had been killed in the North Tower collapse. She asked Sanders if he would meet her husband, and he accompanied her to the site of the north tower where she pointed out her husband’s name on the memorial, rubbing her hand across his name.
“That did it for me,” Sanders said. “I could not talk, only hug her.”
“Words just won’t do,” he said, calling the day an experience of a lifetime.
Pictured: Jerry Sanders of Century carried his American flag as he completed the 9/11 Memorial 5K run and walk Sunday in New York Century. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Elliott, Kyles Place In State Weightlifting Meet
April 21, 2013
Northview’s Arkelle Elliott and LaMikal Kyles placed in the 1A State Weightlifting Meet in Kissimmee on Saturday.
Kyles finished eighth in the state in the 183-pound class with a total of 560 pounds, an improvement over his 535 pound total at regionals. Kyles, weighing in at 172.5 pounds, had a bench press of 310 pounds and a clean jerk of 250 pounds — all personals bests.
In the 199-pound class, Elliot finished 11th in the state with a total of 575 pounds. Weighing in at 198.9 pounds, Elliot had a best bench press of 330 pounds and a clean jerk of 245 pounds — all matching his personal best records.
Also in the 199-pound class, Justin Beauford of West Florida High School placed seventh with a total weight of 600 pounds.
Pictured: LaMikal Kyles and Arkelle Elliot at the 1A State Weightlifting Meet in Kissimmee on Saturday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Win 4-3 In 11 To Open Jackson Series
April 21, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos opened their 10-game roadtrip with an 11-inning 4-3 win over the Jackson Generals at the Ballpark in Jackson in Jackson, Tenn. on Saturday night. Wahoos shortstop Devin Lohman drove in all four runs in the winning effort including a two-run homer, his first of the year, in the seventh inning.
Pensacola struck first when Ryan LaMarre scored from third on a bases loaded walk to Lohman by Generals Starter Taijuan Walker. That was the final run the Wahoos would scratch across against the Jackson ace. The Blue Wahoos only got two more baserunners against Walker, both were scattered walks.
Blue Wahoos starter Ryan Dennick held the Generals at bay until they broke through against him with three straight hits in the fourth. James Jones started the rally with a solo homer with one out before John Hicks doubled. Vannie Catricala brought Hicks home a batter later with a single off the left field wall to put the Generals in front 2-1. It stayed that way until Lohman’s two-run homer in the seventh off Jackson reliever Forrest Snow.
Jackson drew even in the bottom of the seventh when Abraham Almonte scored on an infield single by Francisco Martinez.
Both teams traded zeros into the 11th inning until the Wahoos cashed in on a leadoff walk to Donald Lutz. After he was singled around to third by Bryson Smith, Lohman drove him in for the go-ahead run on a fielder’s choice to the third baseman Catricala.
After striking out the side in order in the 10th, Lee Hyde (1-2) retired the Generals in order again in the bottom of the 11th to seal the win for Pensacola. Though he didn’t factor into the decision, Dennick worked six strong innings, allowing just the two runs on five hits while striking out eight. For Jackson, Walker took a no-decision after allowing just the one unearned run over six innings. He fanned six for the game and surrendered only one hit. Moises Hernandez (0-1) took the loss after giving up the winning run in the 11th. It was the sole run he allowed over two innings.
The Wahoos and Generals continue the series on Sunday from the Ballpark in Jackson. RHP Daniel Renken (1-0, 0.71) will start for the Blue Wahoos against Generals RHP Brett Shankin (0-0, 1.50). First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m.
Story by Kevin Burke
File photo by Gary McCraken for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Game Rained Out
April 20, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos’ contest with the Jacksonville Suns scheduled for Friday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium was postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader when the Suns return to Pensacola for a five games series May 28-June 1
Fans with tickets Friday night’s game can use their ticket for any 2013 regular season home game excluding July 4 and July 6, subject to availability. Fans must exchange their ticket at least 24 hours in advance of a desired game at the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Ticket Office for a ticket of equal or lesser value. Exchanges must be made in person and cannot be processed via telephone, email or fax.
The Wahoos will now begin a 10-game road trip Saturday against the Jackson Generals. First pitch from the ballpark in Jackson is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
Lady Royals Win District Tournament
April 19, 2013
The Jay Lady Royals beat the Chipley Tigers 8-6 Thursday night to claim the Class 1A Rural District 2 Softball District championship.
The Royals were down 1-0 in the second inning when they turned things around to a 4-1 lead. The Royals’ Camille Driver scored on an error by the Lady Tigers, and a Harley Tagert Single brought Destiny Herring home. A line drive from Michaela Stewart sent Chassity McCranie across the plate. Tagert scored on a double from Ashlyn Geck to make it 4-1.
In the bottom of the third, Driver scored on a Chipley pitcher error for a 5-1 advantage. Chipley answered, evening it up at 5-5.
Olivia Wright and Stewart scored in the bottom of the fourth, and Taylor Moore added run on a line drive single from Bayleigh Upton.
The top two teams in the district head to regionals, so both Jay and Chipley advance. The Jay Lady Royals will host Central High on April 30.
Pictured: The Jay Lady Royals claimed the district championship Thursday night from Chipley. Photos by Diann Tagert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
