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.
Jay Royals Cheerleaders Place Fourth In The State
February 4, 2013
The Jay High School Competitive Cheer Squad took fourth place in the state over the weekend.
In their second year,the Jay squad was among 50 that competed in four regions during the last month, with 27 teams advancing to the state series in the 1A Small, Non-Tumbling division. After the semis, the top seven teams — including Jay — advanced to the finals in Kissimmee.
Jay is one of the smallest schools in the state with a competitive cheer team, and is the only competitive team in Santa Rosa County. The team members are seniors Captain Hannah Roberts (captain) and Sha Kinder; juniors Kayla Flowers (co-captain), Kaitlyn Aguirre, Katy Bodiford, Harley Bradley, Morgin Mitchem, Brook Tegenkamp, and Brittany Tegenkamp; sophomores Brittani Ashworth, Makenzie Bray, Alisha Roberts, and Kendra Wells; freshmen- Leslie Kinder, Alaina Smith and Emily Wright. The girls are coached by Junia Fischer.
Pictured: The Jay Royals Competitive Cheer squad at the FHSAA state finals Saturday in Kissimmee, FL. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Baseball, Softball Registrations Continue At Area Ballparks
February 2, 2013
Baseball and softball registrations across the area are underway. Here’s a look at registration information for Century, Molino Ballpark, Cantonment Ballpark, the First Baptist Church of Cantonment, Pensacola Miracle League and Flomaton Cal Ripkin:
Molino Ballpark
Registration at the Molino Ballpark will be held on Saturdays, February 9 and 16, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the ballpark on Crabbtree Church Road. Wee Ball, T-ball, baseball and softball for ages 3-16. $55 registration fee for the first child. Birth certificate needed at registration. For more information, call (850) 712-6267.
Century Little League
Century Little Leauge will hold registration February 9, 16 and 23 at Roadside Park from noon until 2 p.m., or register at Rhonda’s Hair. Ages 3 and up. First child $50, second sibling $45 and third sibling $40. For more information, call (850) 393-9624 or (850) 259-4390.
Cantonment Spring Registration
Registration will be held every Saturday until February 16 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Cantonment Ballpark. The cost is $80 per child.
For more information email TheCantonmentBaseballClub@gmail.com or visit this Facebook page.
First Baptist Cantonment
The First Baptist Church of Cantonment will hold registration this Saturday, February 9 from ages 4-12 for T-ball through coach pitch. Registration will be at the Grocery Advantage on Highway 29 beginning at 10 a.m., or register at the church office during the week.
The cost is $35 per child. Games begin March 16. There will be no intense practices and no traveling is required. All games are Saturdays only.
Miracle League of Pensacola
Registration for the Miracle League of Pensacola will be held Saturday, February 9 from 9 a.m. until noon at the ballpark on Nine Mile Road.
Registration is $40 for age 4-11; $45 for ages 12-18; $50 for ages 19 or older.
The Miracle League of Pensacola provides physically and mentally challenged individuals a safe and spirited program in which they can hit, run, and catch on a baseball field. MLP offers a unique and memorable opportunity for these exceptional people to experience baseball. Volunteers are welcome.
The season begins Friday, March 15.