Baseball: Varsity Aggies Remain Undefeated; JV Falls To Pace
March 9, 2012
The Tate Aggies remain undefeated after a a win over Pace Thursday night, while the JV Aggies lost to the Patriots 3-1.
The Tate Aggies continued their winning ways as they beat Pace Thursday night 4-2 in a well played game by both teams.
Riley Hodge collected the win pitching six strong innings, allowing two runs on three hits. JT Granat picked up another save pitching a perfect seventh.
Offensively, the Aggies tallied eight hits led by Mac Seibert (3-3, 2B, Run, RBI), Andrew Mack (2-4, Run, RBI), and JT Granat (1-3, RBI).
Pace’s Addison Russell, who is considered future first round draft pick in Major League Baseball’s June draft, was 1-2 with a home run.
Steven Jernigan took the loss for the Patriots despite an outstanding performance.
The Aggies are back in action Friday, playing host to the Navarre Raiders in a JV/Varsity doubleheader at 4:30/7:00.
High School Sports Recruiting Bill Headed To Governor
March 9, 2012
A bill curbing the authority of the Florida High School Athletic Association to sideline transferring students narrowly passed the Senate on Thursday, sending it to Gov. Rick Scott for his signature.
The measure (HB 1403) cleared the chamber on a 21-18 vote, with a diverse group of eight Republicans joining the overwhelming majority of Senate Democrats in opposing the bill. Among Democrats, only Sens. Larcenia Bullard of Miami and Gary Siplin of Orlando supported the proposal.
The bill would allow transfer students to largely remain eligible in the same year they transfer and would limit the ability of FHSAA to sideline students for recruiting violations.
At the same time, the measure would crack down on schools and coaches involved in the violations.
Supporters said the proposal was intended to punish the adults responsible for violations instead of often unwitting students at the center of the controversies.
“This is about kids,” said Senate Education Chairman Steve Wise, R-Jacksonville. “This is all about kids. I don’t think that you want to disenfranchise kids because of a bad coach that goes out and particularly recruits a student to come there.”
Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, echoed the complaints of some schools that FHSAA had become an unaccountable organization.
“They rule with a hammer,” Thrasher said. ” … If there was ever a top-down process in Florida high school athletics, this is the organization that represents it.”
But opponents argued that the bill would instead open the door to more of the recruiting that the FHSAA has worked hard to combat and could turn athletics into a lawless scramble to recruit the best student athletes, or even some who should be ineligible.
“The driving issue is that every child in Florida should be playing on a team that follows the same rules,” said Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee. “I do not want my grandson playing football when he’s 17 against another player who is 19 years or older.”
Recruiting scandals, often involving private schools that reportedly try to draw the best athletes away from public schools, have periodically broken out in high-school athletics. But most private schools have opposed the measure, something opponents seized on.
They said a few disgruntled schools who had run-ins with the association seemed to be the driving force behind the bill — undermining the reasons for supporting the measure.
“Now, there’s something wrong when we’re trying to fix this for privates and publics who work cooperatively, and then you’ve got the privates saying that they’re against it,” Lynn said.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Story by The News Service of Florida
Beloved Northview Teacher, Coach Tommy Weaver Passes Away
March 8, 2012
The Northview Chiefs and the North Escambia community are in mourning today after the passing of beloved teacher and coach Tommy Weaver.
Weaver passed away Wednesday at a Pensacola hospital. He was 61.
He is survived by his wife, Northview Principal Gayle Weaver, son Toby and daughter Tara Smith.
Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon.
Tommy Weaver had taught for eight years. A graduate of the University of West Alabama, he was Northview’s DCT coordinator and taught horticulture. He dedicated countless hours to baseball, football, the Quarterback Club, FFA and the FFA Alumuni. He was also a Senior Class sponsor.
Weaver was the driving force in the organization of Northview’s first ever Homecoming Parade.
Wednesday night, word of his passing quickly spread on Facebook, with current and former students sharing memories of a happy man, always helpful and supportive of the Northview Chief family.
Over 350 quickly “liked” a Facebook page created in his memory (https://www.facebook.com/CoachTommyWeaver), many sharing how Weaver touched their lives.
Senate Considers High School Sports Recruiting Bill
March 8, 2012
A measure that would limit the power of the Florida High School Athletics Association in some transfer cases is set to pass the Senate after begin subbed in for a more sweeping measure in the upper chamber.
Sen. Steve Wise, R-Jacksonville, had sponsored a measure that would allow private schools to form a separate athletics association if they wanted to, but instead opted Wednesday for a House version aimed at focusing punishments for high-school “recruiting” on coaches and schools instead of students.
While the House version is far milder than the bill Wise swapped out, it has still had an up-and-down path in the Legislature; it was part of a exchange in the House Education Committee over procedure earlier in the year. A final Senate vote could come as soon as Thursday.
By The News Service of Florida
Softball: Northview Chomps The Baker Gators
March 7, 2012
The varsity and junior varsity Northview Lady Chiefs picked up two big wins against the Baker Gators Tuesday in softball action in Bratt.
For a photo gallery from the JV and varsity games, click to enlarge.
The junior varsity Bakers Gators tossed in the towel and headed to the stands after just three innings against the Lady Chiefs. In three, Northview’s JV chomped Baker, 15-0.
In varsity action, the Lady Chiefs beat Baker 5-2. Lauren McCall was 2-4, while Madison Arrington was 1-3 with two RBIs. Shaquanna Jones and Misty Doran were 1-3. On the mound, Doron pitched nine strikeouts.
The varsity Lady Chiefs will travel to Bonifay Friday night at 6:00. Both the JV and varsity will be on the road at Pine Forest on Tuesday, March 13.
Pictured top: Madison Arrington had a two-run single in he fifth for Northview. Pictured inset: Misty Doran pitched the win for the Lady Chiefs Tuesday evening in Bratt. Pictured top: The JV Lady Chiefs destroyed Baker 15-0 in just two innings. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jay Tops Track Meet, Northview Second
March 7, 2012
The Jay Royals took first place while the Northview Chiefs claimed second in a track meet Tuesday in Bratt.
Results, with total points earned, were as follows:
Girls
- Jay — 118 points
- Northview — 76
- JU Blacksher — 58
- Central High — 55
- Escambia County (Atmore) — 11
Boys
- Jay High — 99
- Northview High – 75
- JU Blacksher — 60
- Central High — 56
- Escambia County (Atmore) –29
Pictured: Action from a track meet Tuesday at Northview High School in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos by Bethany Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Baseball: West Florida Takes Two From Northview
March 7, 2012
The West Florida Jaguars took two from the Northview Chiefs Tuesday in Bratt.
For a photo gallery from the varsity and junior varsity games, click here.
In junior varsity action, West Florida defeated Northview 3-2.
And in varsity action, the Jaguars beat Northview 6-4. Hunter Rigby was 3-3 with a double for the Chiefs.
The Chief and Jaguars will face off again Thursday in a junior varsity double header at West Florida beginning at 4 p.m. On Friday, the varsity Chiefs will be on the road at Bonifay at 6 p.m.
Pictured above and inset: Varsity action as Northview takes on West Florida Tuesday evening in Bratt. Pictured below: JV action. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Baseball: Tate Sweeps Pine Forest
March 7, 2012
The Tate Aggies swept the Pine Forest Eagles Tuesday.
The varsity Aggies beat the Eagles of Pine Forest 4-1. while the junior varsity Tate Aggies beat the Pine Forest JV by the score 8-3.
The Aggies will host the Pace Patriots Thursday in a district game. The varsity takes the field at 7 p.m. Tate’s varsity will be in action again Friday night as they host Navarre in another district matchup.
Pcola’s East Hill Christian Defeats Atmore Christian
March 7, 2012
Pensacola’s East Hill Christian defeated Atmore Christian Tuesday in high school baseball action, 13-5.
The Atmore Christian Rams will travel to Milton on Thursday to take on Santa Rosa Christian Academy at 4:00. Up next for the Rams will be another road trip to Milton on March 12 against West Florida Baptist.
Submitted photo by Alisa Hart for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Academy Beats Monroe
March 6, 2012
Escambia Academy beat Monroe Academy on Monday 1-0.
Michael Thompson led the charge against Monroe, striking out 12, and allowing just two hits in seven inning. Cole Boatwright was 3-3, with a double in the fourth and a single in second and sixth.
Other hitters from EA’s Cougars were Chance Jackson, Reid Bell, Jarrett Hadley, Austin McGhee, Braxton Chastang and Boatwright.
The Cougars only run came with an RBI single by Bell in the seventh.