Contents
April-May 2015 28
Columbus Valley Edition
www.inthegamemagazine.com
Chattahoochee Valley Middle School Golf League
08 On the Cover Under second-year head golf coach, Brookstone eyes a sixth-straight state championship 10 Sports Zone Steve Smith, Calvary Christian School Baseball
14 Alonzo Jones Columbus High senior the latest in a storied tradition of pro-level players at CHS 16 Elizabeth Brown Hardaway star continues family success
19 Are You Qualified? Changes to the NCAA Academic Standards 20 Kayln Anderson Soccer and determination help get Smiths Station athlete to the next level 24 Jameshia Smith Soccer gives athlete kick of confidence
Also Inside: The Best Post-Workout Foods..........13 Timeless Moments in Sports.............31 10 Questions......................................27 FCA: Choose This Day.......................33 Xbox Fitness: Getting off the Couch........................37
34 Karif Nunes Jaguars eighth-grader trains himself for next-level competition
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From the
editor
April-May
2015
www.inthegamemagazine.com
Spring Cleaning at In the Game
Columbus Valley Edition
Finally, spring is here! What a winter and what a welcome change. Time to wash off the lawn chairs and throw’em in the trunk so you can take in spring sports that abound this time of year. All across the Columbus Valley, there are games, matches, tournaments, and meets being held for high school athletics. If you are a regular reader of In The Game, you might notice some changes in the look of the magazine
Contributors Publisher Mark Dykes Editors Mark Dykes Sarah Turner Area Editor Beth Welch Graphics Sarah Turner Cover/Feature Photography Jerry Christenson Feature Writers Robert Preston Jr. Beth Welch James Washington Copy Editor James Washington Advertising/Marketing Mark Dykes mark@inthegamemagazine.com Mike McGuire mike@inthegamemagazine.com Rachel Thrasher rachel@inthegamemagazine.com Website Manager Sarah Turner
this edition. We did a little spring cleaning ourselves and have come up with a few new ideas in the form of graphics and layout. We will be implementing more changes in upcoming issues, and the total makeover will be completed in our fall magazine. For now, we hope you enjoy the updates, but rest assured, we will continue our commitment of highlighting the best athletes and sports programs in our area throughout the process. Speaking of the best athletes, our Player Spotlights this month are outstanding examples of local talent. Elizabeth Brown of Hardaway and Alonzo Jones Jr. of Columbus High are both stellar athletes. Please take time to read about their journey. In addition to those features, we highlight Kaylyn Anderson as our Academic Athlete, Jameisha Smith as our Freshman Focus, and Karif Nunes is our Rising Star. All are unique in their approach to their respective sports and worthy to be highlighted this month. Brookstone golf coach Hunter Chapman is leading his team in search of another state championship. Chapman is in his second year as coach for the Cougars. Read about his expectations and goals for this season. Another local coach, Steve Smith of Calvary Christian School, is hoping for a winning season, too. Smith is the head baseball coach for the Calvary Knights. In our Sports Zone, Smith gives us an update on the construction of a new baseball complex at the school while also allowing us to get a brief look at his baseball program.
athletes get back in the game. This edition’s “10 Questions” features Rob Hopkins of the rehabilitation side of the medical facility. Check out his perspective on helping young athletes with the rehab of sports injuries. A well-kept secret in our area is the local middle school golf league. Hundreds of young golfers have benefitted over the years from this league, and In The Game was fortunate to speak with two officers who help keep the Chattahoochee Valley Middle School Golf League going strong. All in all, it is a great lineup. It’s also a great time to enjoy the outdoors and outdoor athletics. Please support your local youth sporting events. It may be a little dusty out there from the pollen, but it’s always good to be In The Game!
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In the Game
Commentary: James Washington Feature Writer Copy Editor
“High school athletics are important because they give kids a chance to learn to take direction and work with others at an earlier age than those students who do not participate in disiplinary activites”
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Athletes often incur injuries and Hughston Clinic in Columbus has the reputation of helping local
In the Game High School Sports Magazine is published bi-monthly excluding July. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in part or in full without written consent from the publisher. Dykes Publishing Group, Inc. makes no representation or warranty of any kind for accuracy of content. All advertisements are assumed by the publisher to be correct. Copyright 2014 Dykes Publishing Group, Inc. All rights reserved. ISSN 1945-1458.
Coach’s Corner
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Coach Chapman is very humble. He is quick to direct attention to those he feels may play an even more integral role in the team’s success than he does. Throughout our conversation, he continually praised the players he coached last year and those who are playing this year. “They are self-motivated to be the best golfers they can be. They made up their minds that they want to
be a championship team and took it from there. They made my job easy,” he says. He was also very complementary regarding his assistant coach, Perrin Trotter. “He’s fantastic and does a lot with the kids. He’s a tremendous golfer himself and has a lot to offer our players. We wouldn’t be the team we are without him.”
Brookstone School
Hunter Chapman Under second-year head golf coach, Brookstone eyes a sixth-straight state championship by Robert Preston Jr.
The expectations for the Brookstone Cougars men’s golf team didn’t change when head coach Hunter Chapman took over the program last year. The Cougars had won four straight men’s golf state championships. They had three elite-level seniors and a deep, talented field of underclassmen. Yes, they were getting a new golf coach. But no, they weren’t going to settle for anything less than a fifth consecutive state title. Welcome to the program, Coach Chapman. It didn’t help that Chapman was taking his first coaching job after graduating from the University of Georgia in December of 2012. A brand new head coach in his first-ever coaching position -- and he inherits a fouryear state championship streak. “I wouldn’t call it pressure, but it definitely crossed my mind. I didn’t want the streak to end. But our team had a humble confidence that motivated them to do their best. With that kind of confidence, it was out of my hands at that point. They did the rest,” says Coach Chapman. Thankfully for Chapman, his players weren’t ready for the streak to end, either. They committed themselves to winning another championship, and that’s exactly what they accomplished. “Our seniors loved the game, and they were great leaders. They had high expectations for the team, and we really had some quality golfers. They made my job easy. It was a really fun ride all the way around,” he says. Chapman makes it sound easy, but don’t
photography by Jerry Christenson
think for a minute that he just loads up the bus, gets the kids to the course, and turns them loose. A golfer during his high school years at Westminster in Atlanta, Chapman was a part of two state titles of his own. He understands the mental side of golf and a few nuances of the game that save strokes. Those nuances can help even the most seasoned players on his team. “A lot of our players have spent years with private coaches. Obviously I’m not going to try and change their swings at all. But the younger players – those I can coach a little and offer some technical advice. Then there’s always the mental aspect of golf – how you play the course and manage each hole. That is as important as anything. There’s a lot of coaching you can do in golf without changing a swing,” he says. This year, he doesn’t expect anything to change. A state title is again the goal. And again, the team is built for a championship run. Brookstone lost three great seniors last year (including James Clark, who now plays at Georgia Tech), but a solid group of last year’s juniors are ready to take over leadership roles and keep the championship streak alive. “Our fourth guy last year, Connor Todd, is back. He’s one of our leaders, and he can really get the kids fired up. Our juniors and sophomores are very good as well. We have a lot of talent, but we don’t have much experience. We’ve got to translate that talent into low scores in a competitive setting. But we have depth, and that’s what wins championships. It’s not about having that one guy
who can play Division I golf; it’s about having a team full of kids who can play well. Our mission is clear: We want to title number six,” he says. Hunter Chapman is a young coach with his entire career ahead of him. Instead of worrying about building a resume and moving up the coaching ladder, he is content where he is and feels as though he has found a home at Brookstone. Chapman’s wife, Alex, whom he recently married, also teaches at Brookstone, and they couldn’t be happier where they are. “This is a phenomenal school. I love the kids I teach and coach, and I love the teachers I work with. This is a cool place to be, and we see ourselves staying here awhile,” says Coach Chapman. ITG
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Steve Smith Sports zone
Calvary Christian School
by Beth Welch
A CloseR Look:
Baseball season has been in full swing for area high schools since February. Finally, the weather is cooperating, and teams all across the Chattahoochee Valley are counting down the days until the playoffs. One team, the Calvary Christian School Knights, is gaining respect in the region for their winning record and growing baseball program. Evidence of the enthusiasm at Calvary can now be seen in a very tangible way. A new baseball complex is being built on the campus of the school, and the first two phases are now complete. Head baseball coach Steve Smith graciously allowed In The Game to take a look at his program and the plans for the new field in this edition’s Sports Connection.
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How long have you been coaching baseball?
Are you a teacher at Calvary in addition to a coach?
Steve Smith: My first experience with coaching came in 1995, when I was 15. I volunteered as a pitching coach for a youth team in between my high school and American Legion seasons. I began coaching my oldest son Stephen’s Little League teams in 2006.
SS: No, I work for Eastman Kodak Company.
When did you begin coaching at Calvary Christian School? SS: The 2014 season was my first year coaching at Calvary.
What sports/teams do you coach for the Knights? SS: I oversee the baseball program at Calvary for sixth through 12th grade, and I am the varsity head coach.
How many athletes do you have in your baseball program?
SS: This season we had 34 players make our teams between the middle school, JV and varsity. That is almost a 30 percent increase in roster size from previous seasons. Our program is growing and moving in the right direction. This year, we expanded our fall/winter arm care and long toss program to allow future Calvary Knight baseball players who are in the fifth and sixth grades to participate. This was in preparation for their Little League and travel ball seasons, but also gave them exposure to our program.
with bathroom, public restrooms, concession stands, press box, warning track installation, infield irrigation repair, new 9-inning scoreboard and 4,000 sq.ft. indoor hitting facility. Phase two, which is scheduled to begin at the conclusion of the 2015 season, will include grading and installation of new grass in the outfield, outfield irrigation repair, completion of warning track, addition of the visitor bullpen area, and re-installation of field fencing.
What is the best thing about coaching baseball at Calvary Christian School?
What was your record last year? SS: Last season our varsity record was 14-8, including an undefeated 8-0 record in region play. After securing Calvary baseball’s first region title in 13 years, we advanced to the State final four.
How many returning players do you have? SS: We have 21 players that played last season returning across our three teams.
Calvary is in the process of developing a new baseball facility. Give us an overview of what the plans are and the current status on the field. SS: We have a two-phase project that calls for a complete renovation of our baseball facilities. Phase one, which was completed in February, includes infield conversion from base cutouts to a skinned field, home/away brick dugouts, storage rooms, 700 sq. ft. attached home clubhouse
SS: I have always been in awe of how God works through the various Calvary ministries in our community. CCS is no different. The leadership and vision that Headmaster Dr. Ricky Smith brings to our school can be seen every day as the school carries out the mission of “Teaching the whole child the whole truth.” We have a terrific group of parents that are supportive of our baseball program and coaching staff. They are always willing to help whenever and wherever it is needed and they are completely invested in their teenagers’ lives. Most of all, I enjoy competing side by side, every day with a great coaching staff and a group of kids that we genuinely care about both on and off the field. As coaches, we have a unique and rewarding opportunity to impact the lives of dozens of kids each season.
ITG: Any athletes to watch this season? We have a talented group of players this season that will be led by our three captains. Jackson Sellers, Sr. (P, 3B) was named to the All-Region and All-State teams after hitting .467 with 19 RBI’s, 26 runs and 16 stolen bases. He also helped to anchor the pitching staff, going 4-2 with a 2.07 ERA and threw a no-hitter in the opening round of the playoffs. Cole Parker, Sr. (P, CF) was a key contributor last season until he suffered an in-game injury that sidelined him for the final nine games. He batted .350 and was 2-0, 1.83 ERA. He provides terrific defense in centerfield and will be a valuable arm out of the bullpen. Cody Russell, So. (SS, P) was named to the All-Region team as a freshman after hitting .449 with 20 runs and 11 stolen bases. He was also 1-0 with a 1.34 ERA with a 19:1 k/BB Ratio on the mound. He provides exceptional range up the middle and leadership as an underclassman. Key returning players: Tim Thomas (Sr.), Garrett McGlamory (Jr.), Kyle Mass (Jr.), Jon Jon Brown (So.), Crawford Ledbetter (So.), Kyle Ammons (Fr.), Brandon Wright (Fr.), and Hunter Duke (Eighth Grade) 2015 key additions: Landon Rush, Tyler Hostilo, Cody Barnes, Mason Henderson, Nick Baker, Chris Wright, Tred Wilburn, Jason Whearley and Hunter Qualls
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any people see a good workout as an excuse to reward themselves with a “cheat” meal. They feel so good about a job well done that a nice cheeseburger doesn’t feel like a big problem. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Quite the contrary, what you eat after a workout may just be the most important food that you consume that day.
Your muscles store glycogen and protein, and when you work out, your body may begin to break the stored energy down within your muscles. This causes your muscles to break down. In order to keep your energy and muscle mass steady, it is best to eat within a 45minute window after completing your workout.
The Best
PostWorkout Foods by James Washington
Below are a few snacks that can quickly help replenish what you lose:
Fruit Salad
Greek Yogurt Contains twice the amount of protein of regular yogurt, and is a great source of carbohydrates. For added variety, mix with cereal or fruit.
Fruit is loaded with carbohydrates, and most of them also contain enzymes that help your body break down nutrients faster for delivery to your muscles. Particularly, pineapple is known to have antiinflammatory properties (to help with muscle soreness), and kiwi aids in digestion and helps break down amino acids. Many fruits also contain antioxidants.
Whole Grain Breakfast Cereal Cereal is a great option. It’s quick, it’s good any time of the day, and certain cereals are high in protein and fiber. These can help restore muscle energy, especially if you eat them with milk or yogurt.
Sandwich Wraps A great option for the person on the go, wholegrain wraps are portable and loaded with carbohydrates. Excellent meat ideas for your wraps include turkey and chicken.
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Player Spotlight Columbus High School
Alonzo Jones Columbus High senior the latest in a storied tradition of pro-level players at CHS
by Robert Preston Jr.
The year was 2012. The Columbus High School Blue Devils were about to win their 12th state baseball championship. They were playing Ringgold and had a comfortable lead. Only two runs away from ending the game and winning the title via run rule, freshman Alonzo Jones came into the game to pinch run. Already targeted as a key component in the future of Columbus High baseball, Jones had played sparingly as a freshman. He was young, but he had all the tools – not the least of which was speed. When he entered the game, he knew what his assignment was. He was there to score. Get to the plate and end the game. Jones did that very thing, but the manner in which he did it was slightly less than orthodox and demonstrated just how much he understood the game. “I was on second, and there was another runner on third,” he recalls. The Ringgold pitcher’s offering got away from the catcher. The runner on third broke as soon as he realized the ball had gotten away from the catcher. Jones did the same, heading for third with everything he had. There was a play at the plate and the runner from third knocked the ball out of the catcher’s mitt. Jones saw the opportunity immediately and never slowed down. “I don’t remember seeing any sign from my coach. He didn’t tell me to stop, and he didn’t tell me to run. I went on my own, and I don’t think I’ve ever run that fast in my life.” Jones scored without a play and secured yet another state championship for the Blue Devils. Three years later, Jones is enjoying his senior season at Columbus High. He’s one of the best young baseball players in the country and has committed to play at Vanderbilt. Jones has also been tagged as a potential first-round draft pick, which means he may never even make it to Nashville. First-round money is life-
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photography by Jerry Christenson
changing money, and Jones is well aware that his future could take a serious turn come June. Until then, though, he has his eyes on another state championship. The physical tools are there, no question about it. Jones is above average in every category, and his athleticism and speed put him near the top of his baseball class. Jones has posted a personal best 60-yard dash time of 6.17; that’s nearly a second faster than the average major leaguer’s 60 time. That kind of speed gives a team options, both offensively and defensively. Because of his speed, some scouts are wondering if he wouldn’t be a better fit in center field. Jones would rather play shortstop, but he’s willing to do whatever he needs to in order to keep playing. “I don’t mind playing in the outfield. At the end of the day, I want to play Major League Baseball, and wherever I need to play in order to keep getting better is fine with me. But I’d like the opportunity to play shortstop,” he says. Last season, Jones finished the year hitting .394 with 11 doubles, six triples, 22 stolen bases, and one home run. Jones attributes his success more to his mental approach to baseball than his physical tools. He spends as much – if not more – time working on the intangibles. Jones is a student of baseball and he always has a plan before each game. As a game progresses, he alters his plan as needed. “I think being mentally prepared is as important as having the physical ability to play. I approach each game with a specific plan. I have the same pre-game routine. I evaluate the circumstances and situation before each at-bat. I’m always aggressive on defense. It gives me the confidence I need to play well,” he says. So what are Jones’s goals for the 2015 season? He already has the attention. He’s talked
with pro scouts from teams throughout the major leagues. He’s played in front of huge crowds, in big-league stadiums, and in a host of prestigious All-Star games. It would seem that he’s done just about all that a high school player could do. But Alonzo Jones isn’t satisfied just yet. “I want another state championship,” he said. “The last two years, we haven’t played as well as we could have. We didn’t put it together at the right time. This year, we’re all on the same page. It’s my senior year, and I want to get back to state.” ITG
When Alonzo Jones isn’t playing baseball, you can usually find him making music. He has played the piano for eight years and picked up the guitar this year for a senior project. He has taken thousands of hours of piano lessons, but doesn’t take anymore because he simply doesn’t have the time. Jones’s piano hobby is restricted to home; he does most of his playing when his family is around. “Christmas music. That’s what I usually play. I play Christmas music during the holidays for my family,” he says.
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Player Spotlight
“Her composure stands out above everything. You can tell she is a veteran player by her attitude and how she handles herself. She’s a smart player, which allows her to play at the number-one singles level and consistently produce solid wins.” - John Franco
Hardaway High School
Elizabeth Brown 16
It’s a Family Thing... by Beth Welch
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hat’s how Elizabeth Brown describes her involvement from the age of ten years old with the sport of tennis. Brown, a senior at Hardaway High School, has been the top-ranked singles player for the Hawks since she was a freshman at the school. “Love” may be a way to keep score in tennis, but it also describes Brown’s passion for the sport. “Tennis is such a family thing. My family plays tennis. I have family members who have tennis courts at their homes. I picked it up pretty easily. For me, it was a match,” says Brown, 18. Sometimes, tennis athletes with the kind of talent Brown possesses will gravitate toward tournament tours and expensive lessons with elite out-of-town tennis coaches. The 5’6” left-handed tennis athlete is pretty modest about her abilities and is quick to point out that while she does have tennis clinic with local coach Mike Greer, she doesn’t have time for that way of life. Brown is a participant in Hardaway’s rigorous academic magnet program, the International Baccalaureate (IB). Course work for the program is time-consuming to say the least. Athletes at Hardaway in the IB programme learn quickly that time management is essential in order to combine athletics and academics, but Brown chose the school precisely because of the IB magnet. “Hardaway’s IB programme drew me in. I applied to a couple of other magnet programs, but I decided IB was right for me. To play sports and keep up with all IB requires, well, it’s just a balance. I feel like I always have a big project going on, and it leaves very little time for anything else. I have made it work, though, and think learning this skill will be very beneficial in my life,” she says. Making it work means practicing her sport with her fellow teammates after school, then arriving at home after 7 p.m. to complete about two hours of schoolwork. Tennis is a year-round activity for her. She also is a volunteer with the Juniors Council of the Columbus Regional Tennis Association (CORTA). That affiliation demands more time management, but some of the responsibilities are very close to her Brown’s heart. “We have special needs groups we work with at Juniors and I absolutely love that. I get so much back from working with the people in those groups,” Brown says. The senior explains her devotion to the volunteer work also fits in with the requirement of IB participants to complete 150 hours of service over a two-year period. Between her time on the Juniors Council and the volunteer work she does with CORTA, Brown has long since passed that mark. Brown has developed tennis relationships along the way. She played tennis throughout middle school and also with the Juniors program at CORTA. Like many high school sports, tennis
photography by Jerry Christenson
is a small world for those who are serious and have the talent to back up the interest. Brown has played alongside several local tennis athletes over the years, and that just may be to her advantage this season. “With our new region, I will be up against some more schools in our area. Some of the tennis players I know from other things, so I am kind of interested to see how it works out. You know, before I go on the court, I will already have an idea of what they can do,” she says with a laugh. Brown has a bubbling, warm personality and fits the image of the all-American girl. She is hesitant to talk about her tennis talent, but she didn’t get to be the number-one singles player at Hardaway for four straight years for no reason. Last year, she finished with a 9-1 record and went into the teams’ Class AAAAA playoff match with a 9-0 record. She admits she might not have had the playing time at some other schools, but she has not wasted her chance. Her first year in the Hardaway tennis program was a learning experience. Brown says she had a tendency to lose focus and be unable sometimes to recover on the court when that happened. She’s worked on that issue and more to get to where she is today. “I am always trying to improve. Now I can see the point. I can place the ball where I want to. I know I have been given a great opportunity to play here, and I play because I love it,” she says. Hardaway tennis coach John Franco feels fortunate Brown chose to attend the school and be a part of the Hawks tennis program. Now in his sixth year coaching tennis for the Hawks and his fifth as head of the boys and girls tennis teams, Franco understands the value of players of Brown’s caliber. “We don’t get many like her. Holding down the number-one singles position for four years is pretty rare,” he says. Franco has seen Brown mature in her level of play. He knows her strengths and has no doubt she will be able to hold her own against the new region opponents. With her talent, academic strength, and background in tennis, it is surprising to learn Brown is not seeking to play at the next level. She hasn’t chosen a college and is keeping her options open. She has a desire to enter a health care field and possibly work in some way with those who have special needs. Because she knows the time commitment that pursuit will involve, she hopes to continue to play tennis either as an intramural sport or strictly for pleasure. “I don’t know what I am doing yet. I just want to focus on this season and enjoy it. Then, well, tennis is something I can play forever. It’s not like a lot of other sports that are over after you leave school. That would make me sad to leave it behind. You can take a racquet just about anywhere. That will be me,” says Brown, smiling. ITG
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE
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Are You Qualified?
Student-athletes in the class of 2016 and beyond will be experiencing many changes to the NCAA academic qualifications. These changes include higher GPA requirements, higher SAT/ACT scores and CORE course requirements to be completed by the end of the junior year. by Skyler Callender
Tip to stay ahead:
Changes to the NCAA Academic Qualifications
sliding scale) Complete 16 CORE courses and graduate from high school
Full Qualifier
10 CORE classes required before 7th semester of school (Beginning of senior year)
Minimum CORE course 2.3 GPA, increased from 2.0, plus required ACT/SAT scores (See
7 of 10 CORE classes must be in English, math or science
Academic Redshirt Complete 16 CORE courses and graduate high school Minimum CORE course GPA of 2.0
Every semester now counts. A studentathlete must track their progression from the first semester of their freshman year. Previously, students could retake courses during their senior year to improve their GPA, however, the new standard sets benchmarks prior to the seventh semester. Seek out guidance counselors, athletic directors, and prospective colleges for assistance. ITG
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Academic Athlete
Smiths Station High School
Kayln
Anderson
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Soccer and Determination Help Get Athlete to the Next Level by Beth Welch photography by Jerry Christenson
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n August, Kayln Anderson will be a studentathlete at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama. How she got there is due to part athletic talent, part academic aptitude, and a very determined personality. Anderson, 17, is a senior at Smiths Station High School, where she began playing soccer in the seventh grade on the high school JV team. The next year, she advanced as a starter on the varsity soccer team. Students in the middle school program at Smiths are permitted to participate in sports at the high school level, but it isn’t often that someone as young as Anderson succeeds in garnering a starting position so early. “You always have to prove yourself, and I guess I did,” says Anderson when asked about the opportunity. She has been playing soccer since the age of four and loved it from the beginning. From her River City Soccer Club days until she began playing with the Columbus-area Red Star Soccer program, the sport of soccer has been Anderson’s one and only sports endeavor. She has never been tempted to try another sport, preferring instead to hone her athletic skills on the soccer field. Her playing time has been spent in primarily two positions; midfield and forward. The 5’2” athlete is fast on her feet and quick in intellect, which makes her capable of delivering no matter where a coach places her. Of the sports offered to female athletes in high school, Anderson says she prefers soccer for several reasons. “I guess ‘cause I feel like I am good at it. It just comes easy to me. I get everything we are supposed to be doing. It’s just like a second nature to me. It’s more contact. It’s more rough. It is a stress reliever,” she says. Like many high school athletes who choose to focus on one sport, Anderson’s passion for soccer developed into a year-round activity. Her commitment to Red Star Soccer put her on the playing field when she wasn’t playing for the Smiths Station Panthers and vice versa. Anytime she could get in a soccer game was a good day in her mind. It was while practicing for the soccer club her
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“It all came from there. I didn’t even plan on being a physical therapist, and then I went to physical therapy and I was like ‘I want to do this with my life.” Family Mother, Jennifer Dexter; father, Mike Anderson; one brother and two sisters Pets: Three dogs Favorite food: Chicken Favorite place to eat: Chick-fil-A Music she prefers: Country Favorite team (college or professional): Auburn How she spends spare time: Going to movies Favorite movie: The Lion King Book she is currently reading: Divergent Person(s) she most admires: My parents Ritual before game: I don’t talk to anyone. Favorite subject: Science Best thing about attending Smiths Station High School: It’s where I’ve grown up.
sophomore year that Anderson suffered a debilitating injury. She says she jumped up high and came down wrong on her knee. Although she knew right away it was bad, she didn’t know just how bad until she was diagnosed with tears to her Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and meniscus, along with some other less serious damage. Surgery was performed, and the soccer athlete spent ten months without playing while she recovered. As a result, she missed soccer seasons with both of the teams. “It was awful,” says Anderson, shaking her head as she recalls that time. At this point, Anderson’s determined spirit took hold. Vowing to come back for her junior year to play for Red Star and the Panthers, Anderson did everything that was required of her and more. The hard work to rehab her knee and the mental attitude she adapted proved successful. Anderson was told she completed her recovery ahead of schedule. Although she was a little cautious about her return to play with the rehabbed knee, it didn’t take long for those fears to melt away. Not only did she return
to play, Anderson says, in her opinion, she came back better and stronger. She threw herself into the game again and hasn’t looked back. That kind of dedication often takes a toll elsewhere; usually in the form of slipping grades, but Anderson is just as determined off the field. The student athlete currently holds a 4.0 grade point average. Sometimes seniors will roll with the “easy” classes the last semester of high school, but not Anderson. She knocked off two Advanced Placement (AP) courses last year and has three AP classes (biology, literature and statistics) on her class schedule now. “I took them to prepare for college, for one. And also, if you pass the AP test at the end of the year, you can skip that course in college,” she says. In addition to tackling difficult class subjects, Anderson has also been determined to keep up with her school work despite her very busy schedule. When playing club soccer, sometimes Anderson did not finish until 9:00 and then had a 30-minute drive home before even taking a look at homework or studying for a test. The discipline and resolve to go after what she wants has helped Anderson secure a scholarship for the fall. Her stepfather
learned about the Faulkner soccer program and encouraged Anderson to seek a tryout. Determined to find a place she could play soccer, Anderson called the college coach and asked for a chance to tryout with the school’s soccer team. The risk paid off, and she was given an opportunity to practice with the team. Her skills, along with her academic standards, impressed the coaching staff at Faulkner. She was offered an academic scholarship, which will also enable her to attend the school to play soccer. Receiving an education while playing soccer is one of Anderson’s goals. Another is to become a physical therapist. She developed the idea while she was involved in her recovery from knee surgery. “It all came from there. I didn’t even plan on being a physical therapist, and then I went to physical therapy and I was like ‘I want to do this with my life’,” says Anderson. If her life so far is any indication of how her plans will work out, Anderson will be telling her physical therapy patients about her own soccer injury rehab in the very near future. ITG
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Jameshia Smith
Freshman Focus
Kendrick High School “I can’t really say why I like soccer, but it comes natural to me. I like softball and basketball, but I am best at soccer, and it is my favorite,” says Smith.
Getting to know Jameshia Family: Mother, Margaret Williams; Father, James Smith; siblings, a blended family of seven brothers and sisters Pets: A dog named Tiger Favorite food: Pizza Best place to eat in Columbus: Hibachi Music she likes: R&B Hobbies: Reading non-fiction
Soccer Gives Athlete Kick of Confidence
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by Beth Welch photography by Jerry Christenson
S
ometimes making the move from middle school to high school is a little daunting. With all the adjustments to be made, many times freshmen opt to ride out the wave of being new before jumping into high school sports. Jameshia Smith might have been one of those who decided to wait if it hadn’t been for an event that happened long before high school. Back when Smith was just seven years old and attending a
Church she attends: Riverview Baptist Church
local after-school program, she watched her peers playing soccer. The sport looked fun, and Smith asked her mom if she could sign up to play. “Some of the other girls at Girls, Inc. would be playing every day, and I could see that they were having a good time. I liked the action and thought I might try it,” says Smith. Smith could be described as being shy by nature. Her personality is rather quiet and reserved. Once she got on a soccer field,
Favorite movie: My Sister’s Keeper Favorite teams, college or professional: University of Alabama softball, University of Georgia soccer, and Ole Miss Basketball Best thing about attending Kendrick High School: One-on-one time if you need help with something
she morphed into a different person. Soccer gave her a sense of confidence that has carried her through until today. Soccer was her sport of choice during her middle school years when she played for both Girls, Inc. and East Columbus Magnet School. Because soccer is a fall sport in Muscogee County middle schools and is played both in the fall and spring with the girls’ club, Smith sometimes played on two teams simultaneously. Used primarily as a defender, Smith (at 5’7”) was a taller than her middle school peers. Someone suggested she try basketball last year at ECMA. Having gained the confidence of playing sports through soccer, Smith gave it a try and became a two-sport athlete. Many East Columbus eighth-grade students move on to Kendrick High School when their middle school days are over. Smith chose to attend Kendrick, too, and even though she knew several former Knights now going to Kendrick, the school was much larger and a little intimidating. Because she had the confidence of playing two sports at the middle school level, Smith took another chance. She tried out and made the Lady Cherokees softball team this past fall. Still shy and reserved, the move gave Smith a fast track into making friends as a freshman while also giving her a new sport to play. “I play first and third base in softball. It turned out to be good for me. I am not real good at hitting, but I like defending the first and third bases. Playing softball gave me a chance to know other girls on the team and have a place to fit in,” says Smith.
Following her successful attempt at the new sport of softball, Smith felt confident enough to play basketball. For the uninformed, Kendrick has a stellar reputation when it comes to girls’ basketball. Under the direction of head coach Sterling Hicks, Kendrick’s Lady Cherokees are a force to be reckoned with, and those who play in the Kendrick program find out quickly basketball is serious business. The fact that Smith even wanted to try out says volumes about her self-confidence. She made the junior varsity team, seeing time playing at center, power forward, and small forward. Right away, Smith realized she was not in middle school any more. “Sports in high school are different. Basketball in middle school is running around and trying to score. High school basketball has better girls who know the game. You have to defend in order to score. It is just different,” she says. Even before basketball season came to an end, Smith knew she was going to go out for soccer at Kendrick. Just about the only time the 15-yearold shows excitement is when she speaks of the sport. Softball was fun and new, and basketball was challenging and hard work. But soccer? Well, it’s just her. “I can’t really say why I like soccer, but it comes natural to me. I like softball and basketball, but I am best at soccer, and it is my favorite,” says Smith. Kendrick has a lot of veteran coaches in its athletic department. One of those veterans is the girls soccer coach, Marilyn Lawton. Having coached at the school for seven years, she can practically tell
you about a player, even before the athlete plays a game. With Smith, Coach Lawton already knew the freshman had a solid background in the sport, as well as the athletic ability to make the team. “Jameshia is a strong player. All of her past coaches highly recommend her, and she has experience. At Kendrick, that is not always the case. Jameshia has experience and soccer skills, and she plays multiple sports and has a great work ethic,” says Lawton. Athletics provide many benefits for participants. For Smith, sports have given her a chance to broaden her horizons and have the confidence of trying something new, even when the outcome is not guaranteed success. That same confidence has inspired Smith to look to out-of-state colleges once her high school days are over. She would like to attend a school in South Carolina, where she hopes to play soccer and earn a degree in criminal justice. Moving on a little further down the road, she would like to use that degree to become a parole officer. Although her personality tends to be quiet and thoughtful, Smith has an air of self-assurance about her future and her current life. She also knows that some of that certainty is a direct result of a seven-year-old’s desire to play soccer with friends. “If it hadn’t been for Girls, Inc., I would not have probably ever tried soccer. They taught me the basics and gave me a foundation to believe I could do something. That is a confidence I have now,” says Smith with a slight smile. ITG
Rob Hopkins
Ten Questions
Hughston Rehabilitation
by Beth Welch photos courtesy of Hughston Rehabilitation
injury? RH: Rehabilitation is a process and it is very rarely a fast one. Being patient and determined to follow through with the process are huge keys to a successful outcome. ITG: Have there been any notable achievements in your profession in the treatment of sports-related injuries for high school athletes in recent years? RH: Concussion management/treatment has made giant leaps in the last few years. ITG: What do you consider one of the best things about your chosen vocation? RH: Helping athletes return to the sports they love is very rewarding.
Physical Therepy Advantage Active lifestyles sometimes produce injuries, and young athletes are not immune to accidents and injuries. Physical therapy has become a vital part of recovery for high school athletes who have experienced serious injuries or the more common stresses and strains that occur with sports participation. In the Columbus Valley area, the Hughston Clinic has long been known for its approach to getting athletes back to full speed. In The Game asked Rob Hopkins, Director of Physical Therapy, The Hughston Clinic, 10 Questions about his job, common injuries for high school athletes, and the rehabilitation process.
In the Game: How long have you been at Hughston Rehabilitation? Rob Hopkins: Eight years. ITG: What are your job responsibilities? RH: Overseeing the physical therapy department and treating patients. ITG: Did you play sports in high school? RH: I was from a small town where everyone played pretty much everything. I played basketball, football and track. ITG: Do you treat high school athletes at the Hughston rehab facility? RH: Almost every day. ITG: What types of injuries are common for high school athletes? RH: Overuse of the knee and shoulder. ITG: Are there mistakes young athletes make in their athletic endeavors that can lead to some sports injuries? RH: Not spending enough time doing a proper warm up/stretching and not giving the body time to rest/heal. ITG: Are there certain sports that seem to produce more sports-related injuries for high school athletes? RH: Not really. It seems to change from year to year. ITG: Obviously, there are benefits to physical therapy following a sports injury. What are some things you think young athletes should understand about physical therapy following a sports-related
Name: Rob Hopkins Job title/ vocation: Director of Physical Therapy, The Hughston Clinic Age: 45 Hometown: Beverly, Ohio Education: BS in Physical Therapy Family: Wife, Sheron; son, George Current physical fitness activities: Working out, playing soccer with my son Hobbies: Golf Person you most admire: My wife, Sheron. How she has put up with me all these years is a constant source of amazement. Words to live by: Everyone who competes has the will to win. Champions have the will to prepare.
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Most middle schools offer a variety of organized team sports but funding issues and lack of personnel often creates a void for some sports interests. Fortunately, young golfers in the Columbus area have the opportunity to pursuit their sport through the Chattahoochee Valley Middle School Golf League, also known as CVMS.
Golf League Tees Up Athletes for High School Sport by Beth Welch photos by Jerry Christenson and CVMS
Chattahoochee Valley Middle School Golf League
T
he history of the league is a little vague but current officers in the CVMS Golf League, Richard and Stephanie Callahan, President and Treasurer/ Secretary respectively, give credit to Neill Hatcher for establishing the modern day version of the league. “You can date it (the league) all the way back to the ‘90s. It wasn’t called CVMS back then. I think somewhere around 2007 or 2008 Neill Hatcher took it over and formed it,” says Callahan. The Callahans became involved with the golf league through their son, Andy. Because the league encompasses some schools who originally included the fifth grade in their middle school programs, the league is open to golfers from the fifth through eighth grades. Andy Callahan first joined the league as a fifth grader at Britt David Elementary. Today he is a student at Arnold Middle School, which is one of the nine local schools participating in the league. Other middle schools include Aaron Cohn Middle School, Blackmon Road, Brookstone, Phenix City Intermediate School, Richards, St. Anne, St. Luke, and Veterans Memorial. There is also one independent team in the league comprised
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of athletes whose schools do not have enough golfers to form their own team. The league holds two seasons of play. Athletes can participate in the fall or spring, or both. Each season lasts six weeks. There is a fee for golfers to participate but Stephanie Callahan says scholarships are available and discounts are given to families with more than one child playing in the league. Schools who participate by forming a team consider golf a club sport. Funding comes solely from the league fees and private donations. Coaches for the teams are either interested parents or local teachers who donate their time. Approximately 140 golfers participate in the fall while about 110 play in the spring. Callahan says the spring sports such as baseball draw a few golfers away in the spring golf season. Richard and Stephanie Callahan wear two hats when it comes to the sport of golf. They serve as officers with the middle school league and also are in charge of the youth golf program at Godwin Creek Golf Course in Columbus. They say their involvement in both came about as their son’s interest in golf progressed. The Godwin Creek course, known locally for its outreach to young golfers, acts as the “hub” for the middle school league but it
Mission Statement:
The CVMS pledges to serve every middle school golfer with the highest level of sincerity, fairness, courtesy, and respect. through the league’s values. The CVMS will offer the finest programs, guidance, and competitions that will be delivered by caring coaches who will take 100% responsibility for meeting the needs of each and every middle school golfer.
also has a variety of programs for all ages. “From about age five, or when they can hold a club pretty good, they can start playing golf here. Godwin Creek has programs for different ages. The CVMS has three levels. Varsity, junior varsity and a B-Team, which is for Beginner. All the B-Team matches are played here at Godwin because this is a beginner course,” says Stephanie. The purpose of the middle school league is to introduce young people to the sport and help them become organized before high school. Middle school athletics often act as “feeder” programs for high school sports. The Callahans firmly believe the CVMS golf league has enabled many of the most successful high school golfers in the area get a head start in the sport because of their participation at the middle school level. “Jimmy Beck is one example of someone who came through the program. He went to Columbus High and recently spoke to the kids at the Chairman’s Cup in the fall. Sara Grace Drop just signed a scholarship. She played with us,” says Callahan. The nine school teams and one independent team play each other twice during a season. In the fall, the Chairman’s Cup is the city championship. Twenty-four golfers vie for the winner’s spot in a setting much like the professional Ryder’s Cup. In the spring,
there is a Sweet 16 event where the young golfers “win or go home” according to Callahan. Stephanie Callahan and her husband say the league would not be able to continue without the help of Green Island Country Club and Red Oak Golf Course. Other courses in the area also lend a helping hand to make the two seasons of play happen for the middle school golfers. “Red Oak has been good to us. They never charge a kid to play golf. It’s free. They have been really good to CVMS and for young golfers,” says Callahan. Next month the CVMS league will hold their championship the first week in May. There are several older golfers who have been gaining in reputation in the league both in the fall and this spring. “Oh yeah, there are some really good golfers. Cole Kirkland, Faith Scott, Mary Catherine McDaniel, John Calhoun, Jonathan Parker, Carson Marchetti, and Charles Waldrep are just a few of them,” Callahan says.
The Callahans estimate about half of the golfers who start with the league are beginners to the sport of golf. They are seeing an increase in interest in the sport and also note an increase in female golfers participating in their programs. ITG
Anyone interested in obtaining more information about the Chattahoochee Valley Middle School Golf League should contact the Callahans through the Godwin Creek Golf Course/Fore Kids, 706-324-0583.
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Timeless Moments in Sports
April
4.4.1993 “Swoope”ing into History Former WNBA guard/forward Sheryl Swoopes set an NCAA championship-game record, scoring 47 points in Texas Tech’s victory over Georgia Tech. The record, formerly held by Bill Walton of UCLA, still stands to this day.
4.14.1910
The First “First Pitch” The longstanding tradition of the “first pitch” began when thenPresident William Howard Taft threw the season-opening pitch prior to a matchup between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Athletics. The Nationals won the game by a score of 3-0.
4.21.1996
Unbelieva-Bull With a 103-93 victory over the Washington Bullets, the Chicago Bulls won their 72nd game of the NBA season (against only 10 losses). The Bulls would go on to win a their fourth NBA title, and their 72 wins in a season still remains a league record.
April Birthdays Adrián Beltré – April 7, 1979 (Third Baseman, Texas Rangers)
John Madden – April 10, 1936
(Hall-of-Fame Coach, Oakland Raiders)
Candace Parker – April 19, 1986 (Forward, Los Angeles Sparks)
Carlos Beltrán– April 24, 1977
(Outfielder/Designated Hitter, New York Yankees)
Tim Duncan – April 25, 1976
(Power Forward/Center, San Antonio Spurs)
4.15.1947
Broken Barrier Jackie Robinson became the first AfricanAmerican to play in the modern era of Major League Baseball, starting at first base. Although he went 0-3 at bat, he did manage to score a run in the Brooklyn Dodgers’ 5-3 victory over the Boston Braves.
4.28.1996
The “Red” Era Ends A victory over the Lakers in the NBA Finals gave the Boston Celtics their eighth consecutive title and sent their head coach into retirement as a champion. Arnold “Red” Auerbach coached the Celtics from 1950 to 1966, winning nine championships over that span. 31
Glenwood High School 2015 5A Girls Basketball State Champions
Congratulations!
Choose this day by Lamar Weaver
According to www.nationalletter.org: The National Letter of Intent (NLI) is a voluntary program with regard to both institutions and studentathletes. No prospective studentathlete or parent is required to sign the National Letter of Intent, and no institution is required to join the program. By signing a National Letter of Intent, a prospective student-athlete: 1.) agrees to attend the designated college or university for one academic year. Pursuant to the terms of the National Letter of Intent program, participating in-
stitutions agree to provide athletics financial aid to the student-athlete, provided he/she is admitted to the institution and is eligible for financial aid under NCAA rules. 2.) An important provision of the National Letter of Intent program is a recruiting prohibition applied after a prospective student-athlete signs a Letter of Intent. This prohibition requires participating institutions to cease recruitment of a prospective student-athlete once a National Letter of Intent is signed with another institution.
On Wednesday, February 4, 2015, four-star Macon County linebacker Roquan Smith committed to UCLA in an announcement that took place at his school and was televised by ESPNU. When UCLA defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich stepped down four days later to take a job with the Atlanta Falcons, Smith refused to sign a Letter of Intent, despite pressure from head football coach Jim Mora. Had Roquan signed a National Letter of Intent, he would have been obligated to play one year at UCLA or lose one year of competition in all sports, barring a release by UCLA or a successful petition to the NLI Policy and Review Committee (Division I). Because Roquan never signed an NLI, he retained the right to change his decision, committing to the University of Georgia the following week. In the spiritual world, every day is signing day. Decisions to follow Christ happen in churches, hospitals, on campuses, battlefields and sport fields. Around the world last fiscal year ending August 31st, FCA held 516 sports camps with 86,557 coaches and athletes in attendance. At these camps, salvation decisions totaled 10,137 and recommitments to the Lord totaled 9,642.
The main difference between commitments to a university and commitments to the Lord is that the latter is for all eternity, not just for one year or even one earthly lifetime. Unfortunately, many people today refuse to acknowledge that there is only one God of the universe. “He showed you these things so you would realize that the Lord is God and that there is no other god.” Deuteronomy 4:35 Many also refuse to accept that, along with heaven, there is also a hell, and that Satan The Adversary is the ruler there. As such, there is eternal life in heaven for those who believe and an eternal punishment for those who refuse to repent. “But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15 There comes a time in everybody’s life that the biggest decision ever must be made: Whom will you serve and where will you spend eternity? I pray you have made or will make the right choice today.
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Midland Middle School
Karif Nunes
Midland eighth-grader prepares his body and mind for the high school ranks by Beth Welch
H
e doesn’t talk much and when he does, he doesn’t waste his words. Maybe that is one reason running is so comfortable to Karif Nunes because when he runs, words aren’t necessary. The Midland Middle School eighth-grader is a three-sport athlete. He first took up soccer about the age of three and has loved it from the very beginning, mostly because of the running. It is the first of the sports he played for the Jaguars and continues to be his favorite. This school year he followed up soccer with a new venture into the world of middle school football and currently the 5’9”, 145 pound athlete is running track at MMS. Three sports are “doable” at the middle school level. It is often a time in young athletes’ lives to explore multiple sports before reaching high school and narrowing down the sport which best fits. For Nunes, he knew soccer was a sport he wanted to play at Midland but when he started school in the sixth grade, he chose a very unusual path for an athlete with a passion for a sport. “I took a year off. I felt like I needed to focus on the adjustment to being in middle school so I didn’t play sports. My grades had fallen off. I needed to work on getting them back up,” says Nunes. Although his parents supported him, the talented athlete says the decision was his own. He talks about that time in a very matter-of-fact way that suggests it was a logical choice. As he entered the seventh grade, Nunes was back on strong academic ground and ready to be a student athlete. In Muscogee County, public schools list soccer as a fall sport at the middle school level. Nunes started off his second year at
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photography by Jerry Christenson
Midland going out for soccer and enjoyed a great season as a center back for the Jaguars soccer team. The team made it all the way to the city championship game but lost to Double Churches Middle School. He skipped winter sports and decided to put his talent for running to good use as a participant in track and field. Last spring Nunes ran the 1600 meter, the 800 meter, and was the third leg in the 4x400 meter relay. Nunes saw the season as a learning experience. “I had not been in track before. I really liked it because I was running and using running to push my body to the limits,” he says. He learned the 1600 meter event was his favorite although he found the physical endurance to run it to be a challenge in the beginning. One surprise to him was how much the sport involved a mental approach. Staying focused while running a track event was far different that running in soccer which has more action to break up the mental thought process. When Nunes played soccer this past fall as an eighth grader, he was moved upfield and given the position of striker. Even now he becomes just a bit more animated talking about the season. The Jaguars got to the winners circle again and this time closed the deal defeating their opponents to become city champs. It was a great time in his life and he liked the idea of being part of a team. When one of his two older brothers suggested Nunes try out for the football team, the 14-year-old didn’t hesitate. For his efforts, Nunes was placed on Special Teams as a kick returner. He also saw a little time as a running back and a bit of defensive
work as a linebacker. The season was not a victorious season in terms of winning games but more than anything, Nunes enjoyed being part of the team. Midland is a school that has a close-knit feel for its students, according to Nunes, and sports teams are always filled with friends. With both soccer and football behind him, track season is now Nunes focus as far as athletics is concerned. He added long jump and dropped the 800 meter from his list of events. Going into the spring, Nunes says he has been preparing for track based on last years’ experience. “I knew I needed to work on my endurance and also work harder in each event. Track is big in middle school. There are a lot of good athletes in track. Football players, basketball players and others who use track to stay in shape so there are some good athletes out there that I will be competing against,” says Nunes. Taking a year off to get academics at the top of his priority list didn’t hurt Nunes athletic endeavors. He is now a solid A and B student while participating in three sports. His favorite class is technology and he is hoping to one day pursue a college degree in engineering. Before then he would like to play soccer in high school but hasn’t made a decision about which high school. It is the sport he favors and in high school he would be able to play it in the spring which would probably remove track as a potential high school sport. That doesn’t seem to be a problem for Nunes, resorting back to being a man of few words. “Soccer, it is my first love.” ITG
Rising Star
Family: Parents, Mike and Madge Nunes; two brothers, one sister Pets: A dog named Precious Favorite food: Pizza Favorite place to eat in Columbus: El Carrizo Athlete he admires: Cam Newton Music he prefers: Hip Hop Hobbies: I like to fix things Favorite television show: I like Discovery Channel. Favorite team (college or professional): Oregon Person he most admires: My dad Best thing about attending Midland Middle School: You know almost everyone and fit in.
Caption: Back row left to right: Coach Mathis, Coach Stotster, Tre’Von Dorsey, Sam Anthony, Jamaris Rowell, Trashon Marshall, Robert McDaniel, Chris Mack, Ryan Anderson, Tom Johnson, Matt Moreland Front row left to right: Alex Bemiss, Jordan Manibusan, Mykel Page, Chandler Griggs, Johnathan Manibusan, Chris Black, Marcus Small, Tony Locey, Zac Smith, Coach Gilstrap, Marcell Byrd, Eric Manibusan, Earl Pettee, Blake Rupp, Tyrell Pritchett, Jalen Thomas, RJ Brown, Ronnie Keaton
Hardaway Baseball: Commitment to the The smell of fresh cut grass, the roars of the crowd and the crack of bats are all reminders that baseball season is here. Hardaway Baseball doesn’t know what a day off is, having never hung up their cleats. They work year round striving for another success story. “We’ve been preparing for this season since the day last season ended. We believe in preparing year round through the weight room, on-thefield conditioning, and committing ourselves to continued success,” says the Ledger-Enquirer Coach of the Year Chris Gilstrap. The Hawks’ “commitment to the H” has been shown over and over again in the past few years; the team has collected multiple accolades from being crowned Region 1-AAAAA Champions to having over 60 players sign college scholarships or professional contracts.
Hardaway doesn’t plan on this season being any different. “We have a daily goal of getting better every day. We believe that if we continue to progress and get better each day, we will have a chance at our main goals,” Gilstrap says. His guys giving it their all on and off the field is all he can ask. “I can live with the results I get from that. When everyone on the team buys into the program, all share a common goal, and all want genuinely to see the guy next to them succeed, it makes it a lot easier to go out there and win.” Gilstraps’s players have all obviously “bought into the program.” Senior Tre’Von Dorsey says, “We have a bond that allows everyone to push each other as hard as we would push ourselves… that constant training and focus begins to rub off on one another. We have great team chemistry because are comfortable with who is on the field
‘H’
with us.” Dorsey also went on to say, “We also have a great coaching staff that works hard with us through sleet, snow, or blazing heat to insure we find a way to get better.” The Hawks train in season and out of season in hopes of adding another chapter in their tales of success, and it’s not easy. They give it their all on the field and no matter the outcome, they can live with it because they all know they gave it everything they had. Every year, when new players walk on this team, they quickly realize that this is more than a team, it’s a family.
by Robynn Melzar
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Last month, we discussed the benefits of taking your exercise routines outdoors. But let’s be real for a moment: It’s not always possible. There are many variables that can factor into having to skip an outdoor workout. The two that stand out are time and weather. We live in a fast-paced society, and fitting in time at the park is not always an option. Furthermore, if you have the time, and the weather decides otherwise, you’re left finding an alternative.
Getting Off the Couch:
Xbox Fitness By James Washington
That being said, there’s a hidden alternative for the gamers of the world...
R
eleased in 2013, the Xbox One is the latest console in Microsoft’s cuttingedge gaming world. It is built for entertainment, no matter the avenue. It allows you to play video games, watch movies on DVD or Blu-Ray, and even stream the Internet and download viewable content through
services such as Netflix. One of the biggest (and least discussed) features of the system is an application called Xbox Fitness. Once downloaded, the app provides you with a surplus of ways to work out indoors. Popular programs like P90X and Insanity are included, as well as tons of various workouts that can
help you get your daily dose of fitness in 10to 20- minute bites. It also offers instant feedback, and you have the opportunity to earn achievement points based on your accomplishments. (Let’s be real; ALL gamers take pride in their Gamerscore!) ITG
The Xbox O n e is p u t t in g an end to t h e lo n g s t a n d in g myth of v id e o games ma k in g y o u la z y. If y o u o w n one, yo u have n o m o re e xcuses. T he o p t io n s a re t h e re ; take advantag e!
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Jordan High School A Matter of the Mind Her mom taught her a valuable lesson: You can do anything you set your mind to do. Her coach introduced her to a motto to live by: Don’t say, “I’ll try.” Say, “I will.” For Keilah Jones, powerful women in her life have made her a powerful young woman on the campus of Jordan Vocational High School. The senior four-sport athlete recalls a commitment she made to herself and her mom when she was a freshman just starting her athletic career with the Red Jackets. She recounts, “I told myself in the ninth grade that I wanted no grades below an 85, that I wanted to beat everybody at everything I do, and that I wanted to be voted Most Athletic by my classmates.” Well, as her senior year comes to a close, she can look back on those promises and rest easy. She’s accomplished every one. Being voted the senior superlative Most Athletic was to
Keilah a family tradition she wanted to carry on. Both of her older brothers were granted the same title, so when it was her time to be crowned as the top female athlete of the 2015 graduates, Keilah was overjoyed. “I was excited,” she said, “because when I was in middle school and saw my brother win that recognition, I said to myself, ‘I want that, too.’” Such determination and focus have proven beneficial. Jones has run all the way to state as a track and cross country runner and dribbled and spiked her way to captainship on both the basketball and volleyball teams. She has also graced the lists of academic honor rolls at Jordan, made the All Star Academic team for the county, and has a firm 3.5 GPA. She is headed to Savannah State University on an academic scholarship and plans to major in behavior analysis. When asked how she balances
excellence in the classroom with excellence in athletics, her response was simple. “I believe I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, so I work hard to get as much done in class. I work late into the night and still manage to wake up at 7:00.” Sleep, to Keilah, comes on the weekends. Keilah was asked to offer some advice to young athletes aspiring to lace up their shoes for the Jordan Red Jackets. She responded, “I’ve learned that if you treat yourself like a loser, you’re going to be one. So, tell yourself you’re a winner, and you will be one.” And that’s exactly how Keilah has been so successful and left such a legacy at Jordan High. “I don’t want to leave high school unaccomplished. I did what I set
o u t in my mind to do. I’m not a short, stuck up, pretty girl and dumb athlete. I will be the first girl in my family to graduate from high school, and I will be the first to graduate from college. I didn’t get this far based solely on my athletic ability.” She set it in her mind to do so, and she did.
High Aspirations On the boys’ end of the practice field, the Red Jacket soccer team has its eyes set on the prize: the ever-elusive region championship. And this year could be the year. The talent on the team is impressive, as Coach William Cox comments. “We have a talented group this year. Many
upperclassmen are the foundational players, so yes, this could be our year.” Solid in the back with senior Adam Lewis and junior Majee Raines, the defensive line anchors the team’s dream; while the midfield under the control of juniors Juan Gomez and Sebastian Hernandez looks to control the
momentum of the season. Up top, strikers Javonte West (senior), Andres Espanozo (freshman), and Walter Edwards (sophomore) aim to put the ball in the back of the net, insuring the team’s run at the title. Captain Adam Lewis feels the sense of unity this season, which has been lacking in the past, is what will make their playoff bid more likely in 2015. “This year is just different. We seem to be playing more as a team this year than I’ve seen in the past four years.” Coach Cox, who inherited the team this year, is confident as well. “The main goal initially was to get the guys on board with a new way of doing things. Discipline. Hard work. Without these things, we can’t do it.” Not doing it is not an option for the guys. They are determined. Even when a key player, Juan Garcia, broke his ankle in the first game, the team never lost its resolve. Perhaps the injury to such an impacting
player drives them even more. “It was a terrible loss, losing Garcia. All of our hearts sank when we had to carry him off the field, but the guys are resilient and have risen above it.” Juan is not absent, however. Through rain and cold, he hobbles to every practice and every game, eager to urge his teammates on to reach the dream. It’s a dream on the forefront of the returners’ minds. The 2014 season left a bitter taste in their mouths, finishing the season with a fourth seeded appearance in the state tournament. This year, the goal is simple. Win the region title and get a first seed bid. Not an impossible feat, according to Coach Cox. “I feel confident. The guys feel confident. We’re working hard for that trophy, no doubt.” Just ask senior Javonte West. “Yes, practices are more organized and focused this year. Coach Cox has brought us together as a team, for sure.” Finding unity is half the battle in the game of soccer. Watch the Red Jackets. They may just surprise you this year.