East Cobb Sports & Recreation Archives

Corky Kell Classic changes relocate site for Kell-Walton opener

July 17, 2020 6:09 PM by Wendy Parker

Earlier this week organizers of the Corky Kell Classic announced that some of the games in the season-opening week of the Georgia high school football season will be moving away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta.

That includes the East Cobb matchup between Kell and Walton that’s scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 22.

Instead of playing at the home of the Falcons, the Longhorns and Raiders would be squaring off at Mill Creek High School in Gwinnett County.

Corky Kell organizers made the change due to social distancing and sanitizing concerns at the NFL stadium.

We say “would” because the Georgia High School Association, which oversees high school athletics in the state, is monitoring preseason workouts that continue on Monday.

They’ve limited high school football teams according to social distancing and sanitizing guidelines. On Monday, teams will be allowed to practice with helmets, which must be sanitized before and after every practice.

The GHSA board of trustees is meeting Monday to discuss the opening of fall sports. In Georgia, those are football, volleyball, cross country, softball and flag football.

Cobb school superintendent Chris Ragsdale said Thursday that the school district will start the school year online-only, and many extracurricular activities are being cancelled. He said high school sports are still on for now, but he would be following GHSA guidance.

A total of 11 games at the Corky Kell Classic are scheduled over four days starting Aug. 19. The other locations are at West Forsyth High School, Dacula High School and Barron Stadium in Rome.

The Kell-Walton game is scheduled to kick off five games at Mill Creek on Aug. 22, with a start time of 9 a.m. The only other Cobb school involved, McEachern, will face North Gwinnett in the finale at 9 p.m.

For the last two seasons, the final slate of Corky Kell Classic games had been played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Last year, Walton rallied to defeat Norcross, and Kell edged Mays. For the first time, the Longhorns and Raiders slated to play each other in the event named after the late Wheeler High School coach and administrator.

Lassiter soccer star is Georgia Gatorade player of the year

June 25, 2020 10:11 AM by Wendy Parker

Submitted information:

In its 35th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, the Gatorade Company has announced Vedad Kovac of Lassiter High School as its 2019-20 Gatorade Georgia Boys Soccer Player of the Year. Kovac is the fourth Gatorade Georgia Boys Soccer Player of the Year to be chosen from Lassiter High School.

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Kovac as Georgia’s best high school boys soccer player.

The 5-foot-8, 145-pound senior forward led the Trojans to a 7-1 record this spring before the season was cancelled. Kovac totaled 17 goals and 14 assists with three hat tricks in eight games. The 2019 4-AAAAAAA Region Player of the Year, Kovac is a member of the Under-19 Bosnian National Team. He concluded his prep soccer career with 47 goals and 25 assists.

An avid artist, Kovac has volunteered locally as part of community beautification projects and as a youth soccer coach. “Vedad is a natural finisher and a hard worker on the field,” said Samer Kaddah, head coach of Pope High. “He has some great vision on the field and provides many assists when he is not scoring himself.”

Kovac has maintained a weighted 3.65 GPA in the classroom. He has signed a National Letter of Intent to play soccer on scholarship at Michigan State University.

Pope football workouts continue after positive COVID-19 case

June 23, 2020 12:20 PMJune 23, 2020 9:19 AM by Wendy Parker

Pope High School officials notified the school community on Monday that a person involved with the varsity football program has tested positive for COVID-19.

The message did not specify whether the individual was a player, coach or a staff member, and said that Cobb and Douglas Public Health “has classified this case as a low-risk exposure.”

The Pope message said that “the families that may have been potentially impacted have been notified” and that “this low-risk exposure does not require isolation or quarantine of asymptomatic individuals.”

Football workouts have resumed, the message said, and “we will continue to follow the recommended social distancing and sanitary protocols recommended by DPH, GHSA, and the CCSD.”

The MDJ reported that people involved with the Hillgrove and McEachern football teams also have tested positive for COVID-19, and workouts are continuing at those schools.

High school football teams in the Cobb County School District began workouts last week, along with other athletes in fall sports (softball and cross country), but they are limited to weight-training and conditioning activities.

Those workouts also are 100 percent voluntary, according to Cobb schools athletic director Don Baker.

The CCSD guidance for the workouts includes closed locker rooms and water fountains, and coaches and players are subject to regular temperature checks and must answer COVID-19 exposure questions.

A school district spokeswoman said Tuesday that “all protocols recommended by public health officials are being followed including deep cleaning and fogging of all weight rooms in Cobb County high schools.”

The Georgia High School Association regulations limit those workouts to a total of 20, and no more than 20 people at a time can be involved in an activity at one time in the same facility.

The high school football season is scheduled to begin in late August.

Pope hires volleyball coach with 3 state championships

June 17, 2020 5:04 PM by Wendy Parker

Pope High School has has hired Dr. Jeff White, who won three state championships at Northview High School in North Fulton, as its new head volleyball coach. Dr. Jeff White, Pope volleyball coach

White had been head coach at Jackson County High School in Jefferson, Ga., for the last two seasons, after leaving the high school ranks for college coaching jobs.

His Northview teams won Georgia High School Association state championships in 2005, 2007 and 2008. He also coached Chattahoochee to a Final Four and state runner-up appearance before that.

White’s wife Stephanie is a Pope High School graduate and he will also be teaching mathematics.

He succeeds Shawn Darling, who resigned after three seasons that included the 2018 state championship, the fourth in Pope history.

In 2019 the Greyhounds reached the Class 6A state semifinals.

More on White can be found by clicking here.

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Cobb to reopen pools, more park facilities in June

May 29, 2020 4:35 PM by Wendy Parker

Mountain View Aquatic Center

Submitted information from Cobb government:

Cobb County PARKS will reopen most of their facilities to residents starting June 1st, including outdoor playgrounds, restroom facilities, and Aquatic Centers. Many of these facilities will have public health restrictions in place that will help maintain recommended social distancing.

Following the Governor’s latest Executive Orders, Cobb PARKS is working with associations and athletic organizations to formulate COVID-19 response plans that will allow organized games to resume when their plans are approved. This could be as early as mid-June.

Parks rentals are still not available, but plans are underway to restart them soon. Night lighting at some facilities may not be immediately available but will be phased-in over the next several weeks.

The number of people using aquatic centers will be limited and swim lessons will not take place due to social distancing guidelines. Lanes will be available to rent for those wishing to secure a time.

Central Aquatic Center:
June 1^st: 15 swimmers (one per lane)

Mountain View Aquatic Center:
June 1^st: 25 swimmers (one per lane)

West Cobb Aquatic Center:
June 1^st: 10 Swimmers (one per lane and 2 in the deep water)

South Cobb Aquatic Center:
June 1^st: 5 swimmers (one per lane and 1 in the lazy river for exercising)

Seven Springs Waterpark:
June 15^th: 25% of capacity (125 swimmers per session)

Sewell Park Pool:
June 15^th: 20 swimmers (Splash Pad closed)

We will update the web site (www.cobbPARKS.org) and our Social Media Accounts with any changes in the pool hours and available activities.

Please visit the link below to reserve lap lanes and designated lanes for exercising.
https://secure.rec1.com/GA/cobb-county-ga/catalog

Chattahoochee River NRA reopens at all parking areas

May 18, 2020 1:26 PMMay 18, 2020 11:25 AM by Wendy Parker

Over the weekend most parking areas of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area reopened, and on Monday, the final two lots, at Gold Branch and Columns Drive in East Cobb, also reopened to public access.

For the mean time, entry fees are being waived, and there are some facilities that remain closed, including restrooms, picnic areas and shelters and the Hewlett Lodge Visitor Center.

East Cobb Park reopens on a beautiful spring day

May 11, 2020 7:15 PMMay 11, 2020 4:45 PM by Wendy Parker

East Cobb Park reopens
After being closed for seven weeks, East Cobb Park reopened Monday to gorgeous weather.

At mid-afternoon there were a handful of people walking—and running with—their dogs, riding bicycles, tossing frisbees and just enjoying some elbow room.

While Cobb County opened outdoor parks (including Mabry Park), playgrounds and restrooms remain closed for the time being, no organized athletic activities are allowed and events and group gatherings, including picnics, have been called off.

Aquatic centers and arts centers, including The Art Place-Mountain View, also remain closed.

The weather will be nice the rest of this week, with partly sunny skies and temperatures reaching the 70s Tuesday and Wednesday and the 80s by the end of the week.

Walton volleyball coach honored as one of Top 100 nationally

April 26, 2020 2:20 PM by Wendy Parker

Walton-Lassiter volleyball

Melissa Watkins of the Walton Volleyball Booster Club sends along this news about Lady Raiders head coach Suzanne Fitzgerald:

She’s been named as one of the Top 100 high school coaches in the country by MaxPreps.

That’s a high school sports website and the rankings aren’t just for volleyball, but for all sports.

The list isn’t a ranking—the coaches are named in alphabetical order, and Fitzgerald is only one of four coaches from Georgia to be included.

In December, Walton won its fifth consecutive state championship, beating East Cobb rival Lassiter in the finals.

Walton has won nine state titles in the last 10 years and has 14 championships overall.

Fitzgerald, who teaches English at Walton, was named the MaxPreps national prep volleyball coach of the year when the Lady Raiders were crowned that organization’s national champions.

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Cobb County to reopen some passive parks, trails this weekend

April 24, 2020 9:15 PMApril 22, 2020 12:58 PM by Wendy Parker

Ebenezer Road park, Cobb parks master plan — *Ebenezer Downs Park on Ebenezer Road in Northeast Cobb.*

Cobb residents will have some more elbow room to get outdoors and recreate as soon as Saturday.

County government spokesman Ross Cavitt said Wednesday that selected passive parks and trails will be reopened, including the Noonday Creek Trail and Ebenezer Downs Park and Hyde Farm in East Cobb.

What won’t be open are East Cobb Park, Mabry Park and other parks with playground facilities, as well as parks with sporting fields.

“The passive parks allow for more social distancing under public health guidelines,” Cavitt said. “Based on Public Health guidance, those who use these facilities and trails will be required to adhere to social distancing guidelines and wear masks.”

Here’s a full list of what’s reopening:

TRAILS

Silver Comet Trail
Noonday Creek Trail
Bob Callen Trail

PASSIVE PARKS

Allatoona Creek Park, 5690 Old Stilesboro Road, Acworth
Camp McDonald, 2726 Watts Drive, Kennesaw
Ebenezer Downs Park, 4057 Ebenezer Road, Marietta
Furr Family Park, Old Westside Road, Austell
Green Meadows Preserve, 3780 Dallas Highway, Marietta
Heritage Park, 60 Fontaine Road, Mableton
Hyde Farm, 721 Hyde Road, Marietta
Kemp Family Park, 4331 Burnt Hickory Road, Acworth
Old Clarkdale Park, 5195 Clark Street, Austell
Price Park, 4715 Stilesboro Road, Acworth
Schmidt Park, 451 Anderson Road, Marietta
Shoupade property, 4770 Oakdale Road, Smyrna
Stout Park, 5315 Brownsville Road, Powder Springs
Trolley Line Park, 4700 North Church Lane, Smyrna

East Side Baseball postpones opening day event due to Coronavirus

March 16, 2020 7:43 PMMarch 11, 2020 12:35 PM by Wendy Parker

Fullers Park, East Cobb parks and recreational facilities — Fields at Fullers Park, where the East Side Baseball Association plays. (East Cobb News photos by Wendy Parker)

Rainy weather postponed the start of the spring season for the East Side Baseball Association, but concerns over the Coronavirus outbreak have prompted the organization to put a hold on its opening day celebrations for now.

President Marc Glickman told East Cobb News that this wasn’t a typical opening day event, but was a celebration to mark East Side Baseball’s 50th anniversary.

The event was to have taken place this Saturday, after weather issues postponed it last weekend. The opening day event, he said, typically draws several hundred people.

“We’re still playing baseball games, but we felt it was the right decision,” he said. “We didn’t take it lightly, and it was a difficult decision, but we don’t have to have that ceremony to play baseball.”

The celebration was to have taken place at Fullers Park. East Side Baseball has between 700 to 800 youths from ages 4-16 who play there in various recreation and travel leagues.

There are six confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Georgia, including one in Cobb County. That individual, who is in home isolation, recently traveled to Italy, which is on a nationwide lockdown and has had hundreds of Coronavirus-related deaths.

Late Tuesday, Gov. Brian Kemp said the number of “presumptive positive” cases of Coronavirus in Georgia has grown to 16, and Cobb County has the most, with six.

Presumptive positive cases are those that have been conducted by state health officials but still require confirmation by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

The three new individuals in Cobb County who are presumptive positive cases are hospitalized, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. One of the Cobb individuals has a travel history outside the U.S.; the other sources of infection are unknown.

The West Cobb Library was closed Tuesday after county officials said an employee there reported possibly being exposed to someone with a confirmed case of Coronavirus.

County spokesman Ross Cavitt said the library worker was sent home and the library branch, located on Dennis Kemp Lane in Kennesaw, is undergoing a deep cleaning remains closed for the time being.

County officials said Tuesday they’re forming a Coronavirus task force to coordinate preparations for a possible shutdown of county government. The plans would call for some county employees to work remotely and other considerations would include child care arrangements in the case of school closures and safety measures for first responders.

A child care center in Acworth also was closed after a teacher there had a presumptive positive test.

In a note to East Side parents sent earlier this week, Glickman said that “while the odds of contracting the virus remain extremely low, moving forward with a gathering event that is not considered essential to the main purpose of our league does not feel like the right thing to do. Our focus at this point in time as it relates to ESBA is to try to play as much baseball as we can and that’s what we will plan to do.”

Games have begun, and Glickman said a no-handshake policy is going into effect after games. Parents are being allowed to visit dugouts during games to wipe down their kids’ equipment and gear.

He said he’s received “very favorable feedback” from parents about the precautionary measures and that nobody’s pulled their children out due to concerns about Coronavirus.

The 50th anniversary celebration was to have included music, food, raffle prizes and other festivities. Glickman said a decision about whether to have that event will be made at a later time.

First Cobb County Coronavirus case confirmed

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Wheeler shocks Grayson to claim 7th state basketball title

March 7, 2020 9:32 PM by Wendy Parker

After losing a big lead and some of their poise, the Wheeler Wildcats pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent memory in the Georgia High School Association basketball tournament.

Facing the 30-1 Grayson Rams, who had beaten them earlier this season and were ranked No. 2 in a national poll, the Wildcats climbed back from a seven-point deficit in the fourth quarter Saturday night at the Macon Coliseum.

Then, with one second remaining on the game clock, they got the clinching point they needed, on a free throw by Sam Hines Jr., to earn the seventh state championship in school history with a 60-59 win in the Class 7A finals.

Hines scored 28 points in a brilliant finish to his high school career, as he made 11 of 12 shots from the field, sank 6 of 8 free throws and pulled down nine rebounds.

The biggest of those points and the biggest of those rebounds came in the waning seconds.

He had made two free throws with 26 seconds to play to give Wheeler a 59-56 lead. But Grayson’s Toneari Lane tied the game with 10 seconds left on a long 3-point basket.

The Wildcats played for the final shot, as point guard Nash Kelly drove to the basket. He missed, but Hines grabbed the ball and was fouled.

Hines made the first free throw for a 60-59 score, but missed the second after Grayson called timeout.

Grayson’s Caleb Murphy heaved a long shot at the buzzer but it wasn’t close.

Wheeler’s comeback exemplified much of its play in the post-season. The Wildcats dug out a second-round win over highly-regarded Shiloh, held off Berkmar in the quarterfinals and cruised over Milton in the semifinals.

The Wildcats led 42-31 in the third quarter when Hines scored a basket. The Rams then went on a 15-2 run that extended into the fourth quarter, as Wheeler looked sapped of energy and couldn’t get the ball to Hines.

Kell girls come up short in state title game

He hit a jump shot from the free throw line to cut Grayson’s lead to 54-48, then teammate Ja’Heim Hudsom scored on a three-point play to make it a 55-51 game.

Another basket by Hines and two free throws by Prince Davies tied the score at 55-55, part of a 14-5 closing run by the Wildcats.

Grayson retook the lead 56-55 on a free throw, and Hines lost the ball out of bounds closing to the basket on Wheeler’s next possession.

The Rams missed two free throws on the other end, giving Wheeler a glimmer of hope in the final minute.

Kelly was fouled and made two free throws, and Grayson missed an easy shot underneath the basket with a chance to go ahead.

Hines was fouled on the rebound, and made two free throws.

Even after Lane’s heroics looked like the game might head to overtime, Wheeler (23-7) found a way to win its first title since 2015.

The title was the first for third-year head coach Larry Thompson, who won two Class A private school state titles at Greenforest Christian Academy in DeKalb County and succeeded Doug Lipscomb, the architect of Wheeler’s powerhouse program.

Thompson’s mantra for Wheeler in the playoffs was defense, and trying to hold opponents under 50 points. While the Wildcats couldn’t do that against Grayson, they did just enough to bring back another trophy to East Cobb.

It’s also the sixth state title thus far in the school year for East Cobb high schools, as the Wildcats join Walton volleyball, Pope softball, Walton boys cross country, Pope duals wrestling and Lassiter girls swimming.

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Kell’s dream ends in heartbreak in state basketball finals

March 7, 2020 10:45 AMMarch 6, 2020 8:20 PM by Wendy Parker

Kell’s sensational freshman point guard Crystal Henderson did nearly everything she could to lift the Lady Longhorns to their first Georgia state basketball title on Friday.

Weaving up and down the court all night at the Macon Coliseum, Henderson was a handful for one of the state’s best girls basketball programs around.

When she buried a 3-point basket with nine seconds to play in the game, Kell had cut Buford’s lead to 65-63. Kell then fouled Buford’s star player, Tate Walters, who made one of two free throws.

That left the door open for Kell and Henderson, who launched a long shot at the buzzer.

This time, it didn’t go in, and what had been a dream season for the Lady Longhorns ended with their only loss of the season.

Kell was 32-0 coming into the Georgia High School Association Class 5A championship against a team that had been there many times before.

Buford had won seven previous state titles, and was aiming for a fourth in a row.

The Lady Wolves got off to a hot start and led 16-10 at the end of the first quarter.

Kell went on a big streak in the second quarter, led by Henderson, who scored 15 points in the first half.

After Mikyah Favors hit a 3, Henderson stole a pass and scored to give the Lady Longhorns at 26-18 lead.

The teams were tied 29-29 at halftime, and Buford regained momentum in the third quarter.

Henderson had been checked offensively until late in the fourth quarter, when she hit a jumper to trim Buford’s lead to 59-54.

She knocked down another 3 with 1:47 to play as Kell pulled to within 61-57.

With 29 seconds to play, Henderson was fouled shooting a 3-point shot and made all three free throws as Kell trailed 63-60.

Buford made two free throws on the other end, then Henderson connected on yet another 3 with nine seconds to play.

Those would be the final points for her and Kell, as she finished with 26 points on 8-for-16 shooting.

While Buford (31-1) celebrated yet another state title, Kell figures to have a bright future.

In addition to Henderson, the Lady Longhorns will have back most of their top players under coach Tony Ingle Jr., who in his second season lifted them from a 11-15 record to the brink of a state championship.

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Wheeler boys, Kell girls reach state basketball finals

February 29, 2020 7:43 PMFebruary 29, 2020 6:11 PM by Wendy Parker

Wheeler basketball — *The Wildcats will attempt to add to the school’s banner collection when they play for the Class 7A GHSA state championship next Saturday. ECN photo*

A two-point loss early in the season to Milton was on the minds of Wheeler players as they took the floor in Buford Saturday for a rematch.

But there was much more riding on this one, in the Class 7A Georgia High School Association boys semifinals.

The Wildcats led from wire-to-wire, and by double digits for most of the way, in exacting revenge on Milton in a 59-47 win.

In doing so, they now have a chance to win the seventh state title in school history.

Next Saturday, Wheeler will play either Grayson or McEachern in Macon.

Later Saturday afternoon at Fort Valley State, the Kell girls remained undefeated and reached the state finals for the first time ever with a 60-55 victory over Eagle’s Landing.

After reaching the Final Four for the first time since 2015 on Wednesday in a quarterfinal win over Berkmar, Wheeler can end a five-year trophy drought with one more win.

Sam Hines Jr. scored 19 points for the Wildcats, who once again played stifling defense in holding their opponent to under 50 points for the second game in a row.

Bruce Thornton had a game-high 28 points for Milton, but Wheeler had more contributors on offense.

Wheeler pulled away in the second quarter. Hines scored on a dunk to make the score 22-14, then A.J. Burke and Prince Davies made 3-point shots for a 28-16 score.

Later in the quarter, Hines cut to the baseline, took a pass and threw down another dunk to give Wheeler a 32-20 advantage.

He had 12 points at halftime, and scored only two points in the third quarter, but the Wildcats got a 3-point basket from Maxwell Harris to lead 43-26.

Milton trailed by 11 points at the start of the fourth quarter, but never put together enough of a run to threaten Wheeler from there.

The Kell girls were 31-0 on the season coming in to Saturday’s game, led from the opening moments, built a double-digit lead in the second half but had to hang on in the closing seconds.

Kell’s freshman star, Crystal Henderson, tossed in a desperation shot at the halftime buzzer to give the Lady Longhorns a 27-24 lead.

Eagle’s Landing hung around for much of the third quarter, but Henderson provided a spark when she headed down the court on the break, dribbled between her legs and passed to Amaya Moss for an easy basket.

Kell’s lead was 37-32 at that point, and Henderson drained a 3-point shot, followed by Makyah Favors with another 3, and the score was 42-34.

After Kell missed a free throw, Henderson got the rebound, put the ball back up and in the basket for two more points for a 47-34 lead.

Eagle’s Landing called timeout after that, and climbed back in the fourth quarter.

Kell nearly squandered its lead as Eagle’s Landing fought back to trail 57-55 with 40 seconds left.

Then Henderson was fouled, and she made one of two free throws. The Eagles nearly tied it up the other way, but the shot rimmed out and Kell got possession.

Henderson made two free throws with a second left, for a game-high 25 points, to clinch the win for the Lady Longhorns.

Next Friday, Kell will play Buford for the state title, also in Macon.

In the Class 5A boys semifinals on Saturday, Kell was playing in its first state semifinal game, against Dutchtown, also in Fort Valley.

The Longhorns couldn’t hold on to an eight-point lead in the fourth quarter and were forced into overtime. Then Dutchtown got the upper hand early in the extra period and held on for a 62-56 win.

Kell’s best-ever season ended with a 26-6 record.

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East Marietta Little League opening celebration postponed

February 28, 2020 12:24 PM by Wendy Parker

It’s going to be a bit chilly Saturday morning—just above freezing, according to the local weather forecast—and as a result the East Marietta Little League has postponed its opening day festivities.

They were supposed to take place at 9 a.m. Saturday at Sewell Park, but the event has been pushed back to the same time, the same place, next Saturday, March 7.

Saturday’s first slate of games is still scheduled to go on. By later Saturday morning, we’re expecting sunshine with high temperatures nearing 50.

The Little League season starts Friday and Saturday for East Side Baseball at Fullers Park and on Saturday for Sandy Plains Baseball at Carl Harrison Park and Sweat Mountain Park.

East Marietta’s Opening Day event includes special guests, team introductions and a ceremonial first pitch.

Next Saturday is projected to be warmer, in the high 50s.

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Final Four-bound: Wheeler boys, Kell girls and boys play on

February 27, 2020 12:41 PMFebruary 27, 2020 9:00 AM by Wendy Parker

The high school basketball season will extend into the weekend for three East Cobb teams when they play in the Georgia High School Association Final Four.

The Wheeler boys led the whole game Wednesday, then fought off a late challenge from Berkmar, to advance with a 53-43 win at Wildcat Arena in the Class 7A tournament.

At the same time, the Kell boys went on the road and downed Buford 57-45 in Class 5A. On Tuesday, the Kell girls remained undefeated with a 64-54 win over Jones County.

On Saturday, all three teams will compete in the semifinal rounds on neutral sites. The Wheeler boys face Milton in Buford at 4 p.m.

Also at 4 p.m. Saturday, the Kell boys will play Dutchtown in Fort Valley, followed by the Kell girls against Eagle’s Landing at the same venue.

For the Wheeler boys, it’s their first trip to the Final Four under third-year coach Larry Thompson.

“It feels great; this is a place that’s rich with tradition,” he said. “This is what people expect here.”

Thompson succeeded the legendary Doug Lipscomb, who guided Wheeler to six state championships between 1994 and 2015. The last was when the Wildcats’ star was Jaylen Brown, now playing for the Boston Celtics in the NBA.

These Wildcats are built around defense. In the playoffs so far, they held Etowah to under 50 points, scraped by Shiloh with a 65-64 overtime win and also wanted to hold Berkmar under 50.

“That was our game plan,” Thompson said, and for the first half Wheeler didn’t give the Patriots too many good shots.

Wheeler got some key 3-point shooting to build a 31-18 lead, but Berkmar fought back in the third quarter. An alley oop slam dunk cut the Wildcats’ lead to 39-34, and Wheeler led 41-36 going into the fourth quarter.

“We knew they’d make a run,” Thompson said. “I just told our players to persevere. Play tough.”

He had to call a couple of timeouts early in the fourth quarter before Wheeler regained a double-digit lead with 4:20 to play when Prince Davies fed Ja’Heim Hudson for a dunk.

That brought the Wheeler students to their feet, and they remained standing and jumping for joy with the players, as the clock expired.

The Wildcats will be facing Milton for a second time this season, after losing to the North Fulton school 64-62 in late January.

The Final Four experience will be new for both Kell teams, which will be making their semifinal debuts.

The Lady Longhorns are 31-0 and have been rolling for most of the season, with only two close calls since region play began. The Kell boys are 26-5 on the season.

The state championship games will be played next weekend in Macon.

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Wheeler, Kell basketball teams advance in state playoffs

February 23, 2020 6:23 PMFebruary 21, 2020 9:59 AM by Wendy Parker

The Wheeler and Kell boys needed some late dramatics in their second-round games of the Georgia High School Association basketball playoffs this week.

The Kell girls moved on with no problem.

They’re all headed for the Elite 8 next week, with the Wheeler boys and Kell girls playing at home in the quarterfinals.

In the Class 7A boys tournament, Wheeler came into its game Wednesday ranked No. 6, playing host to second-ranked Shiloh, and it lived up to the billing.

The Wildcats topped Shiloh 65-64 in overtime, as Sam Hines made all six free throws in the extra session, to lead Wheeler with 23 points.

Wheeler, which is 21-7 under third-year coach Larry Thompson, gets to stay at home for one more game. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, the Wildcats will play host to Berkmar, which advanced over Kennesaw Mountain.

In Class 5A, the Kell boys had to travel to Warner Robins, and held on for a 60-53 win on Wednesday that sets them up for a quarterfinal road game on Wednesday against Buford at 6:30 p.m. The Longhorns, who 25-5 on the season, have lost only once since late December.

The Kell girls, ranked No. 2 in Class 5A, crushed Lithonia 58-26, running their record to a perfect 30-0. The Lady Longhorns will play at home at 6 p.m. Tuesday against Jones County.

The Sprayberry girls got to play at home in the second round of the Class 6A tournament on Thursday, but fell to Forest Park 66-55. The Lady Jackets ended their season, which included a region championship, with a 19-10 record.

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East Cobb sports update: Pope wrestling; basketball playoffs

February 18, 2020 5:52 PMFebruary 17, 2020 10:50 AM by Wendy Parker

The Pope wrestling team finished fourth in the Georgia High School Association Class 6A traditional championships in Macon, and with one Greyhound taking home an individual state title.

That’s Joey Johnson in the 113-pound category. He was one of seven Pope wrestlers who finished sixth or higher in their weight divisions. The others are as follows:

2nd – Aidan Karpinski (106)
2nd – Max Druhot (120)
4th – Pat Haskin (145)
5th – Connor Weeks (152)
3rd – Troy Gable (160)
6th – TJ Mordarski (220)

In the team standings, Pope tallied 87 points, behind Creekview (195.5), Cambridge (169.5) and Richmond Hill (155.5).

Last month the Greyhounds won the duals state championship in Class 6A, their first since 2014.

Here are some other wrestlers from East Cobb high schools who finished high in their individual competitions:

David Panone, Lassiter, 3rd in Class 7A 132 pounds;
Landon Chambers, Lassiter, 2nd in Class 7A 145 pounds;
Josh Sanders, Sprayberry, 4th in Class 6A 106 pounds;
Joseph Fredeman, Kell, 4th in Class 5A 138 pounds;
Andrew Parlato, Kell, 2nd in Class 5A 220 pounds;
Robert Austin Westbrook, Walker, 1st in Class A 106 pounds.

Basketball Sweet 16 games set

Three East Cobb high school basketball teams will get to play at home this week as the GHSA state playoffs continue in the Sweet 16.

That’s also known formally as the second-round, as higher-seeded teams will remain at home. The Wheeler boys, Kell girls and Sprayberry girls all advance, and will be at home.

The Wheeler boys trounced Etowah 68-43 in the Class 7A tournament and on Thursday will play host to Shiloh at 7 p.m.

Walton’s boys also were competing in Class 7A, but their season ended at home Friday in a 66-59 loss to East Coweta. The Raiders were 16-13 on the season.

The Sprayberry boys lost in Class 6A to Lanier 76-45. The Pope boys, also playing in 6A, fell to Douglas County 66-57. The Greyhounds were 21-8.

In Class 5A, the Kell boys came from behind to clip Miller Grove 92-91 on Friday, advancing to the second round at Warner Robins either Wednesday or Thursday.

In the Class A private school category, Mt. Bethel Christian’s season ended in a 60-46 loss at Mt. Paran Christian. The Walker School will play host to Mt. Paran Wednesday at 7 p.m.

The Sprayberry girls will be staying at home after rolling past Habersham Centeral 63-58 on Friday. The Lady Jackets play at 6 p.m. Thursday against Forest Park in the Sweet 16.

The Pope girls fell to Douglas County 57-44 to end their season at 19-10.

The Kell girls also won easily by a 58-26 score over Lithonia. The next opponent for the Lady Longhorns will be Bainbridge, and the game will be Wednesday or Thursday.

Mt. Bethel Christian basketball star in slam-dunk contest

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

East Cobb sports: 10 basketball teams make state playoffs

February 14, 2020 11:03 AMFebruary 13, 2020 6:53 PM by Wendy Parker

Nine of the 10 East Cobb teams that qualified for the Georgia High School Association state basketball playoffs will be in action Friday night.

Half of them will be playing at home, including a doubleheader at Kell.

The Lady Longhorns of Kell, ranked No. 2 in Class 5A, will be playing Lithonia at 6 p.m., followed by the Kell boys against Miller Grove at 7:30 p.m.

The Longhorns boys are ranked No. 5 in Class 5A.

Another ranked team from East Cobb also gets to stay at home. The Wheeler boys, ranked No. 6 in Class 7A, will face Etowah at 7:30 p.m. at Wildcat arena.

The Walton boys are playing at home as well on Friday, meeting East Coweta at 7:30 p.m. in another Class 7A first-round game.

The Sprayberry girls are playing at home on Friday, against Habersham Central at 7:30 p.m. in a Class 6A playoff contest.

Both Pope teams made the Class 6A playoffs, and will be playing in a doubleheader on the road on Friday at Douglas County. The girls play at 6 p.m. and the boys follow at 7:30 p.m.

The Sprayberry boys will be playing at Lanier Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Two East Cobb boys teams have advanced to the Class A Private category tournament. On Friday, Mt. Bethel Christian plays at Mt. Paran Christian.

The Walker boys got a first-round bye and will play their first game next week.

Mt. Bethel Christian basketball star in slam-dunk contest

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Mt. Bethel Christian basketball star in slam dunk contest

February 13, 2020 11:12 AM by Wendy Parker

High school basketball season is winding down, but an East Cobb hoops star in involved in an extra competition along with his team reaching the state playoffs.

Jordan Meka, a senior at Mt. Bethel Christian Academy, has been chosen to participate in the American Family Insurance National High School Slam Dunk Contest.

Contestants have already done their dunks—which are recorded on video—and it’s up to fans to vote for the best performances. Here’s a two-minute compilation of Jordan’s dunks:

Jordan’s 6-foot-8, by the way, and he’s signed a scholarship to play at Georgia Tech during his college career.

During his Mt. Bethel career, he’s had more than 225 dunks and 450 blocked shots.

The voting in the AFI contest takes place over four rounds, and the first round is underway, ending Feb. 18. Each contestant will receive votes against one other player, with the winner advancing.

The other players are nationally-acclaimed high school stars.

Other rounds will take place Feb. 19-26, Feb. 27-March 5 and March 6-13.

The finalists will compete for the championship at the Final Four, the NCAA men’s national college basketball championship, in Atlanta in early April.

To watch the dunks and vote online, click this link.

On Friday, Jordan and the Mt. Bethel Christian Eagles will play in the Georgia High School Association Class A private state playoffs, in a first-round game at Mt. Paran Christian.

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Lassiter girls win state swimming championship; Walton third

February 10, 2020 5:25 PMFebruary 10, 2020 3:33 PM by Wendy Parker

The Lassiter girls swimming team got strong performances from their relay teams Saturday to win the Georgia High School Association Class 6A-7A championships at Georgia Tech.

The Lady Trojans tallied 332.5 points, followed by Brookwood with 307 and Walton with 291 points.

(You can find the full results here.)

Lassiter won its first relay race, the 200-yard medley, with a time of 1:47.34, featuring a team of Elizabeth Blanco, Kennadi King, Elizabeth Tilt and Lindsey Johnson.

In the 200-yard freestyle relay, Blanco and Johnson were joined by Allison Brown and Frances Carson to win with a time of 1:36.22.

The Walton team of Jasmin Hoffman, Abby Belinski, Isabella Decker and Elizabeth Isakson finished fourth in that race, with a time of 1:36.63.

In the 400-yard freestyle relay, Walton (Hoffman, Belinski, Isakson and Annalia Janson) was second at 3:29.72, and Lassiter (Carson, Brown, King and Tilt) came in third with a time of 3:30.67.

Tilt won the girls 7A race in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 54.85 in Lassiter’s only individual winner, and she was second in the 200-yard medley (2:04.04). Aiding the Lady Trojans’ cause was Blanco, who was second in the 100-yard backstroke (56.67); Carson, who came in third in the 200-yard freestyle (1:52.13); and Kayleigh Clark, who was fourth in the 1-meter diving event (485.75).

Lassiter was dominant in girls swimming several years ago, winning four consecutive state titles from 2008-11, and also in 2005.

East Cobb state swimming champions

1983—Walton boys
1988—Walton girls
1999—Pope boys
2005—Lassiter girls
2008-11—Lassiter girls
2014-15—Walton boys
2017—Walton girls
2018—Pope boys
2020—Lassiter girls

The Pope girls finished in 23rd place with 108 points, and Wheeler was 37th with 40 points.

In other girls individual events, Walton’s Jasmin Hoffman was second in the 50-yard freestyle race with a time of 23.51, and Walton’s Elizabeth Isakson was third in the 100-yard breastroke at 1:04.98.

The highest finisher for an East Cobb boys team was Pope, which was 4th in the Class 6A meet with 224 points, well behind 6A-7A champion Dalton, which had 445 points.

Walton was 18th with 140 points, Lassiter 22nd with 109 points and Wheeler 53rd with six points.

In individual races, Lassiter’s Brendan Hausdorf was second in the 200-yard freestyle, coming in second with a time of 1:39.56. He also was fourth in the 500-yard freestyle (4:35.35).

Pope’s Gabe Lacasella was third in the 50-yard freestyle (21.21), and the Greyhounds’ Eli Lubell was third in 1-meter diving with 415.10 points.

Pope wins state duals wrestling title

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

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East Cobb state swimming champions

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