The Oconee Leader

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This Week:

Sports Issue 36

Volume 10

From the Oconee to the Apalachee

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Football

PACS advances Page 4

Schools

ROB PEECHER/Oconee Leader

PACS

on mission Page 2

Online

Emily and Kelly Taras were in Oconee County last week from Minnesota visiting family and took some time to go shopping at Happy Valley Pottery. Pictured above, the sisters look at the hand-blown glass by artist Loretta Eby.

Jerry and Kathy Chappelle hosted the annual open house at Happy Valley Pottery and Chappelle Gallery this past weekend, drawing crowds from across the country to visit the rural Oconee County farm that for more than four decades has served as a launching place for artists.

Throughout the weekend, there were ongoing demonstrations at Happy Valley from artists.

Loretta Eby opened up her studio at Happy Valley for glass blowing demonstrations, and under a tent Mark Waller of Winterhawk Studio was making coin rings. Erica Galloway was also doing pottery making demonstrations while Joe

Callaway had a raku kiln operating over the weekend.

Kathy Chappelle noted the weather was great for the open house, and she attributed that as at least one factor in bringing a great crowd out for the weekend.

“This was one of our best open houses in years,” she said.

Jerry and Kathy started Happy Valley Pottery in 1970 with the intention of creating a place where artists could create and at the same time turn their art into a business. The next year, they started the tradition of the after-Thanksgiving

open house.

“There were 35 people at that first open house,” Kathy said. “Now we have 2,000 people on our mailing list.”

Both Chappelle Gallery in Watkinsville and Happy Valley Pottery on Carson Graves Road will be open seven days a week through Christmas Eve, but Kathy noted that last-minute shoppers can’t wait until the very last minute.

“We will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but we close at 2 p.m. on December 24th,” she said.

- Rob Peecher

Group meeting tonight to discuss Bishop bypass

BY MIKE SPRAYBERRY The Oconee Leader

Football

UGA gallery

theoconeeleader.com

Online

Next Week

Christmas Parade gallery

theoconeeleader.com

A potential widening of US 441 South from Bishop to Madison seems to be moving forward even as funding sources change and plans remain fluid.

MACORTS (Madison AthensClarke Oconee Regional Transportation Study), a cooperative transportation planning body, is expected to remove the project from its long-range plan as the State of Georgia is now planning to fund the project without the use of federal dollars. Details of the project, particularly a time-

line or a potential Bishop bypass, are still unclear.

“The latest I’m aware of is that the Georgia Department of Transportation has put the project back on to widen the entire corridor from Tennessee down to the other end of Georgia,” said Oconee County Commission Chairman Melvin Davis. “Much of it has been widened and it has been on GDOT’s radar for a long time.

“Certain sections in the state Please see

‘Bishop bypass’ Page 3

A citizens group is meeting tonight (Thursday, Dec. 3) to discuss a long-dormant plan to widen US 441 South in Oconee County, a plan which would likely require a bypass around Bishop.

Month of holiday activities begins Friday at OCAF

BY ROB PEECHER

The Oconee Leader

This weekend, some 70 artists will be selling their work at OCAF’s annual Holiday Market, a three-day, juried sale that gives holiday shoppers the perfect chance to find unique gifts.

Cindy Farley, the director at the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation, said the Holiday Market will feature a varied assortment of pieces from artists who work in a broad range of media – everything from clay and wood to metal and glass.

“We’re going to have items for everybody,” Farley said. “It is a juried show, so these are high quality items, and there will be something for everyone on your shopping list.

We encourage people to support local businesses, and many of these artists are local, and this is another opportunity to buy local and directly from the artists.”

The market opens Friday, Dec. 4 at 5 p.m. and will be open until 9

Bonnie Montgomery is among the artists who will have their work available for sale at the Holiday Market beginning Friday, Dec. 3.

p.m. that first day. Market hours for Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 5 and 6) are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Holiday Market, in its 21st year, will be held in both the 1902

Building and Rocket Hall. The cost of admission is $3 for adults. Anyone under 16 is admitted at no charge.

Farley said there will be baked

goods for sale from OCAF members known as the Golden Pear Bakery, and members of the St. Philothea Greek Orthodox Church will be selling pastries to raise money for the church’s charitable outreach program.

The Holiday Market serves as the kickoff for a month of Christmasthemed activities at OCAF. Following the Holiday Market, 50 OCAF member artists will participate in the OCAF Artists Shoppe, which will run Tuesday through Saturday, Dec. 8 to Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Again, this gives shoppers an opportunity to find unique gifts from local artists.

And on Saturday, Dec. 12, OCAF will host two sessions of its Mingle with Kringle. The first session will run from 10 a.m. to noon and the second session will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Admission to Mingle with ‘OCAF Market’ Page 3

Please see

Page 2

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Looking for volunteers: Oconee now enrolling next class of firefighter training

BY MIKE SPRAYBERRY The Oconee Leader

Recruiting for next year’s class of new volunteer firefighters ramps up as some current volunteers are completing medical responder training this month.

The Emergency Medical Responder class should be completed by participants by the end of the year, with most Oconee County Fire Rescue volunteers being certified at some level in emergency medical response. The overall recruiting push for the department is in advance of Firefighter I, the initial course required of volunteer firefighters for national certification.

“We do it every year in January,” said Oconee County Fire Chief and EMA Director Bruce Thaxton of the upcoming Firefighter I course. “We are always looking for new members. They have to live inside Oconee County and the class is a little over 200 hours.”

Firefighter I is just one step in the process of becoming a volunteer firefighter.

“First off, volunteers have to apply and get through all the hoops,” Thaxton said.

“There is an assessment lab to test for agility and several things, an interview, drug screening and a criminal background check. Once that is all complete, they have to take the 200-hour course and pass it.

“At that point, their minimum training is to come to at least one training per month, but we have weekly training. A lot of them come more than once a month.

We also ask them to come to as many calls as they can.”

Though Oconee County Fire Rescue has plenty of firefighters and medical responders at the moment, Thaxton explained why constant recruitment of new volunteers is necessary.

“Recruitment is ongoing,” he said. “We have experienced a decline the last couple of years in applications, so we’re working a lot harder at recruitment, but we are in great shape in Oconee County with 182 volunteers. Probably 150 of them are firefighters, 110 of them are cross-trained as medical responders and we have about 32 volunteers that are strictly medical re-

PACS students on mission

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sponders.

“There has been a decline in applications, mainly for firefighters, but that is a statewide and nationwide issue throughout all fire departments. All fire departments are experiencing a decline in applications and members, but with 182 members, we are in really good shape.

That is a good number, but keep in mind that we have people that move away and leave for various reasons. So, we always have to have a good recruiting class to replenish the ones that go away.”

While the Firefighter I class starts for new recruits in January, a number of Oconee County Fire Rescue volunteers are finishing an Emergency Medical Responder class.

“The Emergency Medical Responder class is 80 hours in the classroom and they have 24 hours of clinicals where they ride in an ambulance to get experience,” said Thaxton. “They just finished the course and are now starting the clinicals. Hopefully, we expect them to get done by the end of the year.”

According to Thaxton, Oconee County Fire Rescue sponsored the class, instructed by Glenn Henry of Athens Technical College, and had room to include some students from Morgan County. He added that there are different levels of Medical Responder certification.

“This was the Medical Responder certification, the minimum training,” Thaxton said. “We also have EMT-B and EMT-A (basic and advanced) and the highest level is Paramedics.”

For anyone interested in volunteering with the Fire Department, Thaxton reiterated that they are actively recruiting, but added that information can be found at www.oconeecounty.com or by calling the office at 706-769-3975. He also described the feeling of community shared by many volunteer firefighters.

“A lot of members find that in Fire Rescue, there is a lot of camaraderie and family. They enjoy being with each other, training and going to calls.”

Mike Sprayberry is a reporter for The Oconee Leader.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Pictured left to right are PACS Beta Club members: Daniel Calderon, Jonathan Witcher, Addison Evans, and Millie Bryant.

In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving Break, the Prince Avenue Christian School community has been hard at work with two school-wide mission projects, one to benefit children across the world and another to benefit families in the local community.

The school participated in Operation Christmas Child by preparing boxes full of necessities and toys to be sent to children in other countries as Christmas presents they will receive through the ministry of Samaritan’s Purse. This year, PACS students prepared 741 boxes for this special project.

In addition to Operation Christmas Child, PACS students participated in the Pound for Pound Challenge sponsored by the PACS Beta Club.

Students brought in canned food to be donated to the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia. Classes competed school-wide to add to the enthusiasm of the food drive, and each day, Beta Club members would collect and count cans from each classroom.

Mrs. Crane’s second grade won the elementary competition by collecting more than 304 cans, the 8th grade won the middle school by collecting more than 284 cans, and the seniors won the high school division by collecting more than 289 cans.

All total, PACS students donated 3,350 cans of food that will help families in our community during the holiday season.

A weekend of Christmas activities kicks off in downtown Watkinsville the night of Friday, December 4 with the lighting of the Watkinsville Christmas Tree and continues the following morning with the Watkinsville Christmas Parade.

The City of Watkinsville will light the Christmas tree at a ceremony from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, December 4. The Watkinsville

Christmas Parade begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 5. The Welcome Center will also have a Charles Dickens Christmas Village on display throughout the holiday season and the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation Holiday Market begins Friday, December 4 at 5 p.m. and runs through Sunday, December 6 at 5 p.m.

- Staff Reports

Tree lighting, parade this weekend

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‘Bishop bypass’

Continued from the Front

haven’t been completed and this is one of those incomplete sections here in Morgan and Oconee County. GDOT has put it back on their list for completion and, as I understand it, they are using state funds instead of federal funds to do the widening.”

Davis said he had been in contact with GDOT’s new project manager for the US-441 widening, Bruce Anderson of Tennille, Georgia.

“I know that they have been in the area, looking around and may have done some temporary surveying,” said Davis. “I don’t know that a route has been selected for the project, so that is something I have been having a conversation with the new project manager about.

“That is the extent of what I know at this point in time. To my knowledge, a route has not been selected. I’m sure they will look at a variety of things when selecting the route like whether or not it will be close to Bishop.”

Davis added that GDOT would “basically start over” with its plan for the highway once the project is pulled from the MACORTS plan. MACORTS is expected to replace the US 441 widening project in its federally-funded plan with three bridge replacement projects along the GA10 Loop.

According to Davis, completion of the US 441 widening project is likely still quite a bit in the future and would almost certainly involve bypassing Bishop.

“I think right now, they’ve got to get the plans laid out first, then authorize the right-of-way acquisition,” Davis said. “I think you’re probably looking at several years down the road.

“I do think they will have to go around Bishop some way.

They can’t go through downtown Bishop with a four-lane highway. There are too many historic sites and things of that nature that I don’t think they could do that without a lot of issues, taking houses and such.”

MACORTS is accepting public comments about the changes to its plan from November 30 through December 14 via email at macorts@athensclarkecounty.com or via delivery to the planning departments of Madison, Athens-Clarke or Oconee Counties.

A group calling itself Positively Oconee has planned a community meeting for (tonight) Thursday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Oconee County Library on Experiment Station Road in Watkinsville.

A member of the group, Lee Becker, said in a press release that the purpose of the meeting will be to “share information about the project and discuss its implications for the county.”

“The route of the Bishop bypass has been controversial since the project was discussed more than 10 years ago because of the historical value of land around Bishop and because of the value of the farmland, some of which has been protected by conservation easements funded by the federal government and

by Oconee County,” the release states.

Mike Sprayberry is a reporter for The Oconee Leader.

‘OCAF Market’

Kringle is one unwrapped toy to be donated to Toys for Tots or $2. But no one will be turned away.

In addition to the opportunity to have their picture made with Santa, kids can also participate in making crafts and hear stories from Mrs. Claus.

“We’ll have crafts for kids – they can make gingerbread houses and we’ll be doing the Peaceful Village again this year,” Farley said.

This year, OCAF will also host a performance from puppeteer Hobey Ford at each session of Mingle WithKringle.

Parents can also sign up their children from kindergarten to fifth grade for a workshop with Ford on Friday, Dec. 11, at 4 p.m. The workshop, which costs $12, requires advance registration, and children who sign up for the workshop can create their own shadow puppets. For more information on the workshop, visit ocaf.com.

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Page 3

Continued from the Front

Mrs. Claus reading stories to children will be among the activities at OCAF’s Mingle with Kringle on December 12.

AT&T sponsors OCAF exhibitions

Pictured left: Paul Chambers, with AT&T, presents a sponsorship check to Charles Warnock, OCAF Gallery Director; OCAF Director Cindy Farley; OCAF Treasurer Mike McCleary and OCAF Chairman Amrey Harden.

The Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation recently received $2,800 from AT&T for General Sponsorship as well as Presenting Sponsorship for two of its important exhibitions: Oconee County Youth Art Month Exhibition and Georgia Small Works Exhibition.

Both exhibitions will take place in 2016.

Each year in March OCAF is proud to host an exhibition cele-

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

brating Youth Art Month by displaying over 140 works of art in its Main Gallery from students attending 12 Oconee County Schools, public and private. “This generous gift for an exhibit which features Oconee County’s emerging young artists”, said OCAF’s executive director Cindy Farley, “is a testament to AT&T’s commitment to supporting outstanding art education for students in our community.”

“We’re also excited that AT&T will be the 2016 Presenting Sponsor for the Georgia Small Works Exhibition scheduled to be held in October,” added gallery director Charles Warnock. Georgia Small Works is a show that features work by more than 50 adult artists from all over the state of Georgia, and the premise is that no work is larger than 14” x 14.

For hundreds of photos and constant updates about Oconee events and people, go to theoconeeleader.com

This Week:

Warriors

One step closer...

WARRIORS TITANS SPARTANS WOLVERINES LIONS

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Cross country

Krumm signs Page 5

Online

MATTHEW CALDWELL/Oconee Leader

Prince Avenue Christian defensive coordinator Richard Bell leads the cheers after the Wolverines’ 30-10 win last Friday night at Brad Akins Field. The Wolverines host Eagles Landing Christian on Friday in the Final Four. It’s the third time in program history the Wolverines have advanced to the Final Four. They reached the semifinals in 2011 and the finals in 2012.

For photos of Georgia’s win against Georgia Tech, visit theoconeeleader.com

Online

For photos of Prince Avenue Christian’s win against Savannah Christian, as well as photos of their upcoming game against ELCA, visit theoconeeleader.com

Wolverines advance to Final Four after topping Raiders

BY MATTHEW CALDWELL The Oconee Leader

Prince Avenue Christian is halfway to their ultimate goal of winning a state championship.

The Wolverines advanced to the semifinals in the Class A private school state tournament last Friday night with a 30-10 victory against Savannah Christian, a program that ended the Wolverines’ season in 2011.

It’s the third time in program history the Wolverines are headed to at least the Final Four.

The Wolverines will play at home Friday night against Eagle’s Landing Christian, a team they scrimmaged prior to this season.

It’s an Eagle’s Landing Christian team the Wolverines are 0-2 all-time against. They lost to ELCA in the championship game in the Georgia Dome in 2012 and they lost in the quarterfinals to ELCA last season.

“It’s a great team coming next week,” Herron said. “We scrimmaged them. We know. They have a great football team. We have a chance to play them here. We get a chance to play the team that eliminated us last year. Our kids will be excited.

“As soon as (the scrimmage) was over, we put it behind us and started looking to the next game. I don’t remember much about it. We will go back and look at the film and learn something from it.”

Savannah Christian led twice in last week’s game, but Please see ‘PACS football’ Page 6

North Oconee basketball

Coaches encouraged for season after Titan Turkey Classic

BY MATTHEW CALDWELL The Oconee Leader

Upcoming

Photos by MATTHEW CALDWELL/Oconee Leader

Robert Wylie signed to swim at West Virginia. His signing story will be featured in an upcoming edition of The Oconee Leader.

MATTHEW CALDWELL/Oconee Leader

Dalton Owens tackles Demetris Robertson in the fourth quarter last Friday night.

For more photos of the game, visit theoconeeleader.com.

North Oconee’s basketball teams got a good early season test in last Tuesday’s championship games of the Titan Turkey Classic. Despite the Lady Titans losing to 6A Grayson 47-46 and the Titans losing 58-45 to 5A Lanier in the championship, both head coaches came away feeling good.

“I am very encouraged, especially after tonight because I didn’t know how we would look when we faced a nice opponent. I am very encouraged after tonight,” said Lady Titans head coach Erick Willis.

“We have a lot to look forward to,” said Titans head coach Dave Gascho.

“Our goal is to make the state playoffs, win region if we can. We have that eye on the goal. It’s hard to mimic teams like (Lanier) in our practices. They compete against their JV and their JV matches up pretty well. We are not quite as

More online...

For photos of North Oconee’s games in the championship of the Titan Turkey Classic, see theoconeeleader.com

strong as them. There is a big difference between our varsity kids and JV kids right now, and that makes a big difference. These are where we are supposed to be getting better so when it comes region time after Christmas, we will be where we need to be. Right now only three games into the season, we are getting there.”

The Lady Titans didn’t have a scorer in double figures but they had a balanced attack on offense. Camryn Williams and Keller Barks both had eight points to lead the Lady Titans.

‘NOHS hoops’ Page 7

Please see

Page 5

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Oconee County cross country

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Krumm gets to continue running, signs with Columbus State

BY MATTHEW CALDWELL The Oconee Leader

Oconee County senior Isaac Krumm said he has wanted to run in college since he was in middle school.

Krumm, a key member of Oconee County’s state runner-up cross country team, will get that chance. He signed last month at OCHS to run cross country and track at Columbus State.

“It means a lot,” Krumm said. “I kind of got into this last minute. I needed to start looking where I needed to go. I started looking to coaches. I visited Columbus State and really liked the team, the facilities and coach. It seemed like a great place where I would be able to go and improve. That’s why I chose there. I had been ambling back and forth. I let him know my times and goals. He emailed me back.

“I talked to a guy on the team.

He let me know about them. He said, ‘You look like you would be a good fit here. Keep improving.’

That’s what sparked it.

“I visited it a few weeks ago and I really liked the team and everything. I think I will be able to improve a lot there. I don’t want to go and just flatline and not get any better. He seems like a great coach.”

Isaac Krumm with family and coaches

Over the summer prior to starting his senior year, him and his teammate Michael Hans ran 500 miles. Several teammates at Oconee ran 300 and 400 miles with their eyes on a goal for this

season.

“Everybody put in the work doing 10-mile runs at five in the morning, doing two-a-days, doing 15 miles a week,” Krumm said.

“We all knew this is what it was

for. It was going to pay off. It definitely paid off – region champs and second in the state.

“Every day we ran. We knew this is how we are going to win.

We have to put in the work. Even

Warriors topple East Hall, Dawson County

Oconee County’s wrestling team improved to 9-4 overall this season with a 60-21 win against East Hall and a 45-30 win against Dawson County last Tuesday. McCrae Claas (106 pounds), Cole Walpert (145 pounds), Rexx Hallyburton (170 pounds), Chris Couch (182 pounds) and Dalton Sikes (pictured, 285 pounds) were all undefeated in their weight class.

MATTHEW CALDWELL/Oconee Leader

when you feel like crap, you have to keep going because you know it will pay off.”

With Krumm signed with a collegiate cross country team, he said he knows the work ethic he had at Oconee will pay off at Columbus State.

“You will do a lot more miles.

They do 85-95 miles a week over the summer,” Krumm said. “It’s a longer race. I know I have to put in this many miles to do this race.

Here I did about 55 a week for the 5K. Now I am stepping it up.”

Krumm said his PR in the 5K is 16:15.

He has run the Peachtree Road Race in 36:24. His PR in the 3200 is 10:07 and his PR in the 1600 is 4:44. He hopes to set new PRs in track season next spring.

“I have to get some big PRs on the track. I can’t wait,” Krumm said. “I am going to try and get more into the 800. I want to break two in the 800 but I only ran that at one meet last year. I ran a time trial here at 2:04 at the end of the season. I think once I get on the track during the season, I can break two. That will be a good thing to have on my resume.

“I am going to put in way more miles than I ever have for track so I can keep this momentum going.”

Thursday, December 3, 2015

‘PACS football’

their leads didn’t last long either time.

After taking a 3-0 lead with 7:23 left in the first quarter, the Wolverines responded on the third play of the ensuing drive when Kevon Hudson ran 69 yards for a touchdown and a 6-3 lead.

“I believed in my offensive line,” Hudson said. “It was nothing to do with me. It was all of them and my coaches’ motivation.”

The lead stayed 6-3 until six seconds remained in the half when Jared Pringle connected on a 25-yard field goal to lead 9-3 at halftime.

The Wolverines were scheduled to get the ball first to start the second half. Savannah Christian kicked off to Hudson, who fumbled it and the Raiders recovered on the PACS 23.

“I don’t know where my head was but I eventually got it back,” Hudson said.

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One play later, Demetris Robertson ran 23 yards for a touchdown to give Savannah Christian a 10-9 lead just 16 seconds into the third quarter.

The Raiders attempted an onsides kick but the Wolverines recovered at their own 47.

On second down from midfield, the Wolverines retook the lead on a 50-yard touchdown run by Hudson.

“I can’t let my team down,” Hudson said. “That is all that was going through my head.”

The two-point conversion failed and the Wolverines led 15-10 with 10:57 left in the third.

“That was a critical moment in the game. We fumbled the kickoff, they scored in one play and had all of the momentum in the world,” Herron said. “They tried the onsides kick and you have to give our guys credit. They fielded it and we scored and go right back up. That was critical because Sa-

vannah Christian was in a similar situation last week. The other team made two mistakes and they jumped all over them and scored 17 points in a hurry. That is a credit to our kids – their character, their perseverance and their will.

They weren’t going to lose.”

As time was running out in the quarter, Noah Campbell returned a punt to the Raiders 18. After back-to-back runs by Hudson to set up second-and-goal from the 6, Jordan Hightower scampered into the end zone and the Wolverines led 21-10. The Wolverines attempted a two-point conversion again. The play started out bad with the snap going over Campbell’s head, but Campbell recovered and threw to a wide-open Nick Brown to give the Wolverines a 23-10 lead at the end of the third quarter.

“We were trying to snap it to Noah and let him try to run it in.

We thought it was there,” Herron said. “When we had the bad snap, he improvised and made a great play. He knew it was an extra point and he knew he could take a chance and he did.”

Dalton Owens blocked a punt on the Raiders’ next possession, and the Wolverines took over on the Raider 48.

On third-and-three from the 42, Grant Roland completed a pass to Hightower for a touchdown and a 30-10 lead.

Herron was pleased with how the defense played and how they contained Robertson, who is one of the top high school players in the country who said over the summer Stanford and Alabama were two of his top choices to play at in college.

“I thought the defense played great all night. We played tremendous on defense. Any time you can contain a kid like No. 5, he is

Page 6

Continued from Page 4

a great football player and he will have a great future. To keep him somewhat controlled was huge for us,” Herron said. “We were kind of afraid to throw the ball like we normally do. We were afraid to throw it in the middle of the field because of No. 5 because if he intercepted it, we were scared about what might happen after that.”

The Wolverines are 12-0 overall this season. Eagle’s Landing Christian is 9-3 overall and is coming off a 31-7 win against Mount Paran last week. The Chargers have won six straight games. Their only losses were against Class AAAAA program Stockbridge on August 28, Class AA program Greater Atlanta Christian on September 4 and Class AAAA program Woodward on September 25. Greater Atlanta Christian and Woodward are both alive in their classifications.

Page 7

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‘NOHS hoops’

Emma Weynand and Makayla Nichols, who both were named to the all-tournament team, both had seven points. Shekya Watson had six points. Lesley Holbrook and Holly Stroman both had five points.

The Lady Titans and Grayson were tied 9-9 after the first quarter but Grayson took an 18-12 lead at halftime.

“It took us a half to adjust to their speed. We haven’t speed like that yet. I don’t know how much of that that we saw even this summer,” Willis said. “They were a very quick team. It took us a half to adjust and settle down and figure out how to attack them. We

handled their press a lot better and we got more shots. We had more field goal attempts than they did tonight, which was good. What killed us was the free-throw line.

We were 8-for-19. They were 20for-28. They made more than we shot. The girls realize all we need was a few free-throws and we would have been alright. I was proud of them though. They played a 6A team that is 4-0 now.

I feel pretty good about where our team is right now.”

Matthew Quint led the Titans with 18 points and was named to the all-tournament team. He was scoreless in the first quarter and scored six points in each of the

final three quarters.

Da’Marco Canty had six points and was also named to the alltournament team. Jack Chambers had eight points. Tyler Alpaugh and Canaan McCloud both had five points. Marta Edwards had three points.

“I thought we competed real well. I told the guys I was proud of their effort,” Gascho said. “We didn’t hit some shots that we typically hit in the first half. Matthew had some wide open looks that didn’t fall. I told him to keep his head up and he played well in the second half. We went through a lull where we didn’t score at the beginning of the third quarter. The

kids didn’t quit. I was pleased with their effort. That’s a good basketball team.”

The Titans led 10-9 after the first quarter but trailed 25-23 at halftime. Lanier started the third quarter with a 9-0 run in the first two minutes of the quarter.

The Titans cut the lead to four points with five minutes left in the game.

“We have to replace some key scorers and key defensive people,” Gascho said. “We are doing a good job of competing. Everyone is buying in. We are distributing the basketball really well. It’s wins and losses by a team.”

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Continued from Page 4

Matthew Quint

Page 8

Thursday, December 3, 2015

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Remembering Veterans Day Images from Veterans Day events in Oconee County

Photos by Rob Peecher

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Thursday, december 3, 2015

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Send resume to kmixon@surgerycenterofathens.com Medical / Health

Medical / Health

1380

1380

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

We are a well-established, progressive neurosurgical practice located in Athens, Georgia with six satellite offices.

We currently have an immediate employment opportunity available for a physician assistant. Surgical experience preferred but not required.

All applicants should have completed their medical training and have experience in patient care. Some travel required.

We offer competitive salary and benefits package.

Send resume with cover letter to: Melinda Batal Georgia Neurological Surgery 2142 W. Broad St Bldg 100, Suite 200 Athens, GA 30606 Or email to gns@georgianeuro.com

Call 706.208.2290 to advertise your job opening in the Oconee Leader.

Medical / Health

Medical / Health

1380

1380

Morgan Memorial Hospital House Supervisor, RN – Full Time Nights Seeking a Nursing Supervisor to work full time Nights.

Must hold current licensure in the State of Georgia as a Registered Nurse, BLS and ACLS certifications. Supervisory experience in a hospital or clinical setting required. Must be a self-starter, have good communication, organizational, and computer skills.

Apply online at www.mmh.org Or send resume to Sarah S. Phillips, HR Fax: 706-342-2742 e-mail: sarahp@mmh.org Morgan Memorial Hospital is a Drug Free Workplace/EEOC Morgan Memorial Hospital Registered Nurse (RN) – PRN Seeking a Registered Nurse (RN) to work on a PRN status.

The candidate must hold current licensure in the state of Georgia and have CPR/BLS and ACLS certifications.

Apply online at www.mmh.org Or send resume to Sarah S. Phillips, HR Fax: 706-342-2742 e-mail: sarahp@mmh.org Morgan Memorial Hospital is a Drug Free Workplace/EEOC Business/Strategic Management

Business/Strategic Management

1100

1100

Logistics / Transportation

1320

Logistics / Transportation

1320

Northeast Sales Dist., Co. is accepting applications for local Route Delivery drivers.

Route delivery experience is a plus. Class A CDL is required.

A seven-year MVR and a background check must be provided with application. Good pay plus benefits. Benefits include 401k, health, life, disability, dental, paid vacation and more.

Apply in person at Northeast Sales 840 Ronald Wood Rd., Winder, GA 30680.

M-F 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. 678-963-7700.

Email address meberling@nesdi.com.

Logistics / Transportation

1320

Driver- CDL/A $3000 Sign On Bonus for Experienced Drivers Paid Out within 30 days of 1st dispatch!

HOME WEEKLY NEW Southeast Regional PAY INCREASE!

Company & Independent Contractors Needed 6 Day Refresher Course Avail.

Education/Training

1180

Now Hiring Full Time & Part time teachers.

Minimum requirements: Childcare experience required, CDA minimum preferred, Energetic, Team Player who is passionate about children Great benefits and work environment.

Apply onsite, download app at www.krk23ga.com, or call 706-546-9400 for info.

Morgan County Board of Commissioners Assistant County Manager/Transit Director

Position Overview: Morgan County has an opening for its newly created Assistant County Manager/Transit Director position. This is an executive level position working under the general direction of the County Manager. Work includes leadership and supervision of the Transit Department (5 FTE), organization-wide grant writing and administration, public relations, special projects, review of current processes, and other duties as determined by the County Manager.

Education and Experience: A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in public administration, urban planning, political science, business management, or a closely related field required.

A Master’s degree in one of the aforementioned fields and some local government work experience preferred.

Compensation: The salary for this fulltime and benefit eligible position will be commiserate with the successful applicant’s education and experience. A copy of the County’s fringe benefits package is available upon request.

Timeline and Submittal Logistics: This position will remain open until filled; and, the first review of applicants will be December 11, 2015.

Applications are available (and can be submitted) online at www.morganga.org or in-person at 150 E. Washington Street, Madison, Georgia 30650 (and any/all “hard copy” submittals should be sent to this address).

Please contact Leslie Brandt, Administrative Assistant in the County Manager’s Office, at 706 342-0725, for more information.

Please Note: Morgan County is an EEO and an “at Will” employer.

Also, Morgan County conducts comprehensive background checks and drug screenings on applicants.

In Business over 50 years!

855-378-9335 EOE KLLM.com

To Advertise, Call 706.208.2290 Manufacturing / Production / Operations

1340

Manufacturing / Production / Operations

1340

ROUTE TECHNICIAN Strategic Industries is seeking a motivated individual for day to day operation of pest control route in the BARROW,CLARKE, HALL & JACKSON area. Competitive salary (up to 35k-1st yr) paid training & growth opportunity. Benefits include monthly bonus, paid holidays, medical/dental, vacation, 401k & Co Vehicle. Successful candidate must have good driving record, HS diploma or GED & customer service skills.

To apply visit our website www.Strategicpest.com or email your resume to HR@strategicpest.com.

Installation / Maintenance / Repair

1260

Installation / Maintenance / Repair

1260

Major Manufacturing Facility in Athens, Georgia has an Immediate opening for: Industrial Maintenance Person

3 to 5 years’ experience in the field Machinist skills preferred Must have: High School Diploma/GED Georgia Work Ready Certificate Physical Exam/Drug Screen Rotating Shifts (3 shifts) Excellent Benefit Package

Please send resumes to: 7000010962@ad2job.com EOE/M/F/V/D

PR OFESSIONAL

A Guide to Professional Services in the Oconee County Area To Advertise: Phone 706.549.FAST Home Services

Home Services

3520

3520

Home Services

Home Services

3520

3520

Home Services

3520

Home Services

3520

METAL OR SHINGLES • We do ALL the work & repairs: soffit, cornice, fascia & painting

www.gbedellconstruction.com

Plumber Pro Service and Drain

Your Residential Plumbing Service Experts

706-769-7761

www.plumberproservice.com www.facebook.com/plumberproservice

Master Plumber License #Mp210274 • Insured • Free Estimates

Do YOU provide a professional service?

$25 First Time Customer Discount $30 Senior Citizen Discount Home Services

Home Services

3520

Want to attract more customers?

3520

EDT CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING

* Rotten Wood Repair *Carports & Garage *Additions *Renovations *Roofing Repairs *New Home Construction *Sun Rooms *Decks & Patios *Ceramic Tile *Home Maintenance *Painting (Int/Ext) *Kitchen & Bath Renovation *Window & Door Replacement

State Licensed & Insured

For ALL Your HOME IMPROVEMENTS, Large Or Small, Call Today For A FREE ESTIMATE

706-202-6066 Call Anytime & Ask for ET Visit our website at www.edtconstruction.com edtconstruction@yahoo.com Serving Athens since 1989

UlmBrothers Tree Service

The Professional Services Directory is Oconee County’s best source for finding painters, plumbers, landscapers, roofers, and other local service providers.

Local and experienced!

We are fully insured and offer Tree removal,Trimming Pruning, Debris Removal, Insurance work, Right of way work, Lot clearing, and Stump Grinding. We pride our self on customer service and satisfaction.

Call for a free estimate today.

Office: 706-369-5300 Cell: 706-255-4941

To advertise here, call 706.549.FAST!

STATE OF GEORGIA LICENSED CONTRACTOR Home Services

3520

Home Services

3520

BAT SEASON

“Resolving Conflicts Between People & Animals” WILDLIFE TRAPPING Wildlife Detection Removal & Prevention

LEAFPROOF

“Pest proof & leaf proof your gutters Free Estimates

Peyton Hopkins Call 706-546-7438 AthensExterminating.net PO Box 5772 7080 Smokey Rd. Athens GA 30604 Lic. Trapper #99993

3520

Home Services

3520

BRIAN’S TREE SERVICES HANDYMAN, ROOFING, PATCHWORK, GUTTER CLEANING,PRESSURE WASHING, & PAINTING, YARD & LEAF CLEANING, HEDGE TRIMMING & SHRUB REMOVAL, UNDERBRUSH CLEARING, STORM DRAINS CALL BRIAN 706-247-5430 23 YRS EXP. LIC & INSURED 7 DAYS A WEEK. FREE EST. SR. CITIZEN DISC. WE DO IT ALL!

Bickley’s Tree Service f Tree Service f Lawn Maintenance f Stump Grinding f Brush Chipping f Bobcat f Dump Truck Insured

Lamar Adams 706-224-2079

PR OFESSIONAL

Let us help you grow your business! To advertise, call 706.549.FAST

Home Services

www.gbedellconstruction.com

DO YOU OFFER A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE? Let us help you grow your business! To advertise, call 706.549.FAST

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Thursday, December 3, 2015

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