NWE Senior Girls Win Sectional Softball Championship
July 11, 2011
The Northwest Escambia senior girls softball teams has claimed the sectional championship, and they are headed to state later this month.
NWE defeated Niceville 11-9 and 9-6 Saturday to claim the sectional title in Florida Section 1 Senior League Softball. They are the first Senior League team from Section 1 to make the state tournament.
Members of the NWE Senior Girls All-Star Team are Penny Banda, Kristen Byrd, Courtney Peebles, Kendal Cobb, Kyndall Hall, Danielle Steadham , Addy Lee, Samantha Bethea, Makayla Flowers and Cheyenne Schoonover. The team is managed by Ronald Peebles and coached by Jarrod Peebles and Danny Hall.
Northwest Escambia 11 Niceville 9
In the first match-up of the double elimination tournament, Northwest Escambia beat Niceville 11-9.
Scoring for NWE: Courtney Peebles and Cheyenne Schoonover each had a double and run; Makayla Flowers had a single and a run; Kristen Byrd added two singles, a double and three runs; Kendal Cobb and Danielle Steadham both had a single and a run; Addy Lee added a double, a triple and two runs; and Penny Banda had a single, two doubles and one run.
Peebles pitched all seven for Northwest Escambia, striking out nine and allowing just three walks.
Northwest Escambia 9 Niceville 6
In the second game, Northest Escambia beat Niceville 9-6.
For NWE, Cheyenne Schoonover had three singles and a run; Courtney Peebles added three singles, a double and a run, Kendal Cobb had two singles and two runs; Danielle Steaham had three singles,a double and three runs; Kyndall Hall contributed one single and one run; and Samantha Bethea had a single and a run.
Hall pitched the full game for NWE, striking out one and walking two.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Beulah Boy Appears On Outdoor Channel’s ‘Buckmasters’
July 3, 2011
Taking a child on a first deer hunt is a tradition that Lee Robinson gets to share every year. It was even more special with a child like Dawson Guy. The seven-year old Escambia County boy was born without fully developed arms and only one fully developed leg. He was able to experience the lifelong thrill of a hunt earlier this year.
From his wheelchair, he claimed his first buck.
Dawson’s hunt was part of the Buckmasters national television series Saturday morning on the Outdoor Channel.
Robinson, an Industrial Market Segment specialist at Gulf Power, spends much of his work day touting electric vehicles and large-scale technology advances for industrial customers. As a lifelong hunter, Robinson takes vacation time each year to serve as one of the volunteer guides for the Buckmasters Classic in Alabama. The Buckmasters American Deer Foundation program takes 11 disabled or critically ill children and youth on a guided deer hunt at Jimmy Hinton’s Sedgefield Plantation. Robinson has been doing this for 15 years, guiding some 40 young hunters on the all expenses paid three-day adventure of a lifetime.
“There’s been a lot of special moments over the years and this year with Dawson was one of them,” Robinson said. “Dawson will not let his disadvantage hold him back. He is truly remarkable. Deer hunting was top on his list of things he wanted to do. The thing I remember most about Dawson was his terrific smile, and he smiled and laughed a lot. We had a blast in the deer blinds cutting up and telling stories.”
On a frigid January morning this year, Robinson led Dawson, who lives in Beulah, and his father, Rueben, on the three-day hunt, using a specially prepared deer blind. The rifle was mounted to Dawson’s wheelchair. Through a special tube, Dawson’s mouth activated the specially designed trigger system.
Every year Robinson and other guide volunteers help prepare the hunters for the Classic, learning their abilities, limitations, and helping them harvest their trophy. This year, every one of them claimed a deer.
“Miracles and magic moments happen every year at this event. I am thankful I have the chance to assist them in a small way with a sport that I often find myself taking for granted,” Robinson said. “It renews my spirit and makes me thankful I helped give a little joy to them on their special hunt. It’s truly an honor and a privilege to help make their hunting dream come true, while I help make wonderful memories that will last my lifetime.”
Pictured top: Lee Robinson (far right) of Gulf Power helped Dawson Guy take his first buck earlier this year. Guy was featured on the Outdoor Channel’s Buckmasters program. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tri-County 9-10 Year Olds Finish 3rd; 11-12 Continues Play
July 1, 2011
The Tri-County 9-10 year old All Stars are out of tournament play, while Tri-County’s 11-12 year olds are still alive.
Niceville 6 Tri-County 4
The 9-10 year old Tri-County All Stars finished third in Florida District 1 Little League Thursday night. Tri-County lost to Niceville White 6-4 in Shalimar.
Niceville 11 Tri-County 0
Tri-County’s 11-12 year old All Stars also lost Thursday night. They were defeated 11-0 by Niceville in Niceville. With just one loss, Tri-County gets another shot in the loser’s bracket, playing Destin at 6 p.m. Friday in Niceville. The winner advances to the tournament final against Niceville Saturday evening.
Pictured Top: Tri-County 9-10 year old All-Stars Thursday night in Shalimar. Submitted photo by Kelly Archer for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Football: NWE, Cantonment Registration
June 30, 2011
Football season is approaching fast, and registration is set for two local leagues.
NWE Football Registration
Registration for Northwest Escambia football will begin July 2 and continue every Saturday through July from 10 a.m. until noon at the Ernest Ward field. Participants are encouraged to sign up early. The first practice for NWE is August 8. For more information, contact Charles at (850) 327-4603.
Cantonment Football Registration
Football and cheerleading registration for the Cantonment Cowboys will be held each Saturday through July 30 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. For more information, call (850) 292-1775.
Tri-County 9-10 All Stars Win; NWE 11-12 Out Of Tournament Play
June 30, 2011
The 9-10 Tri-County All Stars advanced in tournament play Wednesday night, while Northwest Escambia was eliminated.
Niceville Maroon 7 Tri-County 3 (ages 9-10)
The Tri-County 9-10 year olds lost their Florida District 1 Little League playoff game to Niceville Maroon Wednesday night, 7-3. Tri-County remains alive in tournament play in Shalimar, facing Niceville White Thursday at 6 p.m. It will be the second meeting between the two teams; Tri-County defeated Niceville White Monday night, 2-1.
DeFuniak Springs 12 Northwest Escambia 2 (ages 11-12)
Defuniak Springs defeated Northwest Escambia 12-2 Wednesday night in Niceville, eliminating NWE from Florida District 1 Little League 11-12 year old tournament play in Niceville.
Tri-County’s 11-12 year old All Stars remain undefeated in the tournament as they head into a 7:30 p.m. Thursday game against Niceville.
Escambia Holds Groundbreaking On $8.8 Million Southwest Sportsplex
June 29, 2011
Escambia County held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for a new $8.8 million sports facility in southwest Escambia County.
The Southwest Sportsplex will sit on approximately 200 acres on Bauer Road and will house multiple lighted baseball, softball, soccer and football fields, an open play area, walking trails,
playground, covered pavilions and parking.
The total cost of the project — including athletic fields, pavilions, and playground — is anticipated to be $8.8 million from Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) monies.
Time Running Out To Register For Firecracker 5K
June 29, 2011
Time is running out to register for the annual Firecracker 5K to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida.
The event will be held Saturday, July 2 at 7:30 a.m. in downtown Pensacola. Free beverages and food are provided for all participants and tank shirts are guaranteed to the first 500 registrants. Awards are given for top runners, walkers and wheelchair racers overall and in age divisions.
To celebrate Independence Day with a bang and take part in the Firecracker 5K, register at www.active.com. For more informaiton, call the Ronald McDonald House at (850) 477-2273.
Tri-County Advances In Tournament Play, NWE Still Alive
June 28, 2011
The 9-10 and 11-12 year old Tri-County All Stars are moving on undefeated in Florida District 1 Little League tournament play after wins Monday evening, while Northwest Escambia remains alive in 11-12 year old play.
Tri-County 2 Niceville White 1 (ages 9-10)
The Tri-County 9-10 year olds came from behind in the sixth inning to win their second round playoff game Tuesday evening, 2-1 over Niceville White.
Tri-County was led by Judd Smith who went 3-3 with a three singles. Seth Killam went 2-4 with a single and a double, and both Trevor Flowers and Jackson Free went 1-3 with a single. Flowers allowed just two Niceville hits and striking out three. Killam struck out four of six batters.
Tri-County allowed just three errors during the game.
Tri-County advances to the next round at 7:30 Wednesday in Shalimar. Tri-County will face Niceville Maroon, which beat Shalimar 13-1 Monday.
Tri-County 8 Northwest Escambia 3 (ages 11-12)
Tri-County’s 11-12 year old All Stars defeated Northwest Escambia 8-3 Monday evening. With the win, Tri-County advances to take on Niceville at 7:30 Wednesday in Niceville. Northwest Escambia gets another shot in the loser’s bracket Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. against DeFuniak Springs.
Pictured top: Jackson Free slides in for the Tri-County 9-10 year olds. Pictured inset: Nathan Archer on the mound for Tri-County. Submitted photos by Tammie Free for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tennis Anyone? Court Ready To Play In Century
June 27, 2011
Century has recently rehabilitated the town’s tennis court at Showalter Park.
A few months ago, the court was overgrown with grass, did not have a good net and was in a general state of disrepair. According to Mayor Freddie McCall, the tennis court had not been used in several years.
After a suggestion by a citizen at a town council meeting, the town cleaned up the court and installed a new net.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tri-County Allstars Pick Up Wins
June 27, 2011
The 9-10 and 11-12 year old Tri-County All Stars both picked up wins over the weekend to advance in Florida District 1 Little League tournament play.
Tri-County 9-10
The Tri-County 9-10 year olds won their opening game against Destin Saturday night in Shalimar, 10-1. Winning pitcher Nathan Archer had five strikeouts in 3½ innings pitched. Relief pitcher Seth Killam added three strikeouts and Tanner Levins closed out the win for Tri-County.
The Tri-County offensive attack was led by Trevor Flowers and Jackson Free with two runs each, and Judd Smith with two runs, a double and pinch-run for Garrick Davis. Archer had a run and double, Killam added a run, a single and a double, and Slader Nash and Jajuan Brooks added a run each.
Tri-County advances to play Niceville White Monday evening at 5:30 in Shalimar.
Tri-County 11-12
Tri-County’s 11-12 year old All Stars defeated Shalimar 4-2 Saturday with solo homers by Jackson and Moore. They advance to take on Northwest Escambia Monday at 5:30 in Niceville.