Tate’s Jayce Boyd Drafted By Major League Baseball
June 11, 2009
Jayce Boyd from Tate High School was drafted by Major League Baseball Wednesday, but he made head to Florida State instead.
Boyd, a former Aggie third baseman, was chosen Wednesday in the 19th round of the MLB amateur draft. He was expected to be picked in the first five rounds, but fell over concerns that he wanted too high of salary. His asking price was reportedly equal to a full scholarship to FSU where he is already signed to play next year.
It might be a couple of months, after a little practice time, before the Rangers make an official salary offer to Boyd.
NWE Wraps Up Season; Awards Special Trophy To Drew Marlow
May 30, 2009
Trophies and awards were handed out during closing ceremonies for Northwest Escambia Little League Friday, including a trophy for a little boy that was never able to play ball on the field that bears his name.
Two year old Drew Marlow and his dad Danny Marlow died in a January 2008 accident on Highway 97. Drew’s Field was named is his honor, bringing wee ball to the Northwest Escambia Little League for the first time ever.
The first trophy of the season was presented to Drew’s mom Cyndi Marlow Wendt. It was a tiny trophy depicting a wee ball player about to knock the ball off a tee was inscribed with “Drew Marlow #3″.
The first three attempt at in vitro conception were unsuccessful for Danny and his wife Cyndi. But on the third try, they were successful. The embryo was rated as on a “3″, when typically only those rated as a four or five survive. Drew beat the odds and was born a happy healthy child. For that reason, Danny wanted his little boy to wear jersey number “3″ during his first game.
All of the NWE wee ball players wore the number “3″ on their hats during the season as a constant reminder of Drew’s memory.
NWE also presented other trophies and awards Friday afternoon, including their coach and volunteer of the year awards.
Greg Green was named Volunteer of the Year, and Josh Long was name Coach of the Year. Steve Hanks was also recognized for 13 years of service to NWE.
Each player on every team was also individually recognized.
For a complete gallery with over 150 photos from the event, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
In The Game: Brain Surgery Allows NHS Player To Take The Field
May 24, 2009
Friday night’s Garnet and Gold game at Northview High School ended in a tie, but it was a huge victory — and answered prayers — for one family.
On November 19, Nathan Therrell underwent brain surgery at the Miami Children’s Hospital to remove something the size of a grain of rice that has caused years of problems for him. It’s called a hypothalamic hamartoma, also called an “HH”. The HH is not a tumor, nor is it a cancer; it is a tissue growth.
Last season, Nathan was sidelined by the HH, serving as the team’s manager and water boy. He stood on the sidelines, watching every play, dreaming of the day he would be on the field. Friday night, that dream became a reality as coaches put Nathan Therrill #72 in the game.
Nathan’s aunt, Kelly Sims, said Nathan has done well since the surgery. Best of all, he has been seizure-free since the surgery, receiving an “all clear” from his doctor.
“Nathan has recovered from the surgery far better than expected. He seems like a total different kid,” Sims said of her nephew. “God does answer prayers and Nathan’s family would like to thank everyone that helped during the time of fund raisers and for any donations that were given.”
“The family is very thankful for everything including the prayers that were sent out for Nate,” she added.
A typical HH like the one removed from Nathan’s brain causes seizures, a problem Nathan had for four years. His were originally controlled by medication, but the medicines failed to work, his mother Tina Therrell said. Doctors tried radiation and laser treatments, but none worked. That led the family to decide to have the surgery to remove the HH from the middle of Nathan’s brain.
Pictured top: Nathan Therrell ready to play in the Garnet and Gold game Friday night at Northview High School. Pictured middle: Nathan Therrill watches a Northview football game last season. He served as the team’s manager water boy. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Register For 5K Race For Blueberries
May 24, 2009
The Escambia County Neighborhoods and Community Services Bureau invites runners, walkers, and wheelchair racers to join the 5K Race for Blueberries.
The event will be Saturday, June 13, beginning at 8 a.m. with a staggered start. The race will be one of the many fun activities offered at the Blueberry Jamboree, to be held at Barrineau Park Community Center and Historical Society, 6055 Barrineau Park School Road in Molino.
Pre-registration is $15. Registration forms can be found by clicking here or by calling (850) 475-5220. Registration is $20 on the day of the event. T-shirts will be given to all registrants and prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place winners.
For more information, please contact Brandi Daigle of the Neighborhoods and Community Services Bureau at (850) 475-5220 or by email at recreation@co.escambia.fl.us.
The Blueberry Jamboree is sponsored by several local organizations, including NorthEscambia.com.
NWE Names Maille Kilcrease Little League Queen
May 24, 2009
Maille Kilcrease was crowned the 2009 Little League Queen at Bradberry recently. The girls sold votes for a penny each, with a portion of the proceeds to sponsor the park.
The first place winner was Kylie Brook. Other contestants included Amber Gilman and Ronnie Belanger.
Pictured above: 2008 NWE Baseball Queen Brianna Parker crowned her successor recently, 2009 NWE Baseball Queen Maille Kilcrease. Pictured inset: Contestant Amber Gilman. Pictured below: Contestant Kylie Brook, 2008 Queen Brianna Parker, 2009 Queen Maille Kilcrease and Ronnie Belanger. Submitted photos by Wendy Aliff for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
A Wet Spring Football Game: Northview’s Garnet And Gold
May 23, 2009
It was a win-win game for the Northview Chiefs Friday night with the school’s intrasquad game ending in a tie after an overtime period. At the end of five rainy quarters, the Garnet and the Gold were tied at 6-6. Both teams picked up a touchdown in overtime, ending the game with a tie.
For a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery with the best plays from the game, the cheerleaders, the band and lots of wet fans and umbrellas, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FSU Coach Lunches In Century
May 22, 2009
The assistant head coach at Florida State University stopped in Century for lunch Thursday, and ended up being a bit of a birthday surprise.
Ronnie Faulk of Walnut Hill took his wife Liz out to lunch at the Southern Panhandle Restaurant for her birthday. He noticed a man that he thought looked familiar come into the restaurant.
That man was Mickey Andrews, associate head coach and defensive coordinator for the FSU Seminoles. Andrews had lunch with the Faulks and Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputy Randy Murph.
“It was a great pleasure to have him sit and have lunch with us and talk about the old days when he played for Bear Bryant at Bama,” Faulk said. “He thinks FSU will have a good team this year even though they are young.”
Andrews, now in his 24th year at FSU, is from Daleville, Alabama, very near where Faulk grew up. Faulk remembers stopping many times at a store in Post Oak, Alabama, near Ozark, where Andrews’ parents owned a small store.
“I remember when he played at Bama, back in the 60’s,” Faulk said. “It was a real pleasure to have lunch with him and talk about football and where we grew up.”
After his lunch, Andrews was headed to Jay High School to talk to a potential FSU recruit, Faulk said.
Northview’s Scooter Named MVP As East Beats West
May 20, 2009
His “West” team came up short in the Pensacola Sports Association senior All-Star game Tuesday, but Northview’s “Scooter” was on top his game.
The East beat the West 7-5 in the annual end of the season game at the University of West Florida. The matchup showcases the best high school senior baseball talent from across the area.
Northview’s James “Scooter” Hamilton was the only player on either team with three hits. He was 3 for 4 with two RBIs and a run scored. His performance earned him the title of the West team’s MVP.
Northview Chiefs Honor Baseball Players At Annual Banquet
May 13, 2009
The Northview Chiefs honored their varsity and junior varsity baseball teams Tuesday night during their annual awards banquet.
After finishing second in the district, Head Coach Sid Wheatley said he’s looking forward to next season when the Chiefs will be in a new district that includes teams like Baker and Jay.
“We’re losing a great group of seniors, but we’ve got a good group coming in,” Wheatley said. “We are excited about next year.”
Click here for NorthEscambia.com photos from the award banquet.
The Chiefs honored the following players:
Junior Varsity
- Academic — Michael Lowery
- Outstanding Pitcher — Colton Sims
- Outstanding Offensive Player — Joshua Scott
Varsity
- Academic Award — Luke Killam
- Rookie Award — Dabney Langhorne
- Chief Award — Patrick McPherson
- Most Improved Player Award — Austin Lowery, Dakota Stuckey
- Iron Man Award — Brad Foster
- Outstanding Defensive Player — Austin Reid
- Outstanding Pitcher Award — Brad Lowery
- Outstanding Offensive Player — James “Scooter” Hamilton
Senior Awards
- James “Scooter” Hamilton
- Brad Foster
- Brett Hanks
- Alex Abbott
- Luke Killam
- Patrick McPherson
Other members of the Varsity team were juniors Heath Burkett, Brad Lowery, Seth Leonard, Austin Lowery, Dakota Stuckey, Austin Reid and Aaron Chancery; sophomores Austin Arrington, Colton Sims and Dabney Langhorne.
Members of the JV team were: sophomores Mike Lowery, A.J. Lambert, Jansen Bodiford, Taylor Martin, Derek Lewis, Tyler Brooks and Joshua Scott; freshmen Brandon Sheets, Jamie Gafford, Hunter Black, Josh Hammond, Cole Commander, Chance Jackson, Tanner Brooks, Tyler Hester and Austin Albritton.
Pictured above: Northview baseball senior players (L-R) Brett Hanks, Alex Abbot, Patrick McPherson, Luke Killam, James “Scooter” Hamilton and Brad Foster. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Time To Register For 5K Race For The Blueberries
May 10, 2009
The Blueberry Jamboree 5K Race for the Blueberries will take place on Saturday, June 13 in Barrineau Park.
The race begins at 8 a.m. at the Barrineau Park Community Center & Historical Society at 6055 Barrineau Park School Road and ends at Touchablue Berry Farm at 7100 Molino Road.
Wheelchairs will start just before 8 a.m. and walkers will start just after 8:00. Transportation will be provided for participants back to the starting point.
Pre-Registration is available by filling out and turning in the 5K Race for the Blueberries entry form. Registrations must be postmarked by Friday June 5. Registration will also be available on the day of the race, from 6:30-7:30am.
The event is hosted by Escambia County Neighborhoods and Community Services Bureau and UF/IFAS Extension. The Blueberry Jamboree is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com.