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Leading Off
Large Groups Welcome
ALL-AMERICAN
15
FORMER dorman standout patrick destefano gets a chance to play on the national stage before heading to Clemson.
STATE CHEER
22
boiling springs and dorman finished among the top three teams in 4A, while Chesnee placed third in the state 2A division.
EAGLES SOARING
20
THE UPSTATE HOMESCHOOL EAGLES are ranked among the nation’s elite homeschool teams and are paced by college recruit Maggi Ford.
Plus: > Athletes in Action
fans in the stands > letter of intent signings and more
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Letter from the Publisher WELCOME TO ‘GAME DAY’
W
elcome to the combined December/January edition of Upstate
Elsewhere, read about ex-Dorman standout Patrick Destefano who enrolls at Clemson next semester. But before Game Day. doing so, he will participate in We are thankful for the suptwo all-star games, one being port from readers and advertisers the Under Armour All-Amerialike, and as we print our fifth can game in January. issue, despite some growing pains We recap the 4A state cheer along the way, we continue to championship in photos and be excited about future growth a story, as well as feature an potential. outstanding basketball team of LES homeschoolers who are nationTIMMS III This month, Spartanburg Regional ally ranked. / Village Orthopaedic Surgery joins John Clayton also weighs in on our roster of advertising partners (in no the Penn State controversy and how it impacts particular order): Bojangles, Fuddruckers, Oryouth sports in his monthly column. thopaedic Associates, Founders Federal Credit Union, Bathfitter, Edwards Jones/Thomas As usual, we have a large number of photos McCarver, First Baptist Spartanburg, Chick in our gallery sections. In fact, you just might Fil A, Teresa Page/Real Living Realty, Dickey’s recognize several of your friends and neighBarbecue, Tim Lambka Photography, Litttle bors. If you do, tell them you saw their picture Pigs Barbecue, Finley Physical Therapy and in Upstate Game Day. Sports Medicine, Kyle Owings Golf Academy, and Ed Overstreet at E & M Photography as Game Day can be picked up all over Sparwell as Spartanburg Day School. tanburg County at over 200 major locations We are thankful to them all, as well as to (and growing), including Bojangles, Pizza Inns, the many readers who continue to send us the eastside Chick Fil A, Barnes & Noble, Fudstory ideas, photos, and others who just let us druckers - beginning this month, and gyms, know they’re reading and enjoying GameDay. retail centers, medical offices, and more. Let us know if you want to request Game Editorially in this edition, we include a Day be made available at a location near you. feature about Byrnes High School winning the 4A state title in an upset victory over Gaffney. Please continue to send us your news, Despite a bitter disappointment, the Instory ideas, photographs and suggestions. dians are to be congratulated on a fine season May you have a blessed season. in which they rose once again to national We look forward to continuing to serve prominence. you in 2012.
COMING IN JANUARY 2012 !!
RELIVE BYRNES’ CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON A special full-color, glossy magazine commemorates the Byrnes Rebels’ 2011 season in stories and photo galleries.
Reserve your advertising space today! More info: Contact Eric Thacker at thackersports@charter.net, or Les Timms III, at les.timms@upstategameday.com.
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 Karen L. Puckett Mary Caldwell Ed Overstreet Tim Lambka Pamela Dunlap Kyle Owings Ken Finley To Advertise Contact les.timms@upstategameday.com 864-804-0068 WEBSITE www.upstategameday.com 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 2011 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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COMMENTARY
Children can’t afford failure of cowards
O
n a crisp fall Saturday, I was at Dorman High School taking photos of a Superbowl for area youth leagues. The sheer joy of the game and the friendships felt as warm as the early afternoon sun on our faces, as it should have been. But a few days later — a darker kind of day — another boy who grew into a man is coming forward to say a trusted adult turned parts of his childhood into a nightmare. More and more young men are coming forward to testify against former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, who retired from Penn State in 1999 but as late as this past spring was reported to somehow be involved in the recruiting process JOHN of Greer standout CLAYTON linebacker Adam Ah Ching. Since then, charges have been levied against Syracuse assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine and former AAU President and CEO Bobby Dodd. All the sordid details of this seeming epidemic leave so many of us disturbed and disgusted. We wonder how a man such as Sandusky could allegedly use his position as founder of the “Second Mile Foundation,” an organization whose purpose was to guide troubled and disadvantaged use, to lure young boys into compromising situations. And how he could still be involved in any type of recruiting for Penn State, even after rumors began to circulate and reports, however vague, were made. As many as 10 former Second Mile members have come forward in Sandusky’s case so far. “(Sandusky) came to my last spring game going into my senior season,” Ah Ching told WYFF-TV. “He liked how I moved, laterally, and how gifted I am.”
Two Boiling Springs teams competed in the Superbowl for area youth leagues. See page 27 for additional photos.
Though Greer athletic officials have denied knowledge of Sandusky’s attendance at that game or any other function, it has been reported that Ah Ching and Sandusky had crossed paths earlier at a football camp for gifted Polynesian players in Utah, so there was a connection, however brief, before Sandusky’s alleged visit to the Upstate. Yes, we are disturbed, and we are angry because we owe all children — not just the ones on playing fields and in locker rooms — safe harbor. We owe them their innocence. But somehow powerful, high-profile men, men who outwardly dedicate themselves to helping children, have been charged with harming them in the very shadows they help create for themselves. When the Sandusky story began to surface and it was learned what one or another assistant coach knew and what legendary coach Joe Paterno was told, Jay Bilas called the horror of it, “a failure of cowards.” No one since has said it any better, nor
will they. We ask the kids to be brave. When a bigger, stronger kid is throwing a baseball harder than our little guy has seen, we ask him to dig in — don’t be afraid. When the little guy is outweighed by 30 pounds across the line of scrimmage because of a late-summer growth spurt by one of his opponents, we tell him to block harder — don’t be afraid. So many coaches give so much time to youth sports because they genuinely love and want to teach children, it is sad that the profession and those who altruistically volunteer their time must come under such scrutiny because of the alleged actions of a few. But we must scrutinize. We must be demanding. We must realize that coaching is not parenting. We must sometimes ask tough questions. The playing field, the locker room, the road trips, the basketball and volleyball courts — all of them — must be the safe havens of childhood. It’s what we owe. GD
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NEWS & NOTES FROM THE LOCAL YOUTH SPORTS SCENE SEND YOUR NEWS AND PHOTOS TO LES.TIMMS@UPSTATEGAMEDAY.COM
Brown named S.C. Junior Player of Year Spencer Brown, a 12-yearold local tennis phenom, was honored recently as the U.S. Tennis Association’s South Carolina Junior Player of the Year. Brown moved from No. 197 to 12th in the national rankings. Brown has finished fifth in two national tournaments and captured the Southern Section Dunlop Cub title. Brown also was the only player from South Carolina picked to participate at the USTA Player Development Program in Boca Raton, Fla. GAME DAY FILE PHOTO Brown got into the game as a Spencer Brown moved to 12th in the 3-year-old tagging along during USTA national junior rankings in 2011. his older brother’s tennis clinic.
Cavs second at Impact Sports tourney Dorman captured second place in the Impact Sports Invitational at Spartanburg Christian Academy recently. The Cavs, enjoying a strong start this season, lost to state power Irmo in the tournament championship game. Here, they pose with the trophy for runner-up.
BY THE NUMBERS The 75th Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas 0 – Points scored in the inaugural Shrine Bowl game in 1937. It ended in a scoreless tie. 5 – Number of players from Spartanburg County on this year’s South Carolina roster (Shaquan Burney, LB, Boiling Springs; Patrick Destefano, OL, Dorman; Javarius Leaman, OL, Woodruff; Caleb Patterson, K, Byrnes; Raymond Smith, RB, Dorman). 3 – Number of players from nearby Gaffney and Blue Ridge high schools on the South Carolina roster (Joey Copeland, QB, Gaffney; Quinshad Davis, WR, Gaffney; Caleb Rowe, QB, Blue Ridge). 54 – National rank of 6-foot-6, 295-pound Woodruff offensive tackle Javarius Leamon, a Clemson commit, among players at his position, according to rivals.com. 2 – Representatives of Dorman High School not playing in the game itself. The Dorman Marching Band and cheerleading squad will also participate. 2,599 – Dollars raised for Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals in the first Shrine Bowl played in 1937. 5,500 – Attendance at the first Shrine Bowl in 1937 42 – Points scored by South Carolina in the 2010 Shrine Bowl, a 42-10 win over North Carolina.
4 – Number of ties in Shrine Bowl history (1948, 1947, 1941, 1937). 7 – Longest winning streak by South Carolina (1981-87). 3 – Longest winning streak by North Carolina (1949-51). 118 – Victories at Dorman High School since the arrival of 2011 South Carolina Shrine Bowl Assistant Coach Michael Lancaster, who joined the Cavaliers’ staff as offensive line coach. 22 – Number of Shriner’s Childrens Hospitals, including one in Greenville, to receive benefits from proceeds of the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. 16,810 – Number of Shriners in the Carolinas. 1,580,000 – Dollars raised by the 2010 Shrine Bowl o fthe Carolinas. 40-29-4 – The all-time series record, which is led by the South Carolina squads. 1,803 – Rushing yards in 2011 for Dorman RB and Wofford commit Raymond Smith. 0 – Dollars paid by Shrine Bowl Children’s Hospitals patients and their families. >73,000,000 – Dollars raised by the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas since 1937.
CLIPBOARD
Leah O’Brien Amico.
Gold medalist speaks at Women in Sport Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Leah O’Brien Amico delivered a motivational address to a large gathering of female athletes at the Women in Sport event held recently in Spartanburg. Amico is one of the most sought after nationally recognized motivational speakers in women’s sports. The Women in Sport event has been recognized nationally and become a model for recognizing and serving female athletes across the nation.
PROVIDED PHOTO
The Day School tennis team: FRONT ROW (Kneeling): Ansley DeVore ’15, Rose Cochran ’13, Carrie Gould ‘13. BACK ROW (Standing): Avi Borad ‘14, Kelly Ruffing ‘14, Sarah Spencer ’12, Celia Jeffords ’12, Bailey Foster ’12, Abby Adams ’12, Jamie Montagne ‘17, Bailey Verreault ‘14, Head Coach Bob Allsbrook
SDS wins SCISA 2A tennis title The Spartanburg Day School Varsity Girls’ Tennis Team won the SCISA class AA State championship recently. The girls earned a first round bye in the Upper State bracket and defeated Thomas Sumter Academy, 5-1 in the second round. In the semifinals, SDS
defeated Carolina Academy, 5-1 and then moved on to defeat Holly Hill Academy 5-2, to capture the title. This is the fifth state championship won by the Lady Griffins under the guidance of Head Coach Bob Allsbrook, and the first state championship since
SCA captures President’s Cup
Spartanburg Christian Academy added another state championship in 2011 with a victory over First Baptist Charleston in the SCISA 2A volleyball finals.
Spartanburg Christian Academy recently was awarded the South Carolina Independent School Association President’s Cup for the 2010-11 school year. The award is presented to the association’s top athletic program annually. The Warriors received the award for the second straight year and fourth in the past six years. SCA captured titles in girls cross country, boys tennis, girls track, competition cheer, and finished as state runner-up in boys basketball.
CLIPBOARD
Palmer receives honor PROVIDED PHOTO
The OAKBROOK CHEER team: Top row (l to r): Melanie Arvanites, Melissa Bales,
Kayla Lipscomb, Madison Berube, Emily Krull. Middle row (l to r): Coach Irene Nettles, Stephanie Long, Mary Burgess Harrelson, Elizabeth Berube, Emily Hope Whitworth, Rebecca Caldwell, Coach Christina Hyatt. Bottom Row (l to r): Casey Rosborough, Maddie Settlemyre, Samantha Esce.
Oakbrook claims cheer championship The Oakbrook Preparatory School competition cheerleading squad claimed the state title in the South Carolina Independent Schools Association (SCISA) Class 2A competition cheerleading state
championship held recently. The Oakbrook Knights squad won the state title in their first year of competition cheerleading, triumphing in a talented field of seven top competitors.
Relax.
Former Dorman volleyball standout Stephanie Palmer was named recently to the 2011 Big South Conference All-Tournament Team. Palmer, a sophomore setter, closed out the tournament with 18 kills, a .324 hitting percentage, 23 digs, lead the team with eight total blocks and dished out 91 assists in the two matches the Eagles played in the tournament. This is the first time Palmer has been named to the All-Tournament Team. The sophomore will return to an Eagles squad that only graduates two players in 2012. Winthrop finished the 2011Â season with a 20-8 record, its best overall record since 2007 when the Eagles finished 20-12.Â
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Athletes in Action Please, submit your best pics to photos@upstategameday.com
photos by: John Clayton * Tim Lambka * Ed Overstreet * Les Timms III * Lorin Browning * Pam Dunlap
“If you believe, then unbelievable things can be possible.” - Tim Tebow
Everyone falls down sometime but only the best get up.
Set your goals high and don’t stop until you get there.
FCA spotlight ‘Sell your possessions’ By Ryan Gloer “Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’” [Matthew 19:21-24] I once heard David Platt say, ‘God measures the integrity of our faith by our concern for the poor.’ We live in a culture where we have become numb to the fact that there are more than three billion people who live on less than two dollars per day. There are plenty of opportunities for us to show concern for those who are less fortunate. As Christmas is quickly on the horizon, people are emptying bank accounts to stock up on the latest fashions and trends to wrap up and toss under their tree. I would challenge you to stop and ask yourself just how badly you need that next best thing. In Luke 12:33, we are commanded to sell our possessions and give to the poor. As a believer in Jesus Christ, you have inherited the responsibility to care for the needs of the underprivileged. Proverbs 21:13 states, “He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered.” If we are going to live for the sake of the gospel, then we cannot turn a deaf ear to the poor. I am just going to go ahead and throw it out there – stop thinking that somebody else is going to take care of it; you take the initiative to make something happen. Shifting the charge to another believer will accomplish nothing. Having good intentions to take care of the poor this Christmas, and beyond the month of December for that matter, will do absolutely nothing for them unless the intentions are put into action. We find in Proverbs 28:27 that he who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.
The body of Christ must move from inspiration to application. It doesn’t take much for a video at church to touch our hearts; it does take much to transfer our intentions and inspirations into actions and applications. “If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,’ and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?” [James 2:15-16]. In 1 John 3:18 it says, “Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in action and truth.” You have an opportunity to honor the Maker by being gracious to the needy this holiday season, but that will only happen if you act upon your intentions. I pray we would be willing to exchange the shortterm treasures we can’t keep for the long-term treasures that we can’t lose. Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it will be given to you…For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” Matthew 19:29 states, “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.” In 2 Corinthians 9:6, Paul says, “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” Proverbs 19:17 says, “One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his good deed.” Let us not worry about what we are giving up, because we are gaining far more than we can even begin to comprehend. Paul tells us in Philippians 2 to not merely look out for our own interests, but also for the interests of others. Although I don’t agree with the first part of Robin Hood’s philosophy of robbing from the rich, I do believe it is inevitable that we give to the poor. “So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions” [Luke 14:33].
Higher Calling
Dorman’s Patrick Destefano to showcase talents on national stage By JOHN CLAYTON
B
y early December, heralded Dorman offensive tackle Patrick Destefano was already looking to the future – immediate and otherwise.
ED OVERSTREET
“To be recognized among the best in the state and the nation is special, and I’m going to do my best to represent myself, my team and the people in our state by playing the best I can.” Patrick Destefano
“I have four more days of high school,” Destefano said as the great majority of his classmates were preparing for the Christmas holidays. “In January, I start school at Clemson.” Of course, there were to be a couple of stops for the 6-foot-6, 275-pound lineman before taking up residence at Clemson as a college freshman to get a head start on college and football with the Tigers. Two months earlier, Destefano had been named to the South Carolina Shrine Bowl roster and received delivery of his Under Armour All-American Game jersey. “Both of those have been huge honors for me,” Destefano said. “To be recognized among the best in the state and the nation is special, and I’m going to do my best to represent myself, my team and the people in our state by playing the best I can. I want to show what South Carolina has to offer as far as the level of football we have here.” The 75th Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas will be played Dec.
Patrick Destefano received his Under Armour jersey in a special ceremony at Dorman. The game will be played Jan. 5.
17 at Wofford College’s Gibbs Stadium, while the Under Armour All-American Game is set for Jan. 5 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., and will be televised on ESPN. While most offensive linemen lead a relatively anonymous existence, Destefano received his Under Armour jersey in a special ceremony at Dorman that separated him from the crowd. But Destefano’s success has been instrumental in the Cavaliers’ recent successes, including a Big 16 state championship in 2010. He helped pave the way for Dorman running back and Shrine Bowl teammate Raymond Smith, who ran for more than 1,800 yards and scored 30 touchdowns for the Cavaliers this past season. He said he is looking forward to upping his game for both of the all-star contests, but added that the competition he saw in the Big 16 the past couple of years has been good preparation for all-star games and a future in the ACC. “There weren’t many weeks in the Big 16 that I didn’t face a potential Division I, (Football Championship Subdivision) or Division II defensive end or defensive tackle,” said Destefano, who became the second Dorman All-American in as many years, joining receiver Charone Peake. “There were a lot of good players. But, yes, this is another level.” Destefano is one of several Spartanburg County players included on this year’s South
Carolina Shrine Bowl roster, including Smith, Boiling Springs linebacker Shaquan Burney, Woodruff offensive lineman Javarius Leaman and Byrnes kicker/punter Caleb Patterson. Leaman, a 6-6, 295-pound standout at the Class 2A level, has also committed to Clemson. Both Leaman and Destefano ended speculation as to their college careers with early commitments to the ACC Champion Tigers. Destefano committed to Dabo Swinney’s team in May. Destefano, 6-6, 280 and rated among the top 70 recruits in the nation by several scouting services, said the recruiting process was “God’s constant caffeine,” but he was happy to see it end when he emphatically announced his future plans for Clemson. “Everyone was really good about it,” he said. “There were a couple of coaches who called after that to see if I would waver at all, but I’m still 100 percent in my resolve to be a Clemson Tiger.” He said playing with future Clemson teammates such as Leaman and Chase (N.C.) High defensive end Carlos Watkns at the Shrine Bowl and highly touted center Jamie Guillermo of Maryville (Tenn.) High School. Guillermo is rated as the top center in the nation. “I’m really looking forward to playing with my future teammates and getting to know them,” Destefano said, looking at the next few weeks of his life filled with football and suitcases. GD
ED OVERSTREET
Patrick Destefano chases down a Woodmont player.
Victory puts damper on record-setting Gaffney season By JOHN CLAYTON
C
LEMSON – Daylight was fading fast on Memorial Stadium and just as quickly on Gaffney’s perfect season. Here we all were at Frank Howard Field at Memorial Stadium, which had a population bigger that you’d expect on a Saturday when the Clemson Tigers were off in Charlotte playing for a title of their own, in the crisp, purple shadow of the mountains and Howard’s infamous “give-me-all-you’vegot-or-keep-your-grubby-hands-off-my” Rock. And a Byrnes team, which surprised perhaps all but itself and a die-hard Rebel Nation by playing until the first week of December, gave all it had in the unfamiliar role of underdog. The Rebels took the measure of a previously unbeaten Gaffney team, went up by two touchdowns in the second half and held on for a 31-24 Class AAAA Division I (Big 16) state championship victory. Want to know the definition of high school football in this state? This was it – two storied programs with 26 state championships between them (16 for Gaffney and 10 for Byrnes) battling for a 27th; Gaffney entering the game unbeaten and largely unchallenged on a season that included a 35-13 early season thumping of the Rebels; and Byrnes heading into the game with few outside of the Duncan/Lyman/ Wellford metroplex figuring the Rebels had a snowball’s chance in Tahiti. “We had moved on from that loss,” said Byrnes junior linebacker Melvin Armstrong
REBELS AR ONCE
RE CHAMPIONS E AGAIN
PAM DUNLAP PHOTO
REBELS UPSET INDIANS FOR STATE TITLE / FROM 16 of the regular-season loss to the Indians. “Our gameplan was to match up and stop their quarterback, Joey Copeland, and we executed it like we were supposed to.” Byrnes’ vaunted offense, the product of pass-happy offensive coordinator and onceupon-a-time head coach Bobby Bentley, has its own nickname and features its own skull-andcrossbones “Strike Force” flags, but Bentley gave credit where it was due after the game. “A lot is said about our offense (averaging 383 yards and over 45 points per contest),” Bentley said. “But our defense won this game.” Enter Armstrong and his 57-yard fumble return for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown with 8 minutes, 47 seconds to play. It put the Rebels ahead 31-17, if they’d had the ball, it would’ve looked like Bobby Bowden’s old fumble-rooskie play once used against Clemson. Copeland dove into the line needing a yard on fourth down. As he reached out in an attempt to get the first down, Armstrong stripped the ball away and darted away from the pile, even as the officials were trying to determine where to spot Copeland’s forward progress. Armstrong rumbled around right end with an escort of two Rebels defensive backs. Only one Gaffney player had a shot. “He clipped my knee but I was able to keep my balance,” said Armstrong, who stumbled but
righted himself somewhere around the Gaffney 20-yard-line and motored on to the end zone. A flag fell behind him, but the call went against Gaffney for unsportsmanlike conduct and the touchdown stood. “It was awesome,” Armstrong said. “It was a dream come true.” Armstrong’s fumble recovery was one of two on the night for the Rebels – Brandon Bailey had the other one until a scary injury late in the fourth quarter ended his night and he was carted from the field. Byrnes also intercepted Copeland twice – Skip Barnes and KeKe Ashmore had the picks – as the defense caused Gaffney to make the types of mistakes they had avoided all season. Barnes returned his interception 31 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter as Byrnes (13-2) went up 14-7. “You just don’t beat a team like this with four turnovers,” said Gaffney coach Phil Jones. Meanwhile, quickly maturing Byrnes sophomore quarterback Shuler Bentley (yes, son of Bobby) connected on 13 of 21 passes for a modest 126 yards and a first-quarter touchdown on a bubble screen to Akia Booker. It was the young quarterback’s 47th touchdown pass of the season. Byrnes senior running back Shakeem Wharton, who ran for 100 yards on 26 carries,
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added a touchdown with 6:22 left in the third quarter, putting the Rebels up 31-17. But Gaffney – they of the state record 16 Big 16 championships – hardly went quietly. Shrine Bowl receiver Quinshad Davis snatched a Copeland pass and for a 54-yard touchdown with 7:48 remaining. Davis caught eight passes for 184 yards and figures to play more games in NCAA Division I stadiums such as Death Valley. Copeland threw for 358 yards on 26 of 44 passing with two touchdowns, including an 11yard score to C.J. Miller that capped an 11-play drive in the first quarter and opencoring. But the interception and the fumble returned for scores and the fumble that set up the Rebels’ first touchdown proved more than just haunting. They were dire mistakes for the Indians (141). And game-changing, tide-turning, deflating plays made by the Rebels. “This was a great effort by a bunch of kids,” said Byrnes head coach Chris Miller. “We have all the respect in the world for Gaffney. We knew that they were bigger, stronger and maybe even faster than our guys, but we played with heart and proved what that can do. “I believe our kids wanted it more. We believed we could win; we played unbelievable football; and we had a gameplan that we came out and played it to a tee.” GD
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Flying like an Eagle Homeschool team soaring toward national title By JOHN CLAYTON
M Maggi Ford leads the Eagles in scoring at 19.1 points per game. She is being recruited by area colleges.
aggi Ford is a senior in a class of one. As a home-schooled student, more traditional routes to a college athletic career would be closed to her without the Upstate Eagles Homeschool Sports Organization, which includes a successful varsity girls basketball program along with boys basketball and baseball. Ford’s 19.1 points per game is tops on the Eagles, which were 7-1 on the season and ranked No. 18 among homeschool teams in the country at press time in December. “We’ve been able to compete against other high schools and this gives us a chance to play college ball if that’s what we want to do,” Ford said. “It’s honestly opened up a whole new world for us.”
Ford, who began playing with the Eagles’ varsity team as an eighth grader, is being recruited by NCAA Division I GardnerWebb of the Big South Conference and Division II North Greenville. The Eagles girls team has been coached by Jeff White of Inman since its inception in 2005-06, a couple of years after the Eagles boys’ team took to the court for the first time. “We were basically a JV team then,” said Ford. “All most of us had played up until then was Upward leagues. . . . It was pretty rough.” Since that tough first season, the Eagles girls team has shown marked improvement with national rankings last year and this and ending last season with a National Association of Christian Athletes Division II National
Tournament Championship. They got to the .500 mark at 18-18 in 2009-10 and improved to 23-9 last season. Counting the first eight games of this season, the Eagles are 20 games over .500 (48-28) since 2009. “We want to teach them to play with a Christian attitude,” White said. “Some people think that means you don’t compete hard, but that’s not it. We want them to compete hard but with the right attitude. They need to know how to win and lose in a Christian manner.” While the Eagles provide an avenue for its home-schooled players to compete, it does not really serve as one of a few social outlets. “I think that’s something of a misconception about home-schooled kids,” White said. “Some people think that home-schooled students don’t socialize. These girls socialize probably more than anybody.” Phones ring and texts messages fly from teenaged thumbs, just like any teen from a private or public school. But White said the Eagles program has given his players, who are schooled primarily on an individual level, a chance to come together as a unit. “They see that they’ve got to come together and learn to be a team,” White said. “It gives them a chance to set goals and reach them together and that’s something they would probably miss out on.” The Eagles play their home games at Covenant Baptist Church in Spartanburg, but travel throughout the Carolinas and parts of Georgia during a regular season that seems to always be in a state of flux. “Our schedule is really never set,” White said. “We kind of have to take games when we can get them, so we have to be flexible. We play every night of the week except for Wednesdays and Sundays.”
Junior guard Jordan White drives to the basket.
They play other homeschool teams, including teams from Easley, Columbia and Gwinnett County, Ga., in addition to a roster of private schools that includes Westgate Christian. But most of the Eagles’ schedule consists of homeschool teams similar to themselves. “We make friends with pretty much any team we come to play, but especially with the other homeschool teams,” Ford said. “We’re sort of like a big family.” White said the Eagles have had rare opportunities to play public schools, usually in tournaments. They will not face any South Carolina public school teams this year, but White said he thinks his team would fare well against some smaller public schools. “I think we’re on the level of a small (Class AA) team,” he said. This year’s Eagles roster includes Ford; junior guard/forward Bridgette Gleed; freshman guard Abby Vlock; junior guard/ post Tiffany Felts; junior post Stephanie Horan; junior guard Jordan White; junior guard/post Sydney Salem; sophomore post Makayla Springsteen; sophomore guard Amanda Vickers; freshman forward Hanna Scott; and sophomore post Bri Ruddy. The Eagles will motor through the rest of the regular season en route to the S.C. Homeschool Athletic Association playoffs, the early rounds of which will be held in February at Spartanburg Methodist College. For Ford, it will be her final high school
Junior guard/forward Bridgette Gleed prepares to make a play.
playoff appearance -- but her dream of playing college basketball will be on the brink of being realized. “Some people think that when you’re home-schooled, you may not be socialized as well as other kids or you may be missing out as far as playing college ball, but I haven’t missed out on any of that,” she said. “Being home-schooled has really made me who I am.” GD Any home-schooled girl wishing to play for the Eagles can contact White at (864) 590-6789 or by email at jawhite@gmail.com.
PHOTOS BY TIM LAMBKA / TIM LAMBKA PHOTOGRAPHY
Upstate cheerleading squads shine in state finals By MARY CALDWELL Boiling Springs finished second behind Mauldin, capping off a successful season in which the team either won or placed in every competition every year.
S
ummertime practices, strength conditioning and hard work paid off for several Upstate cheerleading squads that took top honors at the recent state finals held at the BI-LO Center in Greenville. In the 4A division, Mauldin High School finished first, Boiling Springs took second and Dorman was third. In the 3A division, Greenville finished second, and in 2A, Liberty finished first for the sixth year in a row, and Chesnee earned third. For Boiling Springs, the results marked their best finish ever. Two years ago, the squad didn’t qualify for the state finals, where spots are earned by finishing in the top eight of the Upper State Finals. Last year, Boiling Springs made it to the state finals and earned sixth place. This year, the squad either won or placed second in every competition they entered this year. “I’m very honored to be the coach of the team. I’m very proud of their accomplishments. They definitely worked very hard. We’re very proud to have earned second,
Mauldin High School captured first place in the 4A state cheer finals held recently at the BI-LO Center in Greenville.
but our definite goal would be to win state next year,” said Tina Svenson, Boiling Springs› cheerleading coach. The squad loves Friday night football, but they thrive on the competition of cheerleading meets, she says. Dorman’s third-place finish marked a continuation of their tradition of excellence. The team usually finishes in the top five, according to cheerleading coach Kami Appleton. This year, they also placed first and were named grand champions at
Dorman’s third-place finish marked a continuation of their tradition of excellence.
STATE CHEER FINALS / FROM 23
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Boiling Springs’ strength coach. They also must pass a conditioning test and continue practices three days a week once school starts. They cheer at Friday night football games and often compete on Saturdays. “It’s a demanding sport. It’s a demanding program. They work very, very hard,” Appleton says. “This is one of the best groups I’ve had in 14 years. They work very well together.” Many of the members of both squads continue their hard work throughout the year as they participate in competitive cheerleading clubs. GD
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the Woodmont Wildcats Invitational. “I would credit their success to their dedication and commitment. They’re a great group. They’re phenomenal, and they work hard. They’re like sponges. They just give and give and give and give,” Appleton said. Both Appleton and Svenson credit their squads’ hard work and practice as an important factor in their success. “It’s a tough two-anda-half minutes,” Svenson explains about the routines. The squad practices four days a week during the summer and also trains with
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© 2011 Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. Taylors and Inman locations only. 1 free Kids Meal per paid adult meal of equal or greater value. 12 years and under. Must order from Kid’s Meals. Dine-in only. Not valid with any other offers.
STATE CHEER PHOTOS FROM DORMAN, BOILING SPRINGS AND MAULDIN high schools are available for purchase at
lambkaphotography.com
One-Day Bath Remodeling
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Speed Academy
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iddle and High School coaches are looking for young athletes with foot speed, agility and explosive quickness. Many young athletes are not prepared physically for middle school and high school sports. At The Speed Academy of Finley Physical Therapy and Sport Training, young athletes receive a structured training program to help them gain a competitive edge.
At each session, athletes are taught sport-specific skills that will help increase vertical leap, improve speed and core strength while reducing the risk of injury.
Contact us today to see how we can help your young athlete.
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Athletes in Action
Superbowl
The Greater Spartanburg Youth Football League Superbowl was held Nov. 19. Winners were Boiling Springs 2, Bantam Division; Boiling Springs 1, Minors Division; and Westside Cavaliers, Majors division. For details: GSYFL.com For More photos, photos, go to to upstategameday.com upstategameday.com For More go
For More photos, go to upstategameday.com
youth fitness
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Benefits of rest in the off-season
ou might read the title that put in the time and the efand think that I am a fort to improve their skills are big proponent of single ultimately those who will be the sport development most successful. at an early age. Nothing could There is a flip side to the be further from the truth, but mentality that says I have to I hope to impart some wisdom work at my sport year ‘round in about how a young athlete can order to improve and ‘out work’ improve their in the competition. Often, their sport even coaches, parents and when it is not in players fail to realize season. how important rest is to I am often asked the equation of continwhat young athletes ued athletic developshould be doing ment. Both rest on a in the off-season daily basis in terms a from their sport to good night’s sleep and gain an edge. After just as important is rest all, if everyone else from one’s chosen sport. is taking a break, Here are two suggesthey’ll be the only tions to improve your KEN one who continues game in the off season. FINLEY to make gains and next season leave 1. Take a page out them all in the dust. of the pros playbook. I applaud those efforts, and After a long and grueling season, that kind of work ethic is invaluprofessional athletes take a break able to their success. Talent can from their game to let their bodonly take you so far and those ies rest. Of course, they don’t sit
Taking a break from a primary sport and playing other sports may enhance balance, endurance, coordination, and other things.
around and do nothing. Most do limit their chosen sport activity considerably. This period of recovery is known as active rest. It is never good to shut off our bodies completely. Daily exercise is an important part of living a healthy, happy life and medical studies show that exercising a few days a week has a tremendous impact on the quality of our lives. Giving your muscles a rest from your sport and trying something different can go a long way to reducing your injury risk and helping avoid emotional burnout. 2. Try a different sport. Serious athletes use the same muscles over and over again while playing their chosen sport. Those muscles need to be given a chance to recover from the wear and tear of a long season. Just because an athlete is young don’t assume that they can handle more volume and load than we can as adults. Actually, it is quite the reverse. A young athlete needs even more rest and recovery than a young adult. By playing a different sports kids use different muscle groups while continuing to maintain and develop their fitness levels. Playing other sports enhances balance, endurance, coordinama-
tion, leg strength, lateral quickness and other things. These are the things that make you a better athlete. The more all-around an athlete you are the better you will be at your chosen sport. Want your players to really gain an edge over the competition next year? Give them the opportunity to rest the muscles they use the most while maintaining their fitness levels. Remember, kids need to be kids. As much as we may love one particular sport it is hard to work 12 months out of the year for even the most seasoned and in shape adult. While you may enjoy your time on the field, court or in the pool take time to pursue other activities. In fact, time away from your sport will help you look forward to those early season practices that much more. And when they come back after a period of active rest and competition in other sports, they might surprise themselves with how much better they are in your chosen sport. GD 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 tips
How to stay sharp in the cold winter months
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ith the time change putting stroke. Simply lay two and shortened days, it clubs or drafting sticks down becomes increasingly and work on speed by hitting hard to keep your game sharp in the same length putt over and the winter. over. I often do this and have a What people don’t often do goal of trying to putt the ball as however, is inside close to the nearest practice. Some wall without hitting it practicing inside is to develop good feel in more beneficial than the winter. practicing on the While you are not range. outside as much this One drill that time of year, indoor is easy to do inside practice can really is to grip down on keep the rust off of the club and work your game until the on rotating the club warmer days return. face. A key point Below, and to the KYLE in the golf swing is right, are examples of OWINGS having the toe of the each drill and where club pointed up half you should set the club way back. when working on the clubface. Proper rotation of the clubHappy Golfing!!!. GD face is key when developing a consistent and powerful swing. Reach the Kyle Owings Golf Another simple drill is to work Academy at (864)205-4221 on a straight back and through
This drill helps you develop a straight back and through putting stroke.
Proper rotation of the clubface is key when developing a consisistent and powerful swing.
Fans in the Stands
This Year,
Stuff Their Piggy Banks Instead of Their Stockings. Long after most holiday gifts have been forgotten, an investment through Edward Jones can still be valued by those who received it. Whether it’s stocks, bonds, mutual funds or 529 contributions, your Edward Jones financial advisor can help you decide which investment is most appropriate. Because when it’s the thought that counts, thinking about their financial well-being means a lot. Contributions for 529 plans are tax-deductible in some states for residents who participate in their own state’s plan.
To learn about all the holiday gift options available, call or visit today.
Thomas E McCarver, AAMS® Financial Advisor .
104 D Franklin Avenue Spartanburg, SC 29301 864-576-0165
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Member SIPC
HIGH5 celebrating athletes
LETTERS OF INTENT/
EARLY SIGNING PERIOD BOILING SPRINGS high school
➨
From left, Miranda Saville signed to play golf at Converse College, Alaynie Page for softball at USC in Columbia, Jennifer Jacoby for softball at Southern Wesleyan, and Paige Bolding for softball at Limestone College.
SPARTANBURG high school
➨
KELSEY BARNETTE signed with Presbyterian College where she will play softball. TANNER DE FREITAS will attend Wofford and play soccer.
LANCASTER high school
Allie McCain, center, signed a National Letter of Intent Nov. 10 to play golf at Converse College. McCain is the golf program’s first signee as it will field an inaugural team in 2012.
Additional area signings may be in the February edition of GameDay.
(Coaches, parents, please send signing photos to photos@upstategameday.com.)
DORMAN high school Top row, from left, BLAKE KENNEDY signed to play golf at Clemson, while BRADLEY SCRUGGS and HAMILTON HEATLEY will play baseball at North Greenville and Francis Marion, respectively. LAURYL WILLIAMS, right, will swim at South Carolina, and MORGAN WEBBER will play golf at the College of Charleston.
Fuddruckers in Spartanburg has expanded!
W
e now offer an additional private party room, perfect for
your holiday parties with friends, family or company! Book your next gathering with us, just call and ask to book the Yellow Room!
864.576.8329 Did you know Fuddruckers caters, too?
Visit myfuddruckers.com to see all catering opportunities!
FUDDRUCKERS OF SPARTANBURG
Hours of Operation: Mon-Sun 11 AM - 10 PM 1509 John B. White Sr. Blvd / Spartanburg / 884.576.8329