High School Sports - The Augusta Chronicle

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The Blitz

The Blitz takes a look at last week's playoff games and explains why this week will be a tough one for area prep football teams, with perhaps a single school going to the state finals.

College Signees

Eagles snag Westside basketball standout

Aishya Wofford was excited to sign a letter of intent to accept a basketball scholarship to Georgia Southern on Monday.

Week 12

Panthers get state win

As Lakeside's offense prepared to take the field for the final time Friday, coach Jody Grooms delivered instructions. "We're going to go, 'V,' " he yelled. "Victory."

Week 12

Musketeers rally to advance

Richmond Academy had waited nearly 40 years to win a state playoff game, and a few years ago it looked like that streak would last for decades longer.

Week 12

Jackets cruise in opener

Receivers Matt Hazel and Jessie Pernell combined for eight receptions for 118 yards and three touchdowns from quarterback Loranzo Hammonds.

Hephzibah star makes jump to the next level

Hephzibah had steamrolled to the school's first state title, dusted all 33 opponents in its path, and 30-year coach Wendell Lofton had a decision to make.
- Lexington senior signs

The Blitz

Episode 13: A New Hope

This week's episode of The Blitz features an interview with ARC coach Hughes and prep football playoff predictions for Georgia and South Carolina teams.

Week 11

Jackets pound Hornets

A 35-7 North Augusta victory over Aiken nearly brought Yellow Jackets coach Dan Pippin to tears Friday night.

Week 11

Panthers peaking as playoffs arrive

Against Josey, Lakeside surrendered only four first downs in recording its sixth shutout of the season.

Week 11

Grovetown makes stand to wrap up year with win

The Warriors, who had not played a game in three weeks, heard during that time from their seniors and coaches about what it would mean for the inaugural team to finish with a winning record.

The Blitz

Episode 12: No coin needed

Matt Middleton and Billy Byler talk about ARC's big win last week. Also: a tribute to the area's marching bands.

High School Golf

Player of the Week: McKenzie Talbert

Strom Thurmond's Talbert shot 5-under-par 139 over the two-day South Carolina Class AAA Girls State Golf Championship to win the individual title at Quail Creek Golf Club in Conway, S.C.

Week 10

Evans secures highest total

After two quarters Friday, Evans players and coaches might have had more interested in a game other than their own.

Week 10

Musketeers pull off shocker

Richmond Academy's win cleared up the region's playoff picture.

Week 10

Victory wraps up home playoff berth

The Mustangs' defense held their opponent out of the end zone for the second consecutive game, grabbed two interceptions and recovered two fumbles.

The Blitz

Episode 11: Unexpected visitor

In our Halloween episode, Matt 'The Cowboy' and Billy 'The Balloon Boy' explain how one team could have a major impact on the final standings in Region 3-AAAA.

Volleyball Playoffs

Confident Aiken finishes strong in opener

Tentative play led to Aiken falling behind 19-15 in the first game before roaring back on the strength of a 10-3 run.

Player of the Week: Kiki Hennessey

Aiken's Kiki Hennessey had 11 kills, four digs and two blocks in a three-game sweep of North Augusta.

Week 9

Swainsboro secures playoff bid with win

Swainsboro stands at 7-1 and second in Region 3-AA. With two more wins, the Tigers will play host to a first-round postseason opponent.

Week 9

Back guides Knights to region victory

Jonathan Finch had absorbed such a large degree of punishment during his 29 carries, he was surprised how easy this one was.

Week 9

Bulldogs claim region crown

A knee hit the ground, the buzzer went off and Silver Bluff casually lined up for the usual postgame handshake.

The Blitz

Episode 10: Impact games

The Blitz takes a look at the big games this week that will determine playoff spots and region titles.

Volleyball Playoffs

Panthers ousted

After Lakeside volleyball team's season ended Tuesday, players folded their courtside seats and stored them away.

Volleyball Playoffs

Wolfpack move closer

Greenbrier's senior-laden volleyball team need only look as far their gymnasium wall to see what's missing from their career.

Player of the Week

Jenny Shepherd

Shepherd struck out 21 batters in two victories over Wayne County in the Class AAAA softball playoffs.

Week 8

Miscues hurt Spartans in Musketeers' region win

Glenn Hills drove into Richmond Academy territory on all but two of its eight possessions, but managed only two TDs.

Week 8

Knights blank Eagles

Evans' Darnell Jackson said the Knights had already begun some preparation for Hephzibah and had watched film on the Rebels during the past week.

The Blitz

Episode 9: Fanfare

The Blitz takes a look at last week's big games and points out which teams really need a win this week. Also, we salute the screaming fans that support the athletes.

Softball Playoffs

Pitcher carries Knights

Evans, champions of Region 3-AAAA, heads to the second round of the Class AAAA South Sectional.

Softball Playoffs

Wolfpack open in style

Greenbrier softball coach Garrett Black is a fan of the new-look state playoff format.

Four first-half TDs give Josey its first victory

Energized by a lively homecoming crowd and a desire to reach the win column, Josey snapped its nine-game losing streak and won its first game of the season, defeating Butler 28-12 on at White Road Stadium on Saturday. By Joey Jones

Lions dig early hole in loss

A sluggish start doomed Augusta Christian on Friday and dampened the school's homecoming.

Jackets from Irmo issue a stinging loss

North Augusta coughed up the ball three times, including a costly fumble into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown in a 31-24 loss to Irmo.

The Blitz

Episode 8: The undefeated club

Reporters Matt Middleton and Billy Byler talk about the area's undefeated teams. Matt interviews Jefferson County coach J.B Arnold and Billy explains why North Augusta's matchup with Irmo is the game to watch Friday night.

Aiken Prep claims state soccer title

The Knights held off Covenant Christian 3-2 to win the first South Carolina Independent Schools Association championship in school history.

Player of the Week: Melina Sprankle

As Augusta Christian's No. 1 singles player, Sprankle cruised past Shannon Beck, the top singles player for St. Joseph's, in straight sets, 7-5, 6-0.

Rebels stand up Panthers

After spending the previous two days between the bathroom and the bedroom with flulike symptoms, Hephzibah's Bobby Liggins said he felt worn out Friday night.

Attack wears down Wolfpack

Greenbrier (2-3, 1-1) was without several key players sidelined because of injuries Friday.

The Blitz

Episode 7: Standouts beginning to show

The Blitz tries to predict which area teams will win their regional championship this season.

Player of the Week: Toree Gaddy

Toree Gaddy was 2 for 4 with two doubles and 4 RBI in a win over Richmond Academy.

Rebels storm past Bulldogs

When Strom Thurmond stepped on the gas in the second half, the Bulldogs had no answer.

Score ends shutout streak

The Panthers (4-0, 4-0 Region 3-AAAA) produced their highest point total of the season, thanks in large part to quarterback Ben Wilson.

The Blitz

Episode 6: Region schedules begin for many

The Blitz takes a look at possible upsets this Friday and we talk with the Lincoln County coach about last week's shutout loss.

Jackets show urgency

North Augusta's offense plays as if the clock is its perpetual enemy.

Lakeside's defense gets third shutout

Minutes after Lakeside posted another shutout victory, the school's band began playing the Rocky theme song.

The Blitz

Episode 5: Lakeside looks to stay perfect

Matt Middleton and Billy Byler review last week's big games and talk about Friday's key games.

Former players turn out to honor coach

Former Greenbrier player Brittany Leverett was one of many players to receive letters at the end of the season from Moseley, the Wolfpack's assistant coach.

Teams cross border to fill slate

North Augusta will travel across state lines this Friday to take on Richmond Academy.

Defense keys Wildcats in win over region foe

Westminster soccer coach Mike Freace builds his teams from back to front, with the belief that scoring goals is secondary to stopping them.

Player of the Week: Anna Bowles

Lakeside junior Anna Bowles is one of the top cross country runners in the state of Georgia.

Jackets overcome early deficit

North Augusta encountered its lowest point of the season early in Friday night's nonregion matchup against Strom Thurmond.

The Blitz

Episode 4: Silver Bluff is hot

Matt and Billy talk to Silver Bluff coach Al Lown about last week's excitement.

Lakeside shuts out rival Evans

The Panthers dominated one of the area's best teams Friday night.

History marked with Warriors' home win

GROVETOWN --- The series of firsts continued for Grovetown High on Friday.

Silver Bluff burns Aiken in fifth OT

PETTICOAT JUNCTION, S.C. --- Excitement was everywhere Friday night at Silver Bluff High School.

Win caps ex-coach's big night

Wildcats sophomore quarterback Leo Myers went 11 for 13 passing for 106 yards and two touchdowns.

The Blitz

Episode 3: Who needs a W the most?

Matt Middleton and Chris Gay run down tonight's big matchups and special halftime events. Chris makes a bold claim.

Knights linemen want to lead way

All five linemen are upperclassmen, and they all said they're striving to be accountable leaders of the team.
By Chris Gay

Junior's big plays lift 'Pack in extras

The fans who surrounded Evans' softball field Monday knew to expect a close game.
By Stephen Fastenau

Hornets go to air attack, rally for win

Aiken's team didn't show up until late in the second quarter.

Knights' star gets support

Coach Marty Jackson's team showed off its other athletes Friday night, beating rival Greenbrier, 28-7.

The Blitz is back

Episode 2: Looking forward

Matt and Stephen take a look at last week's games and this week's Columbia County matchups.

Thursday game

Junior does it all in victory

Barnwell fumbled five times in the first seven minutes of the third quarter.
By Billy Byler

Greenbrier preview

Road challenges await Greenbrier

Greenbrier High's season-opener Friday at rival Evans should give the Wolfpack a feel for the atmosphere they will experience much of the season.
By Stephen Fastenau

3 Musketeers key to team's attack

The possibilities offered by Richmond Academy's offensive backfield had the team's quarterback running off potential nicknames the other day.
By Matt Middleton

Week 1

Aiken's offense has reputation to protect

AIKEN --- Aiken's current crop of talented football players can rattle off their predecessors with ease.
By Billy Byler

Butler preview

New coach has Butler buzzing

Since taking the reins during spring practice, Harden says his mission is to not only end the embarrassing skid but also to change the culture surrounding his team.
By Joey Jones

Josey preview

Josey Eagles click with new coach

When Josey lineman Chris Bostic found out that offensive coordinator John Noah had been promoted to head coach, he could hardly contain himself.
By Joey Jones

Cross Creek preview

Confident Cross Creek looking to rebound

Seniors Sam Whitten and Terry Ramble like what they've seen this summer at Cross Creek.
By Chris Gay

Player of the Week

Alex Levy: Augusta Prep

Levy scored two goals and had an assist in the three-game Tattnall Southeastern Shootout in Macon, Ga., Aug. 14-15.
By Joey Jones

The Blitz is back

Week 0: The 2009 season preview episode

Matt and Billy visit Grovetown High and run down the prospects of area teams in Georgia and South Carolina. Grovetown coach Rodney Holder talks about the new team's strategy for year one.

Week 0

Warriors hold heads up

Facing one of the best teams in the state, they were tough early in a 51-0 loss at Buford on Friday night.
By Matt Middleton

Week 0

Hornets run over Patriots

Aiken coach Carey Johnson didn't waste any time showing off the depth of his squad's running game in a 40-28 victory over Berkmar to open the season.
By Billy Byler

The Dream 16

Gallery: Fun and games

Jefferson County's B.J. Bostic (above) is cool under pressure. See and read about all 16 top area players selected by The Chronicle for 2009. PLUS: Watch video from behind the scenes at this year's photo shoot.