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Duncan native Marcus Lattimore has recovered from knee surgery and is expected to lead the Gamecocks’ rushing attack. PAMELA DUNLAP PHOTO
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>> ANNA GREER: YOUNG TENNIS PLAYER MAKING ACES >> AREA TEAMS BACK ON THE GRIDIRON >> UPWARD ACQUIRES CLUB SOUTH
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GAME DAY Youth Sports Magazine
EDITOR & PUBLISHER Les Timms III les.timms@upstategameday.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR / SENIOR WRITER John Clayton john.clayton@upstategameday.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS
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CONTACT GAME DAY 864-804-0068 Upstate Game Day Youth Sports Magazine is not responsible for the return of submitted photography, artwork, or manuscripts and will not be responsible for holding fees or similar charges. © Upstate Game Day Youth Sports Magazine 2012 Upstate Game Day Youth Sports Magazine is published 12 times a year. All contents are copyrighted by Upstate Game Day Youth Sports Magazine. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine, including publisher-designed advertisements, may be copied, scanned, or reproduced in any manner without prior consent from the publisher. Unauthorized user will be billed appropriately for such use.
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YOUTH SPORTS DIRECTORY Upward Sports www.upward.org Boiling Springs Youth Athletic Association www.BSYAA.org North Spartanburg Athletic Association www.nsasports.org District 5 Youth Athletics www.d5rebels.com Westside Athletic Booster Association www.wabasc.org Clifdale Sports www.clifdalesports.com Hillbrook Baseball www.eteamz.com/hillbrookbaseball AYSO Region 132/723 www.AYSO132.org AYSO Region 722 www.AYSO722.org Carolina FC www.carolinafc.net Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (CESA) www.carolinaelitesc.com Greer Recreation www.cityofgreer.org Upstate Titans football www.upstatetitans.org Upstate Mavericks baseball UpstateMavericks.com facebook.com/Upstate-Mavericks Spartanburg Elite AAU Track Club www.spartanburgelitetrack.com Club South Volleyball Powered by Upward Stars www.clubsouthvolleyball.com Upstate Volleyball Club www.volleyball.net Axis Elite Volleyball www.axiselite.com Carolina One Carolinaonevolleyball.com United Performance Volleyball www.upvb.com
6 AUGUST 2012 u GAME DAY
NO. 1 AT THE BEACH
Front Row: Jake Little, Benjamin Fowler, Corey Jolley, Austin Horres, Chase Turner Middle Row: Nathan Godfrey, Garrett Williams, Hudson Lee, Hayden Lee, Lawson Bagwell Back Row: Rick Lee, Chuck Turner (Head Coach), Kevin Horres, Jay Bagwell (Manager)
Hub City Heat 9U squad brings home USSSA Global title Special to Game Day The Hub City Heat 9U baseball team made the most of a trip to Myrtle Beach in July, winning the USSSA Global World Series White Division on July 15. After a tough loss to begin the tournament, the Heat won four of its next five games and came through as a third seed to win the championship with a 5-2 record for the tournament. The Heat defeated the Cincy Flames 10-1 in the White Division finals. On the way to the finals, the Heat captured a 5-4 victory over the Carolina Rays and a 9-1 win over the Surfside Sharks. In pool play, the Heat beat the Stars 9U 16-4 and the North Wake Knights 10-9. After qualifying for the USSSA Global World Series earlier in July, the team participated in fundraising efforts including a car wash and yard sale, Chic-Fil-A night, Zaxby’s night and a
Yogurt King day. All the while practicing two nights per week and playing in tournaments on weekends. The Heat was among 16 teams nationally to qualify for the event. Of the 10 boys on the team, eight of them are students at Pauline Glenn Springs Elementary School, including Austin Horres, Benjamin Fowler, Chase Turner, Hayden Lee, Hudson Lee, Lawson Bagwell, and Nathan Godfrey. Corey Jolley attends Boiling Springs Intermediate School, Garrett Williams attends Roebuck Elementary, and Jake Little attends Jesse Boyd. They were all in the 2nd-4th grades this past year in school ranging in age from 7-9 years old. The Heat will remain intact with all 10 players going into the 2012-2013 year as a 10U travel team. For information or to become involved with Hub City Heat Baseball, email hubcityheat@bellsouth.net. GD
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Top L to R: Dr. Gerald Rollins, Dr. Stephen Harley, Dr. David Mitchell, Dr. Michael Funderburk Bottom L to R: Dr. Michael Henderson, Dr. Michael Hoenig, Dr. Mary Joan Black, Dr. James Behr
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Upward purchases Club South Volleyball Club South Volleyball, established in 1996 and formerly owned and operated by Jimmy Peden, was sold to Upward Unlimited in July. Since its inception, Club South has experienced significant team growth as well as developed a strong reputation for being one of the top volleyball clubs in South Carolina as well as in the southeastern part of the United States. Club South has earned this reputation by providing a training program as well as coaches that can help each athlete accelerate their individual athletic ability into the next level of competition. Upward Unlimited, parent organization of Upward Sports, established in 1995 has grown to be the world’s largest Christian sports league for children. Beginning only with basketball, Upward Sports has added flag football, cheerleading and soccer to their program offering. With over 2,500 church partners across the country conducting over 5,000 leagues or camps, over 500,000 children have participated in Upward Sports for each of the past three years. This purchase combines the training, coaching and high level competition found in Club South with the first-class, organized and detailed administration exhibited by Upward Sports leagues across the nation. Upward Sports
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offers children (typically in K5-6th grade) to have a positive, introductory sports experience in which sport fundamentals are taught and life lessons learned. Upward Stars (a new division of Upward Unlimited) will provide an opportunity for athletes (ages 10-18) who are ready to take their skill and understanding of the game to the next level of competition a chance to do so with the support of a national sports organization founded on Christian principles and values. Club South Volleyball powered by Upward Stars is committed to developing athletes to reach their highest potential and to compete at the highest level. By doing this Upward Unlimited will expand its offering to parents and families from an introductory sports experience (Upward Sports) to a new program committed to developing the young athlete to their fullest potential (Upward Stars). More information on Club South Volleyball and Upward Stars may be found on the following web sites: ClubSouthVolleyball.com or UpwardStars.org. >> Look for an exclusive story about the Club South powered by Upward Stars in the September edition of Upstate Game Day.
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GAME DAY u JUNE 2012 9
Athletes in Action
WE WANT YOUR SPORTS PICS! please email to: les.timms @upstategameday.com photos by: John Clayton • Les Timms III • Susan Palmer • Pam Dunlap • Sharon Moyer • Emily Ledford
10 10 JUNE JUNE 2012 2012 u u GAME GAME DAY DAY
Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever. -Lance Armstrong
GAME GAME DAY DAY u u JUNE JUNE 2012 2012 11 11
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10-YEAR-OLD ANNA GREER MAKING WAVES ON 12U TENNIS CIRCUIT
PROVIDED PHOTOS 12 JULY 2012 u GAME DAY
“Her goal is to be a pro. My goal is to try to provide the resources to get her there, but it’s all up to her.” NATASHA GREER, mother of Anna Greer Writer Karen Puckett shakes hands after being trounced on the court by sixth-grader Anna Greer.
By KAREN L. PUCKETT
regularly asks adults at SAC to play a set or two with her), running and conditioning. nna Greer may be small “Anna loves doing pushups and clap in stature, but she towers pushups,” said Natasha, who plays USTA over her opponents on the league tennis. “At Bible Camp she found tennis court. ways to work out, like doing pull-ups on the bunk beds.” Anna has been playing Ranked 27th in the 12s in South tournaments for two years, Carolina, 10-year-old Anna is deciding to play up in the already talking about earning OW KN TO G GETTIN R 12s when the format E a college scholarship and ANNA GRE for the 10s changed achieving her long-term Boiling Springs to a Quick Start goal of becoming a HOMETOWN: lopment and research a, is, job deve program, which professional tennis PARENTS: Trav wner of Liberty Tax; Natash e at rt-tim d co-o at Milliken an her of three who works pa involves lower player. g mot homeschoolin artanburg Athletic Club compression 4 , “Her goal is to th Sp be Eliza drew, 11, and inkie, the cats balls, smaller SIBLINGS: An W be a pro. My goal is d an and crafts the dog; Dash puzzles, arts racquets and PETS: Reece, ng ki to try to provide the or w , ts g spor LIFE: God UR YO BBIES: Playin IN HO L IA shorter courts. NT resources to get her MOST INFLUE OL: History ECT IN SCHO BJ SU She hopes to be TE RI there, but it’s all up to FAVO : Fried okra VORITE FOOD FA na na in the top five Ba : her,” said her mother, MATCH EAT BEFORE A NG A MATCH: Green in the state in the RI DU Natasha. RS ALWAYS WEA irband Ha 12s by the time she , Anna’s coach, Stephen AY TENNIS YOU DIDN’T PL er IF turns 12 in 2014. A Broom agreed. Socc YOU’D PLAY: reachable goal, according “The sky’s the limit for her,” to her coach. said Broom, the director of tennis at Competing in the 12s, she won the Spartanburg Athletic Club. “It depends on SAC tournament in July and was runner-up how much she wants to work. Stroke-wise, she’s pretty advanced for her age. I don’t see in May, won the Sportsclub tournament, many players at 10 who don’t have to worry and placed fifth in the Greenville Country Club tournament in August. Her plans about their strokes. In lessons we focus include competing in Southern events next more on positioning and setups.” And, because she is 10 years old, she can year. “She’s a fierce competitor, that’s for sure. be bribed with ice cream, Broom said. She doesn’t like losing,” Broom said. “She’s “That always seems to make her work quick on the court, picks up the ball quick, harder,” he added. and has good timing and good strokes. She’s A natural athlete just shy of four-andvery athletic.” a-half feet, Anna received her first racquet More important to her parents, Anna from her tennis-playing parents when she has a good attitude, especially on the court. was a toddler and participated in her first “People (at the tournaments) comment tennis clinic at The Westside Club when she on her attitude and how they love it,” was four. Natasha said. “Anna claps for her opponent “I liked it. It was fun,” Anna said of her for a good shot, and you don’t always see first experience on the court. “I remember that at that age.” when I was little watching my mom and Anna doesn’t see anything unusual dad play tennis matches.” about complimenting an opponent. In fact, fun is a word the homeschooled “It’s a polite sport,” she said. “I like sixth grader uses often when discussing playing it, and it’s fun to hit with other tennis. After all, she is just 10 years old. people. Tennis is probably one of the most “Tennis is fun, and what I like about it is interactive sports because you can play what everyone likes—winning!” she said. singles against someone and then doubles Anna enjoys the doing the things it with that person. You can’t do that in takes in order to win—training in lessons soccer.” GD and clinics, playing in practice matches (she
A
TAKING ON A 10-YEAR-OLD ON THE COURT By KAREN L. PUCKETT
H
ow difficult would it be to play against a 10-yearold in a friendly set of tennis? I mean, I’m a seasoned 4.0-rated USTA league player, and Anna Greer is a 4-foot-five-inch tall, 56-pound sixth-grader. My age and weight are not important here. And I was in sixth grade…but that was in the last century. Anyway, we decide we’d only play a set because Anna had a clinic scheduled right after, and I don’t want to wear her out. Besides, it is really hot outside. She is cool with that. As we’re getting out our equipment on the sidelines at Spartanburg Athletic Club, I notice she and I have Babolat racquets. She tells me her favorite player, Kim Clijsters, uses a Babolat. I tell her I use it because it’s a pretty blue. We don’t bother to warm up, because, like I said, it is really hot outside. So, Anna serves first, and I immediately realize that I’m playing against a future pro. Or at least someone who’s going to wipe me off the court. But she will do it politely. However, I am a competitor myself, having been a captain this spring on a team that went 8-0 in the regular season before going to the State Championships. So, if I’m going to lose to a 10-year-old, I’m going to go down fighting. She wins her first service game, and I answer, winning my serve and we’re on serve at one-all. It’s my experience playing middle-aged women on the tennis court that there are two main types of players: those who are backboards and those who hit winners. Anna is both. She runs down shots that otherwise should have been winners on my part. At other times, she pulls me side to side and out of position to set up topspin winners of her own. Down, 1-4, I decide to pull out my signature shot. The lob. Most middle-aged tennis players are not fans of the lob. Mainly because a lot of middle-aged women don’t like to run. So, I like to do a drop shot, bring my opponent to the net, and then pop a deep topspin lob to land at the baseline. It didn’t faze Anna a bit. She scooped up the drop shot, anticipated my lob, ran it down, and answered with a winner. Annoying. I hit a few more lobs during those last two games, and once Anna has the nerve to call one of them out. I respond with a look of astonishment and my mouth wide open for effect so that she knows I can’t believe she called it out…Even though I know it was out, I just wanted to see what she’d say. “You look like Larry!” Anna responds. I really don’t know who Larry is, except maybe some tennis pro I’ve never heard of. Probably from the Netherlands. So I ask her who he is. “He’s the cucumber on Veggie Tales,” she says. And that was my reminder that I just got whooped by a 10-year-old.
With sports on horizon, fall can’t get here soon enough It’s been a long, hot summer. Speaking of Broome, Jet Honestly, it feels like it started Turner takes over as head coach, while Mark Hodge takes over at sometime around Valentine’s Chapman and Lynn Fleming at Day. It’s been the kind of season Chesnee on the gridiron. that makes you thank the good Dorman made it Lord for sweet, to the Class AAAA summer rain and Upper State title air conditioning. match in volleyball before falling to So, I welcome rival Hillcrest, but fall. I enjoy the the Cavaliers are leaves changing a perennial title and the crisp contender . mornings. I like sweatshirts. On the golf course, Spartanburg And I like County Amateur football. Champion Anne We’re JOHN Taylor Hough, a beginning our CLAYTON freshman at Spartanburg second year at Upstate High, and senior Game Day and it all Katy Funk, a Wofford started in August of 2011 with verbal commitment, return this same sort of anticipation – to the course for the Vikings with football, volleyball, cross as does Spartanburg Junior country, tennis and golf right Amateur Champion Anna around the corner as schools Chanthaphaeng at Boiling started their academic years. Springs. Last year produced a Big 16 Landrum cross-country has state champion in Byrnes and a been a force at the Class A level Class AA Upper State Champion in Woodruff. Along the way, there for the past few years and this year head coach Jeremy Darby is were a ton of surprises and some getting his due. sterling moments. Darby has been nominated We’re expecting more of the by Brooks Running Shoes as one same this fall. of the sport’s 25 (vote through Unlike last year when the Brooks Running on Facebook) Rebels were underdogs, Byrnes most inspirational coaches. If he is a favorite to repeat as state wins an online vote, he will get champions, but Dorman, a well-deserved $10,000 as the Gaffney, Boiling Springs and Cardinals move up to Class AA. Spartanburg are part of a Region Greer is staying in Class II gauntlet the Rebels must AAA, but moves to an eightnegotiate. team region composed primarily And Woodruff will move to Class AAA, but face some familiar of Greenville County Schools, including Blue Ridge, Carolina, foes in Chapman, Clinton and Greenville and Berea. Broome. And at the time of this writing, no one has played a meaningful game and the temperatures are expected to reach 90 or so. Fall can’t get here soon enough. It should be fun, so please come along for the ride with us each month at Upstate Game Day. GD
THE SPORTS OF FALL From football - youth leagues to high school; volleyball, cross country, golf, cheer, soccer to band, and other sports, activities heat up in the fall. GAME DAY will offer coverage of many of these events in future editions.
GAME DAY FILE PHOTOS 14 AUGUST 2012 u GAME DAY
GREENVILLE COUNTY
SPECIAL PULL-OUT PAGE
WADE HAMPTON Aug. 24 – BLUE RIDGE Aug. 31 – at Hillcrest Sept. 7 – EASTSIDE Sept. 14 – at Woodmont Sept. 21 – at Mauldin* Sept. 28 – GAFFNEY* Oct. 5 – at Boiling Springs* Oct. 12 – DORMAN* Oct. 19 – at Spartanburg* Oct. 26 – RIVERSIDE* Nov. 2 – at Byrnes
MAULDIN Aug. 24 – at Hillcrest Aug. 31 – WOODMONT Sept. 7 – T.L. HANNA Sept. 14 – at J.L. Mann Sept. 21 – WADE HAMPTON* Sept. 28 – at Dorman* Oct. 5 – at Gaffney* Oct. 12 – RIVERSIDE* Oct. 19 – at Byrnes* Oct. 26 – SPARTANBURG* Nov. 2 – BOILING SPRINGS*
RIVERSIDE Aug. 24 – at Eastside Aug. 31 – GREER Sept. 7 – WOODMONT Sept. 14 – at Hillcrest Sept. 21 – SPARTANBURG* Sept. 28 – BOILING SPRINGS* Oct. 5 – at Byrnes* Oct. 12 – at Mauldin* Oct. 19 – GAFFNEY* Oct. 26 – at Wade Hampton* Nov. 2 – DORMAN*
WOODMONT Aug. 24 – at Wren Aug. 31 – at Mauldin Sept. 7 – at Riverside Sept. 14 – WADE HAMPTON Sept. 21 – WESTSIDE* Sept. 28 – at Laurens* Oct. 5 – GREENWOOD* Oct. 12 – at Easley* Oct. 19 – J.L. MANN* Oct. 26 – T.L. HANNA* Nov. 2 – at Hillcrest* ED OVERSTREET / FILE
ST. JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC Aug. 17 – BARNWELL Aug. 24 – BLACKSBURG Aug. 31 – at Cardinal Newman Sept. 14 – CALHOUN FALLS* Sept. 21 – at McCormick* Sept. 28 – DIXIE* Oct. 5 – at Ware Shoals* Oct. 12 – WHITMIRE* Oct. 19 – at Christ Church* Oct. 26 – at Southside Christian*
SOUTHSIDE Aug. 24 – J.L. MANN Aug. 31 – CAROLINA Sept. 7 – at Powdersville Sept. 14 – at Berea* Sept. 21 – GREENVILLE* Sept. 28 – at Travelers Rest* Oct. 5 – EASTSIDE* Oct. 12 – at Blue Ridge* Oct. 19 – GREER* Oct. 26 – at Pickens*
TRAVELERS REST Aug. 17 – WEST OAK Aug. 24 – at Liberty Aug. 31 – at Chapman Sept. 14 – PICKENS* Sept. 21 – at Greer* Sept. 28 – SOUTHSIDE* Oct. 5 – at Blue Ridge* Oct. 12 – at Greenville* Oct. 19 – EASTSIDE* Oct. 26 – BEREA*
GAME DAY u AUGUST 2012 15
HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULES SPECIAL PULL-OUT PAGE
BOILING SPRINGS Aug. 23 – at Nation Ford Aug 31 – at York Sept. 7 – CLOVER Sept. 14 – ROCK HILL Sept. 21 – at Byrnes* Sept. 28 – at Riverside* Oct. 5 – WADE HAMPTON* Oct. 19 – DORMAN* Oct. 26 – GAFFNEY* Nov. 2 – at Mauldin*
BROOME Aug. 17 – CHESNEE Aug. 24 – LANDRUM Aug. 31 – at Ninety Six Sept. 7 – at Blacksburg Sept. 14 – FORT MILL Sept. 28 – at Clinton* Oct. 5 – at Union Co.* Oct. 12 – CHESTER* Oct. 19 – at Woodruff* Oct. 26 – CHAPMAN*
SPARTANBURG COUNTY
CHESNEE Aug. 17 – at Broome Aug. 24 – at Chapman Sept. 7 – WOODRUFF Sept. 14 – at Pendleton* Sept. 21 – CAROLINA* Sept. 28 – LIBERTY* Oct. 5 – LANDRUM* Oct. 19 – at Blacksburg* Oct. 26 – CRESCENT*
DORMAN Aug. 24 – at Rock Hill Aug. 31 – GREENWOOD Sept. 7 – HILLCREST Sept. 14 – DUTCH FORK Sept. 21 – at Gaffney* Sept. 28 – MAULDIN* Oct. 5 – SPARTANBURG* Oct. 12 – at Wade Hampton* Oct. 19 – at Boiling Springs* Oct. 26 – BYRNES Nov. 2 – at Riverside JOHN CLAYTON / staff
BYRNES Aug. 31 – at Woodruff Sept. 7 – NORTHWESTERN Sept. 14 – CLINTON Sept. 21 – BOILING SPRINGS* Sept. 28 – at Spartanburg* Oct. 5 – RIVERSIDE* Oct. 12 – at Gaffney* Oct. 29 – MAULDIN* Oct. 26 – at Dorman* Nov. 2 – WADE HAMPTON*
16 AUGUST 2012 u GAME DAY
GAFFNEY Aug. 17 – NORTHWESTERN Aug. 24 – CLINTON Aug. 31 – at Union Co. Sept. 7 – YORK Sept. 21 – DORMAN* Sept. 28 – at Wade Hampton* Oct. 5 – MAULDIN* Oct. 12 – BYRNES* Oct. 19 – at Riverside* Oct. 26 – at Boiling Springs* Nov. 2 – SPARTANBURG*
GREER Aug. 24 – SENECA Aug. 31 – at Riverside Sept. 7 – at Union Co. Sept. 14 – at Greenville* Sept. 21 – TRAVELERS REST* Sept. 28 – at Eastside* Oct. 5 – BEREA* Oct. 12 – PICKENS* Oct. 19 – at Southside* Oct. 26 – BLUE RIDGE
LANDRUM Aug. 24 – at Broome Aug. 31 – WALHALLA Sept. 7 – at Polk Co. (N.C.) Sept. 14 – at Carolina* Sept. 21 – LIBERTY* Sept. 28 – POWDERSVILLE* Oct. 5 – at Chesnee* Oct. 12 – BLACKSBURG* Oct. 19 – at Crescent* Oct. 26 – PENDLETON*
OAKBROOK PREP Aug. 17 – LAURENS ACADEMY Aug. 24 – at Dorchester Academy Aug. 31 – HOLLY HILL ACADEMY Sept. 14 – FLORENCE CHRISTIAN* Sept. 21 – BYRNES ACADEMY Sept. 28 - at King’s Academy* Oct. 5 – at Lee Academy* Oct. 12 – at Pee Dee Academy Oct. 19 – THOMAS SUMTER* Oct. 26 – at Calhoun Academy*
SCSDB Aug. 30 – at Tenn. School/Deaf Sept. 6 – at Hendersonville Christian Sept. 13 – FOUNTAIN INN CHRISTIAN Sept. 20 – at N.C. School for Deaf Sept. 27 – TENN. SCHOOL/ DEAF Oct. 4 – OAK LEVEL BAPTIST Oct. 13 – at La. School/Deaf Oct. 20 – N.C. SCHOOL/DEAF Oct. 24 – HENDERSONVILLE CHRISTIAN
SPARTANBURG Aug. 24 – UNION CO. Aug. 31 – at Laurens Sept. 7 – SOUTH POINTE Sept. 14 – at Greenwood Sept. 21 – at Riverside* Sept. 28 – BYRNES* Oct. 5 – at Dorman* Oct. 12 – BOILING SPRINGS* Oct. 19 – WADE HAMPTON* Oct. 26 – at Mauldin* Nov. 2 – at Gaffney*
WOODRUFF Aug. 24 – at Abbeville Aug. 31 – BYRNES Sept. 7 – at Chesnee Sept. 14 – at Laurens Sept. 21 – NINETY SIX Sept. 28 – UNION CO.* Oct. 5 – at Chester* Oct. 12 – at Chapman* Oct. 19 – BROOME* Oct. 26 – CLINTON*
ED OVERSTREET / FILE
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SPARTANBURG GAME DAY u AUGUST 2012 17
HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULES GREENVILLE COUNTY
SPECIAL PULL-OUT PAGE
BEREA Aug. 24 – at Carolina Aug. 31 – POWDERSVILLE Sept. 7 – NEWBERRY Sept. 14 – SOUTHSIDE* Sept. 21 – at Blue Ridge* Sept. 28 – at Greer * Oct. 12 – at Eastside* Oct. 19 – Greenville* Oct. 26 – at Travelers Rest*
CHRIST CHURCH Aug. 31 – at Eastside Sept. 7 – at Carolina Sept. 14 – WARE SHOALS Sept. 21 – at Calhoun Falls Sept. 28 – MCCORMICK Oct. 5 – at Dixie Oct. 12 – SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN Oct. 19 – ST. JOSEPH’S Oct. 26 – at Whitmire
BLUE RIDGE Aug. 24 – at Wade Hampton Aug. 31- at J.L. Mann Sept. 7 – CHAPMAN Sept. 14 – at Eastside* Sept. 21 – BEREA* Sept. 28 – at Greenville* Oct. 5 – TRAVELERS REST* Oct. 12 – SOUTHSIDE* Oct. 19 – PICKENS* Oct. 26 – at Greer*
EASTSIDE Aug. 24 – RIVERSIDE Aug. 31 – CHRIST CHURCH Sept. 7 – at Wade Hampton Sept. 14 – BLUE RIDGE* Sept. 21 – at Pickens* Sept. 28 – at Greer* Oct. 12 – BEREA* Oct. 19 – at Travelers Rest* Oct. 26 – at Greenville
JOHN CLAYTON / staff
CAROLINA Aug. 24 – BEREA Aug. 31 – at Southside Sept. 7 – CHRIST CHURCH Sept. 14 – LANDRUM* Sept. 21 – at Chesnee* Sept. 28 – BLACKSBURG* Oct. 5 – at Crescent* Oct. 12 – PENDELTON* Oct. 19 – at Powdersville* Oct. 26 – at Liberty*
18 AUGUST 2012 u GAME DAY
GREENVILLE Aug. 17 – at Abbeville Aug. 31 – DANIEL Sept. 7 – at J.L. Mann Sept. 14 – GREER* Sept. 21 – at Southside* Sept. 28 – BLUE RIDGE* Oct. 5 – at Pickens* Oct. 12 – TRAVELERS REST* Oct. 19 – at Berea* Oct. 26 – EASTSIDE*
HILLCREST Aug. 24 – MAULDIN Aug. 31 – WADE HAMPTON Sept. 7 – at Dorman Sept. 14 – RIVERSIDE Sept. 21 – at Greenwood* Sept. 28 – WESTSIDE* Oct. 5 – at J.L.Mann* Oct. 12 – LAURENS* Oct. 19 – at T.L. Hanna* Oct. 26 – EASLEY* Nov. 2 – WOODMONT*
J.L. MANN Aug. 24 – at Southside Aug. 31 – BLUE RIDGE Sept. 7 – GREENVILLE Sept. 14 – MAULDIN Sept. 21 – at T.L.Hanna* Sept. 28 –at Greenwood* Oct. 5 – HILLCREST* Oct. 12 – at Westside* Oct. 19 – at Woodmont* Oct. 26 – LAURENS* Nov. 2 – EASLEY*
For anyone with the desire to play sports at the college or professional level, the road is long and hard. This regular feature is about local athletes, living their dream, competing at ...
GROUND FORCE USC’S LATTIMORE RETURNS FROM KNEE INJURY TO LEAD GAMECOCKS IN TOUGH SEC By JOHN CLAYTON
COLUMBIA – Everything changed in Starkville: The meteoric career arc, the constant static of Heisman hype; the SEC Saturdays spent in front of rabid, cheering fans. Yes, everything changed except Marcus Lattimore. The former Byrnes star and SEC Freshman of the Year now has the most talked about knee in the state as the Gamecocks ready for the 2012 season, but Lattimore has quietly been working his way back since undergoing knee surgery last fall. Now, after more than 2,000 career rushing yards and 27 touchdowns at South Carolina, Lattimore has declared the knee he injured last season against Mississippi State to be fit and himself ready to return to the Gamecocks lineup. “Around mid-July, everything started feeling like I could do it again, and that was it, really,” he said. “It seemed like it happened yesterday. I’ll never forget it. It changed a lot, but we overcame it.” Lattimore said the one thing the injury didn’t change was an unwavering faith in God and himself. He continued to speak to youth groups and at churches. He typically, went back to work on
PAMELA DUNLAP
Byrnes product Marcus Lattimore says the knee he injured last season against Mississippi St. is ready to go.
rehabilitating the injured left knee as his teammates played on. “Some days I didn’t know if (the knee) was going to hurt or swell up or not,” Lattimore said of his rehab. “You just have to put your trust in God and be optimistic, so that’s what I did. It made my mind stronger.
“I knew (the injury) was bad, but I just had to face that and go with it. It is what it is, and nine months later, I feel great.” It was a trial unlike anything Lattimore, who gained 818 yards and scored 10 touchdowns as the Gamecocks’ workhorse back in eight games last season, and it gave him a new perspective on both GAME DAY u AUGUST 2012 19
MARCUS LATTIMORE / FROM 19
PAMELA DUNLAP
Byrnes product Marcus Lattimore bursts through a hole against Kentucky last October.
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football and life that can only come from experience and the occasional hard knock. “My approach on everything – football isn’t going to last forever,” he said. “It can be taken way – what you’ve been doing your whole life – and I realized that. It put a whole lot of things in perspective for me.” Current USC and former Byrnes teammate Nick Jones knows Lattimore better than anyone else in Columbia, and he believes the preseason AllSEC back will return as good as ever – or better. “I’d never seen Marcus seriously injured before, so when it happened, I didn’t know what to think,” said Jones, a wide receiver with the Gamecocks. “But I knew the kind of mindset Marcus has and how he’d work to get better. So, I’m pretty sure that knee is a lot stronger than when he got hurt.” With Lattimore sidelined for the final five games of last season, the Gamecocks offense evolved behind surprise
PAMELA DUNLAP
starting quarterback Connor Shaw and running backs Shon Carson and Kenny Miles. Along with top recruit Mike Davis, Lattimore said the Gamecocks now have four backs they can count on. “Our goal is to be the best running back group in America,” he said. “We want to be sort of like LSU – with four backs who just keep coming at your and wearing down the defense.” USC head coach Steve Spurrier said he witnessed proof that Lattimore is back to form at an early preseason practice. “We think he’s going to be fine. In practice, there’s no thinking about it at all,” Spurrier said. “The other day at practice, the defense was trying to strip the ball, and there were two or three waiting on him. He lowered his pads and went right through them. We said, that’s how you eliminate guys from trying to cause a fumble. He’s not thinking about it. He’s just ready to go play ball right now.” GD
Contact Region 132 @ 864.574.1720 or browse to www.ayso132.org for more information
Which Team Are You Really Cheering For? Do you ever evaluate your purchases and think about who you are really supporting? Are you supporting people that support you? I urge every SPORTS FANATIC to look through this magazine and find someone you can support. These are the people that continually give to your organization and children. It is time we as Citizens rally behind local businesses that are trying to give back to their community. I urge you to flip through this magazine right now and find someone you can support. CONGRATULATIONS 2012 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS PEYTON ALLEN AND XAVIER KILLINGS Philippians 2:2-5 New King James Version (NKJV) 2 Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.
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UPSTATE PRIDE REGION’S TEAMS RETURN TO GRIDIRON By JOHN CLAYTON
B
yrnes enters the 2012 football season in defense of a state championship that surprised some as the path to the Class AAAA “Big 16” state title ended in late December at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium. The Rebels, propelled by their upset of Gaffney in last year’s championship game and a 13-2 overall record, are ranked in the top 10 nationally in two polls – No. 5 by USA Today and No. 7 by Rivals.com. “We have to prepare each week because we know we will get everyone’s best shot,” said Byrnes head coach Chris Miller. Byrnes returns junior quarterback Shuler Bentley among its 13 returning starters, including seven on offense and six on defense. The list of top returnees also includes wide receiver Akia Booker, linebacker Alex Garrett, defensive lineman Melvin Armstrong and defensive backs Shane Samules and KeKe Ashmore. Miller said this season will come with the burden of expectations levied on a state champion, but that is nothing new for the Rebels. He will just have to wait and see how this year’s team reacts. “Every year, each team has to find their identity and their personality,” Miller said. BOILING SPRINGS Last year, the Bulldogs began the season with two straight shut-out losses before righting the ship and finishing 10-4, making it to the third round of the state playoffs. QB/WR Tyrecous Garrett, WR Reggie Geter, DL Jake Dills, DL Anthony Hunter, DL Denton Powe and LB Preston Gregory return to the Bulldogs for their senior seasons. BROOME John E. “Jet” Turner takes over a Centurions program, hoping to return it to a title contender. Turner won a state championship as head coach at Chester and 22 AUGUST 2012 u GAME DAY
Byrnes QB Shuler Bentley (19) helped the Rebels to a Big 16 state title last year and returns for his junior season.
will bring his hard-running Wing-T offense to Broome. CHAPMAN A 2-8 season last year led to the beginning of the Mark Hodge era at Chapman. Hodge takes over a team hungry to win behind returning RB Tyashawn Samuel and LB Michael Ashe. CHESNEE Lynn Fleming takes over as head coach at Chesnee. The Eagles return 10 starters from last year’s playoff team. Chesnee made it to the third round of the Class AA playoffs despite a 4-8 overall record. All-Region selections WR/DB Markell Hill, K Panayoitis Kargiatlis and OL/DL Jake Sperling lead this year’s squad. DORMAN The Cavaliers are a perennial title contender in not only Region 2-AAAA, but also the state. The Cavaliers will once
again find themselves in a battle with Byrnes, Gaffney and Spartanburg for both as they look to improve upon last year’s disappointing 7-6 record. GREER The Yellow Jackets won the Peach Blossom AAA region title with a win at Blue Ridge the final week of the regular season last year, finishing the season at 9-2. QB Emmanuel Kelly made a splash by accounting for six touchdowns in the team’s spring game. WR/DB D’anta Fleming and OL Alex Waters are among the team’s top returnees from last year’s 9-2 squad. Greer heads to a newly formed eight-team region composed primarily of Greenville County schools this season. LANDRUM The Cardinals make their first run in Class AA this season, moving into Region I-AA. Head coach Russell Mahaffey’s team turned in its best record under his watch,
after nearly losing his life...
Vikings’ Jackson shows heart in return By JOHN CLAYTON
It started with five push-ups after six weeks of bed rest. From there, he was cleared for athletics by doctors en months ago, Jaquan and back in the weightroom, pushing Jackson lay prone in his himself and amazingly qualifying for room wondering if he the state meet in March. Then, he would ever play football played soccer for the again, his surgically first time in his life to repaired heart healing, “get his wind back.” his body still bearing the “It all went good, so scars of a motorcycle I knew I could get back accident that left him here,” Jackson said. “I bruised and battered two wanted to play football months earlier on W.O. again. I want to play in Ezell Boulevard. college, and I wanted to Five push-ups -be an inspiration to my just five -- that would little brother (13-yearbegin his long road to old Kevin Cartledge).” recovery and back to his “To tell you the senior season with the truth, I look at this like Spartanburg High School it’s my NFL Draft -- like football team. “I feel like if I can do this, I’ll make Jackson holds out his it to the NFL and my the Lord gave wrist where one of the scars dreams will come true,” still remains. me a second Jackson with a little “I had a bruised hip chance... ” laugh. “Isaid know that’s not and some road rash,” he going to happen, but this said. “The paramedics said JAQUAN is big for me.” they found me 20 feet from The college scouts that JACKSON where the wreck happened. might have seen him play . . . I had blacked out just before it happened. I don’t remember last year will get a chance to watch him this year. He would love to play anything after that.” at Alabama or maybe Clemson. A van hit Jackson and sent him But this year is as crucial to that flying. end as those five push-ups were to The helmet he was wearing, getting this far. which sits in his bedroom as a “I’d been on bed rest and I was reminder, very possibly saved his life. losing weight, but after those first five There was no head trauma, but push-ups, things started going up his chest hit the motorcycle’s gas and they’ve been going up ever since.” tank and the severe impact caused an It’s the first step -- and maybe the aortal tear that was later found by an most important one. echo-cardiogram. “I feel like the Lord gave me a second A few days later, Jackson and chance to come out here,” Jackson said. his family were in Charleston at the “So, I don’t complain about anything. If Medical University of South Carolina the coaches ask me to do something, I and the Vikings defensive back, with do it, and I’m not complaining about the dreams of playing college football, heat or the work. was on the operating table for open“And I’m trying to be heart surgery to repair the torn aorta. encouraging to my teammates when Football seemed so far away, but it comes to that. . . . It hurt me in Jackson said he soon decided he my heart, no being able to play last would return to the gridiron, even as the Vikings played 2011 without him. year.”GD
T
PAMELA DUNLAP
going 9-3 last season and making it to the second round of the state playoffs. Senior LB Ryan Herbst is among the returning leaders for the Cardinals.
SPARTANBURG Head coach Freddy Brown enters his fifth season as head coach of the Vikings, who were 8-4 last season. Spartanburg returns OT Jamarkus Means, LB Simeon Byrd, K Cameron Brown and S Branch Wilson as key contributors from last year’s squad. “I expect our players to compete hard every Friday with great pride and outstanding character,” Brown said of his expectations for this season. SCSDB The Hornets are coming off a winless season, but return four seniors at key positions as they prepare for their 2012 eight-man football season. Seniors Fernandez Johnson (QB/RB/S), Chris Mcleod (QB/S), Rhonte Levine (LB/FB) and Zaid Cruz (C/NG) return to the team hungry for victories along with sophomore Elijah Griffin (QB/RB/CB) and newcomer Kia Smith (TE/WR). Head coach Tony Lee is hoping his team avoids injuries because depth is an issue for the Hornets. GD
GAME DAY u AUGUST 2012 23
SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES WOLVERINES’ 13-1 SEASON BUILDING BLOCK FOR SEASON
By JOHN CLAYTON
WOODRUFF - Sometimes, you really can wake up the echos. During a magical 13-1 football season last year, Woodruff did exactly that while conjuring up some local ghosts of their own. An Upper State Championship and run to the Class AA state finals just seemed like old times in Woodruff. The Wolverines were winning big time, returning to the state finals for the first time since 1993. “A lot of our kids understood, but they didn’t really understand what it meant to the community,” said Woodruff head coach Brian Lane. 24 AUGUST 2012 u GAME DAY
“They always hear their dads and their uncles talking about it, but they finally got to be a part of it and it was great. The community was behind us 100 percent.” “A part of it” means a part of a legacy started by long-time Hall-ofFame coach Willie Varner, who led the Wolverines to 10 state championships, the last of which came in 1984. In a small football-crazy town, going generations without a state title or even a state-championship appearance was unheard of, but that had become the Wolverines’ lot. There was success, but the state titles that had once been a matter of course in the 1960s, 70s and 80s under Varner had
become the Holy Grail. “When I took this job, I knew exactly what Woodruff was about,” said Lane, who is 24-5 in his three seasons at Woodruff. “I knew the tradition Coach Varner had established.” Sophomore Demajiay Rooks said he is one of the current Wolverines with a father, uncles and other family members who played for the Wolverines and who remind him of the program’s glory days. “They came out to support us and helped us get there again,” Rooks said. “That’s Woodruff - it’s all about football and coming together on Friday nights.” Despite making it back to the title game for the first time in nearly two
Woodruff QB Ben Beck (15) drops back to pass during last season’s Class AA state title game.
Woodruff enters the field last season. The Wolverines captured the Upper State title in 2012.
RON NORMAN PHOTOS / SPECIAL
decades, Rooks said the team wasn’t happy with a runner-up finish. “We didn’t get the ring, but we’re going to try hard this year to get back and get it this time,” he said. Getting back will be no easy task. Woodruff moves up to Class AAA this season and will be without star running back Shun Tribble (Georgia Southern) and two other NCAA Division I signees. But receiver Brandon Bone, who recently received an offer from Clemson, defensive back. D.J. Jones, who was offered by Georgia Southern, and quarterback Ben Beck return for their senior seasons along with players who now more fully understand what winning means in Woodruff. “Now, (our fans) don’t just want the dressing, they want the turkey and the whole thing,” Lane said. “They don’t just want the sides. They want it all and I understand that, and I want it for the kids.” GD
QB Ben Beck (15) and WR Brandon Bone (8) during last year’s Class AA state championship game.
GAME DAY u AUGUST 2012 25
Knights, Warriors continue rivalry on gridiron By JOHN CLAYTON
Oakbrook Prep and Spartanburg Christian Academy are taking different routes to the gridiron, but will be getting there just the same. SCA is continuing its second-year program with another season of junior varsity competition in the S.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association. Meanwhile, Oakbrook is jumping into SCISA’s varsity fire after beginning the JV and middleschool programs a year ago. The Knights won their opener against Laurens Academy. Oakbrook head coach Matt Graves said his team is focused on the fundamentals for its first season of varsity competition.
“We’re not focusing on wins and loses so much as we are on building the fundamentals to be a good football team,” Graves said. “This season, we want to be an opportunity for progression as football players, not regression.” Graves said he has been very pleased with the way his players have retained what they’ve learned since playing their first season in his system a year ago. “That’s the biggest thing I’ve been impressed by – their retention of knowledge,” he said. “Things have gone very well.” The Knights have also developed leaders who are helping with the learning curve with younger, more inexperienced players.
Winning ‘ATTITUDE’
PROVIDED PHOTO
Spartanburg Christian Academy enters its second season on the gridiron
SCA head coach Chad Turner said he expects another year at the junior varsity level will help the Warriors. “We went to the FCA 7-on7 camp and saw a lot of good teams there,” Turner said. “We were very impressed with what we saw, so we’re excited a year from now to finally get this thing going.”
Both teams will be competing in SCISA 2A – Oakbrook this year and SCA in 2013 – and their respective arrivals have the makings of a private-school rivalry in Spartanburg. “We’re looking forward in a year to be able to compete against them,” Turner said. “We’re really excited.” GD
Thousands of softball players and hundreds of teams invaded Tyger River Park for the NSA East Coast Fast Pitch World Series in late July. The Carolina Attitude, of Lexington, N.C., used a local connection to defeat the Metamora Flames (East Peoria, Ill.) 5-4 in the 18-under finals. USC Upstate player Kara Lohr knocked in the game-tying and what proved to be the game winning run in the finals for her club team, the Attitude. Other champions included the Louisiana Patriots (12U), Orion Hunter, Va. (10U), Indiana Stealth (16U) and Galaxy Black (14U) of Carrollton, Va.
JOHN CLAYTON / staff
Athletes in Action ED MILLER CITY CHAMPIONSHIP MEET HIllbrook repeated as champions at the Ed Miller City Championship Meet, held July 14 at the Middle Tyger YMCA in Duncan. Lantern Ridge was second, followed by the Westside Club in third.
Les Timms III photos
YOUTH FITNESS
The best exercises to help improve speed
I
get this question a lot, (even the really good ones) so ‘Hey Coach, how do I sharpening their technique is run faster?’ You should critical. Here’s an example of see the funny looks I get what I mean. when my reply is ‘I Let’s say an athlete don’t know?’ ‘But is capable of putting Coach, how come 200 lbs. of force in the you don’t know? I ground with every thought you were a stride but with every speed coach.’ stride they waste enThe truth is ergy and produce force I really do know, inefficiently. Because but it is not a simof technical flaws they ple answer to say are only able to use do this exercise or 75% of that force. Now that one and you plot this out over the KEN will get faster. You course of the entire see the key to runrace/distance being FINLEY ning faster is not a run and think about simple answer but how much potential I will try to shed some light on ‘speed’ is wasted simply due to the subject. lack of efficiency or technical The first key to running running skill. faster is to help athletes become The Bottom Line is simply more efficient. Most young that if the athlete had better athletes are very inefficient running form, a better under-
standing of how it should feel when running, and better coaching feedback, that athlete would be more efficient with each step and, based on simple physics, would run faster. Here’s how you can make athletes (in any sport) faster just by making them more efficient. 1. Regularly practice speed drills (with perfect technique) so athletes understand what good running form FEELS like. This is often referred to as muscle memory. 2. Give technical feedback. If you, the coach, know what the athlete should be doing, you can help them clean up their form. But if you don’t tell them what to do (and give them correct information) they’re not going to figure it out on their own. So if you don’t teach them what to do they will continue to make the same mistakes over and over and they won’t get faster. 3. Improve the general strength of an athlete, improve their hip and ankle mobility, and develop better rhythm and coordination of the athlete. Core work, strength training and body weight training will improve the muscular coordination required to maximize force application and increase speed. Now, let’s say you improve average efficiency of our above athlete (by using the above methods) from 75% to 85%. Average force applied per stride goes from 150 lbs. to 170lbs. per stride.
28 AUGUST 2012 u GAME DAY
Simple physics tells us they have to be faster. But now let’s take the same athlete and give them a great strength program that increases their ability to put force into the ground from 200 lbs. to 250 lbs. per stride while improving their efficiency to 85% (which is completely within reason). Now you have an athlete who puts 212 lbs. of force in the ground. This is where the argument that speed can’t be coached breaks down. Sure you can’t turn kids into Usain Bolt. But most (yes I said most) athletes are generally so weak and inefficient (even the ‘good’ ones) that they can make ‘night and day’ improvements by becoming more well-rounded athletes. You see you can get incredible results with your athletes when you focus on improving strength and efficiency. All you have to do is put a plan into place that focuses on long term development of specific bio-motor skills: speed, strength, mobility, coordination and endurance. Do this and watch your athletes run faster. Ken Finley is a physical therapist and certified youth speed and agility specialist. To learn more about his youth athletic development programs you can contact him at kfinley@finleypt.com.
GOLF ACADEMY
Swinging on plane to hit better shots
S
winging the club in the most efficient way is important to being consistent and long. It is important to turn and not lift the club in the backswing. I always tell my students to imagine they are starting a lawnmower. You get much more power if you turn around your spine instead of lifting. Hunter Nichols, a standout at Clinton H.S. and currently ranked 48th in the SC State Junior Golf KYLE Rankings has been working on this. OWINGS Hunter was taking the club too far on the outside This was causing the ball to spin too much and he was losing a lot of distance on every shot. His ball flight was too high. This was caused by a poor
takeaway. In order to hit the ball from the inside, he had to re-route the club. This causes inefficiency in the golf swing and wasted energy. Since working on getting the club more around his body and more on plane (SEE PHOTO). Hunter has fixed his ball flight and gotten all of his distance back. If you are a slicer, or you hit high shots that feel good with no power, you most likely are lifting the club on your backswing. Try to swing in to out more on a parallel line. Imagine it like this. If your target is at 12 o’clock, try swinging back to 7 o’clock and releasing out to 1 o’clock. This should give you more accuracy and distance. Happy Golfing.! GD Reach the Kyle Owings Golf Academy at (864) 205-4221
Since working on getting the club more around his body and more on plane, golfer Hunter Nichols has fixed his ball flight and gotten all of his distance back.
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GAME DAY u AUGUST 2012 29
Faith in Sports
UPWARD PICS by REV. SETHTOURNEY BUCKLEY OR FCA COLUMN
Beginning of a New Day Goal-setting before season an important process
“T
his is the beginning of a New Day…” is the thought of the fall as football teams, swim teams, cross country teams, cheerleading teams, marching bands, volleyball teams, and other sports teams swing into full practice and game schedules. As each group began their practice sessions, you could hear
the talk; phrases like “this is the year,” or “we’ve put a lot of work into this summer,” and the one filled with the greatest ambition, “All the way to State!” As each player goes through the practices and training sessions, there is a clear goal that is established form the very beginning. This goal becomes the focal point that drive students to push themselves beyond
what they would normally do in an effort to achieve something that they have Rev. Seth Buckley is Minister to Students at First Baptist Spartanburg. never achieved. After a summer-filled with the Olympic games and the that this team won three state stories behind those athletes, championships in a row is great coaches and athletes approach but to me, the coach set a much this fall with a spirit of hope higher goal for the students as they have fixed their eyes on than simply winning football “the goal.” games. Goals are an important We must be careful to not part of the achievement become entangled as parents process because they become and coaches to think that the measuring points to assess most important things in life your progress. If there are are rings and championships. no goals, then you will If that is the goal that we never experience the joy of present to students, we have achievement. The challenge is set a low standard. We must to make sure that the goal is a challenge them, through the realistically attainable. Several years ago, the writer activity of sports, to cherish the relationships that they are Jeffrey Marx wrote a book experiencing and to live their entitled Season of Life. In this life for a cause that is greater book, he chronicled the story than themselves. of a successful high school football program in Maryland, In Hebrews 12:1-2 and was shocked when he “ Therefore, since we are heard the head coach in the surrounded by such a great locker just prior to the game. cloud of witnesses, let us throw Just before the team took to off everything that hinders the field, the coach asked the and the sin that so easily players, “What is my job?” to entangles. And let us run with which the players responded, perseverance the race marked “To love us.” The head coach then asked, “What is your job?” out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter and the players responded, of faith.” “To love each other.” The fact
Have a story idea? contact editor and publisher LES TIMMS III les.timms@upstategameday.com 864.804.0068
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Contact us today to see how we can help your young athlete. 24 MAY 2012 u GAME DAY
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