Coed Softball Tourney Next Weekend, Entry Fee Reduced
February 10, 2013
The Northview High School Diamond Club will hold a softball tournament next weekend, and the entry fee has been reduced.
The coed tournament will be held Saturday, February 16 at the Northwest Escambia ballpark. The entry fee has been reduced to $200 per team. Three females must play at all times.
To register, call Amy Holland at (850) 516-8400. Proceeds benefit the Northview High School baseball team.
Alabama Details Extended February Deer Season Map
February 10, 2013
A new region is proposed in southwest Alabama where deer season would be extended into February.
A map was released Saturday in Montgomery by Conservation Commissioner N. Gunter Guy Jr. detailing the area in which deer season would be extended from January 31 to February 10. The season would include a 10 day gun season closure in December, but would allow hunting during a late-season rut when deer are more active.
The proposed region includes 11 counties, including Escambia, Baldwin, Mobile and Monroe.
The extended season would apply only to hunters using guns; the bow hunting season would remain October 15 until February 10.
The plan must now be approved by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. February 2013 is not included in the plan; deer season ended January 31, 2013, in Southwest Alabama.
Northview, Jay Out Of District 2-1A Tourney
February 9, 2013
Both the Northview Chiefs and the Jay Royals saw their seasons come to an end Friday with losses in the District 2-1A Boys Basketball semifinal round in Jay.
Holmes County 77, Northview 63
Northview lost a hard fought battle with Holmes County, 77-63.
For Northview, it was a battle against the star of the Blue Devils team — 6-foot-10 Chris Walker, a University of Florida signee that has been ranked as the No. 10 overall prospect in the country. Robinson scored 42 on the night, just ahead of Northview junior guard Neino Robinson with 41 points.
The Blue Devils jumped out to a 18-8 lead at the end of one and held a 39-25 advantage at the half. By halftime, Robinson had scored 15 of the Chiefs’ 25 points. With about four minutes to go, a Chiefs free throw from Robinson tied it up 61-61, but Holmes County quickly recovered for the win.
Chipley 65, Jay 34
Also in Jay Friday night, Chipley took command early to beat the Jay Royals 65-34.
Bonifay and Chipley will play at 7 p.m. Saturday for the District 2-1A championship.
Pictured top and top inset: Northview lost to Holmes County Friday night in Jay. Pictured bottom inset: Jay was defeated by Chipley. Photos by WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pine Forest Softball Drops Home Opener
February 8, 2013
The Pine Forest varsity softball team couldn’t get its bats going and struggled defensively Thursday night when the Lady Eagles lost their home opener, 14-1, to Choctawhatchee in five innings.
Junior right-hander Janessa Landas struck out three and allowed only one walk, but Choctaw’s bats were hot. The Indians connected for 15 hits, including nine for extra bases, and scored in every inning but the third. Pine Forest’s defense let Landas down, committing four errors that led to six runs.
Sophomore Rebecca Rudd went 2-for-2 with a walk and a run for Pine Forest (1-1) and is hitting .600 for the season. Landas went 1-for-2 with a walk, senior Kellie Payne had a single and junior Alexis Gardner singled and drove in the Eagles’ only run.
Pine Forest is off until Tuesday, when they play host to Gulf Breeze at 6:30 p.m.
The Lady Eagles’ junior varsity improved to 2-0 as they beat Choctaw 9-1. Sophomore Brooke Lauter pitched a complete game for the victory.
Tate Cheerleaders Take Second Best In The State
February 8, 2013
The Tate High School Varsity Cheerleaders took second best in the state during the recent FHSAA State Cheerleading Competition in Kissimmee.
After competing in the preliminary round against 14 teams, Tate advanced to final four before taking the title of state runner-up. This was highest finish in the five years of competing at the FHSAA state compeition. The team trained for the event since tryouts in April 2012and began working on the competition routine in September.
The Tate Varsity Cheerleaders are coached by Andrea Howey, who has been coaching the varsity program since 2009. Members of the varsity team are: Sarah Al-Qahtani, Sarah Baxter, Lauren Chavers, Kaylee Coots, Katie Cutting, Brooke Fowler, Ashley Gozalka, Corissa Hammer, DeAnna Jernigan, Kirstyn Johnson, Jordan McGowan, Lauren McKinnon, Shelby Miller, Maranda Milstead, Alie Phillips and Brooke Vincent.
Pictured: The Tate High School Varsity cheerleaders. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Area Football Stars Commit On National Signing Day
February 7, 2013
At Northview High School on Wednesday’s National Signing Day, Neiko Robinson signed a letter of intent with the Penn State Nittany Lions, and Blake McCall signed with Jackson State University.
“It’s exciting. I’m just ready to play now,” Robinson said. While Penn State is banned from bowl games for four years following a child abuse scandal, Robinson said he never wavered in his commitment to the Nittany Lions.
“”To me, the football program didn’t do anything wrong…it was a criminal matter,” he said. “Playing in front of 110,000 people, that’s a bowl game in itself.”
Walking into a huge stadium also helped seal the deal between McCall and the Jackson State Tigers in Jackson, Miss. “When I walked into the stadium — 65,ooo — I knew I wanted to play there,” McCall said. “It feels amazing; I am really and truly blessed to go to this school.”
Watching McCall and Robinson sign with large schools was a shining moment for Northview High Head Coach Sid Wheatley.
“We want to continue having great success here, and turn out student athletes to the next level. They are going to go and get and education, and that’s very important,” Wheatley told McCall and Robinson’s teammates as they watched the ceremony in the school theater.
Here’s a look at some of the other area commitments made Wednesday on National Signing Day:
Tate High
Tate High School running back Lorenzo Long signed Tuesday morning with the Division I-AA Wofford Terriers. Long holds the Tate Aggie career record with 3,227 rushing yards. During his senior season, Long had 183 carries for 1,175 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Pensacola High
Defensive back Blake Norwood of Cantonment to East Carolina.
Black Norwood to East Carolina.
West Florida High
Defensive end Nate Crawford to Missouri.
Cornerback Demetrius Smith to Georgia Military Academy.
Pine Forest High
Defensive end DeMarcus Glover to Western Kentucky.
Running back Rashaad Lee to Florida Atlantic.
Jordarius Gardner to Butler Community College in Kansas.
Pictured top: Neiko Robinson (left) reacts Tuesday afternoon to applause after signing his letter of intent with Penn State as Blake McCall (right) looks on and prepares to sign with Jackson State University. Pictured below: (front, L-R) Neiko Robinson’s aunt Tina Hicks, father Anthony Robinson, Neiko Robinson, Black McCall, McCall’s mother Kristi Crawford, (back) Northview Athletic Director Gary Mattes, Head Coach Sid Wheatley, and Coach Derek Marshman NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hunter Bags 400 Pound Wild Hog
February 7, 2013
A giant wild hog that had eluded hunters for years was killed Wednesday morning by Angus Brewton of Walnut Hill. The wild hog, weighing in at 400 pounds, was killed on the the Black Branch Hunting Club between Pine Barren Road and Pine Barren Creek, just south of Lambert Bridge Road. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview, Jay Advance In District Basketball Tourney
February 6, 2013
Northview and Jay both advanced in the District 2-1A basketball tournament at Jay Tuesday.
The No. 3 seed Northview Chiefs beat Freeport 61-43, and the No. 4 seed Jay beat the Baker Gators 53-47 in overtime.
Northview will take on No. 2 Bonifay Friday at 6 p.m., and Jay will face No. 1 Chipley at 7:30 p.m. Friday night’s winners will advance to the championship game at 6 p.m. Saturday in Jay.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Softball: Pine Forest Beats Baker
February 5, 2013
Pine Forest beat Baker 2-1 Monday night in George Moore’s debut as the Lady Eagle’s head coach.
Baker was leading 1-0 going into the top of the seventh inning after scoring on a passed ball in the fourth, when senior Miranda Kelley walked on a full count to lead off the inning. She didn’t hesitate and went to second during some confusion on the count. The home plate umpire had the count becoming full when it in fact was ball four.
Senior Dajah Gogue ran for Kelley, and junior Rachel Witbracht laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move Gogue to third with one out. After fouling off the first pitch, senior Brittney Ward put down a bunt on a suicide squeeze to score Gogue and tie the game 1-1. Ward went to second on the play.
Jordyn Pulliam, the only freshman on the varsity team, delivered a single to right-center field that scored Ward with the winning run.
Senior Rachel Munoz, pitching her first game for Pine Forest, allowed just three hits in seven innings. She walked only three and while she didn’t strike out a batter, Munoz let her defense do the work. The Lady Eagles didn’t commit an error.
Ward finished 2-for-2 with a walk, a run and an RBI. Rebecca Rudd also singled for Pine Forest, which plays host to Choctawhatchee at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
The Pine Forest junior varsity also beat Baker, rallying from 3-0 and 4-3 deficits to pull out a 7-4 victory. Freshman Mikaylah Taylor earned her first high school victory, tossing a complete game.
Northview Diamond Club To Hold Softball Tourney
February 4, 2013
The Northview High School Diamond Club will hold a softball tournament later this month.
The coed tournament will be held February 16 at the Northwest Escambia ballpark. The entry fee is $300 per team. Three females must play at all times.
To register, call Amy Holland at (850) 516-8400. Proceeds benefit the Northview High School baseball team.